Anthony Davis suffered serious ligament damage in his left hand in January during his final days in a Dallas Mavericks jersey. A month later, the front office moved him to the Washington Wizards. Reports said that the trade didn’t amuse the 33-year-old. Yet, he settled, but didn’t suit up for the remainder of the season. Now, as trade rumors once again surrounded the 10-time All-Star, Wizards’ president Michael Winger confirmed the team’s plan for AD.

Winger recently appeared on The Ryen Russillo Show and discussed the team’s vision. “I would imagine Alex, I think AD wants to play the four,” Winger said. “I would also submit that AD is a special talent and a special guy. And if AD says, ‘I need a break from the five for a few minutes,’ Brian Keefe is going to give him a break for a few minutes. We will listen to Anthony.”

Undoubtedly, Anthony Davis is a special talent. With a defensive rating of 104.6 in his career, his presence on the court feels like a cheat code. Moreover, at the Washington Wizards, his desire to play more four than five might be coming true.

During a conversation with ESPN’s Shams Charania in early 2025, just days before the blockbuster trade between the Lakers and the Mavericks, Davis admitted that he didn’t particularly like playing the five.

“I think we need another big. I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been the four, having a big out there.” Back then, Davis wasn’t the only Laker who wanted the team to add more centers to the roster. LeBron James was another name who wanted the same.

Unfortunately, Anthony Davis didn’t get to play in the Los Angeles Lakers squad with a proper natural five like DeAndre Ayton. Now, with the Wizards’ roster, Davis could play at four while Alex Sarr takes the role of a center. At the same time, head coach Brian Keefe could experiment with positions and combinations.

Meanwhile, the Wizards struck gold at the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, securing the first pick. This likely means BYU superstar AJ Dybantsa, who remains the projected favorite to go No. 1 overall, could land in Washington. Moreover, names like Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson are also some college stars that the front office will be looking into.

However, if the franchise fails to build a competitive team quickly enough, then Anthony Davis might want his way out. And in a completely different picture, the front office might consider trading the 1-time NBA champ.

Anthony Davis has turned into a common trade name

Anthony Davis looked untouchable for a while. The 33-year-old built a Hall of Fame resume, stacked 10 All-Star selections, and helped bring a title to Los Angeles. Then, the Lakers stunned the NBA by sending Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in the blockbuster Luka Doncic deal, instantly changing the league’s balance.

However, Dallas quickly turned chaotic. Injuries piled up, the fit never fully clicked, and Davis’ stay with the 2011 champions faded faster than expected before a February move to the Washington Wizards closed another strange chapter. Yet the drama keeps growing. Now, a return to the Lakers is starting to sound like a real possibility.

Earlier in May, insider Chris Haynes said, “I do think there’s a good chance that he may end up somewhere else by the time next season starts.”

Haynes didn’t say the Lakers by name, but the connection is obvious. Davis played his best in purple and gold, averaging nearly 27 points and 12 rebounds a night.

AD was the anchor of the Lakers’ defense before they surprisingly pulled the plug and traded him. But the reunion will come with additional baggage. However, a reunion will bring its fair share of issues.

Davis’ elite production constantly collided with frustrating injury setbacks, and that pattern kept interrupting his momentum year after year. Because of that, many around the league believe Los Angeles should avoid another gamble this offseason.

Interestingly enough, the Lakers have never truly shut down those trade rumors around Anthony Davis. And who knows what the future holds. But for now, it looks like the 33-year-old will get to play his desired role of a forward at the Washington Wizards. It looks like the team is banking on his talent. Now, we have to wait until the next season to see how that works out for both sides.