Revealing Davis's season-ending injury: Wizards tanking to protect draft picks, Trae Young may also face extended absence

On February 7th Beijing time, league insiders informed NBA reporter Haynes that Anthony Davis, who was traded from the Mavericks to the Wizards before the trade deadline, is anticipated to sit out the rest of the 2025-26 season to allow his groin and hand injuries to heal completely.

Throughout most of this season, Davis was listed on the Mavericks’ trade block, but after suffering a ligament injury in his left hand, doubts arose about whether the trade would finalize — the injury was initially expected to sideline him for at least all of February, possibly longer. Rumored suitors like the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors appeared to back off to some extent, creating a trade opportunity for the Washington Wizards, considered a “dark horse” team.

Davis has a lengthy history of injuries; since being traded to Dallas last February, he has battled multiple ailments including groin, eye, calf, and hand issues. This season, he has played in 20 games, averaging 31.3 minutes, 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game.

The former number one overall pick is under a max contract that runs through the 2027-28 season, with the final year containing a player option worth $62.8 million.

The Wizards have a strong incentive to “tank” for the remainder of this season, aiming to lose as many games as possible in order to protect their 2026 first-round draft pick — which is top-eight protected — while also increasing their chances of selecting a promising prospect in the upcoming draft.Star point guard Trae Young (dealing with knee and quadriceps injuries), who was traded to the Wizards last month, has yet to play for the team and may also face a prolonged absence.

Upon his debut with the Wizards today, Davis stated: “Without a clear plan, it’s hard to say I’ll definitely stay in Washington. Obviously, the team is in a tough spot right now, and the record speaks for itself. But as long as key players are added, anything can change. The team’s development is gradual; maybe next year we could be the top team in the Eastern Conference.”