The Golden State Warriors were strongly linked to Anthony Davis amid their free agency pursuit of LeBron James, but the Washington Wizards seemingly weren't bluffing in their reluctance to trade the 10x All-Star.
Washington's offseason moves prove they're squarely focused on a significant rise up the standings this season, having been further proven by their shock two-year offer to Russell Westbrook before the former MVP decided to retire last week.
Wizards' shock Westbrook offer proves Warriors never had Davis chance
Westbrook finished 11th in MVP and averaged a triple double during his sole year with the Wizards in 2020-21, and the franchise was reportedly open to a multi-year reunion according to NBA insider Marc Stein on Sunday night.
League sources tell The Stein Line that Washington made a two-year offer to bring Westbrook back to the nation's capital," Stein wrote. "Sources say Westbrook — not the team — is the party that ended those talks. The 37-year-old apparently balked at the specific terms of the offer and/or the role presented and has decided to stop playing instead."
Offering a two-year contract is rather surprising when the 37-year-old had played on a one-year veteran's minimum with the Sacramento Kings last season. Nevertheless, the Westbrook interest is further proof that the Wizards are looking to beef up their experience to help guide a young team back to the playoffs, having started that midway through last season when they acquired Trae Young and Davis.
It would have been incongruent for Washington to sign Khris Middleton and potentially Westbrook or now DeMar DeRozan, while also then turning around and trading Davis to the Warriors. This would suggest that Golden State never really had a chance at landing Davis despite reported interest in reuniting he and James before the latter chose the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
Anthony Davis could still re-emerge as a trade target
Needless to say the Warriors won't maintain interest in Davis now that James has made his decision, but that's not to say things couldn't pick up again in the future depending on how each team starts the season.
Davis and the Wizards have decided to park contract discussions until 15-20 games through the season, leaving uncertainty on his future and the potential of another mid-season trade if a new deal can't be agreed upon.
The Warriors will have over $100 million in expiring contracts heading into the mid-season deadline, offering the opportunity for major moves and roster changes around two-time MVP Stephen Curry.
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