The Washington Wizards are not interested in trading Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks intend to keep Kyrie Irving, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
There were rumors that LeBron James wanted the Golden State Warriors to trade for Davis and the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade for Davis or Irving before signing with them in free agency. James won the 2016 championship with Irving in Cleveland and the 2020 championship with Davis on the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 41-year-old James wound up signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Davis, acquired by the Wizards from the Mavericks at the 2026 trade deadline in February, didn’t play for Washington last season because of ligament damage in his left hand. The future Hall of Famer will make $58.5 million next season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.
The Wizards can sign Davis to an extension in August. Davis saw Washington give Trae Young a new $212 million contract this summer, so he will want to get paid as well.
Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group is Davis’ agent. Washington’s brass and Paul have already met this offseason to talk about Davis’ future with the club.
Several NBA contenders are interested in trading for Irving, but the Mavericks have made it known to interested teams that they want to keep Irving next to Cooper Flagg. Irving and Flagg have a strong relationship.
Flagg, who won the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year award, received consistent, valuable mentorship from Irving last season even though Irving sat out the season recovering from his left ACL tear.
Irving will make $39.5 million next season. The Mavericks acquired the All-Star guard from the Brooklyn Nets during the 2022-23 season. Irving and Luka Dončić led Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2024.
The Boston Celtics beat the Mavericks in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals and then Nico Harrison stunningly traded Dončić to the Lakers in February 2025.
