Anthony Davis extension would be absurd gamble for Wizards

An Anthony Davis extension should not require much discussion inside the Washington Wizards’ front office. Davis is eligible for a four-year deal worth approximately $275 million, but offering it before he plays a single game for the franchise would be an absurd gamble.

Davis remains one of the NBA’s most talented big men. That has never been the problem.

Keeping him on the court has been considerably more difficult.

The 33-year-old appeared in only 20 games last season before suffering ligament damage in his hand. He averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks during those appearances, proving he can still produce at an All-Star level when available.

Unfortunately, “when available” has followed Davis through much of his career.

Washington acquired him from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline, but the injury prevented Davis from ever making his Wizards debut. He was eventually shut down for the remainder of the season without playing a minute for his new team.

Now Washington is supposed to consider handing him another $275 million. 

Anthony Davis extension ignores obvious warning signs

The Wizards should have some optimism about Davis entering the season.

He has reportedly resumed basketball activities, and Washington does not need him to carry the entire organization. Trae Young can control the offense, while No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa gives the franchise a potential cornerstone for the future.

A Davis extension would potentially keep him under contract into his late 30s. Big men rarely become healthier as they age, despite what a few offseason workout videos might suggest. Davis has already dealt with problems involving his hand, calf, groin, foot, knee and back during his career.

Paying him nearly $70 million per season would leave Washington with little room for error. If Davis stays healthy and remains dominant, the contract could work. If his body continues breaking down, the Wizards would be stuck with one of the league’s most expensive problems.

That is not a reasonable risk for a team still trying to determine what it has.

Washington finally has something worth protecting

The Wizards have spent years trapped near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. They finally have several young players who could help change the direction of the franchise.

Dybantsa is the centerpiece, but Washington has also invested in Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson. The front office should preserve enough financial flexibility to build around that group as it develops.

An enormous commitment to Davis could complicate everything.

Washington does not need to decide that Davis is useless or immediately place him on the trade block. It simply needs to wait. Let him play. See how his body responds to an NBA schedule and whether he complements the younger players.

If Davis stays healthy, performs at an All-Star level and helps Washington become competitive, the two sides can revisit his future. The Wizards may have to pay more later, but that is preferable to guaranteeing hundreds of millions based on old highlights and optimistic medical updates.

Davis must prove he can stay healthy

There is no denying what Davis can do when his body cooperates. He is a 10-time All-Star, an NBA champion and one of the best two-way big men of his generation.

Washington is not paying for his career résumé, however. It would be paying for what he can provide over the next several seasons.

The  Davis extension would ask the Wizards to assume his injury problems are behind him without any evidence in their own uniform. That is hope disguised as a financial plan.