Lakers Rumor: Insider Provides Update on Anthony Davis Reunion

In February 2025, the Lakers sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in the Luka Doncic trade that stunned the NBA. Nearly two years later, they are 8-2, first in the West, and the man they traded away is back in the rumor mill. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has now answered whether a reunion could happen, and his reply was short.

On the Sedano and Kap podcast, host Scott Kaplan said he had heard Davis wants to return and asked whether it could happen.

"Very unlikely," Windhorst said. "Anthony Davis is one of the bigger question marks in the league this year."

He then placed Davis in a group of three star-level players the league is watching for possible trades, along with Kyrie Irving and Domantas Sabonis. “All of them are in the same boat with contract options for next season,” Windhorst said.

The reason Washington’s decision matters is the timeline. “The Wizards basically said, ‘We want to see Anthony Davis play 20 to 30 games, see how he fits with our group, and then revisit whether we want to give him an extension,’” Windhorst explained.

Davis, 33, is eligible for a four-year extension worth about $276 million. But both sides agreed to hold off on negotiations until the season was underway. Davis said at media day that he did not want to discuss an extension until the season is over.

To sign in-season, he would have to decline his $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, which is why the topic is likely to come up again before the trade deadline.

Windhorst’s main objection was not about Davis himself. “The Lakers just don’t have many high-value assets for any star player,” he said. “They’ve traded most of their picks.”

That is a direct result of the summer's moves. The Lakers acquired center Walker Kessler for two first-round picks and two swaps after LeBron James left in free agency, and rebuilt the roster around Doncic.

Washington, meanwhile, paid five draft picks, including two firsts, to get Davis from Dallas, and it does not want to lose him for nothing. Any offer from Los Angeles would have to match that kind of price.

There is only one way around that, Windhorst said. “A trade for a star is very unlikely unless that star demands, ‘Trade me to Los Angeles and only Los Angeles, or I won’t show up,’ which has happened in the past.”

That was a reference to Davis’ own history, since he forced his way out of New Orleans to join the Lakers in 2019.

Davis’ play makes the question harder. He has averaged 23.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 33 minutes per game for the Wizards, and he stayed in a recent game after rolling his ankle. After playing only 20 games last season and none for Washington following his February 2026 trade, that is a healthy start.

For fans, the update does not rule out a return forever. The Wizards’ evaluation window is short, and if talks stall, Davis becomes the most important name on the trade market. But the same obstacles remain.

A reunion would require the Wizards to give up on Davis, the Lakers to find the assets, and Davis to push for it. Windhorst does not see any of those happening soon.