Anthony Davis is fully committed to the Washington Wizards and plans to mentor young star Alex Sarr, aiming to build a formidable frontcourt for the upcoming NBA season. The veteran forward shared his excitement about the partnership in a recent interview. This comes as the Wizards look to move past a difficult finish to the 2025-26 campaign, which ended with a 130-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 12, 2026.
Davis expressed strong belief in the pairing's potential. He pointed to Sarr's elite rim protection and versatility on defense as key assets. "I've always felt like I've always been very successful with another big," Davis said about Sarr. "And the good thing about Alex is that he can space the floor. And on the defensive end, it's going to be insane."
He specifically praised Sarr's ability to guard the pick-and-roll, switch onto guards, and protect the rim, noting the young center was second in the league in blocks last season. Davis also emphasized his desire to pass on knowledge gained from his own mentors. He named Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, Tyson Chandler, and Marc Gasol as influences whose wisdom he hopes to share with Sarr to accelerate his development.
Davis faces a significant financial decision with a $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 season. He has made it clear he wants a maximum-level contract extension. However, both Davis and the Wizards have agreed to postpone extension talks until after the 2026-27 season begins. This creates a storyline to monitor throughout the year.
His recent history includes being traded twice in the past two seasons and battling injuries, limiting him to 71 total games over that span. Reports from this summer indicated Davis looked in good shape and was happy working out with the team in Las Vegas. His health and performance will be major factors for Washington's success.
The Wizards concluded the 2025-26 season on a five-game losing streak. Their recent form was 0 wins and 5 losses. The final stretch included some high-scoring defeats that exposed defensive issues. After the loss to Cleveland, they fell 140-117 to the Miami Heat on April 10 and 119-108 to the Chicago Bulls on April 9.
They also lost 129-98 to the Bulls on April 7 and 152-136 to the Heat on April 4. An earlier 131-126 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on March 28 was part of this challenging period. Improving team defense, particularly on the perimeter, will be a primary focus for the new campaign. You can review the full schedule ahead on our schedule page.
The immediate future hinges on Davis's health and the growth of the Sarr partnership. If Davis stays healthy and returns to his dominant form, analysts believe Washington could become a competitive team in the Eastern Conference. The decision to delay extension talks adds an element of uncertainty, but it also allows both sides to evaluate the fit during actual games.
The development of Alex Sarr under Davis's guidance will be fascinating to watch. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting and anchor the defense with his shot-blocking could transform the Wizards' identity. How quickly this new frontcourt duo gels will likely determine the team's early-season trajectory and set the tone for the entire year.
