RealGM Basketball Wiretap

09 February 2026

• Wizards May Buy Out D'Angelo Russell; Waive Dante Exum

  Veteran guard D'Angelo Russell will not be required to report to Washington Wizards after they acquired him at the trade deadline. The Wizards will work with Russell on what happens next, as far as a buyout or staying on the roster into the offseason.

  Russell, who was acquired as part of the deal that sent Anthony Davis to Washington, has a $5.7 million contract for this season. The veteran guard then has a $5.9 million player option for next season.

  The Wizards have waive guard Dante Exum, who was also acquired in the same deal as Russell. Exum is out for the season following knee surgery.

• Wizards Expect Anthony Davis To Play This Season; Trae Young Trending In 'Positive Direction'

  Washington Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said that he expects Anthony Davis to return to the court this season.

  Dawkins added that there will be a clearer timetable during the All-Star break.

  It was reported on Saturday that Davis would be out for the season with groin and hand injuries.

  "The plan for AD right now is to go back to Dallas and finish his rehab," Dawkins said. "During All-Star break, he takes another visit for a doctor. And that's a big appointment for us to kind of see where his progress is at."

  Dawkins also added that Trae Young, who is out with a sprained knee, will also be reassessed at the All-Star break.

  "He's still working on the court," Dawkins said. "He started doing 1-on-0, he started doing a little bit of more 2-on-2 type actions.... He's trending in a positive direction."

• Anthony Davis Denies Wizards Unhappiness Reports, Seeks Championship Plan

  Anthony Davis dismissed reports suggesting he is unhappy about being traded to the Washington Wizards, calling such characterizations overblown during a Friday phone interview with The Athletic. The 32-year-old big man is meeting with ownership and front office officials to discuss the franchise's championship blueprint.

  Davis told The Athletic he appreciates what he has seen during his initial visit with the organization. The Wizards welcomed him warmly during meetings with governor Ted Leonsis, president Zach Leonsis, president of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger, general manager Will Dawkins and senior vice president John Thompson III.

  "They said I said a lot of stuff in the other city, too, that I didn't say," Davis said.

  Washington acquired Davis on Wednesday from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for four players and five draft picks. The deal also brought guards D'Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum to the Wizards.

  A Sports Illustrated report from Chris Mannix suggested Davis "likely isn't enthusiastic about joining the Wizards." Mannix reinforced that sentiment on a Thursday podcast.

  Davis disputed those claims and praised his experience so far.

  "The visit's been great," he said. "They definitely welcomed me with open arms, spent some time with Ted and Zach. It's totally different from what they make it seem. I know it's like, oh, they have the stigma of they're not a good team. I haven't seen the practice facility yet, but the arena is top-notch, world-class for sure. Seen the chefs and how they take care of the families. It's been great."

  The 10-time All-Star wants detailed discussions about how Washington plans to reach contender status. Davis has a player option for 2027-28 worth $62.7 million and is under contract for next season at $58.4 million.

  "I need to talk with Will, Ted, Zach, and kind of figure out what the actual plan is, and then just kind of go from there," Davis said. "I talked briefly (Friday) with Will. Obviously, at this time, every year, you want to compete for championships and stuff like that. That's obviously the main focus, getting to that place. Conversations are going to be held to see about getting to that space. I've been everywhere the last two years. I want to see the plan, hear the plan, see the vision. Bringing Trae (Young) here and other things in store, what they're thinking of doing, I want to have those conversations with them and see what happens. The city is obviously phenomenal."

  Davis seeks a second NBA championship after winning with the Lakers in 2020. He hoped Dallas would provide that opportunity after the Mavericks shocked the basketball world by trading Luka Doncic to Los Angeles for him last year.

  Injuries derailed those plans. Davis played just 20 games this season after suffering a hand injury in mid-January. Kyrie Irving continues rehabilitating from a torn ACL suffered last March. Dereck Lively II is out for the season following December foot surgery.

  Agent Rich Paul said he will speak with Dawkins extensively about long-term plans but won't discuss extension talks immediately. Paul's Klutch Sports Group maintains a partnership with Leonsis' Monumental Sports and Entertainment.

  "At this point in my career, I want to compete for a championship," Davis said. "Whether that's here or elsewhere, I have no idea. It's been phenomenal, everything they're saying. Everything they're showing me is nothing short of phenomenal. Now it's about having an actual conversation about the team."

• Anthony Davis Expected To Miss Season With Hand, Groin Injuries

  Washington Wizards' forward Anthony Davis is expected to miss the rest of the season with hand and groin injuries, sources told Chris Haynes.

  Davis is looking to be fully healthy by the start of the 2026-27 season.

  The Wizards acquired Davis, along with Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum, from the Mavs on Thursday.

  Davis finishes the year averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

• Keshon Gilbert, Wizards Sign 10-Day Contract

  The Washington Wizards have signed Keshon Gilbert to a 10-day contract.

  Gilbert (6-4, 200) is a 22-year-old guard in his rookie season who spent time with Washington during the 2025-26 preseason. He is averaging 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game in 30 appearances with the Capital City Go-Go. Gilbert tallied the only triple-double for the Go-Go this season with a 25-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist game on Jan. 1 at Westchester. He has notched 10+ points in 18 games and 20+ in eight games, including a season-high 33-point outing, adding six rebounds and 10 assists on Dec. 5 at the 905.

  The St. Louis, Missouri native played two seasons at UNLV before finishing his collegiate career with two seasons at Iowa State, posting career averages of 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 31.3 minutes per game.

• Wizards Called Knicks With Trade Interest On Karl-Anthony Towns

  The Washington Wizards called the New York Knicks about the potential availability of Karl-Anthony Towns before they pivoted to their trade for Anthony Davis. Towns' future with the Knicks has been a question amid Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors and concerns on his fit with Mike Brown.

  Those talks clearly didn't progress and the Knicks have been quiet ahead of the deadline. Towns is under contract with the Knicks at $57 million for the 2026-27 season and a player option for the 2027-28 season at $61 million.

  In addition to Davis, the Wizards also explored a trade with the Sacramento Kings for Domantas Sabonis.

  Previously, the Wizards were also connected with pending restricted free agent Walker Kessler considering their need at center and their ample cap space before taking on the money of Davis and Trae Young.

• Mavericks Would Have Taken On Long-Term Money By Trading Anthony Davis To Raptors

  The Dallas Mavericks chose to execute an Anthony Davis trade with the Washington Wizards that saved them money and netted them two middling first round picks rather than a package offered by the Toronto Raptors that would have forced them to take on long-term money.

  The Raptors were reportedly offering some combination of Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Mavericks for Davis.

  Instead, the Mavericks took on expiring to get off Davis' $58.5 million for the 2026-27 season and his $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season. Dallas unloaded Jaden Hardy's $6 million deal along with D'Angelo Russell's $6 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

  Because Khris Middleton is on an expiring contract, the Mavericks did not have the luxury of waiting until the offseason to make the deal with the Wizards.

  The Raptors have been scouring the trade market for a center and have also been involved in discussions for Domantas Sabonis.

  The Mavericks now have only Max Christie, the Los Angeles Lakers' 2029 first rounder and the two future picks via the Wizards to show for their Luka Doncic trade a year ago.

• Wizards Acquire Anthony Davis From Mavericks

  The Washington Wizards have agreed to acquire Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks for a draft heavy package. The Wizards will send Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks and three second-rounders while taking on Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum.

  Before moving forward with the Wizards, the Mavericks held Davis trade talks with the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

  Davis was the centerpiece of Nico Harrison's trade of Luka Doncic with the Los Angeles Lakers and now he exits the franchise less than three months after the general manager was fired.

  The Mavericks will receive the 2026 first round pick originating with the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with the top-20 protected 2030 first round pick from the Golden State Warriors. Dallas will also receive second rounders in 2026 (Phoenix Suns), 2027 (Chicago Bulls) and 2029 (Houston Rockets).

  The Wizards previously acquired Trae Young this season as they look to accelerate their rebuild. Like Young, Davis has recently been out due to injury and that could continue as the Wizards prioritize their lottery position.

• Wizards Recall AJ Johnson, Skal Labissiere

  The Washington Wizards recalled AJ Johnson and Skal Labissiere from the Capital City Go-Go on Friday.

  Johnson is averaging 1.7 points and 1.1 rebounds on the season with the Wizards.

  Labissiere signed a 10-day contract with the Wizards earlier this week.

• Trae Young, Wizards Mutually Open To Extension Or Using 2026-27 As Evaluation Period

  Washington Wizards guard Trae Young and the franchise are both open to a contract extension beyond his current deal, though both parties may opt for a mutual evaluation period next season, league sources told ESPN. Young holds a player option worth $49 million for the 2026-27 season.

  The four-time All-Star joined Washington in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks earlier this month. Young has averaged more than 25 points and 10 assists over the past three seasons, production no Wizards player has matched in a single season.

  Despite his credentials, Young arrives in a supporting role rather than as the franchise centerpiece. Washington views second-year center Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, as their long-term building block.

  "Trae understands that the team doesn't need a savior," Wizards general manager Will Dawkins told ESPN. "He's coming in to be a piece."

  Young embraced his new role when discussing his arrival in Washington. The 27-year-old point guard expressed comfort with not carrying the franchise label he held in Atlanta for five seasons.

  "As a kid, you dream about that type of title," Young told ESPN, when asked how he felt about not being cast as the face of the franchise in Washington. "But when you're here [in the NBA] and you're a part of it, you're a part of winning, you understand that those things don't really matter. I'm not a finished product. I know a lot of people may look at me like I am. But you've only seen me in Atlanta. You've never seen me anywhere else. So I don't really want to get into too many narratives and what people say, but it'll all be changed when I start winning games here."

  The veteran guard acknowledged his position as a bridge between generations. His experience could prove valuable for Washington's young roster while he remains in his prime years.

  "I came into a kind of similar spot that I did when I was a rookie, but I'm 27 now," he said. "I'm more mature now. It may look and make me feel like I'm older because I've been around for a minute, but I'm not. I'm young enough where I can relate, but old enough I got enough experience. So I'm excited to be around some of these young guys."

  Young remains sidelined with knee and quadriceps injuries sustained earlier this season. He is expected to miss time through the All-Star break as he rehabilitates.

  The Wizards are also managing his recovery carefully due to draft pick considerations. Washington retains its first-round selection only if it falls within the top eight positions. Otherwise, the pick transfers to the New York Knicks.

  Young's arrival represents the latest phase of Washington's extensive rebuild. The franchise has posted fewer than 20 wins in each of the past two seasons and has not finished above .500 since the 2017-18 campaign.