New NBA Rumors on Surprise Anthony Davis Trade Suitor Before Wizards Deal at 2026 Deadline

The Portland Trail Blazers reportedly showed interest in Anthony Davis prior to the 2026 trade deadline before the Dallas Mavericks dealt him to the Washington Wizards.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Trail Blazers gauged the Mavericks' interest in a trade package centered around forward Jerami Grant and "sweetened with draft capital" in exchange for Davis.

Dallas ultimately sent him to the Wizards as part of an eight-player trade while receiving Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round draft picks and three second-round picks in return.

Portland could still be a possible suitor for Davis during the upcoming offseason if the team's push to acquire Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo falls short, per Fischer.

Davis is set to earn $58.5 million for the 2026-27 season and also has a player option worth $62.8 million for his 2027-28 campaign (via Spotrac).

NBA insider Chris Haynes previously hinted at Washington potentially trading the 33-year-old during the upcoming offseason.

The Wizards could be hesitant to make a long-term financial commitment to Davis given his age and injury history, as he's appeared in over 70 games in just one of his past six seasons.

He wasn't the only major trade addition that Washington made during the regular season, as it landed Trae Young in a Jan. 7 deal with the Atlanta Hawks.

The Wizards are expected to reach an agreement with Young on an extension this summer regardless of Davis' future as a member of the organization, per Fischer.

With the Trail Blazers coming off their first playoff appearance since 2021, it's understandable if they choose to bolster their frontcourt rotation by targeting Davis.

His defensive prowess could help Portland go on a deeper postseason run next year and compete with Western Conference contenders boasting top bigs such as Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.

Wembanyama averaged 21.0 points in 28.0 minutes per game on 58.3/53.8/91.3 shooting splits during the Trail Blazers' first-round playoff loss to the San Antonio Spurs this season.

As Portland attempts to build upon its 42-40 finish in 2026 and clinch a second consecutive playoff berth, another pursuit of Davis may be on the horizon.