New Anthony Davis Trade Rumors Link Wizards Star to Pistons Amid Jalen Duren Contract Buzz

The Washington Wizards' reported reluctance to consider trading Anthony Davis could apparently change if the Detroit Pistons decide to shop Jalen Duren.

The Athletic's Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson reported Wednesday "league sources... confirmed an ESPN report indicating that the Washington Wizards would have interest in a Duren-for-Anthony Davis trade."

That potential deal "does not appear to be of interest to the Pistons," Amick and Patterson noted.

ESPN's Marc J. Spears said Monday on NBA Today the Wizards had "interested in a potential sign-and-trade" involving Duren, a restricted free agent who has yet to re-sign with the Pistons.

The Pistons have offered Duren a five-year, fully-guaranteed $200 million contract he has until just before midnight Thursday to accept, per Amick and Patterson.

That remains below the maximum possible offer the team could have made of $287 million over five years.

Duren could also sign a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer with an eye on testing free agency next summer, Amick and Patterson noted.

Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said Monday he is expecting Duren to remain with the Pistons regardless of what decision he makes regarding his next contract.

Even if the Pistons due try to trade Duren, the Wizards would reportedly have competition for a potential deal. The Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks are also interested in a potential Duren sign-and-trade, per Amick and Patterson.

These obstacles could indicate the Wizards will end up sticking with Davis, for whom they were reportedly not listening to trade offers as of June 30, per Spears.

Spears reported at the time a rival team executive said Wizards general manager Will Dawkins was a "huge fan" of Davis.

Davis is signed through next season at a $58.5 million cap hit with a player option for 2027-28. He is eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension, the first year of which would replace the player option.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported in August the Wizards and Davis were delaying contract extension talks until around 20 games into the regular season because of lingering questions regarding both Davis' health and the Wizards' hopes of contending.

Should Duren take the Pistons' qualifying offer and head into the season on an expiring contract, and should the Wizards not finalize an extension with Davis, these two teams could be potential trade partners to keep an eye on ahead of the deadline next February.