The Washington Wizards finally made their big move, landing Anthony Davis to pair with Trae Young. Instead of excitement, though, NBA fans mostly turned it into a punchline.
Davis arrived in Washington as part of a three-team deal that also involved Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum being sent out in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and Marvin Bagley III. The Wizards also picked up a 2026 first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder, a protected 2030 first-rounder from the Golden State Warriors, plus second-round picks in 2026 from the Phoenix Suns, 2027 from the Chicago Bulls, and 2029 from the Houston Rockets.
On paper, the Davis–Young pairing looks interesting. Online, NBA fans weren’t buying it.
When NBACentel asked, “WHO’S STOPPING THIS DUO?,” the replies came fast.
@Landonprice68 said, “ACLs, Achilles, Calf strains, meniscus.”
ACLs, Achilles, Calf strains, meniscus
— Landon Price (@Landonprice68) February 4, 2026
@the_coinion added, “Wizards really thought they cooked on this one.”
Others saw chaos potential more than certainty.
@kryptoCombo69 said, “two injury-prone superstars on the same team is either a championship or the most expensive ambulance ride in NBA history. no in between.”
Young technically arrived first, getting traded to Washington on January 9 in a mid-game deal that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert the other way. He still hasn’t suited up for the Wizards, though, after suffering MCL and quad injuries on December 27.
Davis hasn’t exactly been a picture of stability either. Before being moved again, he bounced in and out of the Mavericks lineup and appeared in just 31 games for the franchise.
“Stop rewarding teams for tanking to get talent”: NBA fans debate on the Washington Wizards opting to sit out Anthony Davis and Trae Young after acquiring them
Despite landing two star names, the Wizards appear to be taking a cautious route. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, both Davis and Young may barely see the floor the rest of the season.
“The expectation among sources is that Davis and Young will play very little, if at all, the remainder of the season as the Wizards chase lottery luck, and that both stars will get long-term deals this summer,” said Bontemps.
That approach immediately split NBA fans.
@phneomaj84 said, “If the Wizards aren’t going to play them to chase a lottery pick then the NBA NEEDS to take the pick from them. Stop rewarding teams for tanking to get talent.”
Others focused more on the long-term risk.
@FrescoLeon wrote, “I don’t like the long term deals until they can have a healthy season next season. Give people an incentive—otherwise this will end badly. The other thing is we definitely need to re-sign Bagley in the offseason to fill in the gaps.”
Skepticism stayed front and center.
@BrysonAkinsNBA added, “It makes sense, but I can’t help but think Davis will eventually be traded again down the line.”
For now, the Wizards have two big names, a lot of draft capital, and even more questions — and NBA fans aren’t convinced this pairing is anything more than another gamble.
