Warriors get crushing news on Anthony Davis' pursuit from ESPN report

The Golden State Warriors' master plan this offseason is to sign LeBron James in free agency and also trade for Anthony Davis, reuniting the former Los Angeles Lakers championship duo in the Bay Area.

The first domino for those plans to come to fruition has fallen, as James informed the Lakers on Tuesday that he plans to sign elsewhere in free agency, with the Warriors being a top landing spot.

However, the second part of the plan, a trade for Davis, now seems off the table based on a crushing report from ESPN.

Wizards shut down Anthony Davis trade talk

According to ESPN's Marc J. Spears, the Washington Wizards aren't interested in trading Davis, and aren't even listening to offers for the veteran big man.

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins is a massive fan of Davis, and wants to see him play next to Trae Young and No. 1 overall AJ Dybantsa.

"The Washington Wizards are not interested in trading 10-time NBA All-Star forward Anthony Davis and are not listening to trade offers for him, a source told ESPN and Andscape. Another NBA team exec says Wizards GM Will Dawkins is a huge fan of AD," Spears reported on X.

It's no surprise that Washington wants to hold onto Davis for now. The 10-time All-Star has yet to play a game for the franchise after they acquired him at last season's trade deadline, and the Wizards should be much improved in 2026, so why not keep Davis and try to compete for a playoff spot in the East?

As for the Warriors, a trade for Davis was already looking less likely, as Jimmy Butler's agent recently stated that Golden State is in full support of Butler and does not plan on moving him.

Butler would've been the main piece of a deal with Washington for Davis.

The Warriors can still pursue James in free agency to pair him with Steph Curry and Draymond Green, who is expected to re-sign despite declining his player option. But it is a bit demoralizing that Davis isn't an option anymore. The 33-year-old would've been the perfect interior presence on both ends of the court for Golden State.