Mar 5, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Injured Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis (M) watches from the bench against the Utah Jazz in the first halfat Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks are the team to beat after winning the NBA championship. Below them are contenders like the Heat, Cavaliers, and 76ers, who all believe they are in the title mix for the upcoming season.
At first glance, the Washington Wizards may not seem like much, but this offseason has revamped the roster to become something much more respectable. Among the more notable additions is Anthony Davis, who has yet to play a single game for the franchise. Yet, despite his history, NBA legend Tracy McGrady says the big man is in store for his best season yet.
“I think he’ll play 65 games this year,” said McGrady. “This is his last extension, bro. So I think he’s going to come in the best shape he’s come into a training camp in quite some time. I am saying the [Wizards] are going to be a six or seven-seed. Are we sleeping on them?”
McGrady has more license than most to speak on this subject. While not a big man himself, he had an iconic and prosperous NBA career, retiring in 2013 as a seven-time All-Star, two-time scoring leader, and seven-time All-NBA player. Over 15 years in the NBA, he averaged 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game on 43.5% shooting from the field.
When it comes to Davis, McGrady clearly has faith in his NBA future (as does Davis himself), but not everyone is so convinced. The 33-year-old center has been on the decline for years now, and the Wizards are his third team in three seasons. He’s only played 65 games in a season once since leaving the Pelicans, making him the unofficial mascot for injury-prone stars.
Still, there’s evidence that Davis may still have more All-Star seasons left in him. At 6’10” and 250+ pounds, he’s the ideal size for a rim protector, and he’s coming off the 2025-26 season with averages of 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game on 50.6% shooting from the field. With just two years and $120 million on his contract, Davis is also playing for a new contract extension, giving him the ultimate incentive to have a bounce-back season.
For the Wizards, Davis’ play will be crucial for their success, but he’s not the only one they will lean on. After a busy period of trades and transactions, the Wizards actually have a loaded roster that includes names like Trae Young, AJ Dybantsa, Khris Middleton, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, and Kyshawn George, among others.
While nothing is guaranteed in the NBA, the Wizards are set to be one of the league’s most improved teams in 2026-27, and it could finally start to change how they’re perceived around the league. For better or worse, Anthony Davis will play a large role in what happens from here, and it’s why his health and conditioning have become such important factors.
Ultimately, there’s no way to predict how the season might go, but the Wizards have finally built something people can believe in. That’s a great place to be for a franchise that has historically struggled for relevancy.