In the hyper-focused bubble of a title contender, it’s easy to lose track of the outside world—a reality that hit Lakers forward Rui Hachimura in a surprising way post-game. The Los Angeles Lakers are on a tear, having won 12 of their last 13 games, and the players are locked in on one goal: making the team better. There’s no time to look around the league, and Hachimura’s post-game admission about a former teammate proved that the Lakers won’t be making an exception for anybody.

Hachimura played alongside Anthony Davis for a few years, and the two share a close relationship. So when the Lakers forward glanced at the opposing bench and spotted AD in a Wizards uniform, his reaction said it all. “I think it was funny. During the timeout, I was looking at the bench, and I saw AD, and I was shocked. I was like wait. I totally forgot about it,” said Hachimura.

He didn’t know the Dallas Mavericks had dealt Davis again at the trade deadline. The former Lakers forward joined the Wizards, forming an exciting tandem with Trae Young. However, it would have been difficult for Hachimura to notice, since Anthony Davis has yet to play a game for Washington since moving to the team in February. He’s still dealing with a finger injury suffered against the Utah Jazz.

Now that Hachimura does know about it, the Lakers forward hopes Davis finds a long-term future in Washington. He spent three years with the Wizards and made a name for himself as a highly energetic player, so he knows the culture well.

“You know, I think it’s a good situation for him. I hope the best for him and was happy to see him,” said Hachimura.

The 28-year-old had a solid outing against his former team tonight. Hachimura scored 14, his most in the last seven games—as the Lakers secured a comfortable win without Luka Doncic, who served a suspension.

Anthony Davis may not play for the Wizards this season

It’s highly possible that fans will have to wait until next season for the AD era in Washington, as recurring injury troubles limited him to just 20 games with the Mavericks before the trade. The Wizards have not announced they would be shutting Davis down.

While the Wizards’ latest update three weeks ago noted progress, clearing Davis for limited on-court activity, the recovery isn’t complete. The damaged ligaments in his fingers haven’t fully healed, and the team’s initial two-week re-evaluation period has already passed, leaving his return in doubt.

With just seven games remaining in the regular season, it’s possible the Wizards won’t take a risk. That doesn’t bode well for Anthony Davis, who is heading into the last season of his ongoing contract next year. The move to the Wizards was supposed to bring him long-term stability.

Would Washington offer an extension without much to show from Davis? That’s where not taking any risks is practical, but also creates an uncertain situation. Davis could be a critical pillar for Washington going forward. Paired with a floor general in Young, Washington has the experience and a young roster to support that veteran pairing.

It’s also possible for them to land a great draft pick in a stacked lottery, meaning AD could return fully healthy and rejuvenated next season. The Wizards are out of Play-In contention, which effectively kills the point of having Davis on the court for the last few games. The best-case scenario may be to open next season with a fully healthy roster and renewed competitive expectations.