AJ Dybantsa to the Wizards: Why Washington’s No. 1 Pick Could Reshape the East
The Washington Wizards won the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, and they are heavily expected to use the No. 1 pick on AJ Dybantsa. The former BYU star is now the prohibitive favorite to go first overall, sitting at -450 odds at major sportsbooks.
This is the kind of moment that can reset a franchise. Washington has been one of the most stagnant teams in the East for years. A generational wing prospect with size, scoring, and defensive upside could change every conversation about that roster.
Dybantsa is the real deal. He played one season at BYU and averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 51 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from three. He was the Big 12 Rookie of the Year and a consensus All-American. The numbers were ridiculous for a freshman, especially one playing the kind of role he played for BYU.
The fit on the Wizards is interesting. Washington just acquired Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks earlier this year, sending CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert back to Atlanta. Pairing Young with Dybantsa gives Washington a primary creator and a primary wing scorer who can develop in their own time without being asked to carry the franchise from Day 1.
That is the right kind of development environment for a rookie. Dybantsa does not have to be the leading scorer immediately. He gets to play next to a four-time All-Star point guard who can set him up in his most comfortable spots. The Wizards can let him grow into the role.
The scouting profile is exactly what teams want from a modern wing. He is 6-foot-9 with positional length and athleticism. He shoots off movement. He gets to the rim. He defends multiple positions. The shooting numbers from college are not elite, but the touch is real and the form is clean. NBA shooters get to choose better shots than college shooters, and Dybantsa should be a high-30s 3-point shooter by his second pro season.
The biggest question is whether he plays with enough force. The skill is undeniable. The fire and the consistency on every possession will determine whether he becomes a Paul George-type star or a borderline All-Star. The Wizards organization will play a role in that. So will Young, who is one of the most demanding teammates in the league.
The 2026 draft is also notable because of how loaded the top of it is. Dybantsa is the favorite, but Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer have a real shot to push him in the final pre-draft window. Some executives believe Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer have separated themselves from the rest of the class, and that any of the three could be the right answer.
For Washington, this is still the best lottery outcome in years. The Wizards have not had a true cornerstone wing since the early Otto Porter Jr. years. Dybantsa can be that and more. Pair him with Young, surround them with shooters and a competent center, and the franchise has a path back to relevance.
The draft is June 23 on ABC and ESPN. By then, the rumor mill will have churned through every possible scenario. The current expectation is clear, though. Dybantsa is heading to the nation’s capital.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
