AJ Dybantsa could avoid rookie struggles thanks to Wizards’ new core

The Washington Wizards won the NBA Draft Lottery and own the No. 1 pick overall for the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft that begins on Monday, June 23. While the front office has the option to select any prospect available first overall, there is a serious belief that BYU Cougars forward AJ Dynantsa could be the pick at No. 1 overall.

Washington is at a pivotal point in its rebuild process. Since failing to reach the playoffs in the 2020-21 campaign, the Wizards have spent several years collecting high-quality prospects in Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, and Bub Carrington. If Dybantsa is the pick at No. 1, he would join that group as part of the team’s young core of the roster.

However, with youth comes experience. The Wizards’ front office acquired both Trae Young and Anthony Davis before the trade deadline this season. That gives the team two talented veteran players to play alongside the young prospects, creating an ideal environment for AJ Dybantsa to develop into a potential superstar in the NBA.

Assuming Young and Davis are here to stay, the 6-foot-9 First-Team All-American would have the chance to step in and play an immediately impactful role for the Wizards. Trae Young and Anthony Davis could take some of the pressure off the shoulders that a No. 1 overall pick can feel entering the league. That can allow Dybantsa to learn and develop his game quickly, playing as one of the club’s go-to scoring options from the wing.

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His abilities on the wing are already superior compared to the average prospect. Trae Young and Anthony Davis can help take it to the next level. Young’s career average of 9.8 assists per game suggests he could feed AJ Dybantsa the ball early and often next season. Meanwhile, Davis is a great two-way player that Dybantsa can learn from to help elevate his postgame and defensive presence on the court.

Not to mention, scoring comes naturally to the Boston native. In 35 games played at BYU as a true freshman, AJ Dybantsa led the nation in average points scored per game with 25.5 while also averaging 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest. He hit those numbers while shooting 51.0% from the field and 33.1% from beyond the arc.

Considering he is already such a polished prospect, playing alongside Young, Davis, and the rest of the Wizards’ young core, Dybantsa could be in store for a monster first year. That is, if Washington pulls the trigger and selects him with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.

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