Can AJ Dybantsa turn the Washington Wizards around?

 

.@AJ_Dybantsa wasted no time 📚 https://t.co/p278u1XKya

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 10, 2026

 

The number one overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Washington Wizards was BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, who averaged  25.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game as a freshman. Dybantsa had a fantastic season in Provo and now looks to elevate a Wizards franchise that has only one championship in franchise history (1978) and hasn't been to the playoffs since 2021. Historically, especially since they ditched the Bullets nickname, the Wizards really haven't had much to cheer about over the course of their history. With Dybantsa now in the fold, they are hoping for brighter days and a chance to become a force in the Eastern Conference. 

Listed at 6'9", 217 pounds, Dybantsa has great physical tools to work with and he's already a fairly polished player. His numbers at BYU reflect that. He shot 51.0% from the field, 33.1% from 3-point range, and 77.4% from the foul line. When you watch him play you can tell he's a legitimately skilled player. He's not some raw player that is being drafted number one overall just for his upside. He doesn't look like a project type of guy. That isn't to say he won't have his growing pains. All young guys do. But I do think Dybantsa has the chance to make an immediate impact on the Wizards and strongly contend for Rookie of the Year honors. 

Regarding whether or not Dybantsa can turn the Wizards around, a lot of that is going to come down to who he gets put around him. Trae Young and Anthony Davis are two veteran guys who should certainly help take the pressure off.  On paper, they're projected to be the one-two punch for the Wizards with Dybantsa rounding out their "Big Three" if you want to call it that. It certainly helps Dybantsa to have Young and Davis just so that he doesn't feel like he has to do too much as a rookie. While we don't yet know who Dybantsa will have around him in five years, getting Young and Davis shows that the Wizards do care about getting Dybantsa help and not just throwing their number one overall pick to the wolves. 

My assessment is that I think odds are really good AJ Dybantsa delivers the goods and does his part. I love his game, his overall package is exciting, and he's without a doubt a guy who on paper has what it takes to be a legitimate franchise player. But will the Wizards live up to their end of the bargain and put the right pieces around him? That's what remains to be seen. 

Another way of putting it is this: If AJ Dybantsa doesn't turn the Wizards around. It won't be because he failed to deliver. It will be because the Wizards are, well, the Wizards. 

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