Notes from Washington Wizards media day on AJ Dybantsa, Khrist Middleton, 2026-27 season expectations, Anthony Davis minimizing the noise and more
The Washington Wizards officially shifted from the offseason to preseason on Monday after hosting its annual media day, ushering in a revamped roster ahead of a season with elevated expectations. Diving into our Wizards notebook ahead of the first practice:
First Impressions of AJ Dybantsa
Among the top storylines for the upcoming regular season is how top overall pick AJ Dybantsa fares in year one. Yet ahead of his first official practice, head coach Brian Keefe pointed to Dybantsa's character while Kyshawn George pointed to the rookie's toolbox.
"He has the athleticism, he has the twitchiness, he has a shot. He has this all toolbox that's kind of like unorganized because he's young, I think," George said of Dybantsa. "And by the time the season's about to start, I think he's already done a great job organizing that toolbox and using the right tools at the right moment. To have that amount of tools as a young guy, I think is pretty impressive."
Dybantsa was one of several players that head coach Brian Keefe pointed to as capable of initiating the offense, a question for preseason to sort out. Yet ahead of his unofficial debut inside Capital One Arena this week, Dybantsa admitted he doesn't feel any pressure.
"I'm all good," Dybantsa said with a smile.
No Expectations for Wizards-- Other Than Competitive Basketball
Before Deandre Ayton pointed to his outdated outlook on the Eastern Conference as "food, almost," Anthony Davis admitted that one of the goals for the upcoming 2026-27 regular season is changing the narrative surrounding the franchise.
"It's often that people say, "Are you going to DC or DC from the town? Guys stay up a little later and kind of mess around the game," Davis said. "So it kind of changed the narrative of how we want to be the team that we want to be for the season."
After combining for just 50 wins over the last three seasons, maybe there's reason to be, but the new-look roster is looking to prove it after point guard Bub Carrington joked they were tired of practicing each other.
"We're hunting for moments to have competitive basketball," Ayton added.
While Carrington pointed to 18 wins as the floor for the 2026-27 team, head coach Brian Keefe noted he's "not going to put a limit on where we can go." What is clear is, like Dawkins said, building something that is sustainable.
Anthony Davis Minimizes Noise
After an offseason filed with chatter, speculation and at times rumors, the tune has changed after news surfaced that the Wizards were expected to hold off on a contract extension with the two sides expected to re-engage once the season resumes. Until then, his on-court performance drives his attention and focus.
"When the season is over, go through the season and try to do what I do at a high level. And when it's over, sit down and have those conversations again with the front office," Davis said when asked about his future.
Davis pointed to staying healthy during the 2026-27 regular season as a goal, but also being a mentor having arrived as one of a handful of veterans on the team. Teaching the young pieces, whether it be a rookie like AJ Dybantsa or Bilal Coulibaly in year three, carries weight to the ten-time All Star.
"Stay healthy for the season and continue to teach these young guys," Davis said about his season goal. "[I] know what it takes. I've been there, been around people who've been there, other players, coaches."
Depth Looms Large
Deandre Ayton pointed to the depth being "insane" ahead of the regular season, but how it sorts out across the rotation remains a question mark.
"In today's NBA, depth wins," Keefe added.
With four likely starters penciled in, one of the questions has been who the fifth starter will be, but with the Wizards have the personnel to deploy multiple lineups depending on matchups. While that fuels efforts for Washington becoming more competitive, it also adds to what the Wizards hope to showcase in 2026-27.
"We've got multiple attacking points, multiple dangerous people on the court at the same time, so it could really come from anybody at any time," Kyshawn George said. "So I think that's the beauty of our team and it's up to us to figure it out, find what each other who we like on the court and play off that."
The added length and size along the Washington Wizards' 2026-27 roster adds optimism that a defensive turnaround is in store for the Wizards in year three under head coach Brian Keefe.
It was a priority for general manager Will Dawkins ahead of a season filled with heightened expectations, but also a season of growth for a roster still expected to be among the youngest teams across the NBA. Yet with training camp set to begin on Tuesday inside CareFirst Arena, practices mark the chance for the mentality and habits that head coach Brian Keefe views as essential to a turnaround coming to fruition.
"I think with the size and versatility and the way we can probably protect the rim now, we like our chances of being a good defensive the team but we have to earn that every day," Keefe said during Monday's media day.
Anthony Davis, one of three top overall picks on the Wizards' roster, is a big part of that equation as the veteran enters the season as a focal point in the frontcourt alongside Alex Sarr. Deandre Ayton could be in line for a role off the bench for the first time since the Lakers' NBA title in the bubble and first time in the regular season in his career. Whatever his role, Ayton is willing to accept it.
"The way I walked in and go coming into the Wizards is mainly just where I fit, wherever Coach [Brian Keefe] wants me," Ayton added. "The depth we have is insane."
Still, Ayton acknowledge the "monsters" available to Trae Young and the guards as the Wizards look ahead to re-defining themselves.
Alex Sarr, meanwhile, added he will be available for everything but live drills after Dawkins noted he will be a limited participant to begin camp though expected to be available by opening night.
Khris Middleton's Role Bigger Than Initially Thought?
The expected divorce with point guard D'Angelo Russell materialized into a reunion with Washington after a sign-and-traded sent the point guard to the Memphis Grizzlies and Khris Middleton back to The District.
The move added another veteran to the roster where his presence along both the bench and locker room serves as a big boost for a roster blended with new pieces and heightened expectations. Yet Middleton may return for a third season with the Wizards with a role in the rotation after drawing praise from multiple players, including Keefe pointing to the veteran as one of the Wizards' "better players" after pointing to his impact on both ends of the floor.
"Khris doesn't get enough credit for his basketball IQ defensively, his ability to help us function offensively. What I've learned about Khris is obviously you know the type of score he is, but type of playmaker is," head coach Brian Keefe said of Middleton.
Keefe noted Middleton's ability to impact the team in scoring situations while the veteran noted his role versatility during his appearance on Locked On Wizards, giving training camp a chance to sort out his minutes.
"Trust me, Khris Middleton's going to be a big part of what we do this year."
