Top Wizards On Rookie Contracts Ahead of 2026-27

The Washington Wizards have a lot of young talent that will be featured once again in 2026-27, yet how all the pieces shake out in the rotation is part of the question that head coach Brian Keefe will have to answer. Still, there is no denying the shortage of talent available to the coaching staff after three Wizards were tabbed among the best NBA players on rookie contracts by The Athletic. But who are the top four players on the Wizards' roster who are awaiting their first NBA extensions?

Forward AJ Dybantsa

The top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Dybantsa made his case crystal clear as to why he can be an impact piece on a Wizards roster that has multiple rising young pieces to pair with two repeat All Star selections. The high flying, uber athletic 6-foot-9 wing is expected to start at the three after becoming a freshman sensation during his lone season at BYU. His biggest question in the NBA will be shooting after Dybantsa noted during offseason workout videos he's made it a focus ahead of his rookie year, but the slashing wing could be a beneficiary from improved floor spacing.

Center Alex Sarr

The star center revealed that he is now out of a walking boot after undergoing offseason surgery for a fractured right foot, an injury sustained during a contact play during workouts. That's good news for Sarr, who rose to stardom in 2025-26 and made his case for the best player to come out of the 2024 NBA Draft. The French big man improved in every statistical category from year one to year two, becoming one of two players to average two blocks per game, though injuries limited him to just 48 games. Sarr teams up with Anthony Davis to give the Wizards an imposing defensive frontcourt, but he's already shown signs of being the star center the team needs long-term.

Guard/Forward Kyshawn George

Arguably the favorite to round out the starting five, George proved himself as an inside-out scorer who can complement the pieces on offense while adding length on defense. Similar to Sarr, George improved nearly every major statistical category from year one to year two and ranked third on the team by end of the season with 14.8 points and 4.5 assists per game. The plus-defender also did so while improving his shooting from both the field and perimeter, adding confidence that George can continue his ascension alongside an improved starting five.

Forward Will Riley

If the list was five players, Riley would be joined by Tre Johnson -- who went 15 picks ahead of him in the 2025 NBA Draft. Why Riley over Johnson? Riley's second half ascension and versatility both on and off the ball. What that translates into in terms of his role in year two is the question mark given the multiple pieces at the wing, but Riley's ability to play both on and off the ball looms large ahead of his second year. Johnson has a clear role in the backcourt rotation where his perimeter shooting and pairing alongside Trae Young adds optimism to what could be one of the NBA's best scoring backcourts next season. Riley, however, showed enough of both his scoring touch and lineup versatility that the 6-foot-9 guard/forward could be one that moves the needle for just how strong the Wizards' rotation is in 2026-27.