Washington Wizards Proving Commitment to Defense, Culture Change

After being among the worst defensive teams in the NBA in 2025-26, it's clear that the Washington Wizards are committing to changing exactly that ahead of the 2026-27 regular season.

Through the first two games of the Summer League slate, Washington has held the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz to 40.4% shooting from the field and 31.5% from three while combining for 21 steals and 12 blocks. The commitment to defense was clear on Sunday night in Washington's eventual blowout win over the Kings as Reece Beekman stepped up as the go-to perimeter defender with Jamir Watkins sidelined after notching a game-high three steals in the win.

Felix Okpara may not have stuffed the box score, but his three blocks made an impact with his motor and athleticism around the rim evident in his 20 minutes with a chance to now build on his offensive production over the next week. As for the top overall pick, the effort was also there from AJ Dybantsa, who admitted that proving himself as a two-way impact player was a focus in his second Summer League game. T.J. Sorrentine, who serves as the Wizards' Summer League head coach, believes Dybantsa should become an All-Defensive selection with the length and size he offers as a rookie.

“He’s one of those … two-way players. You just see the size and the length and the way he moves. Once he nails down the way the NBA is played — he’s a sponge, so it’s going to happen quick — the sky’s the limit,” Sorrentine told The Athletic.

Yet for a Wizards team coming off a season ranked last in scoring differential (-12) and second-to-last in scoring defense (124.9) -- nearly one point fewer than the Utah Jazz -- while also averaging six fewer rebounds per game, it's the exact message that Washington needs to emphasize ahead of a hopeful postseason appearance.

Owner Ted Leonsis added the defensive intensity from Washington is "the one thing that's really got my attention" in an interview during Thursday's win vs. Utah, an understandable ask after allowing an 83-point game during the regular season.

"They're playing. They don't want Peterson to go off [and] score. They're playing individually. That wasn't our forte the last three years," Leonsis added.

The other part that sticks out about Summer League might not be tied to any on-court performance, rather who else has been on the sidelines. With multiple players in attendance for Thursday's win over Utah, Bilal Coulibaly was among the others who arrived in Las Vegas to attend Trae Young's press conference announcing his extension. On Sunday, the full team was in attendance to watch the blowout win as Washington moved to 2-0, signaling the "culture is shifting" in Washington, as Dybantsa noted.

"We have a new team, new vets that just want to show love to the youngins," Dybantsa said following the win. "We're gonna be great this year I think."

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