Washington Wizards forward and top overall pick AJ Dybantsa has several players he wants to go up against in 2026-27
AJ Dybantsa has not lacked confidence, for good reason. The former top overall prospect from eighth grade through his senior season at Utah Prep materialized into the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after winning multiple accolades in his lone season at BYU. Now, the Washington Wizards' new wing looks to live up to expectations as an impact addition and franchise player.
Yet Dybantsa also knows the Wizards have pieces around him after pointing to veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young, reiterating the fact that he's now a piece of the puzzle for the 2026-27 season. With eyes set on becoming the eventual Rookie of the Year selection, Dybantsa also has several players he's looking to go up against in year one.
Dybantsa admitted on an appearance on the Road Trippin' Show that every player eyes a potential matchup against future Hall of Famers like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic are two Dybantsa saw live who he wants to "be on the defensive end and just see" what makes the two scorers so difficult to guard. Similar could be said for Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic as Dybantsa admitted he wants to guard the former MVP one-on-one.
"I want to be on an iso island and just really see if he's moving that slow," Dybantsa said.
Dybantsa will get a chance to live out all of those hopeful matchups through his rookie season, but at the end of the day, his focus remains on getting the Wizards back to postseason basketball for the first time since 2020-21. Of course, how Washington uses the versatile, high flying wing will be as interesting after playing on the ball during his two games in Summer League, a potential preview of how he could also fit across the Wizards' potential lineups in 2026-27.
Former NBA veterans Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson noted that the pieces around Dybantsa could alleviate some of the pressure on the transition and expectations in year one, but also questioned whether that ultimately will impact Dybantsa's chances of becoming the Rookie of the Year. Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson -- who went second through fourth in the draft after Dybantsa -- all enter the 2026-27 with the best odds to win the annual award, but the chance to prolong his rookie season may be his ultimate focus anyway.
Dybantsa did have one message for the fans ahead of his official debut this fall.
"Thank you for the loyalty and we'll be back in the playoffs."
