Will Dawkins on AJ Dybantsa, Ending Wizards' Deconstruction Phase

Washington Wizards general manager Will Dawkins recently joined SiriusXM NBA Radio to discuss the front offices reasoning for selecting AJ Dybantsa, why the deconstruction phase of the rebuild is over and more. 

Dawkins also touched on him and Michael Winger's multi-step process that would bring Washington back to relevance, which included having high selections in the 2025 & 2026 NBA Draft classes.

While Washington has yet to accomplish anything in this new era, the potential and excitement surrounding this team is undeniable. Dawkins mentioned that the fans have remained patient throughout the rebuild, and that Washington is indeed a basketball city waiting to erupt.

Dawkins was asked about what made AJ Dybantsa Washington's selection at number one overall, especially in a loaded draft class, in which the character of the top overall pick was quickly highlighted as the two Massachusetts natives reconnected prior to the 2026 NBA Draft.

"Once you got him into the building, brought him over to my house, had dinner, and just the way he interacts with your family and kids and how much he really cares about giving back and getting to meet his family, what he's really about -- and then you get to put him on a court and the athleticism just popped." 

Dawkins has established a draft process that includes looking at the prospect as a human being before looking at him as a player, and it was clear that Dybantsa fit that mold of being a good person. 

As a player on the other hand, Dawkins pointed to Dybantsa's athleticism and ability to become an impact two-way player, adding, "we felt pretty good about that." 

Dawkins also mentioned that he had heard about Dybantsa when he was in eighth grade due to them both being from the Boston area, and has closely monitored him since. 

Although Washington has added Dybantsa, Trae Young, Anthony Davis and other stars, Dawkins mentioned that the rebuild isn't over, but that the deconstruction phase of it is. 

Dawkins was asked if he had envisioned the timeline to look this way, in which he responded by reiterating the commitment to the timeline and vision that he and Michael Winger presented to management.

Dawkins also acknowledged that he got lucky with the NBA lottery rules changing right after they earned the number one pick, but said "the time is right to let the players compete and get after it and kind of see where we're at, and it just lined up with the new rules." 

Dawkins and the front office are excited to see what Washington's exciting core can do, as they have expectations for the first time in half a decade.

Dybantsa and the Wizards will begin the preseason slate with the first of four games set for Thursday, October 8 against the New York Knicks on the road.