Washington Wizards target AJ Dybantsa with No. 1 draft pick as Trae Young signs $212 M extension

The Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and are expected to select BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, a 6‑foot‑9 wing who led the nation in scoring as a freshman. Dybantsa has expressed confidence he will be the top pick, noting he did not work out for any team and comparing his draft class to the 2003 LeBron‑James cohort. The Wizards are also evaluating Kansas guard Darryn Peterson as a possible alternative, though betting‑market odds give Dybantsa an 85 % chance versus Peterson’s 16 %.

In parallel, point guard Trae Young agreed to a four‑year extension worth roughly $212 million, with a player option for the final year, after rejecting a $49 million player option. Young, a four‑time All‑Star, will remain the floor general alongside recent acquisitions Anthony Davis and the incoming rookie. The franchise’s strategy centers on building a young core—Young, Davis, and the projected No. 1 pick—to accelerate its return to playoff contention. Mock drafts, odds and media speculation all highlight the Wizards’ focus on Dybantsa, while acknowledging Peterson’s talent and the broader depth of the 2026 draft class.