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AJ Dybantsa has already made Wizards' Anthony Davis trade decision obvious

Washington may want to keep their options open.
Apr 4, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts to a foul call on him against the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts to a foul call on him against the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The momentum is building for the Washington Wizards and with every game that reigning No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa plays, it becomes more clear that the team finally found the face of the franchise they've been searching for.

Washington enters next season with high expectations, and with a young squad set to be led by Trae Young and Anthony Davis, the organization from the front office down truly believes that this team could make a special run.

Young has already locked in his commitment to the Wizards, and while an extension seems to be on the horizon for Davis too, trade talks continue to loom surrounding the Golden State Warriors' hopes of acquiring the two-way big man in hopes of landing LeBron James in free agency.

Dybantsa's play alone has given the Wizards a reason to keep AD in D.C., especially given the potential that the Wizards could make a run of their own.

In the same breath, though, Dybantsa's first two games for the Wizards have also suggested that Washington may want to at least consider how the potential fit of Dybantsa and Davis could look, because the biggest weaknesses for each player could become a problem that hinders the squad's goals.

AJ Dybantsa & Anthony Davis both struggle beyond the arc

Through Dybantsa's first two games in Summer League, the versatile forward is shooting 1-for-11 from three, continuing his college trend of inefficient shooting from beyond the arc.

Obviously, the former BYU standout does plenty of other things well enough that his struggles from downtown aren't a cause for concern, especially considering there's potential for him to turn that weakness into a strength with the right development and increased confidence.

At the same time, the reality is that the 19-year-old isn't a threat from beyond the three, and with his game mostly thriving in the paint, things could become crowded on offense in a system that features Dybantsa and Davis, who's a career 29.5% shooter from three.

The idea of rolling out Dybantsa and AD as the presumed starters offers plenty of two-way potential, and the upside simply can't be ignored.

However, there are flaws to the fit, and if there's any chance that the fit could put an obstacle in Dybantsa's development, the Wizards will have to prioritize their future long-term, instead of delaying the progression of their new building block, especially if a team is willing to meet their steep asking price on the trade market for Davis.

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