The 2026 NBA Draft is just over a week away, and the Washington Wizards' decision at No. 1 still remains undecided.
To add even more debate about what the Wizards plan to do come draft night, ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania reported on Monday morning that projected top picks AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson have officially worked out for Washington.
Developments ahead of the June 23-24 NBA draft: BYU's AJ Dybantsa has conducted formal visits with both the Washington Wizards (No. 1) and Utah Jazz (No. 2) while Kansas' Darryn Peterson only visited the Wizards and does not plan to grant anyone else a meeting, sources tell me…
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2026
Beyond the obvious, though, arguably the most noteworthy information from Charania's report is that Dybantsa worked out for both the Wizards and the Utah Jazz, while Peterson elected to just work out for the Wizards and shut down any additional workouts with other teams.
Obviously, Peterson's decision is his own to make, but the fact that the top prospect elected to make such a bold decision could mean one of two things.
The Wizards made a draft night promise to Darryn Peterson
Up to this point, most of the noise around the league suggested that Dybantsa was the leader in the clubhouse to be selected by the Wizards with the top pick.
However, Peterson's decision to shut down workouts makes things interesting.
Perhaps the Wizards officially made their decision after the Kansas guard's workout and made a promise to him that they'd select him with the No. 1 overall pick.
Given his potential, talent, and projected spot in the draft order before the start of his lone year with the Jayhawks, that wouldn't be a total surprise.
Still, the questions regarding his fit alongside Trae Young in the DMV, especially after he made it clear he preferred to play point guard at the next level, make the likelihood of the Wizards granting that promise doubtful.
That, and if Peterson was their preferred target to begin with, why would they not just trade down with the Jazz and bolster their roster and assets, while still landing their top target?
Which leads us to the second possibility.
Peterson is trying to force his way to No. 1
Peterson's confidence in himself is clear, and whether the Wizards promised him he'd be No. 1 or not, it's obvious that the Kansas product believes he is the best player in the draft.
The playmaker likely knows that if he doesn't land in Washington, he won't slide far, and if he fell past No. 2, it's safe to say the Memphis Grizzlies would jump at the opportunity to take him at No. 3.
That said, Peterson may just be trying to put his hat in the ring to be selected with the top pick by showing the Wizards he's only interested in landing in D.C.
Will that strategy work? Probably not.
Regardless, Peterson won't have to worry about a major draft night slide given his skill set, so why not attempt to force himself where he wants to land?
Not to mention, for the Wizards, having top prospects want to be in Washington feels like a new normal that the fanbase can get used to.
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