The Washington Wizards circled the 2026 NBA Draft for a reason, and it's not just because of how deep it is with blue-chip prospects.
Washington's front office of general manager Will Dawkins and President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger have long believed they could find their sure-fire cornerstone in this draft class specifically.
When NBA Co-Commisioner Mark Tatum revealed the Wizards as the top pick during Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery, it seemed like all of the preparation Washington has put towards this offseason may finally be worth it.
And after the heartbreak this trying 82-game campaign put on the fanbase, it needed to be.
However, when the reports surfaced about a potential trade down for the Wizards, the fanbase immediately felt some concern, and rightfully so.
After years of struggling, why not utilize the No. 1 overall pick granted to you for the first time since 2010?
Fortunately, based on the report from NBA Insider David Aldridge of The Athletic, it seems as if the Wizards' draft plan is clear unless a team's offer forces their hand.
Wizards view AJ Dybantsa as a franchise changer
In a recent article published by Aldridge, the insider went into depth about the Wizards' position at the top of the draft and how the front office views things with the NBA Draft just over a month away.
"For three years, the Wizards’ braintrust has circled 2026 as the draft," Aldiridge said. The one that could deliver them the level of player every team needs to compete at the highest levels of the NBA. You cannot honestly challenge the best teams and the best players if you don’t have your own killer."
Aldridge is right, too. Every top contender has at least one player they can trust to carry a team on their back, and for the Wizards, they simply don't, even with Trae Young and Anthony Davis on the roster.
Dybantsa, though, gives them that player who can be that franchise cornerstone of the future, and according to Aldridge, Washington's decision-makers know that.
"The Wizards have thought Dybantsa was that guy, the young player who could become their version of Anthony Edwards or Cade Cunningham or Cooper Flagg," Aldrigde shared.
If Washington truly believes that, there's no world in which the Wizards just throw a franchise player away.
Washington won't offload the No. 1 overall pick unless they receive a haul
Moving the No. 1 overall pick is on the table for the Wizards, but not realistically.
Washington can name their price and that's the power of possession according to Will Dawkins.
Whether a team meets the asking price of the Wizards is to be seen, but considering the change in tanking rules and the reality that Washington is trying to compete next year, it's unlikely they will waste the chance to utilize a top pick unless they're blown away by an offer.
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