All signs are pointing to AJ Dybantsa being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, even with the Washington Wizards claiming they've yet to narrow down a player for the top selection.
It took no time for reports to surface surrounding the Wizards being open to hearing offers to make it worth trading down, but even with those reports, it became obvious that it would take an absolute haul to make it worth their while to give up the top pick.
The most obvious team that came to mind for a potential deal was the Utah Jazz, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, but even then, it only made sense if Washington was able to pull off a heist in any potential deal.
Following the report from CBS Sports' Adam Finklenstein that Dybantsa is hoping to somehow land in Utah, many made it seem like the Wizards would be forced to hand over the right to select the versatile forward.
News flash, though, Washington doesn't owe the Jazz anything, and if they deem that Dybantsa is the player that changes their future for the better, they will select him at No. 1 unless they're given a reason not to.
Wizards have no incentive to forfeit the right to select AJ Dybantsa
It's easy to understand the attraction for Dybantsa to want to remain in Utah.
The top prospect spent his final high school year at Utah Prep and his lone college season in Provo, suiting up at BYU courtesy of Jazz owner Ryan Smith's monster NIL donation.
Dybantsa has built something in Utah, but the news that the playmaker has no interest in forcing a move to the Jazz suggests that he's more than open to heading elsewhere if it keeps his dream of being the top pick in the draft alive.
Beyond that, the Big 12 standout has offered plenty of optimism about a potential fit in the DMV, and until he finds himself declining a predraft workout with the Wizards, all the noise surrounding his desired fit in Salt Lake City is pointless.
Washington seems locked in on Dybantsa
The Wizards are doing their due diligence, interviewing every top prospect, including Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson.
At the same time, there's been enough smoke, including the recent article from The Athletic's David Aldridge about the team's pursuit of Dybantsa to assume that the team will stand pat at the top of the NBA Draft to select their next franchise cornerstone.
Unless they receive a monster package, it's hard to see the Wizards caving to the Jazz or any other team that's in hot pursuit of Dybantsa.
Add us as a preferred source on Google