Draft season is no stranger to rumors. It’s why some prefer the term “smoke screen season” when discussing the period between the NBA Draft Lottery and the NBA Draft.
For the Washington Wizards, those rumors began the second they won the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. That’s because this class lacks a consensus top prospect, with three vying for the No. 1 spot.
AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are viewed as possibilities for Washington. Dybantsa is currently the -450 favorite on FanDuel
Sportsbook to be the No. 1 pick, followed by Peterson (+380) and Boozer (+1700).
Below is an updated log of every Wizards-related draft rumor, from trade down talks to which prospect is most likely a Wizard by June 23.
June 8
Sam Vecenie: Washington is doing its due diligence and hasn’t decided on the No. 1 pick, but AJ Dybantsa remains the most likely target. (The Athletic)
Brett Siegel: While the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago have called the Wizards to inquire about the No. 1 pick, there are zero indications that these conversations have matured into anything serious.
“Dybantsa is the clear selection for the Wizards, and there isn’t a reason to believe right now he won’t be the first name called by Adam Silver on draft night.” (ClutchPoints)
June 4
Kevin O’Connor: “For now, the most likely scenario is staying at the first pick and taking Dybantsa, who could become one of the NBA’s most unstoppable shot-creators.”
The consensus among NBA mock drafts pins Dybantsa as the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick.
May 15
Brian Windhorst: “The Wizards are sending out signals that they’re willing to deal the No. 1 pick, but it may NOT be the Jazz who move up.” (ESPN)
As President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger told Jake Fischer at the draft lottery, the Wizards will consider trading down from the No. 1 pick. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Utah Jazz, who own the No. 2 pick, will be the only team interested in acquiring the top pick, according to Windhorst.
May 13
Marc Spears: “The Utah Jazz have reached out to the Wizards about potentially trading up for the No. 1 pick.” (Andscape)
This is not a remarkably crazy report, as Washington made its intentions to keep all options open at No. 1 public at the draft lottery.
Adam Finkelstein: “Dybantsa was hoping to stay in Utah.” (CBS Sports)
This report builds on the notion that Dybantsa prefers the Utah Jazz select him so he can stay in the same state he played his senior year of high school (Utah Prep) and freshman year of college (BYU). Dybantsa has since made it clear that Massachusetts, where he was born, is his home state — not Utah.
