What if the Wizards shock everyone at No. 1?

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 09: General manager Will Dawkins of the Washington Wizards introduces Trae Young #3 during a press conference before the game between the Washington Wizards and the New Orleans Pelicans at Capital One Arena on January 9, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

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What is the story about?

So, you saw the title above. Why ask it?

We live in a world which is human. Things happen in life. Maybe Monumental Basketball President or Washington Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins have a change of heart and pick someone not named AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson. What does it mean, and why?

According to FanDuel’s draft odds, the Wizards will almost definitely draft one of the aforementioned “Fantastic Four.” But if none of the four are picked at No. 1 (and we’re

assuming the Wizards will keep the pick), why? THAT would be the shocker.

Well, we’re going to just keep it straight. Here’s why:

Maybe a prospect outside of these four impresses Winger and Dawkins so much that they believe he is the future. That would be a high risk move that would either make the two look like geniuses or get them fired in a couple seasons.
Maybe all four players are adamantly against playing in Washington and the Wizards don’t see a favorable trade opportunity involving the pick so they keep it.
And players are human. We sometimes forget that. No one wishes injury, but what if we live in a world where at least some of these prospects are found to be unable to play professionally due to a condition? Isaiah Austin of Baylor comes to mind back around the 2014 NBA Draft.

So yeah, when it comes to this No. 1 pick, the Wizards aren’t looking to be “smarter than everyone else.” They want a safe bet as a potential franchise player, especially after a prolonged period of tanking. So my prediction on who the Wizards will pick? Since death and taxes are the only guarantees in life, seeing a “Fantastic Four” prospect representing the DMV this fall is pretty damn close to those two guarantees.