Expectations haven't been high for the Washington Wizards in quite a while. They've been mired in the NBA Draft lottery for years now, with Bub Carrington admitting this offseason players were "held back" by the team's tanking efforts.
All the losing resulted in 2026 No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, who's capable of turning the franchise into a championship contender. He'll need early help from Anthony Davis, who's looking to reeastablish himself after an injury-plagued couple seasons with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Wizards' culture has clearly changed with Dybantsa and the broader influx of talent, if a story Davis told before their season opener is any indication.
"One day I missed a lot of shots in practice, and Tre Johnson actually came to me and he
was like, 'Hey, man, you weren't Top 75 today,'" Davis said. "You look for that stuff, with players who'll hold you accountable no matter what you've done in this league."
Davis, who landed on the NBA's 75th Anniversary list in 2021, isn't getting any slack from the second-year pro Johnson.
When do the Wizards begin their season?
Washington tips off its 2026-27 season against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Anthony Davis reveals painfully honest 5-word callout from Wizards teammate
