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I’m sticking with Dybantsa here, but sources say that Washington continues due diligence and that the Wizards haven’t made a decision yet. One thing that has been made clear in recent days is that the team is doing a lot of research into Darryn Peterson to understand everything it needs to know about him. However, sources have also said not to read too much into the fact that Peterson is not currently scheduled to go to the Utah Jazz to work out; they don’t think that means the Wizards have made an undisclosed promise to pick Peterson.
With only a few days to go before Tuesday night's first round of the NBA Draft, multiple draft experts have passed along that they legitimately believe Washington could select Kansas' Darryn Peterson over BYU's AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick. "Increased consideration" is the way one well-placed insider put it.
NBC 4 Sports: "He's communicated to me a strong interest in being part of what we're building" In a one-on-one with @JPFinlayNBCS , Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger discusses Anthony Davis and his future More of their interview this afternoon on News4
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1. Washington Wizards. AJ Dybantsa | 6-9 wing | 19 years old | BYU I’m sticking with Dybantsa here, but sources say that Washington continues due diligence and that the Wizards haven’t made a decision yet. One thing that has been made clear in recent days is that the team is doing a lot of research into Darryn Peterson to understand everything it needs to know about him. However, sources have also said not to read too much into the fact that Peterson is not currently scheduled to go to the Utah Jazz to work out; they don’t think that means the Wizards have made an undisclosed promise to pick Peterson.
Marc J. Spears: Wizards star Trae Young plans to decline his $48.97 million player option for the 2026–27 season to become a FA on Monday, sources. Washington remains the front runner for the four-time NBA All-Star as he loves the team and DC, but he still expects multiple team max interest.
When the Washington Wizards acquired Trae Young for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, they effectively did their free agency shopping early, viewing Young as the most valuable free agent on the market, HoopsHype has learned. Young is excited for a fresh start with the Wizards and to begin the prime of his career in Washington. According to a league source who spoke with HoopsHype, Young hopes to remain a Wizard for a long time. While Young has a $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season, the four-time All-Star and the Wizards can come together on a new deal, which is the ultimate expectation within league circles.
In his latest NBA Insider update for Bleacher Report, Jake Fischer revealed that the star guard is now generating a lot of interest out of the teams' desire to improve in the regular season and the high probability that tanking will fail out of the new NBA lottery system. "There is now some renewed interest in Trae Young, compared to where things were in February, where there’s not much interest," Fischer said.
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"The overwhelming expectations still remains that Trae Young is going to remain in Washington. I’ve been told that he really relished the warm welcome he received there post-trade deadline, Fischer said. " ... I do think he’s got a lot of enthusiasm for what the Wizards could do next season with the No. 1 pick, with Anthony Davis healthy, with Alex Sarr recovering well from offseason surgery. "We’ll see what actually comes to fruition in Washington, but I have been told to consider Trae Young as someone who is very much on the trade market right now, at least a name that other teams are looking at the trade market as of now."
The Jazz have had Dybantsa and Boozer for private workouts, according to league sources. Peterson canceled his workout this week amid reports that he believes he will be the No. 1 pick, and he hopes the Wizards select him. The Jazz, according to league sources, weren’t surprised by Peterson’s canceled workout. They anticipated it, on some levels. They also won’t hesitate to select Peterson if they determine the former Kansas star guard is the best player on the board when they pick.
The irony of Peterson’s camp revealing his preference for the Wizards is that Utah is the cleanest fit for him of the three teams at the top of the draft. The Jazz see him as a shooting guard who can play point guard. Behind the scenes, there is some concern on Peterson’s side that he and Jazz point guard Keyonte George share the same agency. But the Jazz firmly believe the two can play together.
Darryn Peterson thinks he’s going No. 1, so much so that he visited only with the Wizards, blowing off the Jazz. What does that mean? Calling Dr. Freud, what does it mean? It could be a sign that Peterson doesn’t want to play in Utah. And it could be a sign that he’s absolutely convinced the Wiz will take him. No need to fiddle-faddle around with the Jazz. Whispers are that the second sign is the authentic one. Washington wants the smooth-shooting guard. But whispers the week before the draft often are bald-faced lies. It’s left for the Jazz to put on the doctor’s coat and figure it all out.
