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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The NBA Draft can often be the turning point for many franchises, as they select a future superstar who carries their team to success they haven't had in years.
That's exactly what the Washington Wizards are hoping for with their top pick, AJ Dybantsa.
There are high expectations for Dybantsa after a standout season with Brigham Young University, with many believing he will return this Wizards team to the NBA Playoffs early in his career. They last reached the postseason in the 2020-21 season, and Dybantsa seems to have the skillset and talent to make them a winning team.
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However, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith doesn't hold any faith in this team making much noise now that they've added Dybantsa to a roster that also features veteran All-Star Anthony Davis and guard Trae Young.
“I already told the Washington Wizards this, I have no faith, zero. They’ve been a basketball purgatory. They’ve been an abomination. We all know this,” he said on Wednesday’s “First Take.”
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Smith said he should give “credit where credit is due,” suggesting the organization is “moving in a forward direction.” However, he criticized them for having big man Anthony Davis as part of their star trio, whom he called a "walking injury" due to his history of issues.
"When Anthony Davis is on the court, that brother is an All-World player, it's just that I got questions about his durability," the ESPN star said regarding the 10-time All-Star.
Smith said he's "gotta see it to believe it" when it comes to the Wizards having a formidable front line featuring Davis, Alex Sarr, and the No. 1 pick Dybantsa. He also suggested he would talk to the Wizards to their face about how bad their situation is.
"For me, I'm hoping for better times. I don't blame them for the direction that they're going in, but they got a lot of work to do," he suggested.
The Wizards finished a disappointing 17-65 last season, leading to them being in a position to add Dybantsa, who is clearly the type of player that has the potential to right the ship. However, he can't do it alone and will need the help of the rest of the team that Washington's tried to put in place.
Young came to the Wizards in a January trade with Atlanta, which sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Hawks. The team added Davis via a blockbuster three-team, nine-player trade in February. On paper that seems great, but not based on recent playing history.
Neither player contributed much after joining the roster, with Young playing five games and Davis yet to debut, due to severe ligament damage in his left hand. Ironically, this is the second-straight team he's been part of that made the No. 1 pick, with his previous squad, the Dallas Mavericks, getting Cooper Flagg last year.
At this moment, Davis does not appear to be a suitable piece for this team's success, despite his previous All-Star appearances and championship-winning season with the Lakers.
It could mean a rough start to Dybantsa's career, and it may ultimately lead to them landing another top-tier pick, much like the young, talented San Antonio Spurs did across the past three seasons.
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