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By Anne Erickson
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Up until this point, AJ Dybantsa has pretty much been the Fernando Mendoza of the NBA draft.
He's been expected to go first, and it would still be a surprise if he didn't get picked first. It wouldn't be as big a surprise as if the Las Vegas Raiders hadn't picked Mendoza, but it would still be unexpected.
So, the Washington Wizards are largely predicted to draft Dybantsa, and even though that could make the start of the 2026 NBA draft boring, it really doesn't, because there's still a chance they go with Darryn Peterson.
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Jeremy Woo of ESPN reports that the Wizards are still deciding between Dybantsa and Peterson, although his bet is on the former. According to Woo, sources have told him that "Washington has narrowed its focus" to Dybantsa and Peterson.
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"Peterson has informed the Jazz that he plans to take no further team visits, signaling that he is comfortable with his position and prefers to hear his name called at No. 1 with Washington," he adds. "He has made himself accessible to the Wizards, previously meeting with them in Los Angeles, and has conducted multiple on-court workouts in front of Washington's decision-makers."
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But, in the end, Woo believes the Wizards will take Dybantsa. "Some around the league believe Dybantsa's profile best aligns with what the Wizards have valued," he says.
AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson?
I have to agree with Woo. After months of the Wizards being linked to Dybantsa, it's hard to imagine a world where they take a chance on Peterson.
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Both players are strong. Both could easily be starters in the NBA. So, Washington can't really go wrong, either way.
But, Dybantsa seems like a slightly better fit for the team and its needs going into 2026. He's the kind of small forward that could help take this franchise to the next level.
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