The dream scenario for the Washington Wizards isn’t simply landing AJ Dybantsa, assuming he is the No 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The dream scenario is landing Dybantsa while already having established stars around him. If the Wizards enter the 2026-27 season with Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and Dybantsa, they would have one of the more fascinating roster constructions in the NBA.

The fit is not perfect. No roster is. But there are compelling reasons why Dybantsa could thrive alongside both veterans.

How Dybantsa Fits With Trae Young

The biggest advantage Trae Young provides is that he immediately removes pressure from AJ Dybantsa as a primary scoring option.

Most No. 1 picks enter the league expected to become the primary offensive creator on Day One. Look at John Wall back in 2010-11. Wall delivered, sure. But it took several seasons before the Wizards returned to the playoffs.

That often leads to inefficient basketball, forced shots, and growing pains. Dybantsa would not face those challenges to the same degree.

Young remains one of the NBA’s elite playmakers. His ability to run pick-and-roll, collapse defenses, and create open shots would give Dybantsa easier scoring opportunities than most rookie wings receive.

How Dybantsa Fits With Anthony Davis

If Young helps Dybantsa offensively, Anthony Davis helps him defensively.

One of the biggest challenges for young players is learning NBA defensive rotations and responsibilities. Even highly regarded prospects make mistakes. Rotations are missed. Assignments are blown. Screens are miscommunicated.

Davis has spent his entire career covering those mistakes. Even in his 30s, Davis remains one of basketball’s premier defensive anchors when healthy. His rim protection allows perimeter defenders to play more aggressively, knowing they have elite help behind them. At least when he’s healthy.

That is particularly important for Dybantsa. Rather than immediately defending forwards who would regularly be stronger than him, Dybantsa could focus on guarding wings and developing his individual defense immediately while building his physical strenth. Davis would handle much of the heavy lifting inside.

Offensively, Davis also complements Dybantsa’s skill set. Davis does much of his damage near the basket, while Dybantsa projects as a versatile wing capable of scoring from multiple levels. Their offensive games naturally occupy different areas of the floor, reducing overlap.

And again, is Dybantsa likely the No. 1 pick?

Well duh. At -390 per FanDuel, he’s the runaway choice. Even Dybantsa himself says that he has no intent of dropping down. So whether the Wizards, Jazz, or some other team has that pick, Dybantsa wants to be No. 1.

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The Biggest Questions: Timing — and will Davis be a Wizard this fall?

Dybantsa’s fit itself is not the primary concern. The timeline is. Young and Davis are at the latter stages of their primes. Dybantsa hasn’t played in an NBA game yet. The Wizards have to determine whether they can compete for championships in the next several years before Davis, in particular, begins to decline significantly, when healthy.

That creates some urgency. The front office would need to build a capable supporting cast quickly while Dybantsa develops into a star.

Finally, we have to consider whether Davis will even be a Wizard past this June or even Young for that matter. Getting the No. 1 pick helps. Getting past the “deconstruction” stage helps. But again, Davis and Young aren’t getting younger and the Wizards need to make a significant move up the standings to keep their veterans content, if not happy.

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From a pure basketball perspective, the fit works. Young would make Dybantsa’s offensive development easier as a point guard while Davis would provide defensive stability from the post and veteran leadership. Dybantsa would fill in as the rookie small forward who can play either forward spot or swing to guard in a larger lineup.

The Wizards’ challenge would be to maximize a possible championship window that may last only a few seasons, as Dybantsa begins ascending toward his prime while Young and Davis are at the end of theirs.

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