The Washington Wizards bolstered their roster by drafting AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 in the 2026 NBA Draft. The rookie will play alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis, giving D.C. fans more reason to be excited for next season.
Young welcomed the 19-year-old via his message for him on X. He plans to talk to him soon as they form the league’s newest “Big 3.” The four-time All-Star guard was traded to Washington earlier this yaer after spending the previous eight seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.
The post has been viewed almost one million times and garnered 30,000 likes.
It’s exciting times for Wizards fans. The team has a good mix of veteran stars and young guns looking to establish themselves in the NBA. Washington is aiming to bounce back strong after a 17-65 record last season. It finished with the league’s worst record.
Washington Wizards guard Trae Young (3) on the court against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Capital One Arena. Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
How did Trae Young perform and AJ Dybantsa perform last season?
Young joined Washington in January but only suited up in five games. The Wizards managed his health and ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign on April 17. He dealt with low back pain and a right quad contusion. The 27-year-old averaged 15.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in 20.2 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, Dybantsa played 35 games for the Cougars. He showcased his skills on both ends of the floor, producing 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals. The Boston native led the program to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Washington Wizards and Trae Young agreed to a contract on Monday that sent shockwaves through the NBA world.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news on Monday afternoon that the Wizards and Young agreed to a four-year, $212 million contract that includes a player option for Year 4. Young declined his $49 million player option to agree to the new deal ahead of free agency.
BREAKING: Trae Young intends to sign a four-year, approximately $212 million deal to stay with the Washington Wizards, with a player option in Year 4, sources tell ESPN. The four-time NBA All-Star declined his $49M player option for a long-term commitment ahead of free agency. pic.twitter.com/BAGANqomo0
Just in on NBA Today — Trae Young plans to sign a four-year, $212 million contract to return to the Washington Wizards, six-plus months after wanting to join a rebuilding franchise that now aims to compete in the East: pic.twitter.com/JtvD26DFR0
The Wizards acquired Young in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks in January.
Young, 27, averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 assists over 15 games last season, five of which were with the Wizards.
While he’s a four-time All-Star, Young’s statistical prime was in his first few NBA seasons with the Hawks.
Additionally, the Wizards won an NBA-worst 17 games in the 2025-26 season and are in a rebuilding phase. Having Young, to go with Anthony Davis (acquired by the Wizards in February) and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft (which likely features selecting BYU forward AJ Dybantsa or Kansas guard Darryn Peterson), certainly upgrades the team, but Washington still has a long way to go to reach title contention.
ESPN NBA analyst Brian Windhorst couldn’t believe the contract.
“I just want to pause and raise a glass to Trae Young and his agent… What an absolutely jaw-dropping deal,” Windhorst said on Monday’s edition of NBA Today.
Here’s a look at more reactions to the Young agreement with the Wizards from a stunned NBA world on Monday:
My salary model has Trae Young at $115.1 million in value over the next four years, assuming an average of 70 games played / 34 mpg. That makes his $212 million contract underwater by $97 million.
Yea I think this Trae Young contract is worse than the De’Aaron Fox deal.
I bet the Wizards start reasonably hot next year and their fans dig this tweet back up, but in the long run, that deal is just a significant overpay. I would’ve let him walk.
I don’t understand the urgency from the Wizards to shell out this much money before seeing Trae Young play more than 5 games for them, let alone with their new number 1 pick to see if the pairing even makes sense. https://t.co/oeskfxbuJ1
Shocked by the number here. 3/$120M was the reported number for months but Trae ended up securing another year and an extra $13M AAV to return to the Wizards. I guess in the end, with Brooklyn and Chicago looming as cap space teams, Trae had the leverage. https://t.co/8WsTbGdN67
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