The Wizards won the top prize in Sunday’s lottery, but it’s premature to assume that pick will be AJ Dybantsa, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. The BYU star has topped nearly every prominent mock draft for several months, but Washington officials plan to sift through all their options for the next six weeks before making a decision.
Mannix reports that the Wizards aren’t ruling out the possibility of trading down, as insiders view this as a “top-heavy” draft without a consensus No. 1 pick. General manager Will Dawkins will review the scouting reports of all the top prospects, and if a player stands out who could be available later in the draft, sources tell Mannix that the team would be willing to deal.
Mannix suggests the Jazz, who drew the No. 2 spot, might have some interest in moving up to land Dybantsa. Utah’s front line is set after trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. in February, so there’s not a pressing need for another big man like Cameron Boozer. Keyonte George, who represented the team at the podium for Sunday’s lottery, appears to be the point guard of the future, so Darryn Peterson is less attractive than he might be to other teams. Dybantsa is the best fit, but the Jazz would likely have to pay a high price to move up.
There’s more on the draft lottery:
- Winger confirmed to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (subscription required) that he’s willing to listen to offers for the No. 1 pick. Winger said winning the lottery is “not a savior moment” and he views this year’s selection as another piece to the puzzle on top of several years of productive draft picks and the mid-season trades that brought in Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Jazz president Austin Ainge also expressed a willingness to deal, telling Fischer, “We’re open. We’ll always listen.”
- There’s a chance that the No. 3 pick held by the Grizzlies could be on the move as well, Fischer adds. Sources tell him that Memphis is receiving “no shortage of trade interest,” with one agent in Chicago suggesting that it could be sent out as part of a Ja Morant deal. Fischer is doubtful that the Grizzlies will part with that asset just to unload Morant, noting that team president Zach Kleiman has a history of trading up or into the draft, as he did last year when he moved up to No. 11 to snag Cedric Coward.
- Fischer tabs the Nets as the biggest loser in the lottery as they fell from third to sixth and likely have no path to land one of the consensus top four prospects. Brooklyn has a lot of future draft assets to offer in a trade, and general manager Sean Marks promised “to look at everything” in an effort to move up, but team officials throughout the league are skeptical that anyone would be willing to trade all the way down to No. 6. Any movement at the top, Fischer adds, will probably be a “shuffling” of the top four teams.
- Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic hears the same message, with one high-ranking team official telling him, “A team in the top four would be stupid to trade out.” Several team executives tell Vorkunov that Peterson isn’t a lock for the second pick, assuming Dybantsa is the first name off the board. Some teams would consider taking Boozer or Caleb Wilson ahead of the Kansas guard.
I know it’s risky to do this but unless they get a Chris Webber style offer for Dybantsa then they should try out at least one season of him and young and Davis
I think, given Davis’ recent injury history, there is no sure bet that he remains with the Wizards when they break camp next fall. They would be smart to explore all options available to bolster the front court and also look for another team willing to take on Davis’ contract.
I think I am an outlier, but wouldn’t shaq and Weber have been a devastating front court? I guess they didn’t want to play with each other so that kind of gives you no choice.
If young shaq didnt have Penny hardaway then they wouldn’t have been able to beat the bulls even without Jordan
Isn’t Weber better than penny? Whatever, doesn’t really matter. Your point about a trade today is probably more relevant.
Dybantsa is a better fit in DC than Utah. SF is a position of need and is considered the best player available. Peterson is a better fit in Washington. He can slide right into the SG spot. The teams that are considering trading down are trying to establish leverage to get a huge offer. Utah is not dumb enough to trade up for #1. I have AJ going #1, DP going #2, Boozer going #3, and Wilson going #4. The fits for each of these guys is perfect
This is basketball. You take the player you believe will have the best future and can take your team somewhere. Not the best fit with what you have.
I don’t follow other American sports and don’t know how they pick in football and baseball. But in basketball, you always take the best player with the highest ceiling, not the fit.
Certainly high in the lottery. If you’re picking at #23 and you need a big, okay, sure.
But you don’t do that with a pick #1 or #2. Nobody among young players in DC has proven themselves or even shown things to warrant the team skipping on the best player in the draft because they might not work out together or smth.
I said that most people believe that Dybantsa has the highest ceiling and is the best player available. The Wizards are going to look and figure out who that is in their eyes.
I’m pretty sure they’ll take a safe, general consensus best player guy at #1.
They already got kinda burnt with their 3 lottery picks in Bilal, Sarr and Tre Johnson, who did not have the best starts to their careers and have question marks over them. Kyshawn and Riley were great picks in the 20s, but it’s not a good look on the FO when the lottery picks don’t work out as well as they’d hope.
They’ll play it safe. No trading, no overthinking. This draft pretty much has the consensus #1 player, and that’s who they’ll pick.
He has the highest ceiling. Is what most scouts think. You are right. He is also a great fit. It’s a no-brainer for Wiz imo. Great pick for DC
All the rest of this talk is nonsense. You’re not going to overthink it and AJ is the number one overall pic and going to go to Washington. Utah would pick Patterson next. They have no shooting guard and he plays both ways on defense and offense. You can slide him right next to kg. The small Ford will be Bailey and they will eventually move Kessler or Lori in a year or two from now. Memphis, there’s no way you’re trading the third overall pick, especially when you just started tanking again. Articles like this are just creating a bunch of unnecessary drama. The top three teams are not making any trades.
Now what four and five do? I have no idea but I doubt they would trade out of their pics either
looking at the draft spots most of the teams are in a rebuild mode so why would you trade a top pick? This is a deep draft so unless you are b getting way over paid for a pick it is not happening.
I think it comes down to next year. 2027 is regarded as a weaker draft than most years and not many GM’s are excited for it. I can see a lot of trades happening before draft night for teams that want to improve and mortgaging the future. Possibly a team like Dallas who has no future picks until 2031 of their own (others are pick swaps). I can see Dallas moving to 3 or something.
This is such a deep draft having a top ten is like having a top 5 in other drafts. There is 15 players that are solid picks. Even 2nd round picks are valuable because its like having a late first round pick in most drafts. i do expect some players will opt out of the draft after seeing how much competition and wait out till next year. Already 1 good prospect decided to go back and wiat for next year.
This could be like the Luka draft or M Fultz. There isnt a consensus #1 pick and if the Wizards prefer Peterson or Boozer why not get Utah or Memphis next years FRP and still get your guy?
Those situations were different. Doncic was available at #3. Atlanta traded down from 3rd, not 1st.
It’s not the same as trading away the 1st pick.
The Grizz package would be intriguing. I guess they need to decide how deep of a rebuild are we shooting for? They also have the 16th pick. Maybe Ja and the 16th pick for assets in future drafts. They currently dont have a franchise guy to build around so I’m not sure trading the 3rd pick is the move. Boozer or Wilson would be a good building block. The current Griz bigs cant be relied on to stay healthy.
The price to move up in the lottery was very steep last year. It would take a big offer to get that #1 pick. And it’s very seldom that the #1 pick gets traded anyway. I don’t think it’ll happen.
I can see Brooklyn being desperate and moving up. They need to hit a home run in this draft. Can’t traded the 2027 pick though, it goes to Houston.
Brooklyn doesn’t need to be desperate. Great future if patient and make intelligent decisions.
What I find hilarious. Is for last months. We are being told how deep this draft is. And how there are great picks in bottom ten. Yet now they want to sell us on trades. The integrity of writers since social media has come to be. Is just at its lowest ever. Nobody looks for the great story or take. Only the ones to push The needle. And make it up to give it more color.
Like they don’t even have time. To do real research and get us real info …… Like Black Jesus in the playgrounds of Philly. Or The Doctor making house calls in Rucker park as a HS player. Bunch of click hos. Who don’t understand what a real story is about.
Draft trades have always happened. Who is trying to sell you on trades? There is always speculation. GMs wouldn’t being doing their jobs if they didn’t look at all the possibilities of improving.
If you don’t like social media, don’t use it.
I don’t use social media.
And not every draft is like this one, this deep. When the lottery is loaded. There isn’t a big need to trade up. We will see the trade action on draft day.
Last yr the only trade in lottery was for Queen at #13. And only because he fell.
Hoopsrumors is Social Media.
Basketball syte isn’t social media to me. I only talk ball. Nothing social about that.
Any site that has user generated content and interaction is Social Media.
Again I am here to talk and discuss ball. There is nothing social about that. I am not you.
You are funny.
Clippers I could see trading. Cause this is a good opportunity to load up on young talent. I also see Wilson as a great fit there with Kawhi. Probably extend his career lols. Now if Chicago takes Wilson. Which would be insane to me. Then Clippers could trade down. Other than that scenario. OKC could move their picks to move up. They don’t need to pay two number picks. Especially with two coming back from injury next year. Topic and Sorber.
What if Thunder lose this year. Will they make a play for Giannis then.
Yes, I am hoping they’re a team willing to trade. MEM, imo, should be looking to get a 2nd pick inside the top 7, NOT trade down from 3. Take whoever they like most between Boozer or Wilson at 3. Then get a PG of the future with the other top 7 pick if they’re able to land one (I like Acuff then Flemings). Give a pair of future 1sts and someone like GG Jackson to get it done, because it sounds like MEM is dealing Ja this summer. Then at #16 get BPA, I’d prefer Mara to pair with Edey, but not sure he makes it to 16. Best case gives them Acuff, Coward, Wells, Boozer, Edey; Jerome, Aldama, and whoever at 16.
Mem is taking Boozer. He fits right in where JJJ left. Imo he’s a better 4. Where JJJ is more a combo 4-5.
I can see them wanting a PG. Cause there are a few this draft. Good point. I wonder what it would take. Philon a late lottery pick is interesting.
Im really hoping as a Bulls fan Caleb Wilson is there at 4. I am fine w any of the top 4 but I feel like Wilsons athletic ability and defensive prowess would make him an ideal running mate w Matus and Giddey.
Draft day trades into the top 10 using picks lower in the draft are one of two NBA discussion points which can safely be ignored (the other being RFA’s potentially moving as Free Agents).
It’s been many years since any team has actually traded out of the top 10 for lower draft picks, unless the picks were close enough that each team got the player they want more. It’s been true in so-called “good” drafts and “bad” drafts. Like with any other NBA trade, teams correctly want to come away with the best player they can, not volume. Yet, it’s discussed as though there is an actual market for these picks. Maybe non-tanking teams want to believe it, as its likely the only way they’re ever seeing one of these high picks. Nevertheless, it’s a fairy tale.
I would bet at least one of the top RFAs (Kessler, Watson, Eason, Williams) moves this year.
Not sure about the draft picks, although it would not surprise me if OKC traded into the top 10.