In a one-on-one interview with Ari Alexander of 7News Boston (Twitter video link), AJ Dybantsa praised both the Wizards and the Jazz and said he was confident he’ll end up being the No. 1 overall pick in a few weeks, as Jackson Payne of The Deseret News relays. Washington controls the first pick and Utah holds the second.
The former BYU star, who’s widely projected to be a top-two pick, pointed out that trades are always a possibility and said he’ll be content no matter where he ends up.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” Dybantsa told Alexander. “Anyone can trade up, anyone can trade down, but I’m going to be happy with anybody.”
Here’s more on the 2026 NBA draft:
- Darius Acuff, a projected mid-lottery pick, was in Chicago on Friday for a workout with the Bulls, reports Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). The ex-Arkansas guard also worked out for the Nets on Wednesday and has upcoming sessions with the Jazz and Bucks, according to Wasserman. Acuff is coming off one of the most productive seasons for a freshman guard in NCAA history, though there are question marks about his defense. Chicago, which held a workout on Tuesday featuring four other possible lottery picks, controls the fourth and 15th selections in the first round, while Brooklyn holds the sixth pick and Milwaukee has the 10th.
- While there has been chatter about the Nets being high on Nate Ament, the projected lottery pick hasn’t worked out for Brooklyn to this point, sources tell Brian Lewis of The New York Post (Twitter link). The 6’10” forward is another one-and-done prospect, having spent his freshman season at Tennessee.
- Indiana forward Sam Alexis said he’s in regular communication with former Hoosiers teammates Tucker DeVries and Lamar Wilkerson, who are also regulars in the pre-draft workout circuit, per Tony East of Forbes and Circle City Spin (Twitter video link). Alexis, a senior in 2025/26, worked out for the Pacers on Friday. He said the ex-Hoosiers are helping one another prepare by sending tips about what each team likes to do during the sessions. “It’s helpful,” Alexis said. “It’s a lot. (It helps) you mentally prepare for (the workout).” When asked by East if he wanted to be the first player to attend a team’s workout to help DeVries and Wilkerson, Alexis smirked. “Nah, I want to be the last one,” he said with a laugh.
Jazz do not trade for him. From what I have seen he is very immature and kinda cocky. I don’t think he will help with the team you have. Paterson is the best player in the draft and can play two ways. Little bit of dwade in him. I see T-Mac in AJ. Yes he will be a star and get to the playoffs but not sure he can win you chip. Now he is only 19 and can mature but seems to still need to be humbled
He isn’t very immature. Don’t know where you are getting that from. Saying he believes he should be the #1 pick isn’t being cocky when every top prospect has said that they should be #1.
Immaturity comes with the age. He will man up as he gets older, but being cocky at 19 years old is not a bad thing at all..Draft prospects are supposed to believe in themselves, and if they have that “I’m better than you” mindset, then..that’s even more alluring to teams that are looking to draft such players. Best thing for AJ to do is to back up all that talk and confidence with his actions on the court
I honestly think Acuff is going to be amazing. He can shoot, he can run an offence, he can handle the ball, seems as if he has got his head screwed on.
I also think not being considered apart of the big 4 is massive and the Clippers at 5 look like they are trying to trade out from that spot. Apparently Dallas likes him. If he ends up there maybe learns off Kyrie, gets to play off of Cooper Flagg it’s a great start to his career. No expectations, no bright lights, around good talent in a good situation.