Being the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA draft is no longer a dream or goal for AJ Dybantsa.
It’s an expectation.
The BYU star said as much during a recent interview with Boston sports anchor Ari Alexander of 7News, responding affirmatively to Alexander asking if he was “100% confident” he’d be the draft’s top selection.
Dybantsa described his belief in going No. 1 as “the max you can get,” continuing his longtime claim of being the best prospect in his class. At the NBA draft combine in May, Dybantsa said he was “not planning on dropping in the draft,” as the Deseret News previously reported.
While the Washington Wizards currently hold the No. 1 pick and have first dibs on Dybantsa, he understandably did not act as if his move to the nation’s capital was imminent.
However, Dybantsa also seemingly dismissed the notion that he had a preferred landing spot or a least favorite potential destination.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” Dybantsa said. “Anyone can trade up, anyone can trade down, but I’m going to be happy with anybody.”
As for the Wizards, they’re in a rather unique situation compared to past lottery-winning teams. Washington did lead the NBA in losses this past season, but it also traded for a pair of All-Stars in Trae Young and Anthony Davis (who have played a combined five games thus far for D.C.) to complement its ascending core of young talent, of which Dybantsa would slot in as the crown jewel.
Davis is a future Hall of Famer, and Young is averaging more than 25 points and nearly 10 assists per game across eight seasons in the league. For Dybantsa, possibly playing alongside such proven talents is certainly appealing.
“Learning from two All-Stars in my rookie year would be super exciting,” Dybantsa said regarding the idea of being teammates with Davis and Young in Washington. “Just gathering that knowledge would be helpful for me.”
Recent reports — notably from NBA insider Zach Lowe of the Ringer — have suggested that the Wizards aren’t entirely set on a decision at No. 1. Dybantsa is widely considered the favorite for Washington, but as he told Alexander, “You never know what’s going to happen.”
However, Wizards general manager hasn’t shied away from publicly praising his potential future franchise player.
“(Dybantsa) has a charisma to him. He’s got a confidence to him,” Dawkins said while appearing on ESPN in May. “He’s been able to do it at every level that he’s stepped at, and increased his play. When you talk about basketball, he can score it, he can defend, he’s long, and he can make plays for others. He’s a high-level talent.”
Right behind the Wizards at No. 2 in the draft order are the Utah Jazz, who always seem to find themselves in the Dybantsa conversation due to Ryan Smith’s and Danny Ainge’s ties to and involvement with BYU.
Dybantsa staying in Utah would require either the Jazz trading up or the Wizards picking someone else. Those scenarios may currently appear unlikely, but Dybantsa does think highly of the Jazz.
“I went to a couple games (last season), obviously their atmosphere is just rocking all the time,” Dybantsa said. “They have a good core. They have (All-Stars) in Jaren Jackson and Lauri Markkanen. Keyonte (George) I think could have been Most Improved Player this year. They have a good little squad, and I think if I went there I would fit in.”
“I’m pretty much doing everything on the court at a high level,” Dybantsa said. ”Shooting at a high level, defending at a pretty high level. I just think a lot of teams wouldn’t pass up on it.”
