With the 2026 NBA Draft four weeks away, front-office personnel around the league say the Washington Wizards have not locked in on BYU forward AJ Dybantsa as the first overall selection, according to reporting from ESPN’s Jeremy Woo.
Four-player tier leads the class
Executives view a clear top quartet—Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer and Georgia wing Caleb Wilson—but no consensus order has emerged. Woo’s latest mock sends Peterson to the Utah Jazz at No. 2, Boozer to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3 and Wilson to the Chicago Bulls at No. 4.
Peterson, who dealt with persistent cramping as a freshman, impressed teams with a serious demeanor during last week’s combine interviews, though clubs are still waiting on his medical file, Woo reports.
Utah unlikely to trade up
Speculation at the combine suggested Utah might pursue the top pick, yet team and league sources told Woo the Jazz are expected to stay at No. 2 and select whichever prospect remains from the leading tier.
Other first-round rumblings
Atlanta Hawks: Michigan center Aday Mara—instrumental in the Wolverines’ first national title since 1989—has climbed into lottery range and lands at No. 8 in Woo’s projection, even though Atlanta is also evaluating several guards.
Milwaukee Bucks: Rival executives say Milwaukee, which currently owns only the 10th pick, is acting as though it could add more draft capital. Last week, reports from ESPN indicated the Bucks are gauging trade interest in two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, fueling speculation about additional selections.
Brooklyn Nets: Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor slots Illinois guard Keaton Wagler to Brooklyn at No. 6 but hears the franchise is also tied to Mara and Tennessee forward Nate Ament. Both Woo and O’Connor note the Nets could move up or down and are not committed to drafting a guard. Their separate mocks have Ament headed to Milwaukee at No. 10.
Sacramento Kings: Holding pick No. 7, Sacramento is widely linked to Arkansas guard Darius Acuff. O’Connor points to multiple ties between Acuff and the Kings’ front office and highlights the team’s need at point guard.
Phoenix Suns: Phoenix owns only the 47th pick but is exploring ways to secure a first-round slot, league sources told O’Connor.
The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for next month.
Source: Hoops Rumors
