WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wizards owner Ted Leonsis remains committed to the franchise’s full-scale rebuild, saying he has “no regrets” about the strategy that produced just 15, 18, and 17 wins over the past three seasons. Speaking with The Athletic, Leonsis credited team president Michael Winger for executing what he calls a “deconstruction” and repeated Winger’s projection that the turnaround could take “four or five years.”
The outlook brightened on May 10 when Washington secured the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. Although the selection gives the club a chance to land a franchise cornerstone, Leonsis insisted the process is “just starting,” adding, “The deconstruction, though, is over.”
Debate Over the Top Pick
Thirteen league executives and scouts polled by The Athletic offered divided opinions on which prospect Washington should take first overall. Seven favored AJ Dybantsa, two backed Darryn Peterson, one chose Cameron Boozer, and three declined to commit. One rival official called the dilemma a “great (expletive) problem to have.”
Celtics in No Hurry With Brown
In Boston, All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown becomes extension-eligible on July 26, but the Celtics are expected to wait. Brian Robb of MassLive.com reported that president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is unlikely to prioritize a new contract this offseason, noting that Brown still has three seasons left on his super-max deal.
Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe wrote that Boston hopes to add athleticism and another ball-handler this summer. With the No. 27 pick, the club could look at Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie, Duke forward Isaiah Evans, or Texas wing Dailyn Swain, according to Washburn.
Pacers Plot Next Steps
After dropping out of the first round on lottery night, the Pacers enter the offseason searching for a sizable wing, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reported. Indiana is evaluating trade and free-agent options and may explore moving into the second round to address that need.
The Pacers finished last season without a first-round pick after the lottery and will weigh whether re-entering the draft or pursuing veterans offers the most realistic path to filling the roster gap.
Source: Hoops Rumors
