The Washington Wizards have zeroed in on two candidates for the top selection in the June 23 NBA Draft, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo. Team officials are weighing BYU forward AJ Dybantsa against Kansas guard Darryn Peterson after completing in-person evaluations.
League sources told Woo and ESPN’s Shams Charania that Peterson met decision-makers from Washington in Los Angeles, participating in multiple on-court sessions. Confident he will be taken first, Peterson informed the Utah Jazz—owners of the No. 2 pick—that he will not schedule any additional visits or workouts.
Peterson, who views himself as an NBA point guard, reportedly believes the presence of veteran Trae Young in Washington would not restrict his role. Young, acquired from Atlanta in January, holds a $49 million player option for next season and could test free agency.
Dybantsa was in Washington on Thursday and Friday before traveling to Utah on Saturday, Woo reported. Those stops are the only ones planned before draft night. The 6-foot-8 forward has roots in Utah, having played his senior high-school season at Utah Prep before leading NCAA Division I with 25.5 points per game at BYU. Despite those ties, he has stated a clear preference to be the No. 1 pick.
Jazz prepared for No. 2
Many around the league see Dybantsa as a stronger fit in Washington, noting Utah selected a similar wing, Ace Bailey, last year. Sources added that Utah is comfortable selecting whichever prospect remains and is unlikely to mount an aggressive trade-up offer.
Utah also hosted Duke forward Cameron Boozer, though his positional overlap with Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler tempers enthusiasm.
Mock draft updates
Woo’s latest projection slots Boozer to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3 and forward Caleb Wilson to the Chicago Bulls at No. 4. The Los Angeles Clippers, drafting fifth, are considered high on Indiana guard Keaton Wagler, who recently canceled several other top-10 workouts. Louisville guard Mikel Brown is scheduled to audition for the Clippers this week.
Source: Hoops Rumors
