Story perspectives

Wizards Add Young, Davis, Draft Dybantsa to Boost Offense

7/16/2026

Summary

Dybantsa Dominates

Washington Wizards signed Trae Young, added Anthony Davis, and drafted AJ Dybantsa first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Dybantsa scored 27 points vs Utah and 23 vs Sacramento in Summer League, finishing with a 25.0-point average.
Kenny Smith says Dybantsa should average 20 points and avoid double-teams because Young and Davis draw defensive focus.
Washington finished 29th in offensive rating and hopes Dybantsa’s aggressive play will improve its performance.

Summary

Wizards Rebuild

The Wizards entered Phase 2 of their four-part rebuild by adding All-Star mentors for the young core.
Owner Ted Leonsis likened Ace Dybantsa’s charisma to Capitals icon Alex Ovechkin.
Ace Dybantsa makes his three children do 100 push-ups daily, monitoring them via camera.
The Wizards’ summer-league base is a 26,000-sq-ft Mandalay Bay ballroom where Ace Dybantsa received a massage and video review from assistant coach Cody Toppert.

History

Historical Context

In 2026 the Washington Wizards launched a Phase 2 rebuild, pairing rookie Ace Dybantsa with veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis. The Celtics’ 2007-08 off-season trades for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett turned a 24-win team into a 66-16 champion, a 42-game improvement, the biggest single-season turnaround in NBA history. The Wizards hope replicating that model will lift their offense into the playoffs within two seasons.

1 of 3

Dybantsa Dominates

Washington Wizards signed Trae Young, added Anthony Davis, and drafted AJ Dybantsa first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Dybantsa scored 27 points vs Utah and 23 vs Sacramento in Summer League, finishing with a 25.0-point average.
Kenny Smith says Dybantsa should average 20 points and avoid double-teams because Young and Davis draw defensive focus.
Washington finished 29th in offensive rating and hopes Dybantsa’s aggressive play will improve its performance.

1 / 3