Former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas believes the Washington Wizards ought to clear the runway for projected No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, even when it means shifting established stars corresponding to Anthony Davis and Trae Younger.
Talking on Gil’s Enviornment, Arenas argued that if Washington selects Dybantsa with the highest choose within the 2026 NBA Draft, the franchise ought to instantly middle its long-term imaginative and prescient across the 19-year-old wing as an alternative of balancing growth with veteran star energy.
“The explanation I say that’s you’re the primary choose and you’ve got the persona,” Arenas stated. “You’re a star and since you’re the star, I would like you to take over immediately. So I don’t want another ex stars or anyone who needs to nonetheless be a star there. So I would like full highlight.”
The feedback got here as Dybantsa continues to emerge because the anticipated favourite for Washington at No. 1 after the Wizards completed 17-65, the worst document within the Japanese Convention in the course of the 2025-26 season. Dybantsa recently narrowed his pre-draft workouts to only Washington and Utah, the groups holding the primary two picks.
Arenas’ proposal displays a bigger philosophical debate round rebuilding groups: ought to a franchise encompass a prime choose with confirmed veterans or take away hierarchy considerations and hand over duty instantly?
Washington already has one of many league’s youngest cores. Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George and Cam Whitmore are all a part of the roster, whereas Dybantsa’s projected arrival would add one other high-upside perimeter creator.
Dybantsa’s profile helps clarify why some across the league see him as a franchise centerpiece. In his lone season at BYU, he averaged 25.5 factors, 6.8 rebounds and three.7 assists whereas taking pictures 51.0% from the sector throughout 35 begins. He has additionally described himself as a participant able to defending a number of positions and impacting video games as each a scorer and playmaker.
Nonetheless, shifting veterans corresponding to Davis or Younger would signify a dramatic organizational pivot. Davis stays one of many NBA’s most impactful frontcourt defenders when wholesome, whereas Younger’s playmaking and offensive creation can ease stress on youthful teammates studying NBA spacing and decision-making.
