Former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas believes the Washington Wizards should clear the runway for projected No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, even if it means moving established stars such as Anthony Davis and Trae Young.
Speaking on Gil’s Arena, Arenas argued that if Washington selects Dybantsa with the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the franchise should immediately center its long-term vision around the 19-year-old wing instead of balancing development with veteran star power.
“The reason I say that is you are the number one pick and you have the personality,” Arenas said. “You are a star and since you are the star, I need you to take over instantly. So I don’t need any other ex stars or anybody who wants to still be a star there. So I need full spotlight.”
The comments came as Dybantsa continues to emerge as the expected favorite for Washington at No. 1 after the Wizards finished 17-65, the worst record in the Eastern Conference during the 2025-26 season. Dybantsa recently narrowed his pre-draft workouts to only Washington and Utah, the teams holding the first two selections.
Arenas’ proposal reflects a larger philosophical debate around rebuilding teams: should a franchise surround a top pick with proven veterans or remove hierarchy concerns and hand over responsibility immediately?
Washington already has one of the league’s youngest cores. Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George and Cam Whitmore are all part of the roster, while Dybantsa’s projected arrival would add another high-upside perimeter creator.
Dybantsa’s profile helps explain why some around the league see him as a franchise centerpiece. In his lone season at BYU, he averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 51.0% from the field across 35 starts. He has also described himself as a player capable of defending multiple positions and impacting games as both a scorer and playmaker.
Still, moving veterans such as Davis or Young would represent a dramatic organizational pivot. Davis remains one of the NBA’s most impactful frontcourt defenders when healthy, while Young’s playmaking and offensive creation can ease pressure on younger teammates learning NBA spacing and decision-making.
