The Washington Wizards‘ decision at No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft first round may have just gotten easier.
On Monday, the Wizards and guard Trae Young agreed to a stunning four-year, $212M extension that includes a 2029-30 player option and could indicate the organization’s intended direction during Tuesday’s first round.
With BYU Cougars forward A.J. Dybantsa and Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson the presumptive co-favorites, Young’s massive contract makes Dybantsa the much more sensible selection.
Trae Young contract could influence Wizards’ decision at No. 1 in 2026 NBA Draft
Before extending Young, the Wizards could have easily talked themselves into drafting either Dybantsa or Peterson. Dybantsa, 6-foot-8.5, is a rare physical specimen who can play multiple positions, allowing Washington to experiment with several rotations. While playing more as off-ball guard at Kansas, Peterson — arguably the draft’s top overall talent — is a natural point, creating overlap with Young that is hard to reconcile.
Ahead of the draft, Peterson (6-foot-4.5) spoke with reporters and explained, “Up until last year I was on the ball pretty much my whole life. At Kansas, they put me off ball and … said it gave our team the best chance to win.” (h/t Monumental Sports Network)
That wasn’t necessarily the case, however, as the Jayhawks finished 24-11, including 5-6 in their final 11 games with Peterson. He may need a team where he can be the primary ball-handler and initiate the offense — creating for himself and others — but that might not exist in Washington, putting an unnecessary cap on his early growth.
If Young’s extension signals Washington plans to target Dybantsa at No. 1, it will put the decision under a microscope going forward. Not only will the Dybantsa-Peterson call be scrutinized, but Peterson’s potential development at point guard will make it worth examining whether the Wizards erred choosing Young as their lead guard instead.
His contract already looks like a massive reach, with Sporting News senior NBA writer Steph Noh’s salary model estimating it as whopping $97M overpay.
Depending on the deal’s influence on Washington’s draft verdict, the cost could be even greater.