<\/p>\n
The Washington Wizards<\/a>‘ decision at No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA<\/a> Draft first round may have just gotten easier.<\/p>\n On Monday, the Wizards and guard Trae Young<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n With BYU Cougars<\/a> forward A.J. Dybantsa and Kansas Jayhawks<\/a> guard Darryn Peterson the presumptive co-favorites, Young’s massive contract makes Dybantsa the much more sensible selection.<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 arguably the draft’s top overall talent \u2014 is a natural point, creating overlap with Young that is hard to reconcile.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>)<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 creating for himself and others \u2014 but that might not exist in Washington, putting an unnecessary cap on his early growth.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Depending on the deal’s influence on Washington’s draft verdict, the cost could be even greater.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nTrae Young contract could influence Wizards’ decision at No. 1 in 2026 NBA Draft<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n