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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 19: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks works out during practice day ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 19, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Washington Wizards are now heavily considering drafting Darryn Peterson over AJ Dybantsa, who many draft pundits believe is the best prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, there has been an “increased consideration” among the Wizards in picking Peterson instead of Dybantsa as the first pick of this year’s draft.
“With only a few days to go before Tuesday night’s first round of the NBA Draft, multiple draft experts have passed along that they legitimately believe Washington could select Kansas’ Darryn Peterson over BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick,” Stein wrote in his Substack.
“‘Increased consideration’ is the way one well-placed insider put it,” he added.
The Wizards could reportedly be giving Kansas’ Darryn Peterson “increased consideration” over AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 overall, per @TheSteinLine.
Washington is the only team granted a private workout with Peterson before the draft, though Dybantsa has been the expected No. 1 for
GettyLAWRENCE, KANSAS – JANUARY 31: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks and forward AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars chase down a loose ball in the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 31, 2026 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
This comes following a bizarre draft process move where Peterson refused to meet with other teams except the Wizards.
In numerous mock drafts, Peterson is still expected to be drafted by the Utah Jazz. However, Peterson has made it known that his actions seemed to indicate that he does not want to go to Utah.
With the impending Wizards’ investment in All-Star guard Trae Young, the 6-foot-6 Peterson would give the Wizards a solid shooting guard that could deliver on both ends of the floor.
In his lone year with Kansas, Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game, but he struggled with numerous injuries, including cramps, which his representatives said were induced by creatine.
Health concerns have been the biggest knock on his draft value, but his upsides have remained among the highest in the class.
Meanwhile, Dybantsa has a superstar-level potential, having led BYU with averages of 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game to earn All-American First Team honors.
It remains to be seen how the Wizards will deal with this saga as numerous options are still on the table.
GettySAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks in action during the second half of the game against the California Baptist Lancers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
An NBA insider relayed the likely reason why Darryn Peterson does not want to be drafted by the Utah Jazz with the No. 2 pick.
“For Peterson’s camp, though, sources say there’s as much motivation to avoid a positional overlap with incumbent ballhandler Keyonte George on the team that holds the No. 2 overall pick as there is a desire to go No. 1 ahead of Dybantsa and Boozer,” NBA insider Jake Fischer said.
If the Wizards choose Dybantsa as the top pick, the Jazz would have the tough decision between choosing the player who refused to meet with the draft, or opting for another promising rookie such as Cameron Boozer, or Caleb Wilson.
Former Wizards players have also picked Peterson over Dybantsa when asked who they prefer for Washington.
Among them were legend John Wall, and forward Markieff Morris.
“For me, I’m taking Darryn Peterson No. 1,” Wall said. “But I’ve got AJ Dybantsa second.”
“If I’m the Wizards or anybody in this draft, Darryn Peterson is by far the best player,” Morris said in ESPN’s First Take. “He has flashes of Kobe [Bryant] all the time.”
The NBA Draft will be on Tuesday, June 23.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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