The Washington Wizards‘ resolution at No. 1 general within the 2026 NBA Draft first spherical might have simply gotten simpler.
On Monday, the Wizards and guard Trae Young agreed to a shocking four-year, $212M extension that features a 2029-30 participant choice and will point out the group’s meant course throughout Tuesday’s first spherical.
With BYU Cougars ahead A.J. Dybantsa and Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson the presumptive co-favorites, Younger’s large contract makes Dybantsa the rather more smart choice.
Trae Younger contract may affect Wizards’ resolution at No. 1 in 2026 NBA Draft
Earlier than extending Younger, the Wizards may have simply talked themselves into drafting both Dybantsa or Peterson. Dybantsa, 6-foot-8.5, is a uncommon bodily specimen who can play a number of positions, permitting Washington to experiment with a number of rotations. Whereas taking part in extra as off-ball guard at Kansas, Peterson — arguably the draft’s high general expertise — is a pure level, creating overlap with Younger that’s laborious to reconcile.
Forward of the draft, Peterson (6-foot-4.5) spoke with reporters and defined, “Up till final 12 months I used to be on the ball just about my entire life. At Kansas, they put me off ball and … stated it gave our group one of the best probability to win.” (h/t Monumental Sports Network)
That wasn’t essentially the case, nevertheless, because the Jayhawks completed 24-11, together with 5-6 of their closing 11 video games with Peterson. He might have a group the place he could be the first ball-handler and provoke the offense — creating for himself and others — however which may not exist in Washington, placing an pointless cap on his early progress.
If Younger’s extension indicators Washington plans to focus on Dybantsa at No. 1, it is going to put the choice beneath a microscope going ahead. Not solely will the Dybantsa-Peterson name be scrutinized, however Peterson’s potential improvement at level guard will make it price inspecting whether or not the Wizards erred selecting Younger as their lead guard as an alternative.
His contract already seems to be like an enormous attain, with Sporting Information senior NBA author Steph Noh’s wage mannequin estimating it as whopping $97M overpay.
Relying on the deal’s affect on Washington’s draft verdict, the associated fee may very well be even better.
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