Washington enters 2026-27 after the league's worst record with the No. 1 pick in AJ Dybantsa, a new $212.8 million deal for Trae Young, and Anthony Davis finally set to debut next to Alex Sarr.
This Washington Wizards 2026-27 season preview breaks down every major storyline entering the year: the team's 2026 NBA Draft picks, its free agency departures and acquisitions, the Young and Davis pairing and projected starting lineup, updated Vegas win total and odds, and Wizards fantasy basketball analysis on the players who matter most heading into DFS and season-long drafts. The Wizards went 17-65, won the draft lottery from the best possible odds, and took BYU's Dybantsa first overall. They already added Young and Davis at midseason, then re-signed Young to a four-year deal and added veterans Deandre Ayton, Khris Middleton, and Tre Mann.
Wizards 2026-27 Season at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 Record | 17-65 |
| 2025-26 Finish | 5th in Southeast, worst record in the NBA |
| 2026-27 Win Total | 34.5 (BetMGM) |
| Championship Odds | Long shot (about +8000 to win the East) |
| 2026 Draft Picks | No. 1, No. 46 |
| Biggest Addition | AJ Dybantsa (No. 1 pick) |
| Key Player | Trae Young |
| Fantasy Player to Watch | AJ Dybantsa |
Washington's 34.5-win total is a 17-win jump from last season, one of the largest in the league, and rests on the health of Young and Davis.
2026 NBA Draft: Wizards' Picks and Fits
The Wizards became the only team with the top lottery odds to land the No. 1 pick since the new system began in 2019 and chose Dybantsa over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.
| Pick | Player | Position | School | 2026-27 Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 (1st Rd) | AJ Dybantsa | SF | BYU | Immediate starter | Consensus first-team All-American and NCAA scoring champion at 25.5 PPG and 6.8 RPG; led all of Division I in free-throw attempts and had a 42-inch max vertical at the combine. |
| No. 46 (2nd Rd, via trade) | Felix Okpara | C | Tennessee | Two-way/G League | Nigerian rim protector and SEC All-Defensive Team selection who averaged 8.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 1.5 BPG on 59.7% shooting as a senior; drafted by Orlando and acquired for Nos. 51 and 60, then signed a two-way deal. |
Dybantsa is expected to start from day one next to Young, Davis, and Sarr, with perimeter shooting and defense as the questions.
Key Free Agent Departures
Washington's departures were guards and depth pieces from last year's 17-win roster:
| Player | 2025-26 Role | 2026-27 Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| D'Angelo Russell | Reserve guard | Departed | Minimal |
| Jaden Hardy | Reserve guard | Traded to Lakers (Ayton deal) | Minimal |
| Cam Whitmore | Reserve forward | Departed | Minimal |
| Julian Reese | Reserve big | Departed | Minimal |
Sharife Cooper and Anthony Gill also left the roster.
Key Free Agent Acquisitions and Re-Signings
| Player | Terms | Type | Fantasy/Roster Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trae Young | 4 yrs, $212.8M (7.5% trade kicker) | Re-signed | Signed the maximum a rival could have offered after playing just five games for Washington; the four-time All-Star runs the offense. |
| Deandre Ayton | Via trade (from Lakers) | Trade acquisition | Veteran center acquired as insurance for Davis and Sarr. |
| Khris Middleton | Via sign-and-trade (from Dallas) | Trade acquisition | Veteran wing and champion added to the rotation. |
| Tre Mann | Free agent addition | Free agent addition | Backup guard depth. |
| AJ Dybantsa | Rookie contract | Draft pick | No. 1 pick; likely about $15.2 million in 2026-27. |
Major Roster Moves and Projected Starting Lineup
The Wizards accelerated their rebuild by trading for Young and Davis at last season's deadline without paying a premium. Young played five games for Washington and Davis never played, so the group is untested. Davis is healthy and participating in camp after a hand injury, and Sarr had foot surgery in June but is expected to be ready. The Wizards have won only 50 games over the last three seasons and are counting on the veterans to bridge the gap for a young core.
Projected Starters
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Trae Young |
| SG | Kyshawn George |
| SF | AJ Dybantsa |
| PF | Anthony Davis |
| C | Alex Sarr |
Bench Rotation
- Backcourt: Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Tre Mann
- Wing: Bilal Coulibaly, Khris Middleton, Will Riley
- Frontcourt: Deandre Ayton, Felix Okpara
With so many mouths to feed, Dybantsa's usage next to Young and Davis is the central question for the offense.
Wizards Biggest Fantasy Questions
Can Anthony Davis Play 55 Games?
Davis played only 20 games last season and 71 over the last two. When healthy, he is an elite rebounder and shot-blocker, so his ADP of 17.0 depends entirely on availability.
Does Trae Young's Fantasy Value Rebound?
Young played 15 games last season, and 15.2 points and 6.2 assists in five with Washington. He has played 60-plus games in six of his previous eight seasons, and his assist and three-point volume are a first-round profile when healthy.
How Much Can AJ Dybantsa Produce as a Rookie?
Dybantsa scored 27 points in a summer league game and averaged 25.5 points in college. His shooting from three is a concern, but his free-throw rate and scoring give him a clear path to a high-usage role.
Wizards Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Key Players to Know
Four Wizards fantasy players carry meaningful weight into 2026-27 drafts, with health and usage as the dominant storylines.
Anthony Davis Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 33.2
- Position: PF/C
- 2025-26 Stats: 20.4 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.7 BPG (20 games, with Mavericks)
- Fantasy Outlook: Elite per-game value with major injury risk
- What to Watch: Games played and a possible midseason trade
Davis is healthy in camp and is expected to be the primary big next to Sarr. He is a high-risk pick at his price.
Trae Young Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 23.7
- Position: PG
- 2025-26 Stats: 15.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 6.2 APG (5 games with Wizards)
- Fantasy Outlook: Assists and threes with injury risk
- What to Watch: Health and efficiency
Young is expected to run the pick-and-roll with Davis and Sarr, which should lift his assist totals.
Alex Sarr Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 72.7
- Position: C/PF
- 2025-26 Stats: 16.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.0 BPG (48 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Blocks and rebounds with growing offense
- What to Watch: Foot surgery recovery and shot volume
Sarr shot 48.2% from the field and 33.3% from three and benefits from Young's passing.
AJ Dybantsa Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 82.3
- Position: SF
- 2025-26 Stats: N/A (rookie, 25.5 PPG at BYU)
- Fantasy Outlook: Rookie scorer with high usage
- What to Watch: Three-point shooting and defense
Dybantsa is a slasher who draws fouls at a very high rate. His fantasy value will come from points and free throws, with steals and blocks as a question.
Wizards Fantasy Sleepers & Breakouts
Wizards Fantasy Sleeper
Kyshawn George: The sleeper in this Wizards starting lineup is Kyshawn George, who broke out last year in a big way. George can contribute in all nine categories and is basically going undrafted this season.
Wizards Fantasy Breakout Candidate
Alex Sarr: NBA.com named Sarr its breakout candidate after he improved from his rookie year, and Young's passing should create easier looks. At an ADP of 72.7, a modest jump in scoring on top of his blocks would make him a top-50 player.
Data via NBA.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Hoops Rumors, Spotrac, BetMGM, RotoWire, and Basketball Reference. Odds and win totals reflect lines as of early October 2026 and are subject to change.