Wizards Enter 2026-27 With Rebuilt Roster Around Young, Davis and Dybantsa

Washington assembled Trae Young, Anthony Davis and No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa during a dramatic rebuild after a 17-65 season.

After three seasons totaling a 50-196 record, the Washington Wizards remade their roster ahead of the 2026-27 NBA campaign. Trae Young, who appeared in only 15 games last season and five with Washington, signed a four-year, $212.8 million deal — the maximum available — one day before the club selected AJ Dybantsa first overall in the 2026 draft. Dybantsa was the nation's leading scorer as a BYU freshman.

Other offseason moves brought Deandre Ayton from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks, plus Khris Middleton via a six-team sign-and-trade worth $17.6 million over three years, with only the first season fully guaranteed. Washington went 17-65 last year, missed the playoffs, and has not advanced in the postseason since 2017. The franchise landed both Young and Anthony Davis in midseason trades before winning the lottery following a stretch of 26 losses in 27 games.

Head coach Brian Keefe returns for a fourth season despite a career mark of 43-160. General manager Will Dawkins affirmed in April that Keefe would remain. The projected starting five features Young, Kyshawn George, Dybantsa, Davis and Alex Sarr, with Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Tre Mann, Bilal Coulibaly, Middleton and Ayton in the rotation.

A central question is blending veterans such as the 33-year-old Davis and 35-year-old Middleton with young talent including the 19-year-old Dybantsa. Davis is also seeking a max extension, and a refusal from the club could prompt a trade request during the season. Washington finished last in the league in defensive rating (122.7) and net rating (minus-11.8) a year ago, and oddsmakers list its title chances at +15000, with a projected record of 30-52.

The Wizards open the season at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 21.