Carmelo Anthony makes firm case for Wizards drafting AJ Dybantsa

Hall of Fame forward Carmelo Anthony weighed in on the Washington Wizards drafting AJ Dybantsa with the number one pick in this year’s NBA Draft. While some fans predict the Wizards will select Darryn Peterson, who is projected to go No. 2 to the Utah Jazz on most mock drafts, Anthony interviewed Dybantsa ahead of the draft.

Anthony informed Dybantsa of what he thinks the Wizards want from their top prospect, per 7AM in Brooklyn.

“[The Wizards] want a franchise player. They want to revive that area. They want to bring back what that culture is in that area, to that organization,” Anthony said to Dybantsa. “I’m only saying that because you will be the No. 1 pick, I believe that. Washington has that pick. What they need is you. Somebody that they can put this organization behind for the next decade. This is how they’re looking at you. Can we put this organization behind AJ for the next decade? That’s what you’re going to be coming into.”

Carmelo Anthony reminded AJ Dybantsa he’s a long-term plan for the Wizards’ future, whereas the veterans currently on the roster are considered short-term solutions.

“AD is not going to be there. He’s getting older,” Anthony added. “Trae [Young] is kind of reaching his moment. This is going to be a major, major year for Trae, I think. Now, they’re also thinking about that, but it’s like, nah, we still have to get our cornerstone. This is our piece that we’re going to build. So, when you have that mindset going into that, it makes it a lot easier because now you know the responsibility.

“You know the accountability coming in. Even though Trae’s there, AD’s there, I’m going to be here for the next decade. And that’s the mentality you got to have, and I think, that’s what Washington is looking for.”

"[The Wizards] want a franchise player… You will be the No. 1 pick, I believe that… What they need is you. Somebody that they can put this organization behind for the next decade."

Carmelo Anthony to AJ Dybantsa ahead of the NBA Draft pic.twitter.com/r5FxuJLM5B

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 22, 2026

The 2026 NBA draft is on Tuesday.

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