The 2026 NBA Draft is Tuesday, and Hall of Fame forward Carmelo Anthony isn’t waiting for the official call to make his opinion known. He sat down with AJ Dybantsa, the projected No. 1 overall pick, and laid out what he thinks the Washington Wizards are really looking for.
Anthony didn’t mince words. According to an interview posted by 7AM in Brooklyn, he told Dybantsa the Wizards want a franchise player. Not just a good rookie. Not a guy who fits in. They want someone to build around for the next decade.
“They want to revive that area. They want to bring back what that culture is in that area, to that organization,” Anthony said. “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.”
Why Melo Thinks Dybantsa fits the Wizards’ long-term plan
Anthony made a clear distinction between the team’s current veterans and what Dybantsa would represent. He reminded the 18-year-old that guys like Kevin Durant and Trae Young — if they end up in Washington — are short-term pieces. Dybantsa would be the cornerstone.
“AD is not going to be there. He’s getting older,” Anthony added. “Trae 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.”
There’s been chatter that the Wizards could go with Darryn Peterson, who’s projected to go No. 2 to the Utah Jazz in most mock drafts. But Anthony seems convinced the front office sees Dybantsa as the guy who can change the franchise’s direction.
A different kind of pressure for a top pick
Anthony emphasized that Dybantsa needs to walk into Washington with the right mindset. Not just hoping to contribute, but expecting to carry the weight.
“Even though Trae’s there, AD’s there, I’m going to be here for the next decade,” Anthony said. “And that’s the mentality you got to have, and I think that’s what Washington is looking for.”
The Wizards have been stuck in mediocrity for years. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2021. They traded Bradley Beal. They cleaned house. The rebuild has been slow, and the fan base is hungry for a real direction.
Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing with elite scoring instincts, fits the modern NBA prototype. He’s got the size, the handle, and the confidence. Some scouts have compared his ceiling to a young Paul George, though that kind of comp can be a curse if the expectations get too high too fast.
The draft is Tuesday. Washington owns the pick. And if Carmelo Anthony is right, AJ Dybantsa might be the guy who finally gives the Wizards something to believe in again.
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