All the noise surrounding the Washington Wizards' No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft surrounds the likelihood that AJ Dybantsa will be the top selection.
Dybantsa's an excellent choice to land in the DMV, and with his talent, potential, and correct mindset, it's easy to understand why the Wizards could lean towards drafting the BYU standout.
Nonetheless, Darryn Peterson offers a drastically different skillset that could elevate the Wizards in a much different way, and considering the talent already in the backcourt in D.C, specifically Tre Johnson, the potential of unloading a lineup consisting of two of the best shooters the NBA has to offer could put the Wizards in rare territory they're not familiar with.
Darryn Peterson alongside Tre Johnson could make the Wizards' offense a nightmare
Peterson may be one of the best shooters the NBA Draft has produced in recent memory, and that says a lot given the same noise surrounded Tre Johnson at this time last year.
The Kansas product averaged 20.2 points on 43.8% shooting from field goal range and 38.2% from beyond the arc during his lone season with the Jayhawks, and while he showcased his upside to get to the rim at will and finish at ease, the biggest takeaway from his freshman season was his ability to knock down nearly every shot from the floor.
Peterson can get to his spot whenever he wants to; he has a quick release and a soft shooting touch that make him a lethal weapon.
Pairing that alongside Johnson, who has the same skillset in terms of shooting, Washington's backcourt would be a problem that no team in the league would want to defend.
Drafting Dybantsa comes with pros for sure, given his size, athleticism, and upside as a two-way prospect for sure, but offensively, there are ways for opposing teams to limit his offensive upside.
For Peterson, pressure though, his ability to make defenses pay for any extra space or drain shots from 30 feet out at ease alone is incredible, but pairing that alongside another backcourt option who puts the same pressue on opposing defenses like Johnson would be a sight to see.
Beyond that, bringing in Peterson could unlock so much for Johnson offensively, given that opposing defenses would then have to take into account that his running mate, Peterson, is just as dangerous with the ball in his hands, if not more.
