NBA Notes: Wizards, AJ Dybantsa, Jazz, mock drafts

Wizards

The Wizards have the top pick, and AJ Dybantsa remains the name most often linked to it.

Dybantsa said he’s been aiming for No. 1 for a while and is already thinking about fit.

“I think I’m pretty versatile, adaptable, so I think I can play anywhere,” he said, via Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network.

He added he has some familiarity with the roster, mentioning Tre Johnson, Anthony Davis and Trae Young.

An anonymous GM told college basketball insider Jeff Goodman that Washington is likely to go the safer route.

“I think they’ll go with Dybantsa,” the GM said. “They can’t afford to get this one wrong.”

Team president Michael Winger called the No. 1 pick “a welcomed opportunity, and challenge,” adding the franchise is looking forward to adding another young piece.

Jazz

The Jazz moved up to No. 2, and there’s a sense of relief around the organization.

“It feels great, a big relief,” president of basketball operations Austin Ainge said, via Sarah Todd of the Deseret News. “It’s a really important tool for us.”

Utah has been building toward this moment, adding Jaren Jackson Jr. at the deadline to a core that includes Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and Walker Kessler.

Ainge acknowledged picking second simplifies things, at least a little.

“We just have to figure out who we believe is No. 1 and No. 2,” he said. “It’s much easier, but we still have to get it right.”

Mock Drafts

The early projections are lining up.

Updated mocks from The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie and Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman both have Dybantsa going No. 1 to Washington, followed by Darryn Peterson to the Jazz and Cameron Boozer to the Grizzlies.

The two mocks match through the first nine selections, with Caleb Wilson, Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr. and Brandon Burries rounding out the group.

There’s a little separation later. Karim Lopez lands at No. 20 in Vecenie’s mock and No. 10 in Wasserman’s. Both have the Thunder selecting Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 12, while Labaron Philon and Jayden Quaintance show up in similar ranges across boards.