The Wizards own the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s NBA Draft. Good luck figuring out what they’re planning to do with it.
Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Washington continues to do extensive homework on the draft’s top prospects, including AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. Both recently visited the Wizards, though Peterson reportedly has declined meetings with other teams and is focused entirely on Washington.
That doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Then again, maybe it does.
The Wizards have spent the past several years building a reputation for keeping draft plans close to the vest. Team executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins came from Oklahoma City, where secrecy is practically part of the organizational handbook, Windhorst wrote.
Washington also has a history of playing the draft game strategically, whether through workout decisions, draft promises or the occasional smokescreen.
Meanwhile, rival teams continue to wonder whether the Wizards are leaning toward Dybantsa, Peterson or perhaps even using the No. 1 pick as part of a larger move.
One thing that stood out to Peterson during the process was Washington’s approach. According to ESPN, Peterson said he was surprised that his initial meeting with the Wizards focused more on him as a person than as a basketball player.
That likely wasn’t accidental. The Wizards have repeatedly emphasized character and culture while rebuilding the roster, a philosophy that traces back to their Oklahoma City roots.
As for who they’ll select? Washington appears content to keep the rest of the NBA guessing right up until draft night.
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