Why Patience is Key for Wizards

The commitment to patience becomes more understandable when you recognize the roster is still under construction. The Wizards know they’re not “done” yet. They are actively piecing together the components of a competitive team, which consists of young assets, role-players, flexibility, and perhaps most importantly, the potential to land a foundational star. They aren’t overextending or mortgaging their future—they’re calibrating.

That looming missing piece could very well be AJ Dybantsa. Widely scouted and projected as a top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Dybantsa represents the kind of high-ceiling talent that can tip a young roster toward legitimacy. He is set to play for BYU this season, bringing elite size, versatility, scoring, and playmaking qualities that make many compare his upside to generational wings.  

Dybantsa’s profile fits the “do a little bit of everything” mold as he can attack the rim, step out to shoot, create for others, defend, and rebound. That kind of multi-dimensional wing is rare, and in a rebuild context, those traits are prized. Waiting for or positioning to acquire a talent like him signals that the Wizards aren’t content with merely sneaking into the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference. Instead, they have goals to aim higher. In short, Washington’s patience is intentional.

They continue to lean on Keefe’s steady leadership, trusting that culture and development are better built over time than forced hastily. Their roster still needs key pieces—and Dybantsa presents one of the best opportunities in recent memory to land such a piece. The Wizards aren’t settling. They’re laying foundations, brick by brick, believing the prize will be worth the wait.