Wizards’ No. 1 pick not necessarily viewed as lock

According to reporting out of the draft combine, at least one high-ranking scout pushed back on the idea that the pick is already decided.

“Absolutely not,” the scout told CBS Sports. “We were surprised the broadcast made it seem like such a foregone conclusion.”

That lines up with some of the chatter emerging in Chicago, where front offices, agents and players are all in close quarters. The sense is that things remain fluid at the top, even if Dybantsa is still widely viewed as the favorite.

There is also some intrigue tied to Dybantsa himself.

The BYU wing suggested on lottery night that he plans to work out for more than one team. That has only fueled speculation, especially with whispers that he would not mind landing in Utah, where he has spent the past two years.

At one point, there was quiet talk about the possibility of draft maneuvering or even a potential No. 1 for No. 2 swap with the Jazz. Those rumors have cooled, with indications that Dybantsa’s camp is not looking to force the issue.

So where does that leave things?

Probably where they started. Dybantsa still appears to be the most likely choice for the Wizards, just not the slam dunk it has been made out to be publicly.

As for the Jazz at No. 2, many around the combine continue to point to Kansas guard Darryn Peterson as the expected pick. Some evaluators even view him as a top-tier talent in his own right, giving Utah confidence regardless of how things shake out at the top.

In other words, the draft may look settled on paper. Inside the league, it is anything but.