Carrington Admits Wizards Held Back Players to Land Dybantsa

Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington said in an interview this week that the team deliberately limited its roster last season to improve its odds of winning the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which Washington used on BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, according to the New York Post.

What Did Carrington Say?

Carrington, the 14th overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Pitt, told WUSA reporter Marshall Kramsky that the roster had operated under restrictions the previous season. "We've all, in a way, been held back just because, like you said, we were trying to get AJ Dybantsa. That's no secret," he said, per the Post. He added that those limits are now gone: "But now, no one has handcuffs. Everyone's shackles-free."

"We've all, in a way, been held back just because, like you said, we were trying to get AJ Dybantsa. That's no secret." — Bub Carrington

How Bad Was Washington's Record Last Season?

The Wizards finished 17-65, the worst mark in the NBA, the Post reported. That record translated into a 14.0 percent chance at the draft lottery's No. 1 pick and a 40.1 percent chance at a top-three selection, figures cited by the outlet.

What Role Did Injured Stars Play in the Record?

During the season, Washington made two trades to acquire All-Stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young, both of whom were sidelined by injury for most of the year. The pair combined for just five total appearances — all by Young — while with the Wizards, according to the Post. Davis, a 10-time All-Star, and Young, a four-time All-Star, are now healthy and participating without restriction in training camp, the outlet reported.

What Has Dybantsa Done Since Arriving?

Dybantsa, listed at 6-foot-9, averaged 25.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game as a freshman at BYU last season, per the Post's figures. Washington selected him with the No. 1 pick after winning the lottery.

Will the NBA Investigate or Penalize the Wizards?

The league fined the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers last season over alleged tanking-related rule violations, the Post noted. But the outlet reported that The Athletic said the NBA is "not expected" to penalize Carrington or the Wizards over his remarks. No formal findings, fines, or investigation timeline tied to Carrington's comments were included in the available reporting, and it remains unclear whether the league will examine the statement further.

Carrington's comments arrive as training camp opens with a healthier roster. With Davis and Young both participating fully and Dybantsa now on the roster, Carrington predicted the team's fortunes would change: "That's a playoff team, and that's gonna happen."