The Washington Wizards are widely expected to select BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick after winning the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.
Field Level Media’s Ethan Ward immediately ranked Dybantsa as the top prospect on his draft board, and sportsbooks have installed him as the odds-on favorite to go No. 1. At BetMGM, Dybantsa is listed at -450 to be the first pick, a sharp shift from his opening odds of +360. He also leads in betting action with 38.8% of total bets and 74.1% of the money wagered on the No. 1 pick.
However, as of Monday, Dybantsa remained only the third-biggest liability for the sportsbook in the prop market. The top liability is Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., who has drawn 28.1% of bets and 7.0% of the money despite being a longshot at +1000. North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson follows, with odds of +5000 and 13.5% of total bets but only 4.0% of total money.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, who opened at -325 to go No. 1, now sits at +350 after the draft order was set. Ward projects Peterson to go second overall to the Utah Jazz.
The 2026 draft class is considered deep, setting the stage for drama at the June 23-24 event in New York. Duke forward Cameron Boozer has attracted the second-most money for the No. 1 pick at 13.8%.
Dybantsa emerged as the heavy favorite to land with the Wizards because he is viewed as an ideal fit alongside Washington’s young core and veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis. The 19-year-old, coming off his only college season, would not be forced into an immediate starring role.
The Jazz would likely be interested in bringing the former BYU star back to Utah. But Peterson, with his ability to play both guard spots and work off the ball, would complement Utah’s front line well.
Boozer’s odds have lengthened from +875 to +1100 since the market opened, with 11.8% of total bets. He is widely seen as a potential fit for Memphis at No. 3. The Grizzlies face a decision on Ja Morant, but Boozer is regarded as a high-floor prospect who can provide consistent offense in the NBA.
Outside the top five, no other player has shorter than +25000 odds to go No. 1 overall.
This marks the first time Washington holds the No. 1 pick since 2010, when it selected guard John Wall, a five-time All-Star. It is the fifth time in franchise history the Wizards have the top pick.
The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa led the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game and projects as a future NBA scoring leader. The 6-foot-6 Peterson, an injury-related enigma at Kansas, averaged 20.2 points and may have been the most talented player in college basketball.
