There is much excitement surrounding the 2026 NBA Draft as the class is filled with talent from top to bottom. Teams will be able to find productive role players and potential stars in this draft, but the top three prospects can be franchise-changing. The first and second of the top three are Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. The third to round out that group is BYU forward AJ Dybantsa. Considered the best wing in this year’s draft, Dybantsa is an athletic six-foot-nine forward who has the offensive skill and physical tools to be a superstar wing at the next level. He is the exact type of wing that any tanking franchise would want to base their rebuild around. As of December 15th, let’s dive into a ranking of the best fit for AJ Dybantsa among the bottom five teams in the NBA.
Ranking The Best Fit For AJ Dybantsa Among Bottom 5 Teams
#1. Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers would be one of the best overall fits for Dybantsa and his skill set. Specifically, the Pacers excel at playing a fast-paced offense that constantly looks for transition opportunities. Not only that, but they have the perfect personnel to fit around him. When healthy, Indiana has plenty of capable floor spacers to keep the paint open for him, where he can use his excellent rim scoring. Furthermore, they also have multiple creators like Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam, and Tyrese Haliburton to help him get easier looks. Plus, the team has multiple strong defenders like Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith to help ease the defensive burden on Dybantsa.
Dybantsa himself will provide Haliburton a true long-term co-star who can provide elite scoring on the wings. Not only that, but Dybantsa has all the tools to be an elite defender if he can round into form on that end. He gives the Pacers another elite weapon for their transition attack and someone who can provide strong rim pressure. Additionally, Dybantsa gives the Pacers more depth on the wings, which is an area that is a bit lacking. Overall, Dybantsa going to the Indiana Pacers would be a tremendous fit between the two parties.
#2. Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are another team that Dybantsa would fit well on. They have a young core of players that need what he brings, and they have the skills that would fit around him. The Wizards desperately need someone to be the centerpiece of their rebuild, which is something that Dybantsa can be. Specifically, he can be their first option offensively. The Wizards have been lacking a young, long-term prospect who can serve as the team’s primary shot creator. Dybantsa not only has skill in that area, but he has also been developing as a playmaker as well. Undoubtedly, Dybantsa has the skill and talent to be the star they have been looking for.
For Dybantsa, the young core in Washington has the personnel that would fit well next to him. On defense, guys like Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly can help cover Dybantsa as he develops defensively. On offense, players like Tre Johnson and Kyshawn George have the shooting ability to help space the floor for him. Dybantsa perfectly fits with Washington’s young core, and he can be the cornerstone that the franchise needs to transition into a new phase for the team.
#3. Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are in a position as a franchise that desperately needs someone like Dybantsa on the roster. They are in no position to contend for even the playoffs. Furthermore, the roster doesn’t have much to look forward to in terms of the future. Unquestionably, the Kings are facing a rebuild. With that in mind, getting Dybantsa would be a great start to that rebuild. He can be the face of the franchise that Sacramento would want to build around. Dybantsa has the upside as an elite three-level scoring wing that complements what Sacramento has in terms of their current young core.
Speaking of that, players like Keegan Murray, Nique Clifford, and Devin Carter all have the skills to fit around Dybantsa. For Murray, his ability to be a strong 3-and-D player helps provide the defense and shooting that Dybantsa needs. Clifford’s versatility also allows him to be malleable around Dybantsa. Carter’s defense will help Dybantsa focus more of his energy on offense. Dybantsa would fit well as the centerpiece for the Kings and their rebuild.
#4. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans)
The Atlanta Hawks would be a good fit for Dybantsa, though there are questions surrounding the roster. To be fair, Dybantsa would provide Atlanta with another player who can create their own shot at a high level and play-make for others. Not only that, but Dybantsa does have all the tools to be a strong defender. Should Trae Young get traded, Dybantsa would slot in well as the new face of the franchise.
The Hawks themselves have the personnel that suit what Dybantsa needs around him. They have multiple two-way players like Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to provide two-way play next to him. Plus, Dybantsa would have a strong co-star who can do it all in Jalen Johnson. However, it is clear that Atlanta has a crowded forward rotation. With Risacher and Johnson, it is unclear where Dybantsa will factor in the starting lineup. The fit in that respect is not as clear as the teams above. Nevertheless, getting a wing prospect who is as talented as Dybantsa is never a bad thing. He would fit well in Atlanta, but it would take a while to figure out the rotation.
#5. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers)
It is difficult to picture how talented the Thunder would be with Dybantsa. They have the ideal personnel on the roster, with all of them being at least capable on both ends. In terms of defense, Dybantsa would have the benefit of playing next to elite defenders like Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, which would help share the defensive burden with him. Offensively, he would have all the spacing he needs. Furthermore, the Thunder has multiple creators like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, who can help Dybantsa get easier looks. Dybantsa would provide the Thunder with another athletic wing who has upside as an elite two-way forward. The only real issue would be the fact that the Thunder has so much talent on the roster, especially on the wings. While he can play off the ball, much of his inherent value as a player is his on-ball scoring.
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