Carrington says Wizards were 'held back' in Dybantsa chase

Washington went 17-65, second-worst in the East

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

Bub Carrington says the Wizards were “held back” last season because they were trying to land AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 Via @BleacherReport on X

What happened: Bub Carrington said Washington was "held back" last season while pursuing the No. 1 pick that became AJ Dybantsa. The Wizards finished 17-65, second-worst in the Eastern Conference, and later used that selection on AJ Dybantsa.

Why it matters: The remark puts an unusually blunt tanking label on Washington's 2025-26 season and adds another point of scrutiny to the franchise's rebuild. It also raises the stakes on how much progress the Wizards show entering the 2026-27 campaign now that the top pick is on the roster.

By the numbers: Washington finished 17-65 last season, the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.

What to watch: Watch for any response from the team and for how Washington sets expectations for Carrington and Dybantsa in camp. Preseason rotations should offer the first read on whether the club is pushing harder to win now.

Sources

@BleacherReport 2026-10-03T11:58:29.814160+00:00

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