RealGM Basketball Wiretap

27 June 2026

• Blazers Have Trade Interest In Jaylen Brown, Anthony Davis

  The Portland Trail Blazers have emerged with strong interest in trading for Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.

  "The Trail Blazers are one of the few confirmed teams that we have as an active and aggressive team pursuing Jaylen Brown," said Jake Fischer on Friday.

  Portland had interest in Brown dating back to Damian Lillard's original tenure with the team.

  The Blazers control the first round picks of the Milwaukee Bucks 2028, 2029 and 2030, as well as the 2029 first round pick of the Celtics. Portland acquired all four picks in September 2023 when they first traded Lillard to the Bucks and then flipped Jrue Holiday to the Celtics.

  Portland previously attempted to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, but he communicated that he didn't have interest in signing long-term with the franchise. The Blazers could also pursue a trade for Anthony Davis this offseason as the Washington Wizards consider their options.

  The Blazers could offer a combination of draft capital, Jerami Grant's expiring contract as salary ballast, and young players such as Scoot Henderson and Sharron Sharpe.

  The Blazers recently hired Micah Nori as head coach.

• Wizards Select AJ Dybantsa Over Darryn Peterson With First Overall Pick In 2026 NBA Draft

  The Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday after keeping their selection secretive since winning the lottery in May.

  Dybantsa was chosen over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, who had been widely regarded alongside Dybantsa as the draft's top two prospects. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 51 percent from the field in his lone collegiate season.

  "I was just super confident. I've been betting on myself for a while now," said Dybantsa. "Since about ninth grade I've been No. 1, so I didn't really plan on dropping in the draft."

  Dybantsa joins John Wall (2010) and Kwame Brown (2001) as the only players selected first overall by Washington. The Wizards finished 17-65 last season, the third straight year they lost at least 64 games.

  Washington president of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins have outlined a four-phase rebuild plan. The club accelerated that timeline by acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis last season to complement a young core that includes Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly.

  "Obviously they have a great young core, and the potential is there," said Dybantsa. "Them adding me, I think I can help them a little bit. Them re-signing Trae Young, them having A.D. and having good vets along with our young core. I think we can do big things."

• AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson Won't Know No. 1 Pick Until It Is Announced

  The two leading candidates to be selected first overall in Tuesday's NBA Draft say they have received no indication from the Washington Wizards on how the top of the board will fall. AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson both said Monday they expect to find out alongside everyone else.

  "I'm going to find out when you find out," said Dybantsa.

  "That's the only thing I'm not a big fan of," said Peterson. "I've got no clue (about Tuesday). But we're going to see."

  The outcome is notably uncertain compared to recent drafts. Victor Wembanyama in 2023 and Cooper Flagg in 2025 were each considered locks for the top selection well in advance.

  Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing from BYU, led Division I in scoring last season at 25.5 points per game across 35 games. Peterson, a 6-5 combo guard from Kansas, averaged 20.2 points in 24 games while battling quadriceps, hamstring and ankle injuries.

  Peterson confirmed he met with Utah Jazz representatives over the weekend despite opting out of a formal workout with the club, which holds the No. 2 pick.

  "(It was) just a decision that was made, but I'm definitely not dodging any team," said Peterson. "Whoever takes me, I'm going to come in and be delighted to be there. And wherever that happens to be, they'll get the best me."

  Dybantsa said he would welcome a fit in Washington alongside the club's young core.

  "They've got a good young core," said Dybantsa. "So if I went there, I could fit in, be a real dynamic player, a dynamic wing there, make an offensive impact and a defensive impact."

  Peterson echoed similar confidence in his own Wizards visit.

  "I went out there and met with the staff and the GMs and all that, and we connected, which is something huge for me," said Peterson. "I want to have a connection with those guys."

• Trae Young, Wizards Agree To Four-Year, $212M Deal

  Trae Young and the Washington Wizards have agreed to a four-year, $212 million contract extension. Young declined his $49 million player option to become a free agent and sign an entirely new contract. The amount represents the most Young was eligible to sign in free agency with a rival team.

  The Wizards acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks in January.

  Young played in only five games with the Wizards following his trade, averaging 15.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 20.7 minutes.

  Young was initially rumored to be re-signing with the Wizards on a three-year, $120 million deal. Young was also going to possibly take meetings with rival teams when free agency was set to open on June 30.

  The Wizards will add to their core with the first overall pick in Tuesday's draft where they are expected to choose between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.

• Anthony Davis Has 'Strong Interest' In Being Part Of What Wizards Are Building

  Despite rumors swirling to the contrary, Anthony Davis wants to be a part of what the Washington Wizards are building according to team president Michael Winger.

  "My conversations with AD are delightful. He's a pro's pro. He understands who he is in this league, he understands the direction of this league, he understands what we're trying to do organizationally," Winger said. "He's communicated to me a strong interest in being part of what we're building... He, like the rest of us, wants to be on a really good basketball team and compete for something big. That's our aim, that's what we want to do, and I'm delighted that Anthony's here for that."

  Washington acquired Davis from the Dallas Mavericks ahead of last season's trade deadline. The veteran big man did not play in a game for the Wizards, as the chose to let him recover from various injuries.

  Davis has $58.4 million contract for this season. The 10-time All-Star then has $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 season. The Wizards envision Davis partnering with Trae Young and the team's young talent, including the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, to lead the team back into playoff contention.

• D'Angelo Russell Exercises $5.96M Option With Wizards For 26-27

  D'Angelo Russell has exercised his $5.96 million player option for the 2026-27 season with the Washington Wizards. The Wizards acquired Russell ahead of the trade deadline from the Dallas Mavericks as part of the Anthony Davis deal.

  Russell appeared in 26 games last season with the Mavericks, averaging 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 19.0 minutes. Russell hadn't played for several weeks for the Mavericks before the trade and never was required to report to the Wizards after the trade.

  Russell was a buyout candidate even in February and that could be revisited now, or he could be used in a trade.

• Wizards Giving 'Increased Consideration' To Drafting Darryn Peterson First Overall

  The Washington Wizards are said to be giving "increased consideration" to drafting Darryn Peterson with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. It was recently reported that Peterson is working out only for the Wizards ahead of the draft.

  The choice at No. 1 seems to be down to the Kansas product Peterson and A.J. Dybantsa of BYU. Dybantsa had been the favorite for a while, but as the draft has drawn closer, Peterson's case as the first pick has picked up momentum.

  If the Wizards select Peterson, the Utah Jazz are expected to be more than happy to snag Dybantsa with the No. 2 pick. The Jazz have a great relationship with Dybantsa through owner Ryan Smith's connection to BYU.

  Despite speculation that Cameron Boozer could also be in line for the first overall pick, he seems more likely to land with the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3. That would then put the Chicago Bulls in position to select Caleb Wilson with the fourth overall pick.

• Trae Young Still Expected To Re-Sign With Wizards On Three-Year Deal

  Trae Young's decision to opt out of his $48.97 million contract with the Washington Wizards to become a free agent has long been expected within the league. Young is expected to re-sign with the Wizards even though he may actually take meetings with rival teams.

  The Wizards acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks, ending his tenure with the franchise he led to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.

  "When Trae Young was traded in January, it came with the understanding that he would opt out of his contract," Windhorst said. "It also came with the understanding that he wouldn't play for the rest of the season.... He may take a meeting or two, just for appearances' sake. He's going to re-sign with the Wizards, likely on a three-year, very large contract."

  Marc Stein reported this month that the expectation is that Young will re-sign for approximately $120 million over three years.

  Young played in only five games with the Wizards following his trade, averaging 15.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 20.7 minutes.

• Wizards, Jazz Remain Undecided Between Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa At Top Of 2026 NBA Draft

  Both the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz are believed to remain genuinely undecided heading into the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, with sources telling The Athletic that neither franchise has locked in a selection at the top of the board.

  Washington continues to consider BYU wing AJ Dybantsa at No. 1, but has devoted significant recent attention to studying Kansas guard Darryn Peterson. Sources caution against drawing conclusions from Peterson's absence from Utah's workout schedule, saying it does not reflect any prior commitment from the Wizards.

  Washington lead executive Michael Winger has publicly stated that leadership ranks among the qualities he seeks in a No. 1 pick. Peterson is regarded by those close to him as an exceptionally driven worker, though his quiet, introverted nature has drawn scrutiny on the leadership front. Dybantsa, by contrast, is viewed by NBA sources as a more outgoing personality who demonstrates leadership both in the locker room and in the broader community.

  At No. 2, the Jazz also have not settled on a direction. Utah's willingness to select a player who skips a pre-draft visit is established precedent. The organization took Ace Bailey at No. 5 last season despite him not working out in Utah, with his camp appearing to push him toward the Wizards instead.

  Peterson's agency, The Team, also represents Jazz point guard Keyonte George, who is up for a contract extension this offseason. Sources suggest the agency may be withholding a Peterson visit to Utah as leverage in those negotiations.

  Despite front-office ties to Cameron Boozer through his father Carlos and to Dybantsa through Jazz owner Ryan Smith's connection to BYU, sources say those relationships are not expected to drive Utah's final decision.

• Trae Young To Decline $48.97M Option With Wizards To Become Free Agent

  Trae Young plans to decline his $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season with the Washington Wizards and enter free agency Monday, sources told Andscape's Marc Spears Wednesday.

  Washington remains the front-runner to retain the four-time All-Star, though multiple teams are expected to pursue him, sources said.

  Young, who has averaged 9.8 assists over his eight-year career, was acquired by the Wizards from the Atlanta Hawks in January. The Wizards later acquired Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks. Washington envisions Young and Davis as an All-Star pairing capable of returning the franchise to playoff contention along with the top overall pick in the draft.

  Young appeared in just five games for Washington after the trade, limited by a sprained right MCL sustained in the fifth game of last season. He averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 assists across 15 total appearances split between Atlanta and Washington.

  The Hawks dealt Young after identifying Jalen Johnson as their cornerstone, receiving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in return. Young had entered the season seeking to demonstrate his value for a four-year, $229 million maximum extension.

  Washington also believes Young can accelerate the development of a young core that includes Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley and Bub Carrington. The Wizards have lost 64 or more games in each of the past three seasons.

  Earlier this week, there were reports that Young could be a potential trade candidate for the Miami Heat should they be unsuccessful in their attempts to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

  Young is represented by Aaron Mintz, Rayford Young, Austin Brown and Drew Morrison.