RealGM Basketball Wiretap

19 June 2026

• 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.

• Trae Young Emerges As Possible Backup Trade For Heat If Giannis Pursuit Falls Short

  Washington Wizards point guard Trae Young has emerged as a backup trade target for the Miami Heat in the event they are unable to land Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, sources Jake Fischer.

  Young joins Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant on Miami's list of fallback options. Sources with knowledge of the situation say Young remains most likely to reach a long-term extension with Washington, but outside interest is beginning to develop.

  Several teams have started weighing the possibility of pursuing the four-time All-Star via trade. Any deal would require Young, 27, to activate his $49 million player option for 2026-27 rather than declining it ahead of his June 23 deadline.

  Young was originally projected to land an extension in the $40 million annual range with the Wizards. However, sources say external interest from teams seeking a playmaking boost could intensify his market depending on how draft-related trade activity unfolds.

  One factor driving renewed interest is the NBA's revised lottery odds taking effect next season through 2028-29. Sources say the flattened odds, which give the three worst teams just a 5.4 percent chance at the No. 1 pick, are already pushing potential bottom-dwellers to pursue win-now talent rather than risk bottoming out.

  The Atlanta Hawks struggled to find trade suitors for Young last winter when it decided to move on from its franchise cornerstone. Sources indicate the market landscape may now be shifting in his favor.

  Young has embraced his fresh start with Washington and the reception he received from the Wizards and their fanbase.

• Alex Sarr Undergoes Surgery To Repair Foot Fracture

  Alex Sarr underwent surgery to repair a foot fractured on Monday. Sarr is expected to be ready for the start of the season.

  Sarr sustained the injury on a contact play during an offseason workout last week.

  Sarr averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 blocks in 27.2 minutes over 48 games last season. Sarr elevated his PER from 12.8 as a rookie to 19.0 in his second season.

  The Washington Wizards used the second overall pick on Sarr in the 2024 NBA draft. Sarr figures to have a critical third season as he plays beside Anthony Davis in the frontcourt.

• Darryn Peterson Limits Pre-Draft Visits To Wizards

  Top NBA draft prospect Darryn Peterson has visited the Washington Wizards, who hold the No. 1 pick in next week's draft, and does not plan to meet with any other team, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania and Jeremy Woo.

  Lottery teams have taken note of Peterson's decision to grant access only to Washington. The Utah Jazz own the No. 2 pick and will not be dissuaded by Peterson's decision if they identify him as their preferred selection. The move comes as Peterson and BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, the presumed top prospect, both believe they will be selected first overall, according to sources.

  Peterson, a 6-foot-5 guard from Kansas, averaged 20.2 points per game as a freshman, the most in program history. He missed 11 games due to injury, the most for a projected No. 1 pick since Kyrie Irving played just 11 games at Duke before being selected in 2011.

  Peterson told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne in May that severe cramping caused his injury issues. He said doctors determined after the season that high doses of creatine contributed to the condition.

  Washington finished last season 17-65 and won the draft lottery in May after holding the best odds for the top pick. The Wizards have not won a playoff series since the 2017-18 season.

  Peterson wants to play point guard in the NBA, but does not view potentially joining Trae Young with the Wizards as an issue.

  The first round of the draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on June 23.

• AJ Dybantsa Has Met With Wizards, Jazz

  BYU forward AJ Dybantsa has visited both the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, who hold the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in next week's NBA draft, according to sources cited by ESPN's Shams Charania and Jeremy Woo.

  Dybantsa has been the presumed favorite to go No. 1 overall since February. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 25.5 points per game as a freshman, leading the nation in scoring and becoming just the third freshman ever to do so. He is the first to accomplish the feat since Trae Young at Oklahoma in 2018.

  Dybantsa has strong ties to Utah, having played his senior year of high school at Utah Prep before spending last season at BYU. Both he and fellow top prospect Darryn Peterson believe they will be selected first overall, according to sources. Peterson has only met with the Wizards and has so far chosen not to meet with the Jazz.

  The first round of the draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on June 23.

• Wizards Bringing In AJ Dybantsa For Visit This Week With No. 1 Pick Decision Approaching

  The Washington Wizards will host BYU wing AJ Dybantsa for a visit with team officials in the coming days as the franchise prepares to make the No. 1 selection in the June 23 NBA Draft, multiple league sources told The Athletic.

  Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 freshman, led all of NCAA Division I men's basketball with 25.5 points per game last season. He also paced the nation with 296 free-throw attempts, reflecting his ability to attack the basket and draw contact. Evaluators from rival teams widely expect him to develop into a credible perimeter shooter despite connecting on just 33 percent of his three-point attempts at BYU.

  Kansas guard Darryn Peterson remains in consideration for the top pick as well. The 6-foot-5 Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game and shot 38 percent from three for the Jayhawks. He missed 11 games this season due to severe cramping episodes he attributed to his body's reaction to the supplement creatine, which he said he consumed in pre-workout shakes provided by the team.

  Should Washington select Dybantsa, the Utah Jazz are broadly expected to take Peterson with the second pick.

  Dybantsa is currently trading at 82 percent on Polymarket to be the first overall pick in the draft after flipping spot with Peterson in February.

  Washington also met with North Carolina wing Caleb Wilson, projected as a likely top-four selection. Wilson did not work out for the team but met with team officials, per a league source.

  The Wizards went 50-196 over the past three seasons while rebuilding.