On the eve of the 2026 NBA Draft, one of the biggest stars isn’t showing his hand, but gave a fascinating answer when asked one of his possible landing spots. BYU forward AJ Dybantsa joined Stephen A. Smith to discuss his NBA future. When Smith asked Dybantsa about how Dybantsa “loves Utah”, and that it would “be heaven for you to stay in Utah”, Dybantsa’s answer was not what Smith was expecting.
Dybantsa responded by saying, “I do love BYU.”
When Stephen A. responded by correctly noting that he specifically asked about Utah, and not BYU, AJ responded by saying, “It’s a great state to live in.”
NBA Draft Implications
Now, the Washington Wizards have the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, while the Utah Jazz have the No. 2 pick. It’s believed that either Dybantsa or former Kansas star Darryn Peterson will end up in the Nation’s Capitol with the top selection.
I read this as Dybantsa possibly knowing he’s going No. 1 to Washington, and he was smart enough to give the correct answer here, and not insult his possible new home on the East Coast. Dybantsa grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts before his prep career took him to California and then Utah, before ending up at BYU for the 2025-26 college basketball season.
The 2026 NBA Draft takes place Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26 at the Barclays Center in New York City, home of the Brooklyn Nets. The Draft is schedule to start at 8 p.m. ET on both nights, with the first round unfolding on Thursday and the second round on Friday. When it’s all over, 60 new players will have joined the NBA’s 30 teams.
2026 NBA Draft Order
Washington WizardsUtah JazzMemphis GrizzliesChicago BullsLA Clippers (traded with Pacers)Brooklyn NetsSacramento KingsAtlanta Hawks (traded with Pelicans)Dallas MavericksMilwaukee BucksGolden State WarriorsOklahoma City Thunder (traded with Clippers)Miami HeatCharlotte HornetsChicago Bulls (traded with Trail Blazers)Memphis Grizzlies (traded with Suns via Magic)Oklahoma City Thunder (traded with 76ers)Charlotte Hornets (traded with Magic via Suns)Toronto Raptors San Antonio Spurs (traded with Hawks)Detroit Pistons (traded with Timberwolves)Philadelphia 76ers (traded with Rockets via Thunder)Atlanta Hawks (traded with Cavaliers)New York KnicksLos Angeles LakersDenver NuggetsBoston CelticsMinnesota Timberwolves (traded with Pistons)Cleveland Cavaliers (traded with Spurs via Hawks)Dallas Mavericks (traded with Thunder via Wizards and 76ers)
