NBA Trade Rumors: Utah Jazz Aggressively Pursuing No. 1 Pick for Top Prospect AJ Dybantsa in 2026 NBA Draft

AJ Dybantsa is the top prospect in the draft, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo. The Jazz have reached out to the Washington Wizards, who have the No. 1 pick, about potentially trading up to land the former BYU standout, a source said.

Even if Dybantsa is selected by Washington, as expected, Utah will still have talented options to choose from in Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke center Cameron Boozer and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, who round out Woo’s top four prospects.

Why the Jazz Are Moving Aggressively

The Jazz are in full rebuild mode and clearly view this draft class as a golden opportunity to add a franchise-altering talent. Reaching out to the Wizards about trading up for Dybantsa shows how highly they value the 6'9" wing/forward, who has impressed scouts with his size, athleticism, scoring versatility, and high basketball IQ.

Dybantsa has risen rapidly up draft boards this season. His combination of length, shooting range, and playmaking makes him the type of two-way prospect teams dream of anchoring a rebuild around. For a Jazz team that has been accumulating assets and young talent, landing the consensus No. 1 pick would represent a massive acceleration of their timeline.

Strong Backup Options for Utah

Even if the Jazz cannot move up to No. 1, they remain in excellent position with multiple lottery picks and a deep class. The other top prospects include:

• Darryn Peterson (Kansas) — Explosive guard with elite scoring instincts and playmaking ability.
• Cameron Boozer (Duke) — Versatile big man with high-level basketball pedigree and polished post skills.
• Caleb Wilson (North Carolina) — Athletic forward known for his defensive versatility and rebounding.

This depth gives Utah significant flexibility. They can afford to be aggressive in trade discussions without fearing they’ll be left empty-handed.

What This Means for the 2026 Draft

The Jazz’s early outreach signals they are not content to simply wait their turn. With multiple first-round picks and young pieces already on the roster, Utah has the ammunition to move up if the price is right. A deal for the No. 1 pick would likely cost significant future assets, but landing a potential superstar like Dybantsa could be worth the investment.

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