After an impressive season with BYU, AJ Dybantsa finds himself at the starting line of his professional career in the NBA. Having been selected by the Washington Wizards with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Dybantsa asserts his place in this year’s draft class.
It was largely expected for AJ Dybantsa to be the top pick in this year’s draft, even though Darryn Peterson had a solid claim to the spot, too. While this gives Dybantsa some bragging rights in the future, being the top pick in the draft also comes with other perks, namely a massive paycheck.
After being selected, former NBA player Iman Shumpert asked Dybantsa what he would do with his first NBA paycheck. After clarifying that he would only get it in October, the 19-year-old responded:
“I don’t know. My little sister just got her permit. So if she gets her license sometime, she might get a car. Maybe.”
Dybantsa’s comment may seem hilarious to some, but in its own way, this could be the forward’s way of giving back to his family. As someone who is immensely aware of the sacrifices his family made for him, AJ Dybantsa has openly shown his gratitude to those who supported him.
On that note, his older sister even shared how proud she was to see him get drafted into the NBA.
“It’s so crazy,” she began. “When we were younger, I used to see him in the backyard playing basketball. Now, he’s the No. 1 pick for the NBA. It’s like, he’s come so far… He’s worked really hard for this moment, and I’m so proud of him.”
AJ Dybantsa’s arrival in Washington is certainly going to be celebrated. Given how impactful he was during his freshman season at BYU, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, the Wizards are bound to be exciting next season.
Examining AJ Dybantsa’s Contract
Buying a car may not seem like the most original idea, but the gesture is certainly a kind one. Given the kind of money AJ Dybantsa is likely to earn this year, however, it is also safe to say that it won’t be a major expenditure for him.
Dybantsa is expected to sign a four-year, $69 million deal in his rookie contract with the Washington Wizards. It is worth noting that this is a notable increase compared to last season’s highest-paying rookie contract – Cooper Flagg‘s $62.7 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
At the current juncture, only the first two years of Dybantsa’s contract are expected to be guaranteed, with the Wizards having a team option for the remaining two years. Although this implies an average annual salary of $17.25 million, Dybantsa is expected to earn roughly $15.2 million in his rookie season, implying a gradually increasing cap hit each year.
Dybantsa’s contract is truly unique from a financial perspective. With the league salary cap increasing to $165 million, rookie prospects are also expected to earn more. To put matters into perspective, AJ Dybantsa is already the third-highest-paid player on the Wizards’ roster, edging out Alex Sarr ($12.3 million).
Barring his NIL deals in college and his endorsements with brands like Nike, Fanatics, and Red Bull, AJ Dybantsa’s sizable rookie contract sees him on track to earn an impressive amount in a short time. With the forward also expected to emerge as one of the top players in the NBA, it is safe to say that his future contract extensions are likely to be substantial.
