RADIO
AJ Dybantsa to Remain on Minutes Restriction Friday
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (ankle) will remain on a minutes restriction for Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets, head coach Brian Keefe said. The No. 1 overall pick played 27 minutes in his NBA debut Wednesday and made good use of them, scoring 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting with two rebounds and two assists in a 121-111 loss to Cleveland. Dybantsa already showed he can produce without a full workload, so the restriction should not take him off the fantasy radar. As long as he continues getting minutes in the mid-20s, there should be enough scoring opportunity for him to remain useful while Washington eases him back.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
AJ Dybantsa to Make NBA Debut on Wednesday
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (ankle) will make his NBA debut Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The No. 1 overall pick missed Washington's first four contests after spraining his left ankle during the Oct. 16 preseason finale. Dybantsa averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists across four preseason appearances and should eventually take on a sizable role in the Wizards' rotation. Kyshawn George has benefited from his absence, highlighted by a 22-point, nine-rebound, five-assist and four-block outing in Saturday's 110-103 loss to Charlotte. Dybantsa could face a minutes restriction in his debut, but his presence may eventually reduce George's offensive production.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
AJ Dybantsa Listed as Questionable Versus Cleveland
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The No. 1 overall pick has missed Washington's first four games since spraining his left ankle in the Oct. 16 preseason finale. Dybantsa averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across four preseason appearances and should have a sizable role once cleared. Kyshawn George has taken advantage of the extra opportunities, including 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four blocks Saturday. Dybantsa's return would add another high-usage option and could trim some of George's touches.
Source: Josh Robbins
Source: Josh Robbins
AJ Dybantsa Out Again Monday
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets with a left ankle sprain. The No. 1 overall pick suffered the injury in the preseason finale and will now miss his fourth straight game to begin his NBA career. Bilal Coulibaly has started each game in Dybantsa's absence, while Tre Johnson has provided scoring off the bench, averaging 13.7 points through three contests with a 20-point effort against Toronto. Dybantsa remains day-to-day, with Wednesday's matchup in Cleveland representing his next chance to make his regular-season debut.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
AJ Dybantsa Ruled Out Again Friday
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors, according to head coach Brian Keefe. The 19-year-old remains day-to-day with the left ankle sprain he suffered in the preseason finale, delaying his NBA debut for a second straight game. Dybantsa averaged 12.8 points in 21.5 minutes across four preseason appearances. Bilal Coulibaly started in his place Wednesday and delivered 11 points, four steals, and two blocks on 4-for-6 shooting. With Dybantsa sidelined again, Coulibaly should remain heavily involved, and his ability to pile up defensive stats gives him some short-term fantasy appeal.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
AJ Dybantsa Ruled Out for Season Opener
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (ankle) will miss Wednesday's season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to The Athletic's Josh Robbins. The No. 1 overall pick suffered a mild sprain in Friday's preseason finale and will be considered day-to-day afterward. Dybantsa averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals across four preseason games despite shooting 18.2% from three. Bilal Coulibaly and Tre Johnson are candidates for extra minutes in his absence. Friday's matchup with Toronto is Dybantsa's next chance to debut, though Washington also plays Saturday in Chicago.
Source: Josh Robbins
Source: Josh Robbins
AJ Dybantsa Considered Day-to-Day with Ankle Sprain
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (ankle) is considered day-to-day after spraining his left ankle in Friday's preseason finale against New Orleans, head coach Brian Keefe said Sunday, per The Athletic's Josh Robbins. The No. 1 overall pick exited in the second quarter after scoring 12 points in 15 minutes, and Keefe would not commit to him playing Wednesday against Milwaukee. Dybantsa averaged 12.0 points over four preseason games. If he sits, Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George could absorb more wing minutes and touches alongside Trae Young.
Source: Josh Robbins
Source: Josh Robbins
AJ Dybantsa Exits Preseason Finale with Ankle Injury
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa (ankle) left Friday's preseason finale against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter after rolling his ankle while landing on a running jumper, according to The Athletic's Josh Robbins. The 19-year-old walked to the locker room on his own, and Washington has yet to provide an update on the severity. Dybantsa averaged 13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.0 steals through his first three exhibitions despite going 1-for-8 from three. With Wednesday's opener against Milwaukee approaching, his status is worth watching closely. Bilal Coulibaly could see more wing minutes if Dybantsa can't go.
Source: Josh Robbins
Source: Josh Robbins
Alondes Williams Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Wizards
The Washington Wizards officially signed guard/forward Alondes Williams to an Exhibit 10 contract after Chris Haynes first reported the agreement in August. The 27-year-old was left off Washington's initial training camp roster but is now back with the organization after averaging 22.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting 42.4% from three for the Capital City Go-Go last season. Williams has used up his two-way eligibility, so a return to the Go-Go remains the likely outcome. His NBA fantasy appeal is limited unless injuries open a spot in Washington's backcourt.
Source: Wizards PR
Source: Wizards PR
Khris Middleton Held Out of Scrimmage for Ramp-Up
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton was held out of Saturday's scrimmage as part of a planned ramp-up and is not dealing with an injury, according to The Athletic's Josh Robbins. The 35-year-old returned to Washington in July on a three-year, $17.6 million deal via sign-and-trade from Dallas. Middleton averaged 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 22.8 minutes across 63 games last season. He enters camp behind Anthony Davis at power forward while Washington continues developing AJ Dybantsa, Bilal Coulibaly, and Kyshawn George, leaving Middleton with limited fantasy upside.
Source: Josh Robbins
Source: Josh Robbins
Kyshawn George Works on Outside Jumper
Washington Wizards guard/forward Kyshawn George was seen working on his outside jumper in offseason workout footage that surfaced this week. The 22-year-old already made a real jump from deep last season, raising his three-point percentage from 32.2 percent as a rookie to 38.1 percent while averaging 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.1 threes in 48 games. George missed the end of the season with a Grade 2 distal UCL tear in his left elbow, but he has since been cleared and played for Canada in World Cup qualifying. Washington's perimeter group is deeper with AJ Dybantsa, Bilal Coulibaly, and Tre Johnson competing for reps, so George's shooting will be key to protecting his minutes and fantasy value.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
Julian Reese Headed to Denver, to be Waived
The Denver Nuggets are acquiring forward Julian Reese from the Washington Wizards as part of the expanded multi-team trade involving Peyton Watson, Max Strus, Tre Mann, and Cam Whitmore, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Denver is expected to waive Reese from his two-way deal, leaving the 23-year-old without a clear NBA home for now. Reese flashed in a late-season Washington cameo, averaging 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 13 games, but the waiver keeps him off fantasy radars. He is more of a developmental big to monitor if another team gives him a two-way or back-end roster look.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Cam Whitmore Headed to Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring forward Cam Whitmore from the Washington Wizards as part of the expanded multi-team trade that also sends Peyton Watson to Cleveland, Max Strus to the LA Clippers, Tre Mann to Washington, and Julian Reese to Denver, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The move gives Cleveland a younger, smaller-salary wing after Whitmore's 2025-26 season ended in January because of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The 22-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across 21 games while shooting 45.6 percent from the field. The fantasy fit is cloudy. Watson has the cleaner path to impact minutes, while Jaylon Tyson adds more wing competition, leaving Whitmore off fantasy radars until his health and role are clearer.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jamir Watkins Could Miss 2026-27 After ACL Surgery
Washington Wizards guard/forward Jamir Watkins (knee) underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, the team announced. Watkins, 25, suffered the injury during Washington's Summer League opener against the Jazz on July 9 and could miss the entire 2026-27 season. The 43rd pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Florida State averaged 7.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 steals across 50 games as a rookie after Washington acquired him from Utah on draft night. He only had deep-dynasty appeal before the injury, and the possible season-long absence removes him from redraft consideration while slowing his development. His absence should leave more reserve wing minutes available for Bilal Coulibaly and Will Riley.
Source: Josh Robbins
Source: Josh Robbins
Wizards Showing Interest in DeMar DeRozan
The Washington Wizards are reportedly showing interest in free-agent forward DeMar DeRozan, according to Shams Charania. The organization has had some conversations with DeRozan over the last few days. The veteran forward appears to be drawing interest from multiple teams, but the Wizards are the newest one to join the ranks. The 36-year-old is trending down, but can still be a viable contributor in 2026. This past season, DeRozan averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 31.2 minutes per game with the Sacramento Kings. The Wizards have rookie AJ Dybantsa and Anthony Davis at the forward spots, so DeRozan would probably come off the bench. There's some 9-category value here, but the Wizards aren't a great fit on paper for the veteran forward.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
