The Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards have discussed a trade that would send the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Bub Carrington and Cam Whitmore to Utah in exchange for the No. 2 pick, Ace Bailey and a 2029 first-round pick that lands between No. 6 and No. 30 among Utah, Cleveland and Minnesota.
Ace Bailey posted 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game across 72 appearances in his rookie season. He started 61 times while shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three in 27.6 minutes per night. AJ Dybantsa, the projected top prospect, averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 51 percent shooting in 35 games at BYU as a freshman.
Moving up one spot makes sense only if the Jazz view Dybantsa as a clear tier above Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. His combination of size, straight-line explosiveness and creation at the rim would pair with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler to form a versatile frontcourt that stresses defenses in transition and half-court sets. Yet surrendering Bailey's immediate production and a future first requires conviction that Dybantsa accelerates the timeline more than staying put.
Both teams sit in the early stages of rebuilds. The Wizards hold the top selection after the lottery and the Jazz own the next one. The Wizards have signaled openness to sliding back one spot if it nets Bailey plus extra assets. That preserves their chance at a high-end wing while bolstering draft capital for later moves.
The draft sits weeks away. Any deal hinges on final evaluations at the combine and individual workouts. If Utah believes Dybantsa stands alone atop its board, the package could move quickly. Otherwise the sides likely stay put and select from the top two without precedent-breaking movement.
The real test comes after the picks land. Adding a player with Dybantsa's scoring gravity changes how defenses guard the Jazz immediately. That holds only if the cost does not leave the roster thin in the years that follow.
Washington Wizards 
