Wizards Media Day 2026: One Interesting Thing Each Player Said

This post will be updated throughout the day

WASHINGTON — Media days mark the unofficial start of the NBA season. For the Washington Wizards, the last three media days carried guarded optimism—excitement for the season ahead but pessimism entering another 60-plus-loss campaign.

The “guarded” label was lifted at Monday’s media day as the Wizards, brimming with young talent and experienced veterans, enter the season hopeful for more competitive basketball in The District.

Brian Keefe and 12 Wizards players spoke with the media at CareFirst Arena. Here’s one interesting thing each person said.

Keefe talks starters, rotation

This is the deepest roster Keefe has coached. That depth, while appreciated, has created several difficult rotational decisions.

Atop those dilemmas is the starting five. Namely, who starts alongside Trae Young, AJ Dybantsa, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr? Keefe explained his approach to naming that fifth starter and deciding who makes his opening-night rotation.

“In today’s NBA, depth wins. There’s going to be competition, and I think that’s really healthy. We’re going to evaluate those things over the preseason to see who fits best together.”

Trae Young:

Trae Young, who in June signed a four-year, $212 million extension, praised the Wizards’ depth and said he’s glad he doesn’t have to decide who plays. 

He joked that making that decision is “BK’s job” but said Washington’s trio of bigs will provide ample opportunity for him to throw some big-time lobs.

“There’s a lot of different ways that we can play. I think that’s a good problem to have … Having those bigs, I know I’m throwing some lobs … If they set the screen right.”

Anthony Davis:

On August 6 — the same day Davis became eligible to sign a four-year, $285 million max extension with the Wizards — The Athletic’s Joshua Robbins reported the sides had agreed to wait until the season to have extension talks.

Davis, who holds a $62 million player option for the 2027-28 season, said he will decide on his at the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

“[I’ll] go through the season and try to do what I do at a high level, and then when it’s over, sit down and have a conversation again with my office.”

AJ Dybantsa:

Lofty expectations surround incoming No. 1 picks, especially those who averaged 25 points per game as college freshmen.

But AJ Dybantsa said he doesn’t feel any pressure. His reasoning: He enters the league with All-Star teammates who will teach him how to be successful.

“I’m just super blessed to be in the situation. I’m going to have to play the right way right away. [It’s great] having these guys that have won championships, that made All-Star teams, that are first-value players.”

Deandre Ayton:

The Wizards sent Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks to the Los Angeles Lakers in July for Deandre Ayton. The 7-footer will serve as Alex Sarr’s backup — a role he isn’t accustomed to.

Ayton last came off the bench during the Phoenix Suns’ magical run in the 2020 Orlando bubble. That’s 363 consecutive starts since he last entered as a reserve.

That will change on opening night. And the 28-year-old center is ready to embrace his new role.

“[I’ll play] wherever Coach BK wants me. The depth we have on this team is insane.”

Alex Sarr:

After undergoing surgery in June to repair his fractured right foot, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said Thursday that he anticipates Alex Sarr will be ready by opening night.

The third-year center said he’ll participate in every training camp drill except for live drills, but hopes to be a full participant next week.

Sarr said he could play both PF and C, which Brian Keefe will determine based on matchups.

“AD is very versatile. I’m very versatile.”

Tre Mann:

The Wizards acquired Tre Mann in August to bolster their guard depth. It reunited the shifty guard with Will Dawkins, who drafted him when he served as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s vice president of basketball operations.

Dawkins said Thursday that Mann is “dynamic with the ball” and praised his ability to also play off the ball. On Monday. Mann said Dawkins was the first person he called after the trade.

The shifty PG lauded his opportunity to compete for minutes on a talented roster.

“Wherever you go, you’re gonna have to compete. I’ve had that mindset coming in when I was leaving Charlotte. I’m super excited for the opportunity. It’s fun when you go out here and compete, especially against good guys on a team that’s up and coming.”

Kyshawn George:

Dawkins called Kyshawn George the leader of the “sleeping bag club” because of how much time he spends in the gym

George said he’s been in the gym since May 4 and has added at least eight pounds of lean muscle. Why? Because he wants his body to last throughout a lengthy playoff run.

“Just being able to have the durability to withstand a playoff-length season, guarding multiple positions. We saw how physical the playoffs are. I think having that weight could only help.“

Bilal Coulibaly:

Bilal Coulibaly has been in Washington since the start of the rebuild.

After a 50-196 record over those three rebuilding seasons, he said the team now has the tools and experience to win.

“We have a lot of guys with a lot of experience, guys that have been in the playoffs. Just having those guys now, we’re ready to win.”

Tre Johnson

Tre Johnson said his main goal this season is to become a better defender.

“I gotta be able to get [my defense] to the level of my offense, and then I’ll be closer to where I want to be as a player.“

When asked who’s won the shooting competitions between him and Trae Young, Johnson looked over at Wizards PR and asked: “Is it alright to talk about when a teammate loses.”

Khris Middleton:

Khris Middleton was first traded to the Wizards amid a 15-win season. He spent half of the next season on what became a 17-win team. Washington’s eyes were on the NBA Draft during both seasons.

Middleton returned to Washington in July after the Dallas Mavericks dealt him in a sign-and-trade that paid him $17.6 million over three seasons.

Things look different this time. Trae Young is here. So is Anthony Davis. More importantly, winning expectations surround this version of the Wizards.

“Growth. Just growth of the players, individual talent. It’s gotten stronger.”

Will Riley:

After a rookie season filled with incredible offensive plays, but one that also left room for growth on the defensive end, Will Riley said he put on 15 pounds this offseason to try to improve as a defender.

Bub Carrington:

After entering the league as an 18-year-old two years ago, Bub Carrington has proven himself as a consistent offensive contributor.

The No. 14 pick in the 2024 draft averaged 10.7 points and 4.6 assists as a sophomore. And his 40.8% clip from the 3-point range ranked first on the team and fourth among 2024 draftees.

But his defense lagged behind. His 125.6 defensive rating ranked dead last among qualified defenders. As did his -746 plus-minus rating.

Carrington said he’s just trying to learn from guys that are good defenders.

“Playing defense, that’s about effort. They can’t teach nothing about that … I’m trying to get better at guarding actions. Because of the team’s makeup, I feel like I will be guarding main scorers or guys that shoot a high volume, whether that’s them on the ball or off the ball, running around trying to stop them. So if I got hold guys to below their average, I got to be able to shut down some of those actions.”