NBA Draft Buzz: AJ Dybantsa to the JAZZ? 😳
Is the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft forcing his way to Utah?
Jason Fitz and Caroline Fenton break down why top prospect AJ Dybantsa would prefer to stay in Utah and play for the Jazz, the state income tax implications and what it means for the Washington Wizards at the top of the board.
0:00 AJ Dybantsa reportedly favoring the Utah Jazz over the Washington Wizards
0:48 AJ’s comments to Kevin O’Connor in 2025
5:15 Breaking down the tax difference between playing in D.C. vs. Utah
12:24 What the Wizards and Jazz should do next
Should the Wizards honor AJ Dybantsa’s reported preference for Utah, or is he too talented to pass up at No.1? Is the “tax factor” a legitimate reason to favor one team over another? Let us know in the comments! 🏀👇
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Do you think Washington should take AJ Dybantsa No.1 regardless of his preference, or should they look to trade the pick to the Jazz? Let’s hear your 2026 NBA Draft strategy! 📢⬇
AJ Dybantsa will be drafted #1 by the Wizards in the upcoming draft. This is a fact!
He shouldn't have a say-so.
He goin to Utah, deal with it
Oh brother
This is not washing and leaking this stuff out so you need to squash that this is not washing and doing that and I’ll tell you why one the wizards can’t afford to mess this up too. They fought forever to get this pic and after several years where they got Job from getting a topic they’re gonna turn around and shop that pic and try to lead to try to get no they’re not looking to build a rebuild anymore. This is a team that’s ready to win next year. Also our owner wants buckets in the seats. That’s the most important thing in the scenario AJ Lebon he knows will do that the wizards I’m gonna say that I’ve said this before many occasions the wizards of the one team who can’t afford to make a mistake in the Sentor they need everything all in all to get a superstar franchise player in this draft, the face of the franchise there’s too many questions with Peterson and with the history of what happened with John wall and be honest with you, Peterson reminds me of Derrick Rose and he turns out what happened with Derrick Rose. That’s a bad thing. Up side is Dwayne wade
The fact that matter is then you have Williams Williams bust has bust over them to be the next Kwame Brown. His upside is not KG his upside is Shawn kemp and then there’s boozer boozer is gonna be I believe a solid, good NBA player, but not a franchise player. The only franchise player type player in this draft. A cuff is an underside point guard which the wizard is already have so that makes no sense and yes, he may end up being the next AI that’s true, but they can’t afford to make that pic under the circumstances so there’s only one clear player in the strap that makes sense now it’s a little redundant because of all the wings the wizards have already in the roster so that could make an issue when it comes to AJ, but AJ will be the first pick in the draft by Washington come draft night now I can’t say after the draft there won’t be some type of trade happen, but I suspect come draft night. The wizards will have AJ‘s name on the card. The wizards don’t win in leaking the stuff out that’s just that’s Hogwarts and by the way our general manager has known AJ since he was 14 years old, he had a glimmer in his eye when he looked at him during when they talk to him during the combine and he said they knew he was going to be a superstar, the next one out of Massachusetts and they both are from town next to each other
And you also to add the fact that the marketing base between Utah the market size between Utah Salt Lake in the Metropolitan DC DC is twice as big which means in DC he’s gonna see twice as many, which will make twice as much money at least twice as much money being a wizard, then he would ever be a Utah Jazz so if he if this finance were driven, hello DC swallows Utah, Utah owner cannot give extra money to him under the table doesn’t work like that so if he is doing this because he wants to be comfortable, but also make money he’s gonna make twice as much money living in the metropolitan area than he would ever make in Utah or plan for the Utah Jazz that he would as a Washington wizard
Remember when players refused to come to Utah? All they have to do is live in Utah and AJ gets it
The Washington Metropolitan area (DC) offers significantly higher potential for marketing income compared to Salt Lake City, Utah, due to its larger population, corporate presence, and higher national media visibility. DC ranks among top-tier media markets, whereas Salt Lake City is considered a smaller market. Washington Metropolitan Area: As the U.S. capital, DC offers unique opportunities for national branding, political endorsements, and a larger, more diverse media market. It provides big-city amenities and greater visibility for partnerships.Salt Lake City, Utah: While featuring a passionate fanbase, SLC is consistently ranked as a smaller, niche market compared to major urban areas. Marketing opportunities may be more local or niche, although the loyal market has some appeal
5:00 very big difference between the 5th pick in the draft demanding to go somewhere specific and the projected 1st overall. Jazz fans can absolutely be happy that he wants to play only for the Jazz as long as they accept that the wizards aren't doing him dirty if they do take him. Not even sure where you heard this from Jazz fans, seems like you are making it up for a narrative.
So yall heard him say “he wants to play for Utah?
Who in Utah hurt Jason Fitz? 😢😂😂😂😭
Let's just have Washington trade down with Utah then. I don't even want or like AJ Dybantsa anymore lol. The MEDIA is pissed Washington won the lottery, everyone is pissed off. Colin Cowherd, Stephen A. Smith is pissed. At least Perkins tried to defend Washington. I don't want a kid like Dybantsa to be forced to go to place that makes him unhappy. Let's just down with Utah, save the headaches, make everyone happy and have Washington choose someone else. Everyone would be happy. The media would be happy. We'll draft someone else that wants to help us win and change. NEXT MAN UP <3
Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson to Washington please <3 Let's get this over with just to please everyone, the media, Stephen A. Smith, Colin Cowherd, and Nick Wright didn't want Cooper Flagg to go to Washington and now they don't want AJ to go to Washington. Let's just make EVERYONE happy, let him go back to Utah fellas. Let's move on from this. I don't even care about this draft anymore as a Wizards fan. I'm not even happy anymore. I have nothing to look forward to in June now.
What’s this dude yapping his mouth about
Washington is going to take whoever they want. None of this matters.
The fact that the Jazz, with a smaller population, has more upcoming attention, legit hype and is an incredible place to live – compared to the cess pool and wrecked wizards franchise – is something these 2 ladies talking here dont want to face up to 😂🎉🎉
DC is a shithole lol, everyone knows it
How many times is this weiner gonna tell us he was once in a lil band 😂
No NBA player in their right mind like living or even having to play in Utah
Fake news lol
I'd trade back and take Wilson. 😂
And Y’all Weirdos Stop Putting Out False Info In The Interview He Didnt Say He Wanted To Play In Utah Not One Time Ctfuu Welcome To DC AJ
Why would he wanna go number 2 and refuse to play in Washington at number 1 ?
Bailey and his agent never said anything about playing for Utah, it was the Hornets they said he wouldn't play for.
Great takes about Utah fans from Ace Bailey ot AJ this season. First time watching you guys. Keep up the great work!
😂😂😂😂Maaaaaan please. It's fucking Utah. Not NY!
It’s also not always ideal for AJ to be working near family and friends in Utah. Too many distractions. Being away in D.C will do him good in terms of independence, emotional growth and focus.
Damn, you excited dude!
Who cares where he wants to play? Didn’t stop Utah last year with Ace, won’t matter this year. He’s not sitting out.
wow! You two both sound like people who like to smell your own farts. 1/2 a million per year differrence in taxes? Where is the Boston tea party by the NBA players in places like Washington DC? The Gov make me sick. Taxes come into play regardless of how much you make. California and NY dicking around with a "wealth tax" has the wealthy running away. The otherside's arguement…….you need to pay your fair share so we can give your money to people from other countries living here scamming you with their fake businesses