Washington Wizards season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

East:Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West:Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • LA Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz

WASHINGTON WIZARDS2025-26 finish

Record: 17-65 (15th in the East, did not make the playoffs)

Offseason moves

Draft: AJ Dybantsa (No. 1), Felix Okpara (No. 46)

Signings: Trae Young (4 years, $212 million)

Trades: Deandre Ayton (from Lakers), Khris Middleton (from Mavericks), Tre Mann (from Hornets)

Key departures: Jaden Hardy (traded to Lakers), D'Angelo Russell (traded to Grizzlies, signed with Shanghai Sharks), Cam Whitmore (traded to Cavs, signed with Nuggets)

Current roster

The Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick in the draft. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)AP Photo/Nick WassPreseason Power Rankings: No. 23

What's exciting: Could Dybantsa end up a future MVP candidate? At 6-9, Dybantsa can devour space with long strides, stop on a dime for a pull-up, or finish through contact with either hand. Those gifts helped him lead the country with 25.5 points per game at BYU, but his developing passing makes his ceiling especially promising. When defenses loaded up on him, he increasingly found teammates with pinpoint cross-court passes. Dybantsa could become the centerpiece of a promising young core already featuring Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr. It's been a decade since Wizards fans had this much reason to dream.

What's concerning: Washington's veterans could accelerate the rebuild, but how much room they leave for the kids to develop is a legitimate question. Trae Young and Anthony Davis will get their touches. With Middleton and Ayton also aboard, head coach Brian Keefe has plenty of experience to lean on when a game gets tight. Shouldn't the young guys be out there in those moments, though? Dybantsa needs to work through a rough stretch, George needs another chance to run pick-and-roll after a turnover, and Johnson shouldn't just be spotting up in the corner. — Kevin O'Connor 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

Fantasy watch

Trae Young and AJ Dybantsa look good. Trae opened his preseason with 15/4/4/ with 2 steals; Dybantsa with 11/2/2/4 steals while starting. Anthony Davis likely won't get the extension he wants. Deandre Ayton could be a sleeper pickup early on for boards, points and low-end blocks if Alex Sarr remains out. — Dan Titus

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2026-27 schedule

Opening week: 10/21 vs. Bucks, 10/23 vs. Raptors, 10/24 at Bulls

Complete schedule

Betting perspective

34.5 — win total

+1600 to win division

+15000 to win NBA Finals

Best case, worst case

Best case: No. 6 seed

Getting 65+ games out of Young and Davis is probably asking for too much. But in the world that it happens, the Wizards could have high-level stabilizing forces on both ends of the floor to complement a fun blend of young talent. A Rookie of the Year-level campaign from Dybantsa, internal growth from George and others, and a consistent wave of scoring threats could make the Wizards one of the most annoying teams in the league to deal with.

Worst case: Bottom of the East

While there are some interesting defenders on the roster, I wouldn't say it's a great defensive roster. Injuries to the older star players plus a rudderless enterprise on that end could have them slide down the standings pretty quickly. — Nekias Duncan

Read the full Southeast Division preview