Prospect AJ Dybantsa, expected to be a top NBA pick, outlined a bold starting five featuring LeBron and others—then joked he’d be “canceled.”
A top NBA prospect’s confidence turned into a punchline before the draft even arrives. AJ Dybantsa, widely projected to go first in the upcoming NBA Draft, was asked to pick his ideal starting five ahead of June’s selection—then warned he would get “canceled” for it.
The Washington Wizards are widely expected to be the landing spot for Dybantsa, a destination clouded by years of mediocrity.. The team has struggled to post winning records and has gone without postseason appearances for many seasons. leaving some observers concerned that even a generational-level talent could be forced into an uphill battle right away.
Dybantsa, though, has projected the opposite mindset. Even with the Wizards question hanging over the situation, he has spoken as if his arrival would accelerate improvement—arguing that the team taking him would benefit quickly once he’s in the league and playing alongside others.
Asked to name his NBA starting lineup of five players. the BYU standout framed the picks as something that might cost him social approval.. He said he was “about to get canceled” before listing his roster: LeBron James at one. Nikola Jokic at the five. himself as the three. Kevin Durant at the four. and Stephen Curry at the two—while adding that Curry would be “strictly there to shoot.”
That lineup is striking for more than its star power.. Having LeBron James in the slot. along with multiple players widely viewed as franchise-altering talents. signals how Dybantsa sees the modern game shaping lineups.. It also suggests a blend of scoring. playmaking. and positional versatility—an approach consistent with a prospect who expects to contribute immediately rather than wait for an uncertain development arc.
Still. the choices invite debate. particularly because they steer away from basketball legends who many fans associate with all-time “starting fives. ” including Michael Jordan. Shaquille O’Neal. and Kobe Bryant.. One possible explanation is that Dybantsa wasn’t trying to draft an all-history fantasy team; instead. he may have been selecting an active lineup built around players currently dominating the league.
Even so, the decision to include himself alongside the NBA’s most recognizable names comes with obvious self-promotion.. For players chasing a first-place projection. it’s not unheard of to project future stardom through bold hypotheticals. even if those statements aren’t necessary when scouts already treat them as elite-level bets at the top of the board.
While surprises occur, the No.. 1 pick trend in recent drafts has generally been stable—at least compared with other years.. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who is both a champion and a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, was described as a No.. 1 pick for his prospects “forever” before his name was called last month to open the NFL Draft.
In the NBA, the pattern has also leaned toward consensus.. Last year, Duke’s Cooper Flagg was widely regarded as a No.. 1 pick in projections, and Victor Wembanyama went in as the consensus top selection in 2023.. Wembanyama has since established himself among the league’s elite. and Flagg has been recognized for his impact as he has progressed in his first NBA season.
That track record raises the standard for Dybantsa, especially because this draft is being described as unusually deep.. The report highlights that talent may not be limited to the very top selections; potential star-level players could surface even beyond the first five picks. widening the competitive pressure around the top pick.
Among the specific names mentioned as part of the broader talent pool are Darryn Peterson of Kansas, Cam Boozer of Duke, Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas, and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina—each part of a class that could give teams plenty of options when the order begins to unfold.
For Dybantsa, the real challenge will come after the introductions. A confident starting five may be built from imagination, but the NBA requires execution, and turning draft expectations into on-court impact is never guaranteed—even for the prospect most likely to hear his name first.
With the Wizards’ recent history hanging over the narrative, the stakes are more than just personal for Dybantsa.. If his optimism about raising a team’s level is to hold up. he’ll have to transform swagger into consistent results. particularly in a season where roster construction and player development will determine whether the franchise can change its trajectory.
Whether fans view his “canceled” comment as harmless showmanship or a preview of how he’ll handle scrutiny, one thing is clear: Dybantsa is approaching the draft spotlight as if it already belongs to him—and he’s daring the league to test that belief.
AJ Dybantsa NBA Draft Washington Wizards LeBron James Kevin Durant Nikola Jokic Stephen Curry
bro really put himself on the team lmaooo the audacity
wait so he hasnt even been drafted yet and hes already talking like this?? the wizards are gonna eat him alive honestly that team is a mess and no one player is gonna fix that no matter how good they say he is
So he’s gonna pick LeBron and Jokic and call it getting canceled? Lol ok.
I dont get why everyone is mad about this, like he put lebron on his team which means he respects the older guys so whats the problem. people cancel everything now and its getting old. also curry being there just to shoot is literally what curry does so that part makes total sense and i dont know why the article is acting like thats some kind of bold statement, thats just basketball common sense. my cousin played college ball and even he knows curry is a shooter first. people just want drama out of nothing
didnt he get kicked off BYU or something i thought i heard that somewhere. anyway the wizards have been bad for like 20 years so even if hes good its not gonna matter
The Wizards being trash is the real scandal. Like why would anyone think this lineup fixes anything just because he “chooses” it. Also “canceled” seems like he’s just trying to be funny for clicks.
Curry at the two strictly to shoot?? That’s crazy disrespect. In my head Curry always runs stuff, not just corner duty. Maybe he means defense too but the article made it sound like only shooting lol.
Wait I thought Wizards were good now? Or is this one of those things where everyone says “mediocrity” like it’s new. If he goes to Washington, he’s already doomed, and “canceled” is just him blaming Twitter or something. Durant AND Jokic AND LeBron… how is that not basically impossible??