AJ Dybantsa laughed off a simple condition for a potential Wizards future: if Washington drafts him, he’ll need Trae Young to give up No. 3. The former BYU standout wore No. 3 at BYU, but it now belongs to Young after the All-Star joined Washington in January.
The conversation around Washington’s 2026 NBA Draft plans has taken another turn, and this time it starts with a jersey number.
On Monday, AJ Dybantsa—widely projected as a potential No. 1 pick—addressed what life could look like if the Wizards call his name. The answer was playful, but the message was direct: if Washington drafts him, the No. 3 has to move.
Dybantsa wore No. 3 during his dominant freshman season at BYU, before his attention shifted toward the next stage of his career. That number now belongs to Trae Young, the four-time NBA All-Star who joined Washington in January.
Young’s identity in the NBA has long been tied to No. 11, but the organization retired Elvin Hayes’ legendary number—meaning No. 11 was no longer available. After arriving in DC, Young shifted to No. 3 and embraced it as part of his new start, leaning into his “TRA3” branding.
When NBA Courtside posted Dybantsa’s message on X, formerly Twitter, it captured the tension that could show up behind the scenes on draft night. Dybantsa appeared on Gilbert Arenas’ show and joked about what he would need from the Wizards.
“If they draft me, I do need 3, Trae. If they draft me. We’re gonna see in like 5 weeks”
The quote didn’t land as a serious threat so much as a reminder that veterans and rookies often negotiate the small things first—especially when the established player is an All-Star and the number carries meaning. Dybantsa’s comment gave Washington another offseason talking point, with draft night still weeks away.
The jersey question, of course, doesn’t change the Wizards’ long-term draft logic if they select Dybantsa with their pick in the 2026 class. But it could become the first small negotiation between Washington’s current star and a potential next cornerstone.
No. 3 carries its own weight for both players. Dybantsa wore it from high school to BYU, while Young rebuilt part of his public identity with his new squad. Rookies often defer when a veteran already has status—and Dybantsa’s light but intriguing delivery suggests he expects that kind of clarity sooner rather than later.
For now, Washington’s draft storyline has another layer: not just talent, not just fit, but a number that has already shaped both careers. And in about five weeks, Dybantsa’s joke could start sounding a lot more like a plan.
AJ Dybantsa Trae Young Washington Wizards 2026 NBA Draft No. 3 jersey TRA3 Elvin Hayes BYU Gilbert Arenas NBA Courtside