Wizards NBA Mock Draft Version 5.0
Wizards NBA Mock Draft Version 5.0
The NBA draft is here, and this is what the Washington Wizards are most likely doing from everything we know. Bryson Akins|
In this story:
Washington WizardsThe NBA draft is here, which means this is the final iteration of the mock draft for the Washington Wizards this summer. It has been filled with so many highs and lows. At first, it seemed the team should be prepared for the fifth pick, but then they finally got lucky. Now they have the chance to add a franchise star, while also making moves to get more picks this summer. Here is what we predict the Wizards will do, based on public information and information Wizards on SI has learned.
First Overall: AJ Dybantsa, Forward, BYU
Nothing has changed regarding who the Wizards are presumed to take with the first overall pick. There was a short time when it was rumored they were leaning towards taking Darryn Peterson, but now it seems for sure that AJ Dybantsa is the pick. This is not just speculation, but some subtle hints that Dybantsa has been dropping.
Just a few days ago, he took a picture with Washington Mystics rookie Lauren Betts in New York City. Of course, it is just a picture, but there was no reason that Dybantsa had to take a picture with Betts. This led fans to speculate that it is a sign he is going to DC. Then, to celebrate Father's Day, Dybantsa posted a picture of him and his father in front of the White House. Once again, he could have chosen any picture, but specifically posted one of him in DC.
This is all speculation, of course, but Wizards on SI learned from one source that Dybantsa is the pick for the Wizards, which in turn will lead the Utah Jazz to take Peterson. Of course this is one person, and things could change within the next 24 hours. At the moment, though, based on everything we know, the athletic freak from BYU is the selection at first overall.
Will There be a Draft Night Trade
It is really hard to tell at the moment. It has been reported that the Wizards want another lottery pick, but that may be difficult to accomplish. There are a few teams, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets, with multiple picks. The team could instead go after one of their picks outside the lottery, as that may be easier to obtain.
The more plausible route is to acquire a late first or early second. How that happens is unknown, but it probably requires a current rotation piece like Bub Carrington or Justin Champagnie. D'Angelo Russell is on the table since he picked up his option, but with his value at the moment, a first would have to be attached with him. If anything, we predict a trade for pick 17 or 18 from either the Hornets or Thunder for Justin Champagnie, pick 51, and a future second. In this scenario, let's say it is the Thunder, as they only need to bring in one rookie and replenish some depth with a very cheap role player.
17th Overall: Chris Cenac Jr., Forward/Center, Houston
Is Chris Cenac the Wizards' first option at 17th overall? More than likely not, as the squad would probably prefer Aday Mara, Morez Johnson, or Hannes Steinbach. It just seems unlikely any of the Michigan players or Steinbach would be available in the 15-20 range. If they are, the team would go with one of them over Cenac.
Still, Cenac is a solid option that can turn into a serviceable backup center. He is a fantastic rebounder, yet does not average the blocks he should at his size and position. He can be a good pick-and-roll option next to Trae Young and Carrington. All he needs to do is develop into a shot blocker. Another option is Jayden Quaintance, but would the team take a risk on his injury concerns?
60th Overall: Quadir Copeland, Guard, North Carolina State
With the last pick in the draft, it is hard to pinpoint who the pick would be. The Wizards could go more local, go for positional need, or simply take a shot on a player they believe in. At the moment, to hit every positional group in the draft, we have them selecting Quadir Copeland out of North Carolina State.
Copeland is a great facilitator, something that the bench could use for the future. It's worth investing in Copeland for a season to see if he can develop with the Capital City Go-Go, then give him a shot throughout the season and even the next one. His only downside is that he is on the older side; if Copeland is the pick, he would be one of the oldest players on the roster.
Published Jun 22, 2026
-49fab67e766e55bd238e7ce5f4d8cea4.png)
BRYSON AKINSBryson Akins is a writer for the Wizards on Sports Illustrated. Akins graduated from Emerson College in the spring of 2025, the same school Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins attended. Some of Akins' past work includes covering the Thunder on Last Word on Sports, along with his YouTube channel "Thunder Digest." Bryson's favorite memory watching the Wizards are the hard screens center Marcin Gortat would set.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
