MSB: Wizards Shut Down Top Young Trio After Impressive Summer League Showcase

The Washington Wizards have seen enough.

After just two games in the 2026 NBA Summer League, the organization has elected to shut down No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, Tre Johnson, and Will Riley for Washington’s final three games in Las Vegas. Summer League head coach T.J. Sorrentine confirmed the decision to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins on Tuesday.

The move isn’t a surprise. Across the NBA, teams frequently limit the workload of their top prospects once they’ve demonstrated what the front office wanted to evaluate. Rather than risk injury, organizations often give the remaining Summer League minutes to players competing for two-way contracts, Exhibit 10 deals, and G League roster spots.

Dybantsa Looked Every Bit Like the No. 1 Pick

The biggest story in Las Vegas was AJ Dybantsa.

Despite playing only two games, the former BYU star averaged:

• 25.0 points
• 7.0 rebounds
• 2.0 assists
• 2.5 steals
• 1.5 blocks

His shooting from three-point range (1-for-11) still needs work, but everything else about his game stood out. Dybantsa attacked the rim relentlessly, defended multiple positions, created turnovers, and showed the explosiveness that made him the consensus top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

He opened Summer League by scoring 27 points against Utah, then followed with 23 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks in a dominant win over Sacramento.

Will Riley Turned Heads

Second-year forward Will Riley may have been the biggest surprise of the tournament.

After a quiet opener, Riley erupted for 32 points against Sacramento while knocking down 6-of-8 from three-point range, showing off improved confidence, shot creation, and offensive versatility. Over two games, he shot an impressive 70 percent from beyond the arc, giving Wizards fans another reason to be excited about the team’s young core.

Tre Johnson Continued His Development

Tre Johnson also looked ready for a larger NBA role.

The young guard scored 26 points in Washington’s Summer League opener, displaying smooth shot-making from all three levels and improved decision-making. Combined with his strong finish to the 2025-26 season, Johnson showed enough for the Wizards to feel comfortable ending his Summer League after just two appearances.

A Smart Organizational Decision

This is less about resting players and more about protecting valuable assets.

Washington entered Summer League hoping to evaluate its three premier young wings. Instead, the organization received exactly what it wanted:

• Dybantsa proved he can dominate physically.
• Riley demonstrated major offensive growth.
• Johnson continued building on an impressive rookie campaign.

There is little benefit in exposing any of them to unnecessary injury risk with training camp only a few months away. The remaining Summer League schedule now becomes an opportunity for players fighting to earn roster spots to showcase their abilities.

MSB Take

Wizards fans should view this as excellent news.

Washington didn’t shut these three down because they struggled—it shut them down because they succeeded.

Dybantsa already looks capable of becoming the franchise cornerstone. Riley appears poised to take a significant leap entering his second season, while Johnson continues to validate Washington’s investment in him.

For a rebuilding franchise that has spent years searching for elite young talent, Summer League accomplished exactly what it needed to. The future of Wizards basketball suddenly looks much brighter than it has in a long time.