There’s a self-assuredness to AJ Dybantsa.

Part of that ease stems from experience. The 19-year-old was in the limelight well before becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft. So, when asked Monday at the team’s media day whether he feels pressure entering his rookie season, Dybantsa was direct.

“None,” he said. “I’m all good.”

He then continued the answer, saying that he doesn’t feel that pressure because of the team around him.

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Dybantsa has a luxury rarely afforded to most No. 1 picks: a sufficient support system. Make no mistake about it, the Wizards’ franchise still revolves around his otherworldly talents and the organization’s ability to help him reach his potential. But Dybantsa has a future Hall of Famer as a teammate in power forward-center Anthony Davis, and a perennial All-Star as his point guard in Trae Young.

He’s also surrounded by talented young players, including versatile swingman Kyshawn George, sharpshooting guard Tre Johnson and former No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr. Though the Wizards won just 15 games last season — and have won just 50 over the past three seasons combined — the team is entering this season with expectations for the first time in a long time. General manager Will Dawkins called this year a “season of growth” for the Wizards.

“I think we are a little slept on, which is fine,” Davis said. “I’ve always liked that idea [of] shocking the world, but it starts tomorrow, coming in with the mentality of ultra focus, coming to camp and even throughout preseason leading to our first game, and not thinking that teams are going to take us lightly, because they’re not.”

The mix of young talent and two established stars makes the Wizards one of the most fascinating teams in the NBA entering the 2026-27 season. Last season, the Wizards acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks, but the 28-year-old made just five appearances before suffering two injuries. He re-signed with the franchise on a four-year, $212 million deal. Davis never suited up for the Wizards while dealing with a hand injury.

Success this season will hinge on whether the Wizards can grow their young players fast enough to remain competitive deeper into the season. Coach Brian Keefe said it will be defined by whether they can “build something that is consistent and repeatable for ourselves.”

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But it’s a balancing act. For the franchise to create some positive momentum, Dybantsa, George and Sarr have to continue making strides in their individual games. Young and Davis can’t soak up the majority of the offensive touches.

Young spoke about wanting to bring excitement back to D.C. after years of finishing in the doldrums of the Eastern Conference. He even said that “finding out ways to be as successful off the ball as I am on the ball is very important to me.” The NBA knows how masterful Young is as an orchestrator. Before last season, Young had averaged at least 10 assists per game in three consecutive seasons.

But the rub on Young is that he’s ball-dominant, and questions persist about if his style meshes with Dybantsa, who also needs ball-handling reps to explore his game. But Young knows the type of talent that Dybantsa is, as well as the level of talent elsewhere on the roster. The Wizards have multiple offensive creators. He smirked when he brought up Dybantsa’s 25.5 points per game scoring average at BYU.

“There’s not very many of us,” said Young, who averaged 27.7 points per game in his lone year at Oklahoma. “I know he knows how to score. For me, he’s very athletic and can get out and run; it’s my job to give them the ball in places that they’re gonna be successful at.”

While offense draws the headlines, defensive improvement is a must for the Wizards. Dawkins said that the Wizards will be a defensive-minded team, and Davis doubled down on that Monday by asserting that “we’re going to be a top defensive team.” In Davis, a perennial All-Defensive Team member with his combination of size and athleticism, and Sarr, who averaged two blocks per game last season, Washington has two imposing rim protectors who can cover for any defensive breakdowns.

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Tuesday is the first day of practice, when the focus shifts from words to actions as players take the court. The Wizards haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020-21 season.

“I say to the guys all the time, like I’ve been here before, where the team is good, and you get a couple pieces, and you’re now looked at as a team who can do something,” said Davis, who referenced his time in New Orleans growing from a rebuilding team to a playoff team.

Now, it comes down to level setting.

“We’re gonna manage our expectations to make sure that we’re not putting pressure on ourselves,” Davis said.