In Christopher Klein’s latest mock draft, the Hawks wisely use the third pick to take Jalen Johnson’s potential co-star of the future, AJ Dybantsa.
The BYU freshman has etched himself as a nearly guaranteed top-three pick in the 2026 draft, even in a loaded class. Last year, Dybantsa was widely regarded as a top-two high school player alongside Kansas stud Darryn Peterson. This season, he has only continued to impress, with any perceived flaws in his game preceded by the caveat, “Dybantsa is incredible, but…”
Klein refers to Dybantsa as “the least solid” of the projected top three picks (he, Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer), and this is indeed an accurate assessment. He’s somewhat raw as a prospect, with head-scratching defensive blunders and stretches where he disappears on offense scattered throughout his game. These mistakes present themselves often enough to doubt Dybantsa’s MVP potential, but not enough to demote him from the top three tier.
Still, Dybantsa holds upside neither Boozer nor Peterson can reach. While these two players are polished – Peterson seemingly never misses a jumper, and Boozer is the most productive player in CBB – Dybantsa has unmatched physical tools, and therefore the highest upside. There has never been a 6’9, 210-pound person in the world who moves as fluidly as he does.
Dybantsa could be the franchise player Atlanta has lacked for decades
To be clear, Dybantsa is not the safe pick (Boozer), nor the sexy one (Peterson). He is the risky option.
Still, with years of NBA development, it’s hard to imagine a world where Dybantsa truly flops. His athletic prowess alone will make him a dangerous slasher, and if he focuses on his defensive presence, he could be the next great two-way slashing forward a la Giannis Antetokounmpo.
He isn’t exactly the greatest fit next to Jalen Johnson, but when you have the chance to take a player like Dybantsa, you pull the trigger and worry about the consequences later.
Perhaps most critically, Atlanta could solidify their star small forward spot for the next decade with Dybantsa. Zaccharie Risacher and Jonathan Kuminga are two former top-10 picks whose careers have not gone according to plan. I believe in Risacher, and I’m not entirely out on Kuminga, but neither player will ever be a true star.
In the modern NBA, versatility, length, and effort are key. By creating the young duo of Dybantsa and Johnson at the forward spots, Atlanta could maximize its length and versatility. Perhaps if Dybantsa becomes an elite scorer, he and Johnson could split offensive reps and both experience a bump in defensive effort.
Of course, Hawks fans want the number 1 pick. But in a world where Atlanta falls to three, Dybantsa is quite a fun prospect who would bring life to a young, promising small forward room.