The Washington Wizards and the rest of the league revealed their 2026 NBA Summer League schedules ahead of the tournament in Las Vegas. Throughout July, teams will showcase their young talent during one of the most exciting periods of the entire offseason. While rising sophomores get a chance to showcase their summer growth, league fans also get a look at their favorite team’s rookies in what is their first taste of NBA-level action.
This summer, first overall pick AJ Dybantsa and the rest of the young Wizards will be playing an absolutely stacked four-game schedule. Not only are they playing some of the best young players the NBA has to offer, but fans will also get to see Dybantsa go head-to-head with other top picks from the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Washington Wizards’ NBA Summer League Schedule Is Jam-Packed With Top Pick Matchups
Washington will be a heavy favorite heading into the tournament, but it is far from the only heavy hitter this summer. Across the Wizards four-game slate, they will play second overall pick Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz, seventh overall pick Darius Acuff Jr and the Sacramento Kings, fourth overall pick Caleb Wilson and the Chicago Bulls, and fifth overall pick Keaton Wagler and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Not only will this be a showcase of the top talent in this rookie class, but it will also be a look into the future of the NBA. So, what’s in store for the Wizards’ summer league? Let’s dive in.
July 9th: Top Picks Clash
The Wizards and Jazz will fill the prime time slot of the Summer League’s opening night. Obviously, Dybantsa and Peterson will be the major story. Both prospects were worthy of the number one selection, and Peterson may feel slighted after only working out with Washington during his pre-draft process. This game brings two of the brightest young cores in the NBA face-to-face, with a new potential rivalry in store.
Dybantsa and Peterson faced off once in college, and the stars put on a show. The BYU standout put up 17 points, while the Kansas guard put up 18 and secured the win at home. While the Cade Cunningham–Jalen Green rivalry has yet to heat up, these two players may easily become each other’s biggest enemies as their careers progress.
July 12th: Offensive Engines Collide
Just three days later, Washington will face off against the Kings. Both teams feature two of the best offensive players in the 2026 class with Dybantsa and Acuff, and it may very well come down to which team will get a stop first. Acuff and the Kings may not have the talent that the Wizards have, but either team could walk away with a win in what could be a deciding factor in who makes the Summer League championship game.
The pair of All-Americans didn’t get to face off during their short college careers, but they’ve certainly competed before. Being top-rated prospects, both players competed in some of the best AAU circuits the country has to offer. Now heading into their rookie seasons, fans will get to see which offensive guru will gain an edge early in their NBA careers.
July 14th: First Pick vs Fourth Pick
In Washington’s third game of Summer League, they will be taking on Wilson and the Bulls. While Dybantsa and Wilson play different positions, all eyes will be on the two to see which rising rookie can lead their team to victory. Wilson’s inside scoring dominance and athleticism make up for his inconsistency from deep, while Dybantsa’s three-level scoring will be on full display.
Dybantsa and Wilson did face off last season in college, but it was during a preseason matchup. In a nail-biter, BYU would pull off the win behind an 18-point, eight-rebound performance from the first overall pick. However, it was Wilson who stole the show, scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to go along with his three blocks.
July 15th: Big 10 vs Big 12
The Wizards will wrap up their four-game slate with a big one against the Clippers and Wagler. Both players are coming off some of the most decorated freshman seasons in college history, both being selected as All-Americans, All-Conference, and winning their respective conference’s Rookie of the Year award. This will also be a great look at two compelling futures, as Dybantsa and Wagler both will soon become their franchise’s primary young star.
These two stars didn’t face off in college, but both will be looking to create some noise heading into their rookie seasons. While Dybantsa will be relied on as a primary scorer, Wagler could become a focal point in everything the Clippers do, being looked at as a primary ball-handler, scorer, and all-around offensive machine in what may be the first season without Kawhi Leonard in Los Angeles.
Featured Image: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
