NBA GM Explains Why AJ Dybantsa Isn't 'Easy Decision' with No. 1 Pick Amid 2026 Draft Rumors

Analysts currently favor BYU forward AJ Dybantsa to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.

However, one NBA general manager explained to Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68 that it's not an "easy decision" between the two elite prospects.

Peterson was by-and-large the pick among prognosticators to go No. 1 overall during the season. However, he was in-and-out of the lineup, missing 11 full games with a hamstring injury, cramps, a rolled ankle and flu-like symptoms. Peterson also took himself out of an 81-69 win over Oklahoma State after 18 minutes because of cramping issues.

Peterson spoke to ESPN's Myron Medcalf about the perception of him, and he made clear that he was just simply dealing with injuries and not trying to load-manage or avoid playing big minutes.

"Everybody's got an opinion on it," Peterson told Medcalf. "But basketball is my life. If I could have been out there every game this year, I would have. If you would have asked me last year, what were my goals for this year, I would never mention missing games. So all this stuff kind of just happened, but I've got to deal with it."

Public opinion appeared to sway toward Dybantsa as the season went along. That's in part, though, because Dybantsa had a great year, averaging 25.5 points on 51.0 percent shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals.

In his latest Bleacher Report mock draft, Jonathan Wasserman had Dybantsa going first overall over Peterson at No. 2. However, he also made clear that Peterson's evaluation would be based on his on-court merit and interviews, not any concerns about his playing time and availability during the season.

"Unless something shows up during medical reports, Darryn Peterson will be evaluated strictly on his on-court development and predraft interviews," Wasserman wrote.

"Most have seemingly disregarded the negative narratives around his injuries and mixed availability. There are scouts who still see a No. 1 overall talent whose creation and explosion will shine more with better spacing and healthier legs. The consensus deems his shotmaking skill as special and even more diverse than Dybantsa's, given Peterson's three-point volume and outstanding off-ball, spot-up and movement shooting numbers."

Wasserman also wrote that Dybantsa, Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer, the reigning national player of the year, were all No. 1 on various scouts' draft boards. However, it appears Dybantsa could be the leader at No. 1 right now.

"While Peterson and Boozer will remain in the No. 1 overall conversation, Dybantsa's case right now has the fewest holes," Wasserman wrote.

There's still plenty to decipher until the NBA draft begins on Tuesday, June 23, though, namely the draft lottery (Sunday, May 10) to determine the top picks as well as the NBA Scouting Combine (May 10-17).