'New Wizards Way': Why Trae Young and Anthony Davis watched AJ Dybantsa at NBA Summer League

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Culture is the first thing any squad in the association needs to build before embarking on the journey towards the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Dynasties were built on tight-knit, collaborative spaces that were not formed overnight. Trae Young and the rest of the Washington Wizards know this. This is why they are making big strides during the NBA Summer League. It all starts with being there for their rookies like AJ Dybantsa.

Young and Davis are kicking off 'New Wizards Way' at NBA Summer League

Typically, only a handful of veteran stars are present to guide their young guns at the NBA Summer League. Others are more concerned with resting, securing a new contract extension, finding a new home during free agency, or other endeavors away from the team. The Wizards are unlike any other squad in the league. Trae Young and Anthony Davis have made AJ Dybantsa a priority to watch, along with the rest of their young talent, at the NBA Summer League.

This move by the Wizards veterans echoed throughout the organization. In fact, 12 members of the Wizards' main roster traveled to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League. Kyshawn George noted how this was such a momentous milestone for the Wizards as they build a 'New Wizards Way' culture in hopes of inching closer to winning the 2027 NBA Championship, via Josh Robbins of The Athletic.

"We’ve been trying to build a culture for the past two years, since I got drafted at least, and I think it’s showing right now. I mean, there was no way I was missing summer league, and I think by me being here, Alex being here, Bilal being here, it just attracted all the other vets. I think it shows a lot that everybody’s around," George declared.

It's not just the players collaborating on this NBA Summer League effort, too. The whole Wizards organization, even their coaches, have made the voyage to Las Vegas for a minicamp so they could be there for Dybantsa and Co. Who was present? Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Deandre Ayton, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Khris Middleton, Alex Sarr, Tristan Vukcevic, Cam Whitmore, and Justin Champagnie were all present.

Assistant coach JJ Outlaw gushed about how much the Wizards players have put in their personal time and effort for this collective endeavor.

"The biggest thing that we’re doing is we’re creating a chemistry and a cohesion amongst the group. The guys have chosen to be out here. They’re doing this on their own dime, and they’re doing it because they bought into the group, and they want to be a part of what this new ‘Wizards Way’ group is going to look like," the Wizards assistant coach said.

There are obviously many factors that will determine whether Young and Davis can help the Wizards earn their first title since Wes Unseld won Finals MVP. These look like schematics, fatigue management, injury prevention, and getting players to buy into their roles. If the Wizards do manage to build solid foundations for everyone on the court while also knowing their teammates like the back of their hands, the risk of a fall-off due to injuries or external worries will lessen.

For now, the Wizards are doing something that a vast majority of squads in the association are not. This will surely help them reap benefits in the long run. It also helps Davis and Young get to know Dybantsa along with their other young talents. Overall, there isn't really anything negative about this minicamp at the NBA Summer League.