The NBA will not discipline Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington or the franchise over his recent comments claiming the team deliberately held itself back during the 2025-26 season to improve its chances of landing the No. 1 pick.
Sam Amick reported on Friday that the league has decided against taking action against Carrington or Washington.
Carrington, who was 20 during the 2025-26 season, previously offered a candid explanation of Washington’s approach. The guard said the Wizards were not trying to maximize their performance because the organization had its sights set on selecting AJ Dybantsa with the first pick.
“We haven’t been told to be the best version of ourselves. We were held back because we were trying to get AJ Dybantsa. That’s no secret,” Carrington said.
Washington finished the season with a 17-65 record, the worst mark in the NBA. The Wizards subsequently won the draft lottery, giving them the opportunity to select Dybantsa first overall.
Despite their record, Washington gave significant playing time to several young players. Carrington appeared in all 82 games, starting 48, and averaged 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 27.7 minutes per game. He shot 42.4% from the field and 40.8% from three-point range.
Alex Sarr also played a major role, averaging 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in 48 games while shooting 48.2% from the field. Kyshawn George averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists, while Tre Johnson contributed 12.2 points per game.
The result of Washington’s season was the addition of Dybantsa, who is now viewed as a central piece of the franchise’s rebuilding project.
The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 35 games during his freshman season at BYU. He shot 51.0% from the field, 33.1% from three-point range and 77.4% from the free-throw line, finishing the season with 894 points.
Dybantsa became Washington’s first No. 1 overall pick since John Wall in 2010.
The Wizards have since accelerated their rebuild. The franchise acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis during the 2025-26 season before giving Young a four-year, $212.8 million extension. Washington also added Deandre Ayton and Khris Middleton during the offseason.
With Dybantsa joining Sarr, Coulibaly, George and Carrington while Young and Davis provide established talent, the Wizards enter the new season with a significantly different roster from the one that finished 17-65.
