Johnson's rookie option was exercised by the Wizards for the 2026-27 season Thursday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
While Johnson and Cam Whitmore were acquired by the Wizards via trade, the front office has grouped them along with young players Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George to be their stars of the future. Johnson has also yet to play in a game this season for longer than four minutes, but this move by the front office instills confidence that they want him on the roster for the long haul.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Cleared to play Wednesday
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Johnson (leg) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's opener against the Bucks, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Johnson was able to get some contact work in Sunday after missing the entire preseason with a leg bruise. Due to his injury setback, Johnson will be facing an uphill battle for playing time early on this season. There certainly is a path to minutes for him if he finds the form he showed late in the 2024-25 season.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Absent from Thursday's exhibition
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Johnson (leg) didn't play in Thursday's 119-98 preseason loss to the Pistons.
Johnson missed the final three matchups of the preseason while dealing with a bruised leg. His next chance to take the court will arrive in the regular-season opener Wednesday against Milwaukee, his former team. However, Johnson is not expected to be much of a factor in the Wizards' rotation to begin the year.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Remaining out Monday
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Johnson (leg) won't play in Monday's preseason game against the Knicks, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson will miss his second consecutive game due to a leg bruise. His last chance to suit up ahead of the regular season will come in Thursday's matchup versus the Pistons.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Idle to start preseason
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Johnson (leg) didn't play in Sunday's 113-112 preseason loss to the Raptors.
Johnson was limited during training camp due to a leg bruise, and he didn't take the floor during the Wizards' preseason opener. After being traded to Washington from Milwaukee last season, Johnson saw extended run down the stretch of the regular season. However, he may have a more difficult path to consistent minutes during the 2025-26 season. His next chance to play will come Monday against New York.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Another big game in SL
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Johnson generated 25 points (10-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-5 FT), with five rebounds and three assists over 35 minutes of Wednesday's 86-76 Summer League loss to Utah.
Johnson dropped 20 points Tuesday and followed up the performance with a Summer-League high in the category. Entering his second NBA season, Johnson will have a tough time cracking the Wizards' rotation, but at age 20, he has shown plenty of promise as a long-term project.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Scores 20 in SL loss
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Johnson recorded 20 points (7-20 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 31 minutes in Tuesday's 74-58 Summer League loss to the 76ers.
Johnson struggled from beyond the arc but still led the Wizards with 20 points in Tuesday's loss. Acquired in February in the trade that sent Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks, the young guard will look to earn a spot in a crowded backcourt that now includes CJ McCollum, Tre Johnson and others.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Sees 48 minutes in win
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Johnson recorded 14 points (6-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt), one rebound, eight assists and one steal in 48 minutes during Sunday's 119-118 win over the Heat.
Since a mid-season trade with the Bucks, Johnson's career took off with the Wizards. In 22 regular-season appearances with Washington, Johnson produced averages of 9.1 points, 3.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 1.0 three-pointers with plenty of highlight-worthy dunks and energy plays. However, his efficiency wasn't great, as he shot 38.1 percent from the field and 24.7 percent from beyond the arc. Johnson could find himself in the Opening Night rotation in 2025-26 if he has a strong offseason.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Returning to starting role
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Johnson is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the 76ers, Sam DiGiovanni of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Johnson returns to the starting lineup due to the absence of Jordan Poole (elbow). Johnson is averaging 12.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.5 steals per game in his previous eight starts this season.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Scores 19 points, fouls out
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Johnson contributed 19 points (7-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, six assists and one steal across 37 minutes before fouling out of Wednesday's 116-111 win over the Kings.
Johnson fouled out in the final quarter, but his contributions were pivotal in the Wizards' victory, and the California-born rookie has been making the most of the expanded role he's enjoyed in recent weeks. He's scored in double digits in five of his last nine outings, a span in which he's averaging 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.6 turnovers across 31.6 minutes per contest.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Scores season-high 20 points
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Johnson contributed 20 points (6-14 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), one rebound, four assists and one block in 42 minutes during Saturday's 115-112 loss to Brooklyn.
Johnson made the most of this spot start Saturday, establishing a new season-high mark in scoring and being one of the few standout players on a Wizards team with other established offensive weapons, such as Jordan Poole and Alex Sarr, not at their best. Johnson has started in four of his last eight appearances, and this solid showing might allow him to remain in the lineup for the time being, especially since Khris Middleton (knee) is on the sidelines.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Coming off bench Thursday
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Johnson is not in the Wizards' starting lineup against the Pacers on Thursday.
Johnson made his third start with the Wizards on Wednesday against the 76ers and finished with nine points (4-13 FG, 1-7 3Pt), six assists and five rebounds across 34 minutes. Johnson will revert to a reserve role Thursday due to the return of Khris Middleton (ankle).
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Starting Wednesday vs. Philly
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Johnson is in the Wizards' starting lineup against the 76ers on Wednesday.
Colby Jones was initially listed on the Wizards' starting lineup, but Johnson will get the nod instead. Johnson is coming off a strong performance during Monday's loss against Toronto, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal across 28 minutes.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Makes most of start
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Johnson racked up eight points (3-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one block over 35 minutes during Monday's 112-97 loss to Portland.
Johnson, who was making his first career start Monday, made the most of his minutes in the loss. Marcus Smart (illness) and Malcolm Brogdon (ankle) were both sidelined, while Jordan Poole and Khris Middleton were pulled at halftime as a coach's decision. The Wizards don't have much to play for in the final weeks, so Johnson could get more looks like these.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Back from G League
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Washington recalled Johnson from the G League's Capital City Go-Go on Thursday.
Johnson will rejoin the Wizards ahead of Thursday's game in Detroit, but he's uncertain to be included in the rotation. The rookie first-round pick played 27 minutes Wednesday in the Go-Go's 118-103 win over the Motor City Cruise, finishing with 12 points (5-10 FG, 2-2 3Pt), five assists, two rebounds and two steals.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Won't play Tuesday
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Johnson has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Pistons in a coach's decision.
Johnson will sit out Tuesday after he played in games both of the past two days. On Sunday, he played 29 minutes in the G League Capital City Go-Go's 114-94 win over Raptors 905, and Johnson then joined the parent club for Monday's 119-104 loss to Toronto. He played 23 minutes Monday, finishing with three points (1-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six assists and three rebounds.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Recalled by parent club
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The Wizards recalled Johnson from the G League's Capital City Go-Go on Wednesday.
Johnson has made quite an impression during his short time with Capital City, averaging 20.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The 20-year-old guard was called up Wednesday and has a chance to play on the NBA level again. The Wizards will take on the Hornets on Saturday in Charlotte.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Back with parent club
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Washington recalled Johnson from the G League's Capital City Go-Go on Monday.
Johnson will be available off the bench for Monday's game against the Nets, but even with Malcolm Brogdon (ankle) sidelined, the rookie first-round pick is unlikely to be featured in the rotation.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Available to debut Friday
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Johnson (recently traded) has been upgraded to available for Friday's game against Cleveland.
Johnson was initially listed as out for Friday's contest after being traded to Washington on Wednesday. However, the rookie first-rounder will make his Wizards debut, though there is no guarantee that he'll receive significant playing time, even with Malcolm Brogdon (foot) and Marcus Smart (not injury related) on the shelf.
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Wizards' AJ Johnson: Won't debut for Washington Friday
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Johnson (recently traded) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Cleveland.
Johnson will have to wait to make his Wizards debut, and his next chance to feature will come Saturday against the Hawks. The rookie first-rounder saw the majority of his playing time in the G League for the Bucks, though this trade to the Wizards will likely present him with more opportunities to see action at the NBA level.
