The Washington Wizards traded for injured veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young over the winter as part of a plan to turn around one of the league’s worst teams.
Another crucial piece of the Wizards’ plan fell into place during Sunday’s NBA draft lottery when they won the first pick in a year when the draft features multiple potential stars.
It marks the first time Washington owns the No. 1 overall pick since 2010 when it chose guard John Wall, who became a five-time All-Star. Wall flew to Chicago to represent the Wizards at the podium during the lottery presentation.
The Utah Jazz landed the second pick, the Memphis Grizzlies got No. 3 and the Chicago Bulls jumped up to No. 4.
The Wizards, Jazz and Grizzlies each had 14% chances to win the lottery. The Bulls had odds of just 4.5% but jumped five teams to reach the top four.
Overall, it will be the fifth time Washington has owned the No. 1 pick. The Wizards posted the league’s worst showing this season (17-65), compiled a 50-196 record over the past three campaigns and have missed the playoffs five straight seasons.
“Today is another encouraging day for Wizards fans and our entire organization,” team president Michael Winger said in a news release. “To choose first among this inspiring group of athletes is a welcomed opportunity, and challenge, for our group. We look forward to adding another high performing young player to our ascending team.”
The NBA Draft will be held June 23-24 in New York.
The top candidates to go No. 1 overall are BYU guard AJ Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, a pair of 19-year-olds who spent just one year in school.
The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa led the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game and has the look of a player who will soon be among the top NBA scorers. The 6-6 Peterson was an injury-related enigma at Kansas, yet averaged 20.2 points and might have been the most gifted player in the college ranks.
Moments before the results were announced, Dybantsa was thinking about the options.
“Obviously, wanting to be the No. 1 pick, working to be the No. 1 pick, I’ll be excited,” Dybantsa said. “It’s a great opportunity.”
Among other top candidates are Duke forward Cameron Boozer, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, Arkansas guard Darius Acuff, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler and Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr.
The Los Angeles Clippers landed the fifth pick, which came from the Indiana Pacers due to a trade deadline deal that moved Ivica Zubac to the Pacers and Bennedict Mathurin to the Clippers. The Pacers’ pick was protected only if it finished among the top four.
The Brooklyn Nets will select sixth, following by the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks to round out the top 10. Atlanta ended up with the No. 8 pick, stemming from a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans on the night of the 2025 draft that moved Derik Queen to New Orleans.
The Golden State Warriors have the 11th pick, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder with a pick obtained from the Clippers in the 2019 trade that sent Paul George to Los Angeles. The Thunder also obtained reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the deal.
The Miami Heat will pick 13th and the Charlotte Hornets claimed the last lottery selection.
–Field Level Media
