Wizards secure top NBA draft pick in 2026 lottery shakeup

Washington Wizards win NBA draft lottery with 14% odds to select first overall in June 2026.

Lottery results The Washington Wizards secured the top selection in the 2026 NBA draft after winning the lottery on Sunday. The franchise, which finished with the league's worst record in 2025-26, had a 14.0% chance at the first overall pick. The Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls also moved into the top four positions on lottery night. The 2026 draft class is considered deep and stacked with elite prospects, including AJ Dybantsa of BYU, Darryn Peterson from Kansas, Cameron Boozer from Duke, and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina, who sit atop early rankings ahead of this week’s combine. ## Draft details The NBA draft will take place on June 23 and 24 at Barclays Center in New York and will be broadcast across major networks. With the lottery concluded and the top 60 picks determined, teams can now focus on their strategies for the top 14 selections. The Wizards’ rebuild gains significant momentum with the first overall pick, while other teams like Utah, Memphis, and Chicago now have clearer paths to adding impact talent. ## Washington Wizards rebuild The Wizards’ lengthy rebuilding effort appears to be entering its next competitive phase, especially if key players remain healthy. The franchise identified needs for a playmaking guard and an elite interior presence to support Alex Sarr. Acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis addresses those gaps and accelerates the timeline. Washington lost at least 64 games in each of the past three seasons but will now add the top pick to a young core built around Young and Davis. General manager Will Dawkins described the process as the train ‘starting to leave the station’ with added momentum. The Wizards also hold pick No. 51 via Minnesota and pick No. 60 via Oklahoma City. ## Utah Jazz focus The Jazz believe they can significantly improve next season after trading for two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. at the deadline. They still seek a franchise cornerstone player, though Ace Bailey, their fifth overall pick last year, could emerge as that star. With the second overall pick, Utah has a chance to select either Peterson or Dybantsa, adding another high-upside prospect to the roster. ## Memphis Grizzlies strategy Memphis has pivoted to a new young core featuring Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, and Zach Edey, playing under coach Tuomas Isalo’s unconventional system. The Grizzlies remain open to trade offers for Ja Morant, though no major deal is expected until after the draft and free agency. Landing the third overall pick provides an opportunity to secure an All-Star-caliber player, even as the franchise has never held the top selection before. General manager Zach Kleiman confirmed ongoing respectful communication with Morant and his representatives throughout recent trade discussions. ## Chicago Bulls rebuild New vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham made clear that the Bulls are in a rebuilding phase after securing the fourth pick. Graham emphasized the need to find a star player to lead the team forward, rather than suggesting minor improvements would suffice. With pick No. 15 as well, Chicago aims to add the right talent in a draft considered loaded with potential. Graham described the rebuild using the acronym ‘SLAP,’ focusing on size, length, athleticism, and physicality. The franchise has not had a clear direction in recent years. ## LA Clippers pick outlook The Clippers, who acquired the fifth pick via Indiana, are expected to target one of the top point guard prospects, including Darius Acuff of Arkansas, Mikel Brown from Louisville, Kingston Flemings of Houston, or Keaton Wagler of Illinois. These guards form a strong second tier behind the top prospects like Boozer, Dybantsa, Peterson, and Wilson. The Clippers’ roster decisions may hinge on whether they keep Darius Garland or explore moves involving Kawhi Leonard, whose contract expires after next season. The offseason presents multiple avenues for the franchise to reshape its backcourt. ## Brooklyn Nets draft plans The Nets plan to select the best player available regardless of position, a strategy that previously led to drafting multiple ball-dominant guards. The team is aiming to transition out of a two-year reset phase following the Mikal Bridges trade and is focused on returning to playoff contention. Jordi Fernandez, the young coach, received an extension after guiding the Nets through this transitional period. With significant salary cap space and this draft pick, Brooklyn hopes to build a competitive roster capable of securing a play-in tournament spot in the Eastern Conference. ## Sacramento Kings rebuild Sacramento enters a full-scale teardown under new general manager Scott Perry after finishing with a 22-win season and the league’s eighth-highest payroll. The team’s focus shifts to clearing expensive contracts such as Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan to start fresh. The lottery pick represents a critical building block for the franchise’s next era, offering a young player extended playing time in a low-pressure environment. Youth and development will be prioritized next season, giving the selected prospect ample opportunity to grow. ## Atlanta Hawks draft position Atlanta’s surprising playoff run following the Trae Young trade provided Jalen Johnson with valuable postseason experience and showed the young core’s potential under Quin Snyder. The front office traveled extensively to scout prospects in preparation for acquiring New Orleans’ unprotected first-round pick. Despite the strong playoff showing, the team remains focused on drafting a future star with this selection, along with picks No. 23 and No. 57. General manager Onsi Saleh stressed the importance of nailing the draft, noting the team has been together for just three months. ## Dallas Mavericks rebuild New general manager Masai Ujiri has a history of drafting players with long wingspans and athleticism, including Scottie Barnes in 2021. Dallas needs shooting to complement Cooper Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points per game as Rookie of the Year despite poor spacing. Ujiri has also found late first-round gems like OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. The Mavericks hold pick No. 30 via Oklahoma City and face pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. ## Milwaukee Bucks uncertainty The Bucks set a draft-related timeline for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future, with team owner Jimmy Haslam stating they want a resolution by the draft if Antetokounmpo plans to sign an extension or pursue a championship elsewhere. Antetokounmpo has made clear his desire to compete for titles, and if he chooses to stay, Milwaukee will aggressively pursue supporting talent. If he opts to leave, the Bucks can begin rebuilding around younger players to prepare for the next era. ## Golden State Warriors options The Warriors explored trades for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard before the deadline, including offering this lottery pick as part of the package. Missing the playoffs elevated the value of the pick in potential trade scenarios. The team also needs a youth infusion as the Steph Curry era winds down, with four key players aged 36 or older and two starting wings set to miss significant time. Holding the pick could allow the Warriors to draft a young talent who can contribute immediately or develop into a larger role. ## Oklahoma City Thunder pick General manager Sam Presti has a history of drafting successfully outside the top 10, including Jalen Williams at pick No. 12 in a previous Clippers swap. Williams became an All-NBA player by his third season, showcasing the type of prospect Presti favors—smart, versatile, and high-character. There is speculation Oklahoma City might package this pick with pick No. 17, acquired from Philadelphia, to move up in the draft. Presti has also used picks to acquire higher-upside talent in later drafts. ## Miami Heat trade intentions Team president Pat Riley stated he would only consider trading Bam Adebayo for a package including eight picks and Victor Wembanyama. Riley emphasized the Heat’s desire to remain competitive now rather than develop young players for the future. Miami holds pick No. 41 as well and may seek a player who fits the team’s culture and can contribute immediately. Riley expressed frustration with Adebayo’s lack of support and reiterated the goal of helping him win more championships. ## Charlotte Hornets draft plans The Hornets hold picks No. 14 and No. 18, giving them flexibility to add two rotation players. After a strong second-half run to reach the final play-in game, they can target shooting, size, or additional power forward depth. Moussa Diabate needs help inside, and Ryan Kalkbrenner, a 7-foot-1 center drafted in the second round last year, will benefit from competition. Miles Bridges provides strong production at power forward, but the team aims to avoid skipping developmental steps in its pursuit of sustainable success. Charlotte possesses 11 first-round picks and 14 second-round picks over the next seven drafts.