May 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Mark Tatum, the NBA Deputy Commissioner, and Washington Wizards guard John Wall (left) pose for photos after the Wizards won the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery at Navy Pier. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
The Washington Wizards traded for injured veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young over the winter as part of a broader strategy to revamp one of the league’s worst teams. Another key element of that plan materialized during Sunday’s NBA draft lottery, when the franchise secured the top pick in a draft class featuring multiple potential stars.
This marks the first time Washington has held the No. 1 overall selection since 2010, when they drafted guard John Wall, who later became a five-time All-Star. Wall traveled to Chicago to represent the Wizards at the podium during the lottery presentation.
The Utah Jazz secured the second pick, the Memphis Grizzlies took the third, and the Chicago Bulls jumped to the fourth spot.
The Wizards, Jazz, and Grizzlies each had a 14% chance of winning the lottery. The Bulls entered with odds of just 4.5% but moved up five positions to crack the top four.
Overall, this will be the fifth time Washington has held the No. 1 pick. The Wizards finished with the league’s worst record this season at 17-65, compiled a 50-196 mark over the past three campaigns, and have missed the playoffs for five consecutive years.
“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 take place June 23-24 in New York.
The top candidates to be selected No. 1 overall are BYU guard AJ Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, both 19-year-olds who spent just one year in college. The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa led the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game and projects as a future top NBA scorer. The 6-6 Peterson was an injury-related enigma at Kansas, yet averaged 20.2 points and may have been the most gifted player in the college ranks.
Moments before the results were announced, Dybantsa reflected on the possibilities. “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.”
Other top candidates include 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 as part of a trade deadline deal that sent 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, followed 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 sent 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 acquired reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in that deal.
The Miami Heat will pick 13th, and the Charlotte Hornets claimed the final lottery selection.
