NBA Draft 2026: Wizards favoured to take Dybantsa as lottery uncertainty mounts

As the 2026 NBA Draft nears, league sources indicate that AJ Dybantsa is the heavy favourite to be selected first overall by the Washington Wizards. While betting markets and nearly a dozen league sources polled by CBS Sports point to Dybantsa going to the Wizards, the team is known for conducting extensive due diligence and could potentially surprise with Cam Boozer or Cooper Flagg, who is referred to as Wilson in some source materials. The Washington Wizards have performed significant background checks on Wilson, who is viewed by some executives as having the highest potential for a long NBA career.

The Utah Jazz are predicted by multiple NBA executives to select Cam Boozer with the second pick, although there is speculation they may attempt to trade up to No. 1 to secure Dybantsa. Boozer is described as a strong candidate for the second spot, with several sources confirming this projection. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls are expected to select Cooper Flagg (referred to as Wilson in the source text) at fourth, a move described by sources as a near certainty given the team's draft position and the prospect's athletic profile.

Significant uncertainty surrounds the point guard prospects projected for picks five through twelve, with the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, and Oklahoma City Thunder actively considering trades or selections among prospects including Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr, and Darius Acuff Jr. The Los Angeles Clippers, holding the No. 5 pick, are actively fielding calls and are considered the most likely team to select Keaton Wagler, though they may move down the draft order. The strength of this group is highlighted by the fact that five one-and-done point guards are projected to be taken within this range, with scouts noting that every team would likely rank them differently based on specific player attributes such as speed, size, or shooting.

The Atlanta Hawks, holding the No. 6 pick, are described as 'ultra active' on the phone but are expected to hold their position, potentially selecting Aday Mara at No. 8. The Hawks have worked out numerous prospects over the past month, yet the depth of talent among the point guards makes a trade less likely. The Oklahoma City Thunder, with picks at 12 and 17, are unlikely to draft and keep both rookies, with Sam Presti expected to trade one of the picks. The roster is already loaded, and it is widely believed that another team will take one of the picks off their hands.

Several prospects are rising or falling in draft stock, adding to the complexity of the lottery. Christian Anderson from Texas Tech is viewed as a potential lottery pick by some teams like Milwaukee or Charlotte, while Labaron Philon from Alabama has interest from Milwaukee but risks falling into the 20s. Koa Peat from Arizona may have been spooked by a poor combine shooting performance but is not expected to fall past the top 15. Jayden Quaintance from Kentucky has dropped due to medical concerns and may fall to Day 2, with one general manager noting uncertainty about his actual potential.