Wizards secure top draft pick as franchise pivots to youth following historic collapse
CBS Sports reports the franchise is evaluating a potential selection of BYU wing AJ Dybantsa while simultaneously assessing short-term contracts for acquired stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
The Washington Wizards have secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, a result that marks the first time since the current lottery odds structure was introduced in 2019 that the franchise with the worst record has claimed the first selection. This outcome ends a seven-year period where the league's poorest-performing teams failed to land the top pick, a statistical anomaly that underscores the severity of Washington's recent campaign.
According to CBS Sports, the franchise's 2025 season resulted in a record of 26 losses in their final 27 games, making them the first team in history to lose at least 64 games in three consecutive seasons. This performance secured them the top spot under the existing system, which rewards the worst-recorded team with the highest probability of selection, a feat not achieved by the worst team since the lottery format began in 2019.
As the team evaluates its options for the selection, reports suggest they may target BYU wing AJ Dybantsa. The 2026 draft class is projected to be significantly stronger than previous years, with CBS Sports analysts indicating that Washington could select Dybantsa at No. 1. The prospect has expressed interest in playing alongside established stars, noting the potential advantage of mentorship from high-calibre talents within the league.
Simultaneously, the franchise is assessing the future of acquired stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Analysts advise against long-term contracts for the 33-year-old Davis, suggesting a short-term approach or a trade after the 2026-27 season. While Young remains a talent, the consensus is that he is not changing prospects significantly, and the idea of him driving immediate winning alongside a healthy Davis is viewed as unlikely given the team's current trajectory.
The acquisition of the top pick comes as the current lottery system is set to change next year, with proposed reforms designed to curb tanking. Under the new format, the three worst teams in the league will have a reduced 5.6% chance at landing the No. 1 pick, while teams finishing from fourth worst to 10th worst will have a maximum 8.1% chance. This shift means that if the Wizards finish next season with a bottom-three record, their path to the top selection would be far more difficult.
Despite the looming changes to the lottery, the Wizards now have a plethora of options to build a young core. Adding Dybantsa to a group of players aged 22 or younger represents a potential bright future for a franchise that has been largely devoid of such prospects for the past decade. The focus remains on laying the foundation for long-term relevance rather than immediate contention with aging acquisitions.
