SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 24: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars rushes the ball up the court against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their exhibition game at the Delta Center on October 24, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
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The Washington Wizards tanked all season in an effort to earn the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft – and their tactics paid off.
After finishing with the NBA’s worst record at 17-65, Washington won the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday and the right to select the top pick.
That pick is widely expected to be either BYU wing AJ Dybantsa or Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.
Washington could potentially team Dybantsa or Peterson with Anthony Davis and Trae Young, who they acquired in trades this season.
The Utah Jazz will pick second, followed by the Memphis Grizzlies. The Chicago Bulls and L.A. Clippers round out the top five in what may be the deepest NBA Draft since 1996.
The Top 10 projected picks, per ESPN.com and Tankathon.com, are all college freshmen.
“There’s still a lot of tough decisions to make and it’s not a no-brainer at No. 1,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said on ABC. “AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, that’s going to be a tough decision for Washington. We have some years where you say it’s a no-brainer, this is not. And you’ve got a number of difficult decisions that are going to be made throughout the Top 10, but the good news is that no matter where you fall in the Top 10, you’re going to get a good player. This is a deep draft of star-caliber talent.”
The Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets each entered with a 14% chance to win the draft lottery. Brooklyn fell to No. 6.
One key question is where North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson will land. The 6-foot-10 Wilson has a huge upside, but missed the end of the season with a hand injury.
“You could see him go No. 2 and you could also see him go a little further down,” Bilas said.
After that could come a number of guards, including Keaton Wagler of Illinois, Kingston Flemings of Houston, Darius Acuff of Arkansas, Brayden Burries of Arizona and Mikel Brown Jr. of Louisville.
“I think it’s the depth of star talent,” Bilas said. “This is the deepest freshmen class that I can remember in all my years, and there’s not a lot of separation between the first pick and the 10th pick in this draft.
“There are a lot of outstanding players in this draft so if you don’t get the No. 1 pick…you’re still going to get a star caliber player deeper down in this draft.”
Dybantsa, Peterson and Duke freshman star Cam Boozer all appeared at the Lottery with their moms on Mother’s Day.
“It’s going to be exciting just preparing for this moment, obviously wanting to be the No. 1 pick, working to be the No. 1 pick,” said Dybantsa, accompanied by his mother Chelsea. “So it will be exciting, great opportunity.”
Peterson appeared with his mother Natatia.
“It means a lot to me and my family,” he said. “This is the next chapter. She’s been with me every chapter of the way.”
Boozer, the Naismith and Wooden Award winner, appeared with his mother Cece.
“I wouldn’t be here without her so happy Mother’s Day to all the mother’s here and let’s hope for a good lottery,” Boozer said.
The NBA Draft is set for June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.