Wizards Win No. 1 Pick in 2026 NBA Draft Lottery

CHICAGO - The Washington Wizards secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday, defying 14 percent odds after finishing the 2025-26 regular season with the league's worst record of 17-65.

The victory marks the franchise's first top selection since drafting John Wall in 2010. Represented onstage at Navy Pier by Wall, the Wizards earned the prize despite tying for the best odds among the 14 non-playoff teams. They lost 26 of their final 27 games, capping a third straight season of fewer than 20 wins. Midseason trades bolstered their roster, acquiring guard Trae Young from Atlanta in January and power forward Anthony Davis from Dallas in February.

The full lottery order slotted the Utah Jazz at No. 2, Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3 and Chicago Bulls at No. 4, all improving on their pre-lottery positions. The Los Angeles Clippers received the No. 5 pick from Indiana via a top-four protected trade for center Ivica Zubac. Other selections included Brooklyn at 6, Sacramento at 7, Atlanta (via New Orleans) at 8, Dallas at 9, Milwaukee at 10, Golden State at 11, Oklahoma City (via Clippers) at 12, Miami at 13 and Charlotte at 14.

Top prospects attending the event...