The ping-pong balls went their way. The Wizards, coming off the league’s worst record in 2025-26, have won the NBA draft lottery and will pick No. 1 overall.
Here is the full lottery order:
- Wizards
- Jazz
- Grizzlies
- Bulls
- Clippers (from Pacers)
- Nets
- Kings
- Hawks (from Pelicans)
- Mavericks
- Bucks
- Warriors
- Thunder (from Clippers)
- Heat
- Hornets
The Wizards have been near the bottom for a while now. This time, there’s something to show for it.
Washington won 15, 18 and 17 games over the last three seasons, but hadn’t landed a true franchise cornerstone. That could be about to change. The Wizards took Alex Sarr at No. 2 in 2024 and added Tre Johnson at No. 6 in 2025. Now they hold the top pick and a chance to secure a long-term centerpiece.
AJ Dybantsa is widely viewed as the early favorite to go No. 1, though names such as Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson are also expected to get a long look ahead of the June 23 draft.
The Utah Jazz were another big winner on lottery night, jumping from a projected No. 4 spot to No. 2. Utah has been in a multi-year rebuild of its own and already made a splash move in February by acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr..
The Jazz roster also includes Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, 2025 lottery pick Ace Bailey and restricted free agent Walker Kessler, putting them in position to add another high-end piece.
Elsewhere, Washington made a win-now push earlier this year by trading for Trae Young and Anthony Davis ahead of the deadline. The lottery result now gives them a chance to balance that approach with a premium young talent.
One more wrinkle: Both Washington and Utah had previously dealt their 2026 first-round picks. Those selections carried top-eight protection, so they stay put after landing inside that range.
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