In Chicago on Sunday, the Washington Wizards secured the top selection in the 2026 NBA draft lottery, edging out the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers, each of whom held a 14% chance. The draw marked the first time since the lottery’s 2018 overhaul that a team with the league's worst record claimed the No. 1 pick.

Washington finished the season at 17-65, the poorest mark in the league, guaranteeing them a spot in the lottery. The franchise’s previous No. 1 choices were John Wall in 2004 and Kwame Brown in 2001, both of whom appeared onstage as the Wizards celebrated. Analysts, including ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, project that BYU forward AJ Dybantsa will likely be the headline selection.

The lottery win shifts the Wizards’ rebuild timeline dramatically, giving them immediate access to a potential franchise cornerstone. With a roster in flux and cap space to maneuver, the organization can now shape its future around a top talent rather than relying on trades or free‑agent signings.

Fans and pundits will watch closely as the draft approaches, knowing that the Wizards now control a player who could alter the team’s competitive window. The league’s newest lottery champion will aim to translate that rarity into on‑court success this season.