While the Finals are still being played, teams around the league are already looking ahead. The 2026 NBA Draft is set for June 23 at Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards holding the top pick after a difficult season.
The Wizards were able to land the number one pick by dropping 26 of their last 27 games, which gave them the strongest odds in the lottery. It’s also worth noting that the draft is returning to its two-day format this year.
AJ Dybantsa, the talented wing out of BYU, is widely expected to go first overall. His time in Provo not only put him on NBA radars but also turned the Cougars into a must-watch team across the country.
For a Wizards organisation deep into a lengthy rebuild, landing someone with Dybantsa’s profile is exactly what they’ve been hoping for. Years of hardship have led to this pick, and there’s serious pressure on them to make sure it pays off.
What the draft pool looks like
Utah is on the clock at No. 2, busy with medical checks and workouts as they look through a group of prospects many scouts believe is strong at the top end.
Outside of the lottery, the draft often serves as an early marker for trade activity, especially with big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo being discussed. Teams in contention will also be weighing up whether to move picks in favour of immediate upgrades.
Having a strong draft class gives struggling teams a genuine chance to rebuild, and several franchises in that position are set to bring in cornerstone players. The offseason’s biggest trades also tend to take shape around this time, as picks often serve as the main bargaining chips in major deals.
In two weeks, the lower end of the league might look quite different, with Washington’s decision at No. 1 playing a big part in how things unfold.
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