Washington Wizards' Top Needs After Winning 2026 NBA Draft Lottery
The NBA Draft lottery is in the books, and the Washington Wizards are now set at pick No. 1.
As they continue to evaluate the prospects who may be available there, we're here to break down the biggest needs for Washington to address in the draft.
Big Wing/Forward
Anthony Davis may not be giving the most enthusiastic sound bites about being a Wizard, but the organization has a logical inside-out foundation with him and Trae Young. Now, Washington needs to surround that duo with the kind of length and athleticism that's dominated the last two postseasons.
In theory, Bilal Coulibaly and Cam Whitmore may be able to help check that box, but neither has developed at the rate Washington needs. A more dynamic, aggressive and athletic defender who can play the 3 or the 4 would make the Wizards' push for a playoff spot easier to imagine.
Frontcourt Depth
The AD-Alex Sarr frontcourt has plenty of potential, especially on the defensive end, but Davis obviously has a long and varied injury history. The chances of him playing 60-plus games aren't high. So a backup big who could spend time at the 4 or 5 would make sense.
The possibility of Davis looking for a team that could offer him a quicker path to contention means the Wizards might need that big man to be ready to start soon, too.
Shooting
This one's not quite as dire as the other needs. Washington was around the middle of the league in both threes per game and three-point percentage last season.
An offense that is likely to be based around the Trae-AD pick-and-roll would have a much higher ceiling with the ability to surround that action with high-volume, high-efficiency outside shooting.
Realistic Draft Targets at No. 1 Pick
- AJ Dybantsa (BYU, SF)
- Darryn Peterson (Kansas, SG)
- Cameron Boozer (Duke, PF)
The Wizards will do their due diligence, scouting each of the consensus top-three prospects.
But AJ Dybantsa has been No. 1 in Mock Drafts for a while now, and as B/R NBA Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman puts it: "While Peterson and Boozer will remain in the No. 1 overall conversation, Dybantsa's case right now has the fewest holes."
In Washington, Dybantsa will help fill just about every need. He's a 6'9", ultra-athletic, powerful wing with elite footwork for creation, shotmaking and finishing. And he also happened to lead the NCAA in scoring this past season with 25.5 points per game.
According to Wasserman, "Dybantsa also figures to fit with every lineup due to his tools and skill set. It all sets him up to potentially play any positions between shooting guard and small forward at the pro level."
That's some serious versatility that will go a long way in Washington as it builds for the future.
*Check out full scouting reports for AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer.
