Wizards, Jazz Discuss Possibility of Trading Top NBA Draft Picks After 2026 Lottery Results
The Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz were the big winners of Sunday's draft lottery when they were rewarded with the top two picks, respectively, but they may choose to trade the selections instead.
Wizards president Michael Winger told NBA insider Jake Fischer the team will "at least consider trading down" from the No. 1 pick because they do not see it as a "savior moment" for the franchise that already made notable moves by acquiring Anthony Davis and Trae Young.
"He added that, in accordance with Wizards general manager Will Dawkins' prospect evaluations, Washington will not rule out a move downward if Dawkins determines there are two or three players that the Wizards are eager to come away with," Fischer wrote.
As for the Jazz, executive Danny Ainge said, "we're open. We'll always listen."
It should be noted the NBA draft isn't until June. It would be bad business for an NBA front office to completely rule out any trades with two months remaining until they actually make the pick.
After all, someone could completely blow them away with an offer, which would change the calculus on any trade assessments.
But this draft is loaded with potentially elite talent, which could diminish the overall likelihood of a move.
"I must say, though, that my conversations with various team officials—both in the back room and around the main audience floor after the broadcast concluded—generated a healthy amount of skepticism that any team at the top of this draft would be willing to trade all the way down to No. 6," Fischer reported.
With that in mind, look for the Wizards and Jazz to make those top-two selections when the draft does arrive.
B/R's Jonathan Wasserman projected Washington to select BYU star AJ Dybantsa with the top pick and Utah to take Kansas star Darryn Peterson at No. 2 overall. While players such as Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, Keaton Wagler and Darius Acuff Jr. are all potential franchise cornerstones for teams in the lottery, Dybantsa and Peterson seem to be the consensus top-two choices.
And it isn't difficult to envision Dybantsa in particular fitting in perfectly alongside Davis and Young.
While he was the focal point of every opposing defense when he was at BYU, he wouldn't have to worry about that with Young's shooting range and Davis' ability on the blocks. That should create plenty of driving lanes for the rookie, and he will surely take advantage of them in his first year and beyond.
With that in mind, it would be quite surprising if the Wizards did eventually trade that pick.
