The Washington Wizards, historically the NBA’s least successful team, finally entered the draft lottery for the first time since the league adjusted its odds in 2019. This new chapter arises from a disappointing season, recording only 17 wins, amidst clear signs of tanking, which they capitalized on to secure the lottery luck they’ve been yearning for.
It’s been ages—since the 1978-79 season, in fact—since the Wizards reached 50 wins in a season. That’s a tough statistic to swallow. But winning the lottery could be a turning point for DC. This season, they made some notable trades for experienced players, bringing in Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks and pulling off a surprising deal for Anthony Davis. Their roster is already filled with promising young talent, such as 2024’s No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson—picked sixth last year, and Kishawn George, a versatile creator.
If they snag the No. 1 overall pick, the Wizards could quickly shift their fate in the Eastern Conference. But what does “success” even mean for them? They definitely have some intriguing directions to explore. Let’s break down their options and figure out the best path forward.
AJ DiVanza Takes the Lead
In a recent mock draft, BYU forward AJ DiVanza was projected as the first overall pick for the Wizards. It feels like there’s a consensus supporting this choice, and it’s certainly a sound and justifiable one.
Picture a lineup with Anthony Davis at center, Alex Sarr as power forward, Tre Johnson at shooting guard, and Trae Young running the point. DiVanza would fit seamlessly as a small forward. His ability to create scoring opportunities could elevate the entire team’s dynamic. He excels at generating his own shots, with a strong first step, the power to navigate through contact, and impressive length to contest shots effectively. Johnson’s shooting could create space on the floor, enabling Sarr and Davis to dominate inside and allowing Young to thrive—though he’s not exactly known for his off-ball play.
The Wizards don’t really need to overthink fit here. After only winning 17 games, their priority should be acquiring top-tier talent. If DiVanza is deemed the best option, so be it.
Consider Cameron Boozer or Darrin Peterson as Alternatives
Cameron Boozer tops the 2026 NBA Draft board. His impact on the game was clear even during high school, and as an 18-year-old freshman, he quickly rose to be one of college basketball’s elite players. He’s notably younger than Jaksel Lendeborg, who is the second-best college player. It was almost a miracle he didn’t reach the Final Four this year. There’s concern about his athleticism, but history has shown that players like Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic thrived without it. Boozer brings remarkable scoring ability, benefits from offensive rebounds, and has game versatility available, making him a solid candidate for the No. 1 pick.
On the other hand, Darrin Peterson was once considered the top choice at the start of the season, but a series of unexpected injuries hampered his freshman year at Kansas. There’s a valid argument that these issues are not a long-term concern. After all, not long ago, he scored 58 points against DiVanza in high school. Peterson’s 3-point shooting has impressed more than expected, and if he can regain his health, he might still emerge as a star in this draft class.
Most boards touted Peterson as No. 1 throughout the season, while Boozer is favored in the analytics community—almost making him a beloved choice among fans. DiVanza isn’t as clear-cut a decision as last year’s No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, and the Wizards could very well opt for a different direction with that top selection.
Reflecting on the 2017 NBA Draft, I previously suggested that the Boston Celtics should’ve taken Markelle Fultz at No. 1, but… well, we all know how that turned out.
In hindsight, the Celtics made a great call trading down, selecting Jayson Tatum, and building a strong future core with him and Jaylen Brown. The Wizards might find themselves in a similar position this year, especially with DiVanza’s ties to Utah. Apparently, Jazz owner Ryan Smith played a key role in getting DiVanza to Utah Prep during high school and later helped him transition to BYU. If Utah held the first pick, they might just take DiVanza and might even look to trade up for him.
Utah could potentially offer a future pick or two to the Wizards, negating the need for them to grab the top spot. This could allow the Wizards to choose between Peterson and Boozer while gaining additional assets in return. They might also consider trades with the Grizzlies (third pick) or the Bulls (fourth pick), depending on who catches their interest and the financial factors involved.
Ultimately, landing an MVP-caliber player could transform the Wizards’ trajectory. As they transition into a win-now mentality, leveraging future assets makes sense unless they’re fully committed to DiVanza at the top pick.
The Wizards’ Next Steps
If I were steering the Wizards, I’d swap picks with the Jazz to secure both No. 1 and No. 2. This way, we could gain some additional assets and select Cameron Boozer, who stands out as the top player in my book.
By trading away the first pick, the Celtics effectively positioned themselves for a championship run. The notion of the Wizards crafting their own championship team might sound absurd given their history, but then again, unexpected changes can happen.
Boozer, when asked about draft prospects at the combine, confidently said, “If the team wants to hang a banner in the rafters, I’m definitely the guy.” That should certainly resonate with the Wizards.
