Wizards Open to Trading No. 1 Pick in 2026 NBA Draft: Report

Many people, including fans of the Washington Wizards, believe the franchise needs a hero to save them from the bottom of the NBA.

The Wizards, though, might not think so.

On Sunday, the Wizards won the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery and are officially on the clock for the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft.

Yet, as it stands now, Washington might not be the team that picks first in late June.

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NBA insider Jake Fischer, who was at the Draft Lottery, gave his thoughts on the day, including an important tidbit on the Wizards.

His source?

The president of Monumental Basketball, which oversees the Wizards and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, Michael Winger.

“Winger told me directly that the Wizards will at least consider trading down,” Fischer wrote. “He insisted that this is ‘not a savior moment' for Washington given that the franchise just traded for two former All-Stars in Trae Young and Anthony Davis on top of the slew of recent lottery picks it already has accumulated. 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.”

It would be a polarizing decision if the Wizards gave up a chance to take a generational player in the form of Darryn Peterson or AJ Dybantsa, but Washington clearly has its own vision for the future following two shocking trades this season for aging stars Young and Davis.

If the Wizards could acquire players to help Washington compete now while also getting a strong prospect in what is considered an extremely deep NBA Draft, they might pull the trigger on another stunning transaction.

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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 6:35 PM.