The Washington Wizards currently hold the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. In a highly anticipated draft, holding the coveted first selection is nothing short of a franchise-altering pick. Drafting the right player may flip the Eastern Conference on its head, making Washington a primary favorite in a tight-knit and wide-open conference. However, Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins has proven to be a mastermind, creating moves out of thin air.
In just under a week since the NBA Draft lottery, NBA Insider Jake Fischer reported that the Wizards may be open to offers to move down the draft board if the price is right. While opinions vary, Washington could stand to benefit vastly in backing up just a few picks. So, should the Wizards seriously consider trading away their first overall pick?
Should The Washington Wizards Trade The First Pick In The 2026 NBA Draft?
The Wizards are coming off a massive shift in their rebuild timeline. While finishing this season with 60+ losses for a third consecutive year, Washington made two extremely impactful trades in January and February. In turn, the team went from being focused on building young stars through opportunities to two former all-stars leading the core, mentoring their young core as they head for what should be an extremely competitive era in D.C.
The 2026 NBA Draft should be (hopefully) the last of Washington’s painfully long rebuild. The Wizards have an opportunity to add an extremely valuable asset to this young core, with truly untapped potential. AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson are just three names worth mentioning in this extremely hyped draft class. The lights are bright, but it seems Washington’s front office won’t fold under the pressure.
One thing to note before diving into potential swaps: Washington should not, and probably won’t, move down outside the top three. Dybantsa, Boozer, and Peterson are the clear tier one talents in this draft. Each of the three will provide an immediate impact on the team that takes them. While the class is truly stacked, these three stand as, by far, the best in the class. Washington would shock a lot of people moving anywhere outside of the top three.
If the team does decide to move down, what could be in store? Let’s dive into a potential deal that the Wizards could be looking into, as well as a potential selection if they decide to, in fact, move down.
Utah And Washington Swap Picks
One team that has an immediate connection to the BYU freshman and consensus number one pick, Dybantsa, is the Utah Jazz. The Wizards are in desperate need of a true scorer, and Utah may be available to provide that in a potential deal. Dybantsa’s recent stint in Utah makes him an attractive target for both on and off-court reasons.
Utah’s presence in the 19-year-old’s life has been prominent. The 2025 All-American played at Utah Prep for his last high school season and became an instant star at BYU this past season. Additionally, his parents relocated from Massachusetts to Utah, a cross-country trek just to support Dybantsa’s basketball career.
With all that being said, the Jazz have a potential deal that could make the Wizards move down immediately. Washington would certainly take a package, but one player in Utah has seen his name connected to a potential pick swap package since the lottery.
Ace Bailey was just one pick shy of getting to play in D.C last season. In some drama-filled weeks leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, Bailey cancelled all workouts with every single franchise. Rumors surfaced that he wanted to play in Washington to become a true number one option. However, Utah took him fifth overall, and the Wizards settled with Tre Johnson and sixth.
Now, ahead of his sophomore campaign, Bailey could head to Washington as part of a potential deal for the first pick. A potential package would include Bailey, the second overall pick, and a potential future first-round pick. Bailey isn’t as prolific on offense as Dybantsa, but adding the young forward and a potential superstar could entice Washington into the deal.
Who Does Washington Select Second?
If Bailey were to be sent to D.C and the picks transferred over, two names would stand out as likely candidates to join the young core in Washington: Boozer and Peterson. As mentioned, these three are the prominent names, and moving down just one pick makes it possible for the Wizards to still walk away with a potential young centerpiece to their core.
Peterson, aside from the drama, is an elite three-level scorer. The guard no doubt had some issues over his one-and-done season in Lawrence, but make no mistake, he is a certified bucket. Boozer, on the other hand, is an all-around forward, averaging a double-double while also leading Duke in assists last season. Both players would make extremely valuable impacts for Washington, but who’s the better option?
Peterson could provide extremely valuable scoring in the starting five, making Trae Young and Anthony Davis‘ offensive load much easier to carry. This move would push Johnson to the bench, but allow him to excel as the primary focal point of the reserve unit. If Peterson can stay healthy, he’s certainly worth a second pick, but cramping issues could persist, making Washington’s injury-prone roster that much worse.
Boozer, on the other hand, would provide a great point-forward role off the bench next season. The 18-year-old would be joining a lineup without a true offensive focal point. Boozer would be surrounded by good scorers like Will Riley, Cam Whitmore, and Bub Carrington, and could easily run a reserve unit centered around himself.
Overall, if Washington take anyone not named Dybantsa, they should consider Boozer as the next best candidate in the draft. Boozer’s all-around play could provide a lifeline for the team’s reserve unit. While Peterson’s offensive abilities are nearly limitless, Boozer’s immediate impact and ceiling are higher than Peterson’s.
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