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Wizards nab #1 pick in 2026 NBA Draft Lottery

6/22/2026

28 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Wizards Win Lottery

Washington Wizards won the lottery, securing the first overall pick for June 23-24, 2026 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The four slots belong to Washington, Utah, Memphis and Chicago, with prospects AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson.
Philadelphia holds the 22nd pick, acquired in a February trade for Jared McCain.
Games will air on ESPN and ABC at 8 p.m. ET and stream on ESPN+ and Fubo.

Summary

NBA Teams Reshuffle

Nets and Mavericks trade their No. 6 and No. 9 picks to Oklahoma City for picks 12, 17 and guard Isaiah Joe.
Bulls hired Bryson Graham EVP of basketball operations and Tiago Splitter coach to use their No. 4 pick after an 11-season playoff drought.
Clippers jump from zero first-round picks to the No. 5 lottery slot, the biggest gain.
Celtics could add UNC forward Henri Veesaar, who averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 42.6% three-point shooting.

History

Historical Context

In 1985 the NBA introduced its first draft lottery, letting the New York Knicks draw the top pick and select Patrick Ewing; the draft that year featured 162 players across seven rounds. The Wizards, who have secured seven overall picks—including the 2026 lottery at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center—now face the same high-stakes media spotlight, with the event televised on ESPN and ABC.

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Wizards Win Lottery

Washington Wizards won the lottery, securing the first overall pick for June 23-24, 2026 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The four slots belong to Washington, Utah, Memphis and Chicago, with prospects AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson.
Philadelphia holds the 22nd pick, acquired in a February trade for Jared McCain.
Games will air on ESPN and ABC at 8 p.m. ET and stream on ESPN+ and Fubo.

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