Washington Wizards NBA mock draft: latest prediction for No. 1 pick after playoffs

As the New York Knicks finished off the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA Finals, an exciting postseason gave us a better indication of which types of players thrive in the modern NBA when the games matter most. Additionally, pre-draft workouts as well as conversations with folks around the league have provided more intel on where each prospect might get selected during draft nights at Barclays Center on June 23 and June 24.

Our mock draft includes data from CBB Analytics. We also spoke with P3, a sports science and athletic training company that uses biomechanical data and movement profiling to evaluate players and project NBA outcomes, to better understand how certain prospects translate physically to the next level.

A total of 75 players participated during the NBA draft combine in Chicago and others in the G League Combine. Following the events, a dozen players (including Amari Allen, Tyler Tanner, Tounde Yessoufou, Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno) opted to return to college.

Following conversations with decision-makers around the league and other trusted reporting, here are our latest prediction for the Washington Wizards.

Washington Wizards 2026 draft picks

• No. 1, No. 51 (via MIN) and No. 60 (via OKC)

Washington Wizards 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 1 overall, AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

Expect the Wizards to decide between two players: AJ Dybansta and Darryn Peterson, both of whom have already reportedly conducted workouts for Washington. After they had the second-worst offense in the league, the franchise could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner. The former five-star recruit emphasized his case for No. 1 overall during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged a stellar 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances. He would be a fascinating fit next to Trae Young and Anthony Davis, who could help him play alongside veteran talent early in his career.

See USA TODAY's full, 60-pick mock draft here

AJ Dybantsa player profile

• Position: Forward
• Previous Team: BYU
• 25.3 points per game
• 6.7 rebounds per game
• 3.8 assists per game
• 51.3 field goal percentage
• 34.0 three-point field goal percentage

2026 Washington Wizards mock draft roundup

• April 6: AJ Dybantsa
• April 13: AJ Dybantsa
• April 28: AJ Dybantsa
• May 8: AJ Dybantsa
• May 10: AJ Dybantsa
• May 19: AJ Dybantsa
• May 28: AJ Dybantsa
• June 8: AJ Dybantsa

Slashes indicate multiple first round selections

2026 NBA Draft first round order

1. Washington Wizards
2. Utah Jazz
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND)
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP)
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
13. Miami Heat
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX)
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI)
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL)
19. Toronto Raptors
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN)
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU)
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE)
24. New York Knicks
25. Los Angeles Lakers
26. Denver Nuggets
27. Boston Celtics
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS)
30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC)