The Wizards are likely tanking for the final time in the rebuild and will have a stacked class of prospects to choose from. The 2026 draft arguably has the best top three in draft history: Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer.
But last year taught fans that the lottery gods may not always bless them. The Wizards should be prepared for all possibilities. With that in mind, who are Washington’s best options at each draft spot?
Top Three
Peterson is the best guard prospect the league has seen in years. He’s a 6-foot-5 combo guard who overwhelms defenders with a combination of size, fluidity, and overall skill that cannot be contained. Peterson’s stock rose among scouts in his senior year in high school.
Injuries have limited Peterson early in his college career, but his production while on the court is undeniable. Through his first eight games, he’s averaged 22.6 points on excellent efficiency.
Dybantsa is among the favorites to be the first pick this summer. He’s incredibly appealing as a prospect, as a smooth 6-foot-9 shot creator. He is extremely fluid for his size and has been at the top of his class for years. The Massachusetts native has concerns with his shooting numbers and low defensive playmaking stats, but Dybantsa fits seamlessly into every team’s system.
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Boozer is the third of the elite prospects from this class. Boozer will have the more boring playstyle and fewer highlight plays than the others, but he simply wins. From high school, to EYBL, to college, Boozer has done nothing but dominate. The 6-foot-9 forward is one of the strongest players in the world, but still has a threatening jumper. Boozer would instantly create one of the best big duos with Alex Sarr, but there are questions surrounding his self-creation skills.
Best of the Rest
Caleb Wilson has run away as the consensus No. 4 prospect. Wilson is a force on both ends and would join Sarr in a defensive-minded frontcourt. The North Carolina forward is an elite player in the paint — talented as a rim protector and off-ball scorer. While he is a talented passer, he struggles to create for himself and has shown weaknesses defending on the perimeter. Wilson’s floor is high, but he likely isn’t a high-ceiling player who could become the best player on a championship contender.
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Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr., and Labaron Philon are three elite point guards who will likely be drafted within the top 10. Flemings has emerged as the second-best guard prospect. He is a strong defender from Houston, who can get inside at will due to his athleticism, but also a scary shooter. Brown has been very rough in an injury-riddled freshman season for Louisville. He is still great in the pick-and-roll and was the best player in the FIBA U19 Tournament last summer.
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Philon’s stock has risen drastically in his sophomore year at Alabama. He is still a raw prospect, but he’s very sound, consistently making the right decision offensively while being crafty with the ball.
Hannes Steinbach and Koa Peat have also increased their draft stock over the last few months. They could be potential candidates if the Wizards fall far in the lottery.
Jayden Quintance is another sophomore who could land in the upper end of the lottery. Quintance is coming off a torn ACL and transferred to Kentucky over the offseason. Though only playing four games as a Wildcat, he’s establishing himself as the class’s best rim protector and defender. Nate Ament is another likely lottery pick, and the hometown guy, growing up 45 minutes from DC. His fit next to Sarr wouldn’t be great, but he is a long wing with creation skills.
Washington will need to remain in the bottom four to guarantee it keeps its pick. The Wizards’ pick is top eight protected, and they are hoping for the best odds against Indiana, Atlanta, and Sacramento. With Trae Young likely sidelined a majority of the season, Washington is doing all it can to get a franchise-changing pick this draft.
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