CHICAGO — After enduring their worst season in franchise history, the Washington Wizards have been rewarded with the top selection in this year’s NBA draft.
The Wizards claimed the first overall pick during Sunday’s draft lottery, earning them their initial opportunity to select first since they chose John Wall with the top spot in 2010. Wall served as the team’s representative during the lottery proceedings.
The franchise entered the lottery with 14% odds of securing the number one selection, sharing the highest probability with Brooklyn and Indiana. Washington faced roughly even chances of either landing a top-four selection or dropping to the fifth position.
However, three consecutive seasons of struggles — representing the franchise’s most difficult stretch across its 65-year existence — ultimately delivered results for the Wizards on Sunday. The team compiled a dismal 17-65 record this past season, including a game where they surrendered 83 points to Miami’s Bam Adebayo, the second-highest individual performance in league history.
Washington made significant moves last season by acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis through trades, and now possesses an opportunity to add another franchise-changing talent with their top selection.
The remaining top picks will see Utah selecting second, Memphis third, and Chicago fourth.
The Los Angeles Clippers secured the fifth pick through a previous trade with Indiana, followed by Brooklyn at sixth, Sacramento seventh, Atlanta eighth, Dallas ninth, Milwaukee tenth, Golden State eleventh, Oklahoma City twelfth, Miami thirteenth, and Charlotte fourteenth.
Draft proceedings begin June 23 in New York, while the combine in Chicago commences Monday.
Four prospects are widely viewed as leading candidates for the top selection, all departing college after their freshman campaigns:
— BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, who paced the nation with 25.5 points per game during his single collegiate season.
— Duke’s Cameron Boozer, the Associated Press player of the year who posted averages of 22.5 points and 10.1 rebounds.
— Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, who contributed 20.2 points across 24 appearances for the Jayhawks.
— North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, who recorded 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting 58% from the field.
All four prospects, along with several other projected first-round selections, attended Sunday’s lottery announcement at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
“Standing here is kind of crazy,” Dybantsa said. “One of these teams is going to be home.”
This marked the eighth and potentially final year under the current lottery format, which gives the league’s worst teams a 14% chance at the top pick.
New anti-tanking measures received preliminary approval last month and await final ratification from the league’s Board of Governors in coming weeks, with general managers gathering in Chicago on Tuesday for likely final discussions.
Beginning next season under the proposed changes, the three worst teams would have just 5.4% odds of winning the lottery, while the following seven teams would each have 8.1% chances. The lottery field would expand from 14 to 16 teams if the plan receives expected approval.
