2026 NBA Draft set to begin Tuesday with Wizards holding top pick
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft starts Tuesday night, with the Washington Wizards selecting first overall after winning the lottery, and speculation surrounding a possible trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 2026 NBA Draft will open its first round on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time from Brooklyn's Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards holding the No. 1 overall pick after securing the top spot in the lottery. The Wizards earned the selection despite a 14% chance, tied with the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets.
Six teams will have two first-round selections each, while another six, including the Pacers, will not have a first-round pick after trading their lottery slot for center Ivica Zubac earlier in the season. The teams with multiple picks are the Atlanta Hawks (8th and 23rd), Charlotte Hornets (10th and 18th), Chicago Bulls (4th and 15th), Dallas Mavericks (9th and 30th), Memphis Grizzlies (3rd and 16th) and Oklahoma City Thunder (12th and 27th).
Prospect A.J. Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 forward from BYU, is currently the favorite to go first overall, with odds of -750 on major sportsbooks. Analysts note his athleticism and scoring ability, though they point to the need for improved three-point shooting and defense before he can reach his projected ceiling.
Trade rumors continue to swirl around Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Although no deal was completed before the February deadline, reports indicate the player and his agent have approached the team about a possible trade on at least two occasions. The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are mentioned as leading candidates for a potential destination, with veteran guard Jaylen Brown also cited in discussions involving Boston.
