The 2026 NBA Draft starts with the Washington Wizards, which means they hold all the cards surrounding the No. 1 pick.

If Washington stays put, it will have the first choice in what’s considered one of the most talented draft classes of the last decade. Should another team covet the top choice enough to make a compelling offer to move up, the Wizards can milk that team for several key assets while still drafting a talented prospect in the top three.

The last time a team traded the No. 1 pick was in 2017 when the Boston Celtics traded the top selection for the No. 3 pick and a future unprotected first-round pick. The Sixers selected Markelle Fultz at No. 1. The Celtics took Jayson Tatum at No. 3.

Highlighted below are three trades the Wizards could make surrounding the No. 1 pick.

Trade No. 1: Utah moves up for Dybantsa, Washington picks up a future FRP

2029 unprotected first-round pick

President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger told Jake Fischer at the NBA Draft Lottery that the Wizards would consider trading down from the No. 1 pick, which sparked a bevy of trade rumors over the ensuing weeks. Winger’s comments, coupled with the obvious links between Utah and AJ Dybantsa, created speculation surrounding the draft’s top two picks.

The Jazz, who own the No. 2 pick, have long coveted Dybantsa, who spent his senior year of high school at Utah Prep before playing one season at BYU. He attended numerous Jazz games in courtside seats, which created a link between him and Utah’s owner, Ryan Smith, among other members of the organization.

It’s become increasingly likely that Dybantsa will be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. The BYU product is currently -390, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, to be the No. 1 pick. And nearly every mock draft believes the 6-foot-10 forward will be the first player selected in June.

The only way the Jazz would make this offer is if they believe Dybantsa is the clear No. 1 prospect — miles ahead of both Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer — and thus warrants trading significant draft capital to move up one spot. If not, Utah is likely content to sit at No. 2 and take the best prospect available.

Likewise, Washington only makes this move if it believes the gap between Dybantsa and prospects like Peterson and Boozer isn’t that wide. If that’s the Wizards’ belief, they can move back one spot, acquire an additional first-round pick and still select the player they might’ve taken at No. 1.

Trade No. 2: Only if Washington believes Boozer is the top prospect

2028 unprotected first-round pick

No. 60 (via Oklahoma City)

Most draft experts believe Dybantsa should be the No. 1 pick. But none of those opinions matter inside the Wizards’ draft room, which will pinpoint its top prospect after individual predraft workouts, player meetings with front-office personnel and physical testing.

It’s possible Washington’s brass comes to the same conclusion as most and selects Dybantsa at No. 1. But it’s equally plausible for GM Will Dawkins and his staff to enter June 23 with Boozer as their top guy.

The Duke product won the 2026 Naismith Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year award after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. He shot an efficient 55.6% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range as a bruising 6-foot-9 forward. And at 18 years old — he doesn’t turn 19 until July — Boozer is younger than both Dybantsa and Peterson.

Our Kevin Broom discussed why Boozer might be the perfect franchise player for Washington.

If the Memphis Grizzlies, who own the No. 3 pick, send significant draft capital to acquire the No. 1 pick, it’s almost certainly to select one of Peterson or Dybantsa. Several articles, including a story from The Athletic’s Tony Jones, have stated Utah will select whichever prospect — Peterson or Dybantsa — falls to No. 2.

So if the Wizards truly believe Boozer is the best player, they can acquire a stockpile of assets from the Memphis Grizzlies and still select the Duke forward at No. 3.

Trade No. 3: Washington goes all in for a superstar

I should preface this trade by saying I doubt the Wizards trade the No. 1 pick for a package that doesn’t include either the No. 2 or No. 3 pick, nor do I think they should. But for the sake of this exercise, and amid swirling rumors of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s availability, here’s a trade Washington could make to go “all in” for a superstar.

Washington:
Giannis Antetokounmpo

2029 first-round pick (via Portland – second most favorable of Portland, Boston and Milwaukee)

The Bucks appear poised to deal their franchise star this summer. And after several trade deadlines and offseasons with palpable trade buzz yet no trade, Antetokounmpo’s return won’t be as grand as it would’ve been years ago.

Milwaukee would acquire Davis — an aging superstar they could relocate for additional draft capital — plus a young player with potential in Carrington. The real kicker, however, is the No. 1 pick in a draft class considered by many as having multiple projected stars. With this return, the Bucks could quickly move past Antetokounmpo and into a new era with Dybantsa or Peterson.

This move would vastly alter Washington’s competitive timeline and give it a real shot at competing in the Eastern Conference next season. While Dawkins has maintained the Wizards “won’t skip any steps” in their rebuilding process, a starting lineup of Trae Young, Bilal Coulibaly or Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, Antetokounmpo and Alex Sarr is quite compelling.

Trading the top pick is a steep price to pay for a 31-year-old forward who’s played more than 70 games just once since the 2019-20 campaign. But if the Wizards can acquire a two-way superstar of Antetokounmpo’s caliber while not surrendering any of their own future draft capital or young talent apart from Carrington, it’s a move that should be considered.