Washington Wizards Win NBA Draft Lottery; Jazz, Grizzlies Earn Top-3 Picks

BusinessSportsMoneyWashington Wizards Win NBA Draft Lottery; Jazz, Grizzlies Earn Top-3 PicksByAdam Zagoria,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I'm a basketball and tennis insiderFollow AuthorMay 10, 2026, 03:31pm EDTMay 10, 2026, 03:34pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 24: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars rushes the ball up the court against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their exhibition game at the Delta Center on October 24, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe Washington Wizards tanked all season in an effort to earn the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft – and their tactics paid off. After finishing with the NBA’s worst record at 17-65, Washington won the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday and the right to select the top pick.That pick is widely expected to be either BYU wing AJ Dybantsa or Kansas guard Darryn Peterson."What a huge win for the Washington Wizards," ESPN’s Jay Williams said on air.Washington could potentially team Dybantsa or Peterson with Anthony Davis and Trae Young, who they acquired in trades this season.The Utah Jazz will pick second, followed by the Memphis Grizzlies. The Chicago Bulls and L.A. Clippers round out the top five in what may be the deepest NBA Draft since 1996.The Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets each entered with a 14% chance to win the draft lottery.Brooklyn fell to No. 6 in the Lottery.MORE FOR YOU“I think it’s the depth of star talent," ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas said on air. "This is the deepest freshmen class that I can remember in all my years, and there’s not a lot of separation between the first pick and the 10th pick in this draft.“There are a lot of outstanding players in this draft so if you don’t get the No. 1 pick…you’re still going...