The Washington Wizards have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. That is a huge morale boost for the fans. And yet … the organization is willing to make moves with that pick, including trading down that very pick, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report and The Stein Line.
It’s important to note that it is very rare for a team that hasa No. 1 overall pick traded before he plays for that team. The last such case was in 2014 when the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Andrew Wiggins of Kansas No. 1 overall before trading him in a package for Kevin Love. The move ultimately worked out for the Cavaliers who would go on to win the NBA championship two years later. Even for Wiggins, he had a strong start to his NBA career for the Timberwolves. Wiggins ultimately became an All-Star in 2022 for the Golden State Warriors, as well as an NBA champion.
Still, it’s very rare for a team to trade the No. 1 pick away, whether before the draft or soon after. And anything Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger said about “considering” trading down from the No. 1 pick? Well, any sound front office executive will say that in order to keep maximum leverage.
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