It’s big board time! In this exercise, I will rank and tier how I think the Washington Wizards should view as their top 30 prospects ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft. Because I am looking at this from a Wizards perspective, this may look a little different from other big boards because of team needs. For example, while it likely will not matter based on where the Wizards are picking, I am valuing potential and positional fit in the late lottery/early first round.
Here are the picks the Wizards have for
the upcoming draft as things currently stand (this will likely change based on final standings and trades):
- Their own first round pick (top-eight protected)
- The Chicago Bulls’ second round pick
- The Minnesota Timberwolves’ second round pick
- The Oklahoma City Thunder’s second round pick
Bullets Forever’s 2026 NBA Draft Big Board
Tier One:
1. Darryn Peterson, 6’6”, Guard, Freshman, Kansas
2. AJ Dybantsa, 6’9”, Wing, Freshman, BYU
3. Cameron Boozer, 6’9”, Forward, Freshman, Duke
There should not be much debate about Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer being picked at the top of the draft. The real debate is about who will go first. There has been some recent concern about Peterson’s health and commitment to basketball after he has continued to have a reduced workload and miss games, but I think that he has shown enough to still be deserving of that top spot. But the gap between these three is very small. It would be a huge victory for the Wizards if they end up with any of these three future superstars.
Tier Two:
4. Kingston Flemings, 6’4”, Guard, Freshman, Houston
5. Caleb Wilson, 6’10”, Forward, Freshman, North Carolina
I am in the minority in having Kingston Flemings over Caleb Wilson, but I have been so impressed with the way Flemings has commanded Kelvin Sampson’s offense as a freshman. There really are no flaws to his game, and in most years would very much be in consideration for the No. 1 overall selection. I think it would also help him developmentally to play alongside Trae Young early in his career to relieve him of some of the playmaking responsibilities he would have on most other high-lottery teams. Wilson will instantly be a defensive juggernaut wherever he goes, but his lack of shooting is a real issue.
Tier Three:
6. Keaton Wagler, 6’6”, Guard, Freshman, Illinois
7. Mikel Brown Jr., 6’5” Guard, Freshman, Louisville
8. Nate Ament, 6’10” Forward, Freshman, Tennessee
I believe there is a significant drop off between tiers two and three. Wagler has somewhat come out of nowhere and has stuffed the stat sheet for a very good Illinois team, but his tape is somewhat concerning. He struggles to create separation and get open looks, but is still able to convert shots with a high degree of difficulty. NBA defenses are much tougher, and I could see Wagler really having a problem making the jump to the next level. I have been up and down on Nate Ament, but he has really settled into his own. Over his last 13 games, Ament is averaging 21.6 points per game and has looked a lot more comfortable as a facilitator.
Tier Four:
9. Darius Acuff Jr., 6’3”, Guard, Freshman, Arkansas
10. Labaron Philon Jr., 6’3”, Guard, Sophomore, Alabama
11. Koa Peat, 6’8”, Forward, Freshman, Arizona
12. Hannes Steinbech, 6’11”, Center, Freshman, Washington
13. Jayden Quaintance, 6’10”, Center, Sophomore, Kentucky
In order for any of these players to be in play for the Wizards, they would likely either need to trade for another lottery pick or one of these guys would have to have a shocking fall. I could see a situation where Jayden Quaintance, who is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last season, could end up sliding. Quaintance has only played four games this season, and none since Jan. 7. If it gets the end of the first round and Quaintance has not been selected, the Wizards should absolutely consider trading up to grab him.
Tier Five:
14. Yaxel Lendeborg, 6’9”, Forward, Senior, Michigan
15. Thomas Haugh, 6’9”, Forward, Junior, Florida
16. Bennett Stirtz, 6’4’, Guard, Senior, Iowa
17. Cameron Carr, 6’5”, Wing, Sophomore, Baylor
18. Chris Cenac Jr., 6’11”, Forward, Freshman, Houston
19. Karim Lopez, 6’8”, Wing, New Zealand Breakers
A lot of these guys are older and more win-now type players. Especially Yaxel Lendeborg, Thomas Haugh and Bennett Stirtz, I do not see a realistic path to them ending up on the Wizards. One player I am especially high on is Cameron Carr. Carr is an elite athlete and 37.6% shooter from three with high defensive upside. He is another player where if he falls to a certain point, the Wizards should consider making a move to nab him.
Tier Six:
20. Dailyn Swain, 6’8”, Wing, Junior, Texas
21. Brayden Burries, 6’4”, Guard, Freshman, Arizona
22. Tounde Yessoufou, 6’5”, Guard, Freshman, Baylor
23. Christian Anderson, 6’3”, Guard, Freshman, Texas Tech
24. Flory Bidunga, 6’10”, Center, Sophomore, Kansas
25. Patrick Ngongba, 6’11”, Center, Sophomore, Duke
26. Motiejus Krivas, 7’2”, Center, Junior, Arizona
27. Braylon Mullins, 6’6”, Guard, Freshman, UConn
28. Aday Mara, 7’3”, Center, Junior, Michigan
29. Dash Daniels, 6’5”, Guard, Melbourne United
30. Neokliis Avdalas, 6’9”, Guard, Freshman, Virginia Tech
There are players in this tier who will almost certainly be available to the Wizards when they pick in the second round. I really like Dailyn Swain, who most draft analysts consider to be a second round pick. But he is a strong, athletic, do-it-all wing with great positional size and is one of the best isolation scorers in all of college basketball. Other standouts from this tier who could be available in the second round include Motiejus Krivas, Aday Mara, Dash Daniels and Neoklis Avdalas.
