The Washington Wizards, for the first time maybe in decades, have true power in the NBA with the No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2026 draft.
AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer are all considered possibly franchise-defining players, and they have the choice of who goes first in the highly anticipated selection.
Not only do they possibly get an elite player who can contribute straight away, but a cheap elite player, which is especially important in this new NBA where going over the second apron tax can destroy an organization.
For the most part, almost no player would be safe if the No. 1 pick were available. But who would be?
Here are my picks for the players that I wouldn’t trade the Wizards for their prized possession.
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Victor Wembanyama
You could give me Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer, but I wouldn’t willingly give up Wembanyama.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Yeah, I think I’m going to keep the back-to-back MVP over the lottery ticket of a player who could be that good if everything pans out.
Luka Doncic
The league’s best scorer, who feels like he can drop 60 points on any given night. He also just turned 27, which should be the true beginning of his prime in this league.
Cooper Flagg
Possibly the first “difficult” decision, I would prefer the No. 1 pick of last year’s draft over any of the names in 2026. Flagg is an all-around monster, and he’s already shown in his rookie season that he can be a superstar.
Anthony Edwards
Edwards is only 24, and he’s already led the Timberwolves to three deep playoff runs. One of the best playoff risers in the league, all he needs is a true co-star to truly contend for a title.
Cade Cunningham
While the year didn’t end like he would have hoped, Cunningham is a top-10 player in the NBA and, like Edwards, only going to get better if the Detroit Pistons can find him a legitimate second-in-command.
Jayson Tatum
There might be a world where the Boston Celtics flip Tatum, coming off a serious injury, and then reload for the future behind a Dybantsa or Peterson, but I wouldn’t do it. Stick with the player who already won you the big one.
Jalen Brunson
While this might be controversial, I don’t think the New York Knicks can trade Brunson. Even if it might make sense in the long run, there might be riots at Madison Square Garden if he’s traded.
Tyrese Maxey
Now we’re getting to the point where this might be a coin flip. For me, though, Maxey is the ace of the Philadelphia 76ers heading into the future, and I don’t think he’s reached his ceiling.
Scottie Barnes
Take what I said about Maxey with the Sixers and repeat that for Barnes with the Toronto Raptors.
Jalen Johnson
Maybe a controversial choice, Johnson is now the face of the Atlanta Hawks after the Trae Young trade and is rapidly evolving as a primary option. I want to see how he continues to develop in Atlanta.
Dylan Harper
If Harper were on another team, I’d trade him. But on the Spurs? He’s already showing himself to be a playoff rister and to work well with Wembanyama, which could be the duo that rules the West for the next decade.
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