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After Washington won 15 games in 2023/24 and 18 in ’24/25, it was more of the same for the organization in ’25/26. Determined to hang onto the top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick they owed the Knicks, the Wizards were in no rush to take a step toward contention this past year.

Among the seven players who logged the most total minutes for Washington in 2025/26, six were 21 years old or younger as of opening night (the seventh, Justin Champagnieis just 24). And the most effective of those players, like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn Georgehad their playing time reduced during the second half of the season when they were healthy enough to suit up at all — neither Sarr nor George played more than 26 minutes in a game after the trade deadline as the Wizards finished with an NBA-worst 17-65 record.

Still, there were signals throughout the ’25/26 campaign that it wasn’t quite the same as the previous two seasons in D.C. For one, the Wizards made a pair of surprising in-season trades for veteran stars whose value had dipped due to health- and contract- concerns. In landing Trae Young from Atlanta and Anthony Davis from Dallas, Washington acquired a duo with 14 All-Star appearances between them and didn’t have to pay a premium to do so.

The cost for Young was just CJ McColluma veteran on an expiring contract who didn’t appear to be part of the Wizards’ long-term plans, and Corey Kisperta solid shooter whose ability to stay on the floor in the playoffs was a question mark. No draft picks changed hands in that swap.

The price tag for Davis was slightly higher in terms of draft assets, but the two first-round picks Washington gave up in the deal had limited value — one is the No. 30 pick in 2026, while the second is the Warriors’ top-20 protected 2030 first-rounder, which will turn into a single second-round selection if it doesn’t land between 21-30. Washington also gave up three second-rounders to go along with a package of non-core players headlined by Khris Middleton‘s expiring contract.

Because Young and Davis were both dealing with health issues and the Wizards had no desire to upgrade in the short term by rushing them back, we still haven’t really gotten the sense of how either star will fit on this roster. Young played just five games after being traded from Atlanta to Washington, while Davis has yet to make his Wizards debut. But both players should be healthy entering training camp this fall, and they offer intriguing upside for a team that finally appears ready to move beyond perpetually rebuilding.

This year has also looked a little different for the Wizards in another very important way. After sliding all the way to No. 6 in last year’s draft lottery and missing out on potential stars like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombeand Could KnueppelWashington was the big winner in the 2026 lottery. The Wizards became the first – and likely last – team since the current lottery format was implemented in 2019 to claim the No. 1 overall pick after finishing with the league’s worst record.

Tre Johnson isn’t a bad prospect by any means, but after he was all the Wizards had to show for a second consecutive season among the NBA’s bottom-feeders, some fans in D.C. were left wondering whether a third straight year in the cellar would really be worth it. Sunday’s lottery outcome provided a definitive answer of “yes.”