The Washington Wizards entered the NBA Draft Lottery with high hopes, tied for the best odds to secure the No. 1 overall pick. However, the lottery results did not favor the Wizards as well as it should have. Washington ended up with the sixth overall pick—the lowest possible outcome given their odds .
Finishing the season with an 18-64 record, the Wizards were among the league’s bottom three teams, sharing a 14% chance at the top pick with the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets. Despite these odds, the unpredictable nature of the lottery saw the Dallas Mavericks, with only a 1.8% chance, leap to the No. 1 spot.
This unexpected outcome pushed the Wizards down to the sixth pick, a scenario that, while statistically possible, was certainly disheartening for the franchise and its fans.
While likely missing out on top prospects such as Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper is a setback, the sixth pick still offers the Wizards an opportunity to add a valuable piece to their rebuilding puzzle. Potential targets at this position include players like Tre Johnson and Derik Queen, who have shown promise and could fit well with the team’s developing core.
General Manager Will Dawkins remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming draft in the team’s long-term strategy.
“This rebuild that we’re on, we are still in the beginning phases of it,” Dawkins told reporters following the lottery. “There will be more and more rewards at the end of the tunnel. I think six is a reward for where we’re at now. We’ll be able to use it and make our team better.”
Will Dawkins with a positive spin on the #Wizards picking at #6 in the NBA Draft: “Six is a reward for where we’re at now. We’ll be able to use it and make our team better.” https://t.co/TWCev645aG
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) May 13, 2025
Building for the Future
The Wizards’ recent drafts have focused on assembling a young, versatile roster, with selections like Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr. Adding two first-round picks this year (No. 6 and 18) provides an opportunity to further develop this foundation. While the lottery results were not ideal, the team remains committed to its rebuilding process, aiming to identify and nurture talent that aligns with their future vision. Dawkins has been very clear from the start that this rebuild will be a long process and they don’t plan to take shortcuts.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25 and 26 at the Barclays Center in New York. As the Wizards prepare for their selections, the focus will be on thorough scouting and strategic planning to ensure they make the most of their draft positions. Despite the unfortunate direction of the lottery, the franchise has multiple avenues to strengthen its roster and continue its journey toward becoming a competitive force in the league.