The Washington Wizards are still in the early stages of a rebuild but have some exciting young talent. They took Alex Sarr second overall in 2024 and view him as a potential superstar. Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington were both lottery picks with massive upsides. The Wizards are focused on developing talent and trying to build through the draft.
Washington has every reason to struggle over the next two years. They owe their 2025 first-rounder to the Knicks with a top-ten protection. If it does not convey, it is top-eight protected in 2026 before becoming two second-rounders. The Wizards do not want to give New York a lottery selection, so expect the franchise to hang near the bottom of the standings before trying to compete again in the 2026-27 campaign.
Washington has stockpiled several draft picks during their rebuild, but what selections do they have? Here is a look at their future draft capital through 2031. Future draft pick protections and trades via RealGM.
Wizards future first-round draft picks
2026 first-round pick (own)
2027 first-round pick (own)
2028 first-round pick (own)
2029 first-round pick (own)
2029 first-round pick via Boston, Milwaukee, or Portland*
2030 first-round pick (own)
2030 first-round pick via Warriors (protected 1-20)
2031 first-round pick (own)
*Washington gets the second most favorable of the four first-rounders selections in 2029.
Wizards future first-round pick swaps
2025 swap with Suns (if Washington’s pick isn’t conveyed to Knicks- swap is protected 9-30)
2028 swap with Suns, Nets, and 76ers
2030 swap with Phoenix
Wizards future second-round draft picks
2025 second-round pick (own) (Boston has swap rights)
2025 second-round pick from Phoenix
2026 second-round pick (own)
2026 second-round pick from Bulls
2026 second-round pick from Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, or Portland
2026 second-round pick from Suns
2027 second-round pick (own)
2027 second-round pick from Nets or Mavericks
2027 second-round pick via Bulls
2027 second-round pick from Warriors
2027 second-round pick via Phoenix
2028 second-round pick (own) (Magic have rights to swap)
2028 second-round pick from Warriors
2029 second-round pick via Lakers
2030 second-round pick (own)
2030 second-round pick via Suns
2030 second-round pick via from Blazers
2031 second-round pick (own)
Wizards outgoing picks
2025 first-round pick to Knicks (protected 1-10)
2029 second-round pick to Indiana or Portland
The Wizards have nine potential first-round picks over the next seven years if they can avoid conveying a first-rounder to the Knicks, but the franchise may have just made the highest selection of this rebuild. They need Sarr to be a building block and hope the Suns falter to make those pick swaps from the Bradley Beal trade worthwhile.
The Washington Wizards have a plan to build out their roster and become a contender. They just need the right pieces to develop. Michael Winger and the front office will keep adding talent through the draft, and fans will soon find out if their vision leads to success.