The Washington Wizards rebuild hasn't gone to plan, at least not in terms of what most rebuilding teams hope to accomplish at some point along the way.
Washington has failed to earn the No. 1 overall pick seemingly every season since the front office finally came to the harsh reality that pressing the restart button was needed for the organization to ever to return to the top of the Easten Conference.
The Wizards have shipped out talented veterans, focused on tanking and STILL have yet to find themselves holding the rights to the top pick in the NBA Draft, even when they enter the NBA Draft Lottery tied for the highest-chances to earn said pick.
Through the start to this season, Washington's struggles seemed like the team could finally break their streak of bad luck as many NBA Mock Drafts placed the Wizards as the team set to select with the No. 1 overall pick this offseason in what many expect to be a loaded 2026 NBA Draft.
Nonetheless, Washington's recent stretch of winning has put a wrinkle in those plans as the Wizards now find themselves out of the bottom of the NBA standings with the struggling Indiana Pacers taking the top spot in most NBA Mock Drafts.
However, Washington could find a way to make the best out of a bad situation, especially if this recent NBA Mock Draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman proves true.
Wizards fail to land top pick, still find top talent
In this recent mock draft from Bleacher Report, Washington's tanking efforts fail once again, but the team makes the most out of their misfortune by finding great value along the way, especially at No. 2 overall.
Round 1, Pick 2: F Cam Boozer, Duke
Round 1, Pick 30 (via OKC): PF/C Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
Round 2, Pick 42 (via CHI): G Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
Round 2, Pick 44 (via CHI): G Dailyn Swain, Texas
Round 2, Pick 53 (via MIN): F Dillon Mitchell, St. John's
Round 2, Pick 60 (via OKC): G PJ Haggerty, Kansas State
As we all know, the liklihood that the Wizards use all six picks this offseason is unlikely, especially as the NBA trade deadline in February looms.
Despite that, Washington is in prime position to land several high-upside prospects, with Cam Boozer, Zubu Ejiofor and even Tahaad Pettiford being a dream offseason for the Wizards, who could use the addition of each player.
Obviously, earning the top pick is the top priority, but for a team like the Wizards, this potential offseason outcome would be major for the team's future goals.