The Washington Wizards’ start to the 2025-26 season has been rough-there’s no sugarcoating it. For a fanbase that’s been waiting (and waiting) for a reason to believe again, this year hasn’t offered much in the way of hope. It’s been years since Washington was a real player in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and just as long since they had a true franchise cornerstone to rally around.
But as bleak as things look on the surface, there are a few bright spots peeking through the early-season gloom. Sophomore forward Alex Sarr has shown flashes that make you sit up and take notice.
He’s long, mobile, and has started to put together the kind of two-way impact that front offices dream about. Alongside him, rookie Kyshawn George has quietly impressed, bringing versatility and poise that’s beyond his years.
In a season where wins are scarce, those two have been worth the watch.
Still, let’s be real-the Wizards are far from a finished product. They’re a piece or two (or three) away from seriously re-entering the mix in the East. And with the 2026 NBA Draft shaping up to be one of the most stacked classes in recent memory, there’s a growing sense that this might actually be the right year to bottom out.
But here’s the catch: tanking isn’t what it used to be.
Back in 2019, the NBA reshaped the draft lottery odds to discourage teams from intentionally losing. Gone are the days when the worst record in the league guaranteed you the best shot at the No. 1 pick.
Now, the three worst teams each have the same odds of landing that top selection-and the worst team can fall as far as fifth overall. That’s not just a hypothetical, either.
It’s exactly what happened to Washington this past offseason. They had the league’s worst record, but the ping pong balls didn’t bounce their way.
So even if the Wizards go all-in on the tank and finish dead last, there’s no guarantee they’ll end up with a shot at the top-tier names in the upcoming class-guys like Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, or AJ Dybantsa. Those are potential franchise-changers, no doubt, but the new lottery format makes the road to landing one of them a gamble, not a blueprint.
That said, there’s still reason for optimism. The 2026 draft isn’t just top-heavy-it’s deep.
There are several prospects projected to go in the top five who could become cornerstone players. If the Wizards can land one of them, pair that with the development of Sarr and George, and continue building through smart moves and internal growth, they might finally start to turn the corner.
But for now, Wizards fans should buckle up. The road to relevance is still long, and the draft lottery-well, it’s not exactly built to reward the teams that need help the most. Washington’s rebuild is going to take patience, some luck, and maybe a little magic from the basketball gods.