The future of several NBA franchises could change Tuesday night as the league gathers at Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the first round of the 2026 NBA draft.
From the Washington Wizards’ decision at No. 1 overall to the ripple effects of major offseason trades, the draft arrives with no shortage of storylines.
Here are five things to know before the draft begins:
1. The Wizards are on the clock
The Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 overall pick and are widely projected to select BYU star AJ Dybantsa.
USA Today’s final mock draft has Dybantsa going first overall, and betting odds entering draft day listed him as the overwhelming favorite to be selected No. 1.
For a Wizards franchise still in rebuilding mode, the pick represents an opportunity to add a player it hopes can become a foundational piece.
2. Three prospects headline the draft
USA Today’s final mock draft projects Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer as the first three players selected.
The mock draft sends Dybantsa to Washington, Peterson to Utah and Boozer to Memphis, placing the trio at the center of draft-night attention.
3. Major trades are already affecting the first round
Draft preparations are taking place against the backdrop of significant offseason movement.
According to USA Today’s draft-day report, news involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Julius Randle broke on the eve of the draft. While those trades cannot be officially completed until the start of the new league year, teams are already making draft decisions with those transactions in mind.
4. The draft order may not tell the whole story
Several first-round selections are tied to pending trades.
As a result, the team making a pick may not ultimately be the team that keeps the player. USA Today’s mock draft notes that some clubs will be selecting on behalf of future trade partners because certain deals cannot be finalized until July.
That dynamic could add another layer of intrigue as the first round unfolds.
5. The NBA draft is a two-night event
The 2026 NBA draft will take place over two days, with the first round scheduled for Tuesday and the second round on Wednesday.
Teams will have five minutes to make selections in the first round and four minutes in the second round.
The first round begins at 8 p.m. ET and will air on ABC and ESPN, while the second round will be broadcast on ESPN.
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