Wizards Lose 129-98, Secure Top Draft Pick

Washington's lost season guarantees they keep their protected first-round pick.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:04am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in dark, muted colors, conveying the complexity and challenges the Wizards face in rebuilding their team.The Wizards' dismal season will yield a high draft pick, but the path to rebuilding the franchise remains a complex geometric puzzle.Washington Today

The Washington Wizards lost 129-98 to drop to 17-62 on the season, guaranteeing they will keep their protected first-round pick that was owed to the New York Knicks. Even if the Wizards win their final three games, they cannot finish worse than the third-worst team in the league standings and will convey their 2026 and 2027 second-round picks to the Knicks instead.

Why it matters

The Wizards' dismal season has been a disappointment for fans, but the silver lining is they will now retain a high draft pick to help rebuild the team for the future. Keeping this pick is crucial as the Wizards look to rebound from one of the worst campaigns in franchise history.

The details

The Wizards' 129-98 loss to an unknown opponent dropped their record to 17-62 on the season. This ensures they will keep their protected first-round pick, which was owed to the New York Knicks if it fell outside the top eight. Now, the Wizards will instead convey their 2026 and 2027 second-round picks to the Knicks.

  • The Wizards lost 129-98 on April 8, 2026.
  • The Wizards have three games remaining in the 2025-26 season.

The players

Washington Wizards

An NBA franchise based in Washington, D.C. that has struggled mightily this season, posting one of the worst records in the league.

New York Knicks

An NBA franchise based in New York City that was owed the Wizards' first-round pick this year if it fell outside the top eight protected selections.

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What’s next

The Wizards will look to finish the season strong in their final three games, but their draft position is now locked in, allowing them to focus on the offseason and the upcoming NBA Draft.

The takeaway

The Wizards' disastrous 2025-26 campaign will at least provide them with a high draft pick to help rebuild the team, though the franchise and its fans will be eager to put this lost season behind them and look ahead to a brighter future.