Wizards' Tanking Nears End as NBA Teams Race to the Bottom

Struggling franchises compete for top draft pick in stacked 2026 NBA Draft class.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic competition between struggling NBA teams as they vie for the league's worst record and the chance to land a franchise-changing player in the upcoming draft.The NBA's bottom-dwelling teams engage in a high-stakes race to secure the top draft pick, with their fates hanging in the balance.Washington Today

The Washington Wizards' years-long strategy of tanking to secure a high draft pick is nearing an end as the NBA's struggling teams intensify their efforts to finish with the league's worst record and secure the coveted first overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, which is expected to feature a generational talent at the top.

Why it matters

Tanking has become a controversial but common practice in the NBA, as teams intentionally lose games in order to improve their chances of landing a franchise-changing player in the draft. The Wizards have been one of the most prominent tanking teams in recent years, but their strategy is now being challenged by other struggling franchises also vying for the top pick.

The details

The Wizards have been in rebuilding mode for several seasons, trading away veteran players and prioritizing player development over winning. Their strategy has paid off to some degree, as they hold the NBA's second-worst record heading into the final weeks of the season. However, they now face stiff competition from teams like the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and San Antonio Spurs, all of whom are also jockeying for the league's worst record and the best odds of landing the top overall pick.

  • The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 26, 2026.
  • The NBA regular season concludes on April 16, 2026.

The players

Washington Wizards

An NBA franchise based in Washington, D.C. that has been in rebuilding mode for several seasons, prioritizing high draft picks over immediate success.

Detroit Pistons

An NBA franchise based in Detroit, Michigan that is also in the midst of a rebuilding process and is competing with the Wizards for the league's worst record and the top draft pick.

Orlando Magic

An NBA franchise based in Orlando, Florida that is also struggling and vying for the league's worst record and the top draft pick.

San Antonio Spurs

An NBA franchise based in San Antonio, Texas that is also in the midst of a rebuilding phase and is competing with the Wizards, Pistons, and Magic for the league's worst record and the top draft pick.

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What they’re saying

“Tanking is a necessary evil in the NBA. You have to be willing to lose in the short term to have a chance at building a championship-caliber team in the long run.”

— Zach Lowe, NBA Analyst

“It's frustrating to see teams intentionally lose games, but I understand the strategy. At the end of the day, the fans just want to see their team compete and have a chance to win.”

— Jalen Rose, NBA Analyst

What’s next

The NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 21, 2026, determining the order of the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. The teams with the worst records will have the best odds of landing the top pick.

The takeaway

The Wizards' years-long tanking strategy is nearing its conclusion, as the team faces stiff competition from other struggling franchises also vying for the league's worst record and the chance to land a franchise-changing player in the 2026 NBA Draft. The race to the bottom has become a controversial but common practice in the NBA, as teams prioritize long-term success over immediate wins.