The Washington Wizards haven't had much to celebrate lately, but ESPN's latest projections suggest that could be changing sooner than expected. In its voting for the teams most likely to make a major leap in 2026, ESPN's panel of experts gave the Wizards 20 points, putting them in third place. Only the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz received more, with both teams tied at 46 points.
For Washington, that optimism starts with what happened at the bottom of the standings last season. Finishing near the bottom didn't exactly make for a memorable season, but it did give the Wizards the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. They used it to select AJ Dybantsa, giving the franchise a young centerpiece to build around.
That's a great consolation prize. More sports: Baker Mayfield’s Season Could Get off to Rocky Start, NFL Analyst Says The Wizards also made moves to bring in proven talent. Washington acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis, adding two high-end starters who could become major factors in a potential turnaround.
Both players sat for most or all of the remainder of the 2025-26 season, but their presence gives the Wizards another reason to believe they can look considerably different now. Landing the top pick after finishing at the bottom of the standings gives Washington a chance to change the trajectory of the franchise. There's obviously lots that still has to happen, but ESPN's panel really sees enough potential here to put the Wizards ahead of several other teams expected to be in the mix for a breakout season.
The voting wasn't close after the top two teams. Washington's 20 points put the Wizards nine points ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers, who tied for fourth with 15 points. The Atlanta Hawks received 14, while the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers each had 10.
Sports news: Patriots Rookie Has Made a Strong First Impression That third-place finish doesn't guarantee anything, of course. But it's promising that ESPN's experts see Washington as one of the teams capable of making a major jump. The Wizards have the No. 1 pick, a highly anticipated young player in Dybantsa and proven stars in Young and Davis.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
