Given its randomized nature, the NBA Draft lottery has historically worked out for some franchises better than others.<\/p>\n
Some teams have benefitted at the perfect time, landing the No. 1 pick right when they need it \u2014 such as the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> landing the right to select Victor Wembanyama in 2023. But even before the lottery was implemented, teams could utilize a No. 1 pick to bring in a potential superstar, the kind of player who can single-handedly elevate a franchise.<\/p>\n The NBA Draft has been held in every year since 1947, with the first lottery held in 1985. Over the years, a few franchises have held the No. 1 pick more than others \u2014 and should the Washington Wizards<\/a> earn the 2026 top selection, they’ll make history in that regard.<\/p>\n Here’s a look at which teams have held the No. 1 overall pick the most across NBA history.<\/p>\n MORE: How the NBA’s new potential tanking rules would’ve impacted past drafts<\/a><\/p>\n Who has the most No. 1 picks in NBA history?\u00a0<\/p>\n As things stand heading into the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, there are two franchises tied for the most controlled No. 1 picks ever: the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> and Washington Wizards.<\/p>\n However, the history of the two teams is a bit different. Four of Washington’s six No. 1 picks all-time came in the 1950s and 1960s, while Cleveland has earned the top pick four times since 2000.<\/p>\n There are also six teams that have never had a No. 1 pick: the Denver Nuggets<\/a>, Indiana Pacers<\/a>, Miami Heat<\/a>, Utah Jazz<\/a>, Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> and Memphis Grizzlies<\/a>.<\/p>\n Because the Cavaliers are not in the draft lottery in 2026, the Wizards will have the opportunity to break their all-time tie for No. 1 picks with Cleveland. Washington is set to enter the lottery tied for the best odds at 14% after owning the NBA’s worst record in 2025-26, totaling just 17 wins.<\/p>\n Wizards No. 1 pick history<\/p>\n Here’s a look at the No. 1 picks that the Wizards have had:<\/p>\n YearNo. 1 Pick1951Gene Melchiorre (pick made as Baltimore Bullets)1954Frank Selvy (pick made as Baltimore Bullets)1961Walt Bellamy (pick made as Chicago Packers)1962Bill McGill\u00a0(pick made as Chicago Zephyrs)2001Kwame Brown2010John WallCavaliers No. 1 pick history<\/p>\n And a look at the No. 1 picks made by the Cavaliers:<\/p>\n YearNo. 1 Pick1971Austin Carr1986Brad Daugherty2003LeBron James2011Kyrie Irving2013Anthony Bennett2014Andrew Wiggins (then traded to Minnesota)<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0The 12 craziest NBA Draft Lottery conspiracy theories<\/a><\/p>\n Most No. 1 picks in NBA history\u00a0<\/p>\n