First Round Pick 2026 Watch

[cedric76]

The Orlando Magic could be in for a major draft-day win in 2026 — and they don’t even have to tank to get it.

Thanks to a savvy deal involving pick swaps, Orlando holds the right to swap their 2026 first-round pick with the least favorable of Washington’s and Phoenix’s picks. And if current trends hold, that could translate to a top-10 pick.

Washington Wizards Outlook:
After missing out on a top-5 talent in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Wizards remain in rebuild mode with no clear franchise cornerstone. Their lack of star power and veteran leadership all but guarantees another difficult season. Expect Washington to finish in the bottom 8 of the league again in 2025–26.

Phoenix Suns Outlook:
With Kevin Durant likely out of town, the Suns are clearly shifting directions. Combine that with the brutal grind of the Western Conference and aging core, and Phoenix could once again find themselves near the bottom 10 in the standings.

What It Means for Orlando:
If both teams underperform as expected, the Magic will likely be in position to swap their own pick for one in the top 10 — a huge bonus for a team already stacked with young talent like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. This kind of asset flexibility could fuel another leap forward or set up a blockbuster trade down the line.

Keep your eyes on the standings. The 2026 draft could be another turning point for the Magic — without them even touching the lottery themselves.

[Skybox]

I'm still fuzzy on the way the swaps work and who has the swap priority...

I'm assuming that if all available options are exercised, ORL has no power over WAS, but ORL can swap with PHX, so...ORL has the second best pick of the three ?

[Idiosyncratic]

I'm still fuzzy on the way the swaps work and who has the swap priority...

I'm assuming that if all available options are exercised, ORL has no power over WAS, but ORL can swap with PHX, so...ORL has the second best pick of the three ?

Yes.

Suns technically earned the 10th pick this year which went to the Rockets. So if they stay the same next year that would be the baseline of what we could hope for. Obviously there could be extreme lottery luck or they could even improve.

[Skybox]

So...swap right priorities:

1) WAS chooses the best of the three
2) ORL gets to choose the second best of the three (likely WAS or PHX pick)
3) PHX gets what's left

That's a big deal...valuable trade chip, juicier than our present #16 - which most would assume (odds are) the highest pick ORL should expect for a while to come

[Skybox]

could that '26 swap be seen as such a potentially pivotal pick that it could be the main asset in a significant trade.

BOS might be just the team, given their financial pressures & new ownership, to frame getting it like some "Red Auerbach" master stroke...Personally, I'll take the sure thing over the dream scenario at this point in ORL's ascendance. IF BOS is screwed next year due to Tatum's injury...maybe the idea of having a potentially high lottery pick next summer, while still being stocked with excellent players. Anyone remember how they won the title and then drafted Len Bias? (obviously tragic, but that might have been unbelievable - I remember that Bird was coming to early summer workouts because he saw so much upside in Bias - and, at that point, Larry cared about NOTHING but another ring)....maybe they MIGHT make Derrick White available

Let's not forget how good he is and then project how beautifully he'd fit in ORL.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

could that '26 swap be seen as such a potentially pivotal pick that it could be the main asset in a significant trade.

BOS might be just the team, given their financial pressures & new ownership, to frame getting it like some "Red Auerbach" master stroke...Personally, I'll take the sure thing over the dream scenario at this point in ORL's ascendance. IF BOS is screwed next year due to Tatum's injury...maybe the idea of having a potentially high lottery pick next summer, while still being stocked with excellent players. Anyone remember how they won the title and then drafted Len Bias? (obviously tragic, but that might have been unbelievable - I remember that Bird was coming to early summer workouts because he saw so much upside in Bias - and, at that point, Larry cared about NOTHING but another ring)....maybe they MIGHT make Derrick White available

Let's not forget how good he is and then project how beautifully he'd fit in ORL.

Would have to think they’d sell off Porzingis Jrue and rebuild with White and the gang.

[drsd]

The Orlando Magic could be in for a major draft-day win in 2026 — and they don’t even have to tank to get it.

Thanks to a savvy deal involving pick swaps, Orlando holds the right to swap their 2026 first-round pick with the least favorable of Washington’s and Phoenix’s picks. And if current trends hold, that could translate to a top-10 pick.

The trade itself that led to this was three low SRPs the Magic was never, ever going to keep. The Suns simply needed players on the roster and took this deal:

Magic Sent to Suns:
2024 second-round pick (via Denver Nuggets)
2026 second-round pick (least favorable among Orlando, Milwaukee Bucks, or Detroit Pistons)
2028 second-round pick (top-45 protected, via Boston Celtics)


Magic Received:
Rights to a 2026 first-round pick swap with the Suns


What an awsome trade for Orlando.

[Idiosyncratic]

The Orlando Magic could be in for a major draft-day win in 2026 — and they don’t even have to tank to get it.

Thanks to a savvy deal involving pick swaps, Orlando holds the right to swap their 2026 first-round pick with the least favorable of Washington’s and Phoenix’s picks. And if current trends hold, that could translate to a top-10 pick.

The trade itself that led to this was three low SRPs the Magic was never, ever going to keep. The Suns simply needed players on the roster and took this deal:

Magic Sent to Suns:
2024 second-round pick (via Denver Nuggets)
2026 second-round pick (least favorable among Orlando, Milwaukee Bucks, or Detroit Pistons)
2028 second-round pick (top-45 protected, via Boston Celtics)


Magic Received:
Rights to a 2026 first-round pick swap with the Suns


What an awsome trade for Orlando.

Well this trade could technically still net us nothing, but on paper certainly seems like a solid move.

Also not mentioned as much, we own the Bucks 2nd next year, which could be very solid if they move Giannis. And we own the best of the Wizards or Lakers 2nd in 2028. Also have a swap for the best of the Bucks or Pelicans 2nd in 2030 and then Pelicans in 31. Extremely far away anything can happen obviously, but by then the NIL holdovers will have caught up in the draft and you could be looking at some very deep 2nd rounds potentially.

As a draft nut I am excited about it, but they also could be nice extra trade assets.

[Skybox]

could that '26 swap be seen as such a potentially pivotal pick that it could be the main asset in a significant trade.

BOS might be just the team, given their financial pressures & new ownership, to frame getting it like some "Red Auerbach" master stroke...Personally, I'll take the sure thing over the dream scenario at this point in ORL's ascendance. IF BOS is screwed next year due to Tatum's injury...maybe the idea of having a potentially high lottery pick next summer, while still being stocked with excellent players. Anyone remember how they won the title and then drafted Len Bias? (obviously tragic, but that might have been unbelievable - I remember that Bird was coming to early summer workouts because he saw so much upside in Bias - and, at that point, Larry cared about NOTHING but another ring)....maybe they MIGHT make Derrick White available

Let's not forget how good he is and then project how beautifully he'd fit in ORL.

Would have to think they’d sell off Porzingis Jrue and rebuild with White and the gang.

Easier said than done...Jrue's contract/age is a big concern and Porzingis is every bit the injury risk that Isaac is but makes 2x. They are very good players, but I'm not too sure of their attractiveness as trade targets. Maybe they pull it off but far from certain and if Tatum is really damaged, the need to jettison payroll just compounded.

[drsd]

Well this trade could technically still net us nothing .....

If the Magic finish worse than the Suns next year, PBO Weltman will be jobless.

[Ducklett]

Well this trade could technically still net us nothing .....

If the Magic finish worse than the Suns next year, PBO Weltman will be jobless.

Omega truth right here.

[basketballRob]

Delete

[cedric76]

Well this trade could technically still net us nothing .....

If the Magic finish worse than the Suns next year, PBO Weltman will be jobless.

Close to 0% that i Orlando will finish with a worst record than Phoenix

In Jeff we trust

[MartinsIzAfraud]

The Orlando Magic could be in for a major draft-day win in 2026 — and they don’t even have to tank to get it.

Thanks to a savvy deal involving pick swaps, Orlando holds the right to swap their 2026 first-round pick with the least favorable of Washington’s and Phoenix’s picks. And if current trends hold, that could translate to a top-10 pick.

The trade itself that led to this was three low SRPs the Magic was never, ever going to keep. The Suns simply needed players on the roster and took this deal:

Magic Sent to Suns:
2024 second-round pick (via Denver Nuggets)
2026 second-round pick (least favorable among Orlando, Milwaukee Bucks, or Detroit Pistons)
2028 second-round pick (top-45 protected, via Boston Celtics)


Magic Received:
Rights to a 2026 first-round pick swap with the Suns


What an awsome trade for Orlando.

Well this trade could technically still net us nothing, but on paper certainly seems like a solid move.

Also not mentioned as much, we own the Bucks 2nd next year, which could be very solid if they move Giannis. And we own the best of the Wizards or Lakers 2nd in 2028. Also have a swap for the best of the Bucks or Pelicans 2nd in 2030 and then Pelicans in 31. Extremely far away anything can happen obviously, but by then the NIL holdovers will have caught up in the draft and you could be looking at some very deep 2nd rounds potentially.

As a draft nut I am excited about it, but they also could be nice extra trade assets.

and considering we're at the timeframe where rookies aren't going to help us much it would be smart to move that pick at its highest value which would be draft night/this summer. Don't wait for Suns to make mad moves and somehow scrap into the play in.

[Idiosyncratic]

The trade itself that led to this was three low SRPs the Magic was never, ever going to keep. The Suns simply needed players on the roster and took this deal:

Magic Sent to Suns:
2024 second-round pick (via Denver Nuggets)
2026 second-round pick (least favorable among Orlando, Milwaukee Bucks, or Detroit Pistons)
2028 second-round pick (top-45 protected, via Boston Celtics)


Magic Received:
Rights to a 2026 first-round pick swap with the Suns


What an awsome trade for Orlando.

Well this trade could technically still net us nothing, but on paper certainly seems like a solid move.

Also not mentioned as much, we own the Bucks 2nd next year, which could be very solid if they move Giannis. And we own the best of the Wizards or Lakers 2nd in 2028. Also have a swap for the best of the Bucks or Pelicans 2nd in 2030 and then Pelicans in 31. Extremely far away anything can happen obviously, but by then the NIL holdovers will have caught up in the draft and you could be looking at some very deep 2nd rounds potentially.

As a draft nut I am excited about it, but they also could be nice extra trade assets.

and considering we're at the timeframe where rookies aren't going to help us much it would be smart to move that pick at its highest value which would be draft night/this summer. Don't wait for Suns to make mad moves and somehow scrap into the play in.

But we will quickly move into a territory where we badly need rookie salary rotation players. They will make trades this offseason, but after that it's not like they are going to keep trading their picks til the end of time. Roster will be nearly capped out salary wise after they acquire a starting guard and then it will swing toward us badly needing rookie salaries more than trades for expensive proven players.

If they can acquire who they need while holding this pick, this could be a nice way to cheaply infuse some unexpected talent in the future. But if they are going for a star or near star this offseason then yes I am fine with it on the table.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Well this trade could technically still net us nothing, but on paper certainly seems like a solid move.

Also not mentioned as much, we own the Bucks 2nd next year, which could be very solid if they move Giannis. And we own the best of the Wizards or Lakers 2nd in 2028. Also have a swap for the best of the Bucks or Pelicans 2nd in 2030 and then Pelicans in 31. Extremely far away anything can happen obviously, but by then the NIL holdovers will have caught up in the draft and you could be looking at some very deep 2nd rounds potentially.

As a draft nut I am excited about it, but they also could be nice extra trade assets.

and considering we're at the timeframe where rookies aren't going to help us much it would be smart to move that pick at its highest value which would be draft night/this summer. Don't wait for Suns to make mad moves and somehow scrap into the play in.

But we will quickly move into a territory where we badly need rookie salary rotation players. They will make trades this offseason, but after that it's not like they are going to keep trading their picks til the end of time. Roster will be nearly capped out salary wise after they acquire a starting guard and then it will swing toward us badly needing rookie salaries more than trades for expensive proven players.

If they can acquire who they need while holding this pick, this could be a nice way to cheaply infuse some unexpected talent in the future. But if they are going for a star or near star this offseason then yes I am fine with it on the table.

You don't need to hand out 14M deals to Gary fing Harris and honestly punt Jett's 13M over the next 2 years he's not getting minutes so why waste the $$.

They can easily fill spots 11-14 with low level dudes who are just happy to be on an NBA roster ala McClung/Houstan/Queen. We're talking 2 years 4M or so type deals.

[eyriq]

and considering we're at the timeframe where rookies aren't going to help us much it would be smart to move that pick at its highest value which would be draft night/this summer. Don't wait for Suns to make mad moves and somehow scrap into the play in.

But we will quickly move into a territory where we badly need rookie salary rotation players. They will make trades this offseason, but after that it's not like they are going to keep trading their picks til the end of time. Roster will be nearly capped out salary wise after they acquire a starting guard and then it will swing toward us badly needing rookie salaries more than trades for expensive proven players.

If they can acquire who they need while holding this pick, this could be a nice way to cheaply infuse some unexpected talent in the future. But if they are going for a star or near star this offseason then yes I am fine with it on the table.

You don't need to hand out 14M deals to Gary fing Harris and honestly punt Jett's 13M over the next 2 years he's not getting minutes so why waste the $$.

They can easily fill spots 11-14 with low level dudes who are just happy to be on an NBA roster ala McClung/Houstan/Queen. We're talking 2 years 4M or so type deals.

A healthy player development pipeline comprised of first round talent is a competitive advantage

[MartinsIzAfraud]

But we will quickly move into a territory where we badly need rookie salary rotation players. They will make trades this offseason, but after that it's not like they are going to keep trading their picks til the end of time. Roster will be nearly capped out salary wise after they acquire a starting guard and then it will swing toward us badly needing rookie salaries more than trades for expensive proven players.

If they can acquire who they need while holding this pick, this could be a nice way to cheaply infuse some unexpected talent in the future. But if they are going for a star or near star this offseason then yes I am fine with it on the table.

You don't need to hand out 14M deals to Gary fing Harris and honestly punt Jett's 13M over the next 2 years he's not getting minutes so why waste the $$.

They can easily fill spots 11-14 with low level dudes who are just happy to be on an NBA roster ala McClung/Houstan/Queen. We're talking 2 years 4M or so type deals.

A healthy player development pipeline comprised is first round talent is a competitive advantage

You’re surely not talking about Jett as a 1st round talent and developing…..

[Skybox]

You don't need to hand out 14M deals to Gary fing Harris and honestly punt Jett's 13M over the next 2 years he's not getting minutes so why waste the $$.

They can easily fill spots 11-14 with low level dudes who are just happy to be on an NBA roster ala McClung/Houstan/Queen. We're talking 2 years 4M or so type deals.

A healthy player development pipeline comprised is first round talent is a competitive advantage

You’re surely not talking about Jett as a 1st round talent and developing…..

Yeah...I'm kind of tired of even hearing the words "development pipeline" after the last few. Apparently, ORL has the best G-league team over the last few years, but it produced nothing of value outside of the dunk contest.

[eyriq]

You don't need to hand out 14M deals to Gary fing Harris and honestly punt Jett's 13M over the next 2 years he's not getting minutes so why waste the $$.

They can easily fill spots 11-14 with low level dudes who are just happy to be on an NBA roster ala McClung/Houstan/Queen. We're talking 2 years 4M or so type deals.

A healthy player development pipeline comprised is first round talent is a competitive advantage

You’re surely not talking about Jett as a 1st round talent and developing…..

Why not?