.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
Given its randomized nature, the NBA Draft lottery has historically worked out for some franchises better than others.
Some teams have benefitted at the perfect time, landing the No. 1 pick right when they need it — such as the San Antonio Spurs 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.
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 — and should the Washington Wizards earn the 2026 top selection, they'll make history in that regard.
Here's a look at which teams have held the No. 1 overall pick the most across NBA history.
MORE: How the NBA's new potential tanking rules would've impacted past drafts
Who has the most No. 1 picks in NBA history?
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 and Washington Wizards.
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.
There are also six teams that have never had a No. 1 pick: the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies.
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.
Wizards No. 1 pick history
Here's a look at the No. 1 picks that the Wizards have had:
| Year | No. 1 Pick |
| 1951 | Gene Melchiorre (pick made as Baltimore Bullets) |
| 1954 | Frank Selvy (pick made as Baltimore Bullets) |
| 1961 | Walt Bellamy (pick made as Chicago Packers) |
| 1962 | Bill McGill (pick made as Chicago Zephyrs) |
| 2001 | Kwame Brown |
| 2010 | John Wall |
Cavaliers No. 1 pick history
And a look at the No. 1 picks made by the Cavaliers:
| Year | No. 1 Pick |
| 1971 | Austin Carr |
| 1986 | Brad Daugherty |
| 2003 | LeBron James |
| 2011 | Kyrie Irving |
| 2013 | Anthony Bennett |
| 2014 | Andrew Wiggins (then traded to Minnesota) |
MORE: The 12 craziest NBA Draft Lottery conspiracy theories
Most No. 1 picks in NBA history
Only the Wizards and Cavaliers have made six No. 1 picks, while another two teams, the Kings and Rockets, have had the top selection on five occasions.
Since the lottery began in 1985, the Magic and Cavaliers are tied for the most times winning the No. 1 pick, each winning the lottery four times.
Here's a look at the teams with the most No. 1 picks made in NBA history:
| Total No. 1 Picks | Team | Players Taken |
| 6 | Wizards | Gene Melchiorre (1951), Frank Selvy (1954), Walt Bellamy (1961), Bill McGill (1962), Kwame Brown (2001), John Wall (2010) |
| 6 | Cavaliers | Austin Carr (1971), Brad Daugherty (1986), LeBron James (2003), Kyrie Irving (2011), Anthony Bennett (2013), Andrew Wiggins (2014) |
| 5 | Rockets | Elvin Hayes (1968), John Lucas (1976), Ralph Sampson (1983), Hakeem Olajuwon (1984), Yao Ming (2002) |
| 5 | Kings | Si Green (1956), Hot Rod Hundley (1957), Bob Boozer (1959), Oscar Robertson (1960), Pervis Ellison (1989) |
| 4 | Hawks | Mark Workman (1952), Dick Ricketts (1955), David Thompson (1975), Zaccharie Risacher (2024) |
| 4 | Warriors | Ernie Beck (1953), Fred Hetzel (1965), Joe Barry Carroll (1980), Joe Smith (1995) |
| 4 | Bucks | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969), Kent Benson (1977), Glenn Robinson (1994), Andrew Bogut (2005) |
| 4 | Knicks | Art Heyman (1963), Jim Barnes (1964), Cazzie Russell (1966), Patrick Ewing (1985) |
| 4 | Magic | Shaquille O'Neal (1992), Chris Webber (1993), Dwight Howard (2004), Paolo Banchero (2022) |
| 4 | 76ers | Doug Collins (1973), Allen Iverson (1996), Ben Simmons (2016), Markelle Fultz (2017) |
| 4 | Trail Blazers | LaRue Martin (1972), Bill Walton (1974), Mychal Thompson (1978), Greg Oden (2007) |
English (US)