Washington Wizards: What to do with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 Draft

Looking back

Only seven times in league history has the first overall pick been traded, and it’s only been done so three times since 1990.

The Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic agreed to a deal in which Chris Webber (number one pick) ended up in the Bay Area, while Penny Hardaway (third overall) ended up in Florida along with three other first-round picks via Golden State.

When the Cleveland Cavaliers traded their first overall pick (Andrew Wiggins) to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they received an immediate cog in their championship bound machine in Kevin Love. Keep in mind that Cleveland also had to give up a first-round pick in that deal.

Another instance where we’ve seen the first overall pick traded is more recently when the Boston Celtics agreed to send the Philadelphia 76ers the first overall pick in exchange for the third overall pick and a future first. Both teams ended up with the player they had atop their big boards.

This is the kind of deal Washington might consider if presented the opportunity.

If the Wizards have their eye on someone they think fits both ends of their timeline and don’t need the first overall pick to select him, they could very well trade off the top pick to draft their guy while securing future assets.

Any move that benefits both the now and the future could be a viable route for the Wizards. But until the NBA Draft Lottery, whenever that might be, we’ll have to sit and wait to see just what kind of opportunity lies ahead for Washington.