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Wizards should be bad, but they’ll have competition for lottery balls

The biggest question for Washington this season is whether the team will keep its 2026 draft pick, which is top-eight-protected.

The Wizards and Nets played in the Las Vegas summer league in July, and the young teams' regular season lineups might not look too different. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Every NBA season features two races. Some teams are in the running for the playoffs and an NBA title, while others are careening their way to the bottom of the standings — and a prime spot in the draft lottery.

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