NBA Draft Lottery 2026: Franchise-Altering Top Pick Awaits as Chicago Hosts Key Drawing

The highly anticipated 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled to commence Sunday in Chicago, marking the culmination of one of the league’s most high-profile tank races in recent memory. This year’s event holds significant implications for numerous franchises vying for a potentially transformative talent. While the previous year saw a near-unanimous expectation for the lottery winner to select Cooper Flagg, the 2026 class has seen a more fluid top prospect landscape. However, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa has recently begun to distinguish himself, emerging as the projected top pick heading into the weekend’s crucial drawing.

The lottery will determine the first 14 selections of the 2026 NBA Draft, including the coveted No. 1 overall pick. The drawing itself is conducted in a secure, private room in Chicago, with the results subsequently unveiled live to a national audience on ABC at 3 p.m. ET. Teams like Washington, Indiana, and Brooklyn enter the lottery with the most favorable odds, each possessing a 14% chance of securing the top selection. Sacramento and Utah, having concluded the 2025-26 regular season tied for the fourth-worst record across the NBA, each hold an 11.5% probability of landing the No. 1 pick.

According to the NBA’s established procedures, the lottery drawings are specifically conducted to determine the first four picks of the draft. Following the allocation of these top four positions, the remaining lottery teams will be assigned their draft order in inverse proportion to their regular-season records. The lottery system operates with 1,001 possible combinations, with all but one of these combinations being meticulously distributed among the participating lottery teams in advance of the drawing. The process involves a set of numbered ping-pong balls, which are then run through a lottery machine. The resulting combination of numbers determines the order of selection. This exact procedure is replicated for the second, third, and fourth picks, ensuring a randomized and fair distribution of the top-tier draft positions. The transparency and integrity of this process are paramount, with league officials and independent auditors present to oversee the drawing.

Where to watch the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery

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The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10, with coverage beginning at 3 p.m. ET. Fans can tune in to the live broadcast on ABC, or access a live stream via Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

What are the odds for the draft lottery?

The Washington Wizards concluded the 2025-26 NBA season with the league’s worst record at 17-65, thereby earning them a 14% chance to win the lottery and secure the No. 1 overall pick. This marks another chapter in their ongoing rebuilding efforts, aiming to acquire a cornerstone talent to revitalize the franchise. The Indiana Pacers, who finished with the second-worst record at 19-63, also share a 14% chance at the top pick. Their season was characterized by inconsistency and a struggle to maintain competitiveness, leading them to a prime lottery position. The Brooklyn Nets, with a 20-62 record, round out the trio with the highest odds, also at 14%. Their season underscored a clear need for foundational talent, especially after recent roster changes. Each of these three teams holds a 52.1% chance of landing a pick within the top four, highlighting the potential for significant roster upgrades.

Utah and Sacramento, both finishing with identical 22-60 records, share the next tier of odds, each having an 11.5% chance at the No. 1 pick and a 45.2% chance of securing a top-four selection. Their seasons, while showing flashes of potential, ultimately fell short of playoff contention, positioning them in the upper echelon of the lottery.

Further down the board, the Memphis Grizzlies (25-57) possess a 9% chance at the No. 1 pick and a 37% chance for a top-four selection. The Atlanta Hawks, whose pick is via New Orleans (26-56), have a 6.8% chance at No. 1 and a 29.3% chance at a top-four spot. The Dallas Mavericks (26-56) also hold comparable odds, with a 6.7% chance at No. 1 and 29% for a top-four pick. These teams experienced varying degrees of struggle, from injury-plagued seasons to underperforming rosters, necessitating a strong draft outcome.

The Chicago Bulls (31-51) enter the lottery with a 4.5% chance at the top pick and a 20.3% chance for a top-four slot. The Milwaukee Bucks, whose pick is subject to conveyance to another team (32-50), hold a 3% chance at No. 1 and a 13.9% chance for a top-four selection. Conditional picks, such as Milwaukee’s, often add another layer of complexity to the draft landscape, as their final destination can hinge on previous trade agreements.

The Golden State Warriors (37-45) sit with a 2% chance at the top pick and a 9.4% chance at a top-four selection, reflecting a season where they narrowly missed the playoffs. The Oklahoma City Thunder, holding a pick via the Los Angeles Clippers (42-40), have a 1.5% chance at No. 1 and a 7.1% chance for a top-four pick, showcasing the strategic value of acquired draft capital. The Miami Heat (43-39) and Charlotte Hornets (44-38) round out the lottery, with 1% and 0.5% chances respectively for the No. 1 pick, and 4.8% and 2.4% chances for a top-four selection. These teams generally had more competitive seasons but still found themselves outside the guaranteed playoff picture, earning them a chance at a lottery boost. The "x – Pick may be conveyed to another team" designation for Indiana and Milwaukee indicates that their draft selections are subject to prior trade conditions, meaning the pick could ultimately be exercised by another franchise depending on specific protections or outcomes.

PICK	TEAM	2025-26 RECORD	WIN%	TOP 4	#1 OVERALL
1	Washington	17-65	0.207	52.1%	14%
2	Indiana-x	19-63	0.232	52.1%	14%
3	Brooklyn	20-62	0.244	52.1%	14%
4	Utah	22-60	0.268	45.2%	11.5%
5	Sacramento	22-60	0.268	45.2%	11.5%
6	Memphis	25-57	0.305	37.0%	9%
7	Atlanta (via NOP)	26-56	0.317	29.3%	6.8%
8	Dallas	26-56	0.317	29%	6.7%
9	Chicago	31-51	0.378	20.3%	4.5%
10	Milwaukee-x	32-50	0.39	13.9%	3%
11	Golden State	37-45	0.451	9.4%	2%
12	Oklahoma City (via LAC)	42-40	0.512	7.1%	1.5%
13	Miami	43-39	0.524	4.8%	1%
14	Charlotte	44-38	0.537	2.4%	0.5%

x – Pick may be conveyed to another team

Which players will be picked in the lottery?

While the prospect rankings are subject to change as the NBA Draft approaches, the current top prospects, according to Adam Finkelstein’s NBA Draft Big Board, offer a preliminary look at the talent pool. These players represent the future of the league, and their destinations will significantly impact the trajectory of their respective franchises.

At the pinnacle of the current rankings is AJ Dybantsa, a freshman small forward from BYU. Dybantsa has garnered significant attention for his versatile offensive game, combining elite scoring ability with impressive size for his position. His emergence as the consensus top prospect has provided some clarity in a class previously noted for its lack of a clear-cut No. 1.

Following Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, a freshman point guard from Kansas, is projected as the second overall pick. Peterson is known for his dynamic playmaking, athleticism, and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Cameron Boozer, a freshman power forward from Duke, ranks third. Boozer brings a strong physical presence, rebounding prowess, and developing offensive skills that make him a formidable frontcourt prospect.

Caleb Wilson, a freshman power forward from North Carolina, is positioned at fourth. Wilson offers a blend of athleticism and interior scoring, with potential for defensive versatility. Darius Acuff Jr., a freshman point guard from Arkansas, is fifth, recognized for his scoring acumen and ability to create off the dribble.

The remainder of the top 14 features a collection of promising talents, predominantly freshmen, highlighting the youth and potential of the 2026 class. Kingston Flemings, a freshman point guard from Houston, ranks sixth, known for his court vision and leadership. Keaton Wagler, a freshman point guard from Illinois, is seventh, bringing a balanced offensive game. Mikel Brown Jr., a freshman point guard from Louisville, is eighth, showcasing quickness and shooting ability.

Nate Ament, a freshman power forward from Tennessee, is ninth, offering length and developing post-game skills. Brayden Burries, a freshman shooting guard from Arizona, is tenth, noted for his perimeter scoring. Koa Peat, a freshman power forward also from Arizona, is eleventh, a high-energy player with strong defensive potential.

The final three lottery projections include some older, more experienced players, providing a different dynamic. Yaxel Lendeborg, a senior power forward from Michigan, is twelfth, bringing maturity and a refined skill set. Jayden Quaintance, a sophomore center from Kentucky, is thirteenth, possessing significant upside as a rim protector and interior scorer. Aday Mara, a junior center from Michigan, rounds out the top 14, known for his size and passing ability from the post. The presence of these more seasoned college players alongside the wave of highly touted freshmen underscores the diverse talent pool awaiting NBA teams in the 2026 Draft.

RANK	PLAYER	SCHOOL	YEAR	POSITION
1	AJ Dybantsa	BYU	Fr	SF
2	Darryn Peterson	Kansas	Fr	PG
3	Cameron Boozer	Duke	Fr	PF
4	Caleb Wilson	North Carolina	Fr	PF
5	Darius Acuff Jr.	Arkansas	Fr	PG
6	Kingston Flemings	Houston	Fr	PG
7	Keaton Wagler	Illinois	Fr	PG
8	Mikel Brown Jr.	Louisville	Fr	PG
9	Nate Ament	Tennessee	Fr	PF
10	Brayden Burries	Arizona	Fr	SG
11	Koa Peat	Arizona	Fr	PF
12	Yaxel Lendeborg	Michigan	Sr	PF
13	Jayden Quaintance	Kentucky	Soph	C
14	Aday Mara	Michigan	Jr	C

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