The countdown to the 2026 NBA Draft is officially on, and the excitement is building as the league prepares for its annual draft lottery. Set to take place this Sunday in Chicago, Illinois, the event will determine the selection order for the first 14 picks of what experts are calling one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory.
Hall of Famer Vince Carter is among the notable figures who will serve as team representatives on stage, adding a touch of star power to the proceedings. The 42nd annual lottery will be broadcast live on ESPN starting at 3 p.m. EDT, with drawings determining the top four picks. The remaining lottery teams will then select in positions 5 through 14 based on inverse order of their regular-season records.
The race for the No. 1 overall pick is tight at the top. The Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets each enter with the highest odds at 14 percent to land the top selection. They are closely followed by the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings, both at 11.5 percent, while the Memphis Grizzlies sit at 9 percent.
This year's draft class is generating serious buzz, headlined by elite prospects like Darius Acuff Jr., Cameron Boozer, Mikel Brown Jr., AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson. Scouts believe this group could produce several franchise-changing talents, making the lottery outcome even more critical for teams looking to rebuild or reload.
The lottery is just one highlight of an action-packed week in the Windy City, which also includes the G League and draft combines. Over 100 prospects will showcase their skills through 5-on-5 games, strength and agility drills, measurements, and other testing—giving teams a comprehensive look at the future stars of the league.
As the big day approaches, each lottery team has selected a representative to stand on stage and share in the anticipation. Notable representatives include Alonzo Mourning (Heat vice president of player programs), Nick Collison (special assistant to the Thunder's general manager), Larry Harris (assistant GM and director of player personnel for the Bucks), Toni Kukoč (special advisor to the Bulls' president and CEO), and Tayshaun Prince (vice president of player affairs for the Grizzlies).
Whether you're a die-hard fan or just love the drama of draft night, Sunday's lottery promises plenty of suspense—and the first glimpse at the future of the NBA.