The NBA Draft Lottery is one of the most anticipated events on the basketball calendar, and the 2026 edition promises plenty of drama. On Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, the fate of several franchises will be decided as the official draft order is revealed live on ESPN, just ahead of Game 4 between the Knicks and 76ers. While the actual drawing happens privately in Chicago—overseen by the accounting firm Ernst & Young—the results will be unveiled in reverse order, from No. 14 down to the coveted No. 1 pick.
This year's draft class lacks a clear-cut superstar at the top, but the conversation starts with BYU's AJ Dybantsa, a dynamic forward who has drawn comparisons to some of the league's best scorers. He's joined by Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke big man Cameron Boozer, both of whom could hear their name called first depending on how the ping-pong balls bounce. The lottery order will set the stage for which of these young stars lands in the best position to make an immediate impact.
The Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets each hold a 14% chance of securing the No. 1 pick after finishing with the three worst records in the 2025-26 season. Just behind them, the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings are tied with an 11.5% chance apiece, thanks to identical fourth-worst records. The odds taper off from there, but every team in the lottery knows that a lucky bounce can change everything.
The Memphis Grizzlies enter with the sixth-best odds, while the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks—tied for the seventh-worst record—each have a 6.8% shot at the top spot. However, there's a twist for New Orleans: despite their poor finish, they traded their own first-round pick last summer in a deal that brought Derik Queen to the franchise. That pick now belongs to the Atlanta Hawks, who also hold swap rights with the Milwaukee Bucks. If the Bucks somehow land the No. 1 pick—a 3% probability—the Hawks could swap their own pick for it, adding a layer of intrigue to the proceedings.
This year's lottery marks the eighth under the NBA's current system, which could be the last of its era. If the odds and rules feel a bit confusing, you're not alone—but one thing is certain: Sunday's drawing will shape the future of several teams and set the stage for the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23-24. Whether it's Dybantsa, Peterson, or Boozer at No. 1, the countdown to draft night is officially on.