The NBA Draft Lottery is always a big deal, but the 2026 edition is shaping up to be a game-changer. With a loaded draft class headlined by A.J. Dybantsa—and featuring elite talents like Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, Caleb Wilson, and Darius Acuff—teams have been jockeying for position all season. Some have even been accused of tanking to boost their odds, a trend the league is already planning to address with format changes next year.

So, what’s at stake? The lottery could reshape the future of multiple franchises, giving them a shot at a potential superstar. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works and which teams have the best chance to land the top prize.

How the Lottery Works

The 14 teams that missed the playoffs are entered into a weighted lottery to determine the top four picks. Your odds are simple: the worse your record, the better your chances. There are four separate draws—one for each of the first four picks—and they reset each time. The NBA uses 14 ping-pong balls (numbered 1-14) to create 1,001 possible four-ball combinations. Of those, 1,000 are assigned to teams based on their record. If a team wins a pick, its combinations are removed from subsequent draws, ensuring each of the top four slots goes to a different franchise.

Who Has the Best Odds?

Entering Sunday’s lottery, the teams with the worst records hold the highest chances. The bottom-dwellers are in prime position to land Dybantsa, a generational prospect many scouts compare to a young Kevin Durant. But with deep talent in this class, even teams outside the top three could walk away with a franchise cornerstone.

Whether you’re a fan dreaming of a rebuild or just love the drama of lottery night, this year’s event is must-watch. The future of the league starts here—and for some lucky team, it might begin with the first pick.