The Washington Wizards just proved that shameless tanking pays off—big time. For the first time since the NBA introduced its current lottery odds, the team with the worst record landed the No. 1 overall pick. And the irony? The league is already planning to overhaul the system next year to "fix" this very problem.
Let's break down the winners and losers from the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, where the ping-pong balls delivered drama, controversy, and a few surprises.
The Big Winners: The Tanking Trifecta
The Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Memphis Grizzlies—three teams that went all-in on losing—walked away with the top three picks. Washington traded for Trae Young and Anthony Davis but barely played them (though AD's injuries were real). Utah became the face of tanking, even drawing a massive fine, after acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. and mostly keeping him on the bench. Memphis, just a couple games out of the play-in, traded Jackson to the Jazz and then went 5-28 the rest of the way. If you're wondering why the league thinks it needs a new lottery system, this is the perfect example.
Chicago's Lucky Charm: Toni Kukoc Strikes Again
The Bulls jumped from ninth in the lottery odds to the No. 4 pick, thanks to some vintage Toni Kukoc swagger. Six years ago, when Arturas Karnisovas took over, Chicago moved up from seventh to fourth and selected Patrick Williams—a pick that became an anchor on his tenure. Now, with Bryson Graham as the lead executive, history is repeating itself. The Bulls are likely eyeing North Carolina's Caleb Willson, though if Memphis falls in love with him, Duke's Cameron Boozer could land in Chicago. Either way, Graham needs this pick to work out.
The Losers: Ethical Tanking Gets No Love
The Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets tried to tank the "right way"—subtle, strategic, almost respectable. But the lottery gods had other plans. Both teams dropped in the draft order, proving that half-measures don't pay off in the race to the bottom. Meanwhile, Washington was active in "pre-agency" at the trade deadline, landing good deals on two former All-Stars. Sometimes, you just have to commit to the process.
As the NBA prepares to change the rules again, one thing is clear: the 2026 draft lottery was a masterclass in why the system needs fixing—and a reminder that in sports, winning sometimes means losing first.