This Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, the NBA will hold its draft lottery, determining the order for the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. This is the last lottery before anticipated reforms are made to the process later in May. Currently, teams from No. 15 to 60 have their selections locked, with the top 14 up for grabs based on this year's performance. The Atlanta Hawks hold a higher chance due to swap rights with the Milwaukee Bucks regarding draft picks. Experts recognize BYU's AJ Dybansta and Kansas' Darryn Peterson as top prospects in a promising draft class.

By the Numbers
  • The Hawks have a higher lottery chance due to rights associated with picks from New Orleans and Milwaukee.
  • Last year, the Dallas Mavericks had a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery, resulting in them selecting Cooper Flagg.
State of Play
  • The top 14 draft picks will be settled during the lottery event on Sunday.
  • Current standings have the Hawks expected to benefit from their draft pick swap agreement.
What's Next

The lottery results will set the stage for the 2026 NBA Draft, where teams will aim to bolster their rosters with top talent from a loaded draft class. Expected top picks include AJ Dybansta, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, making the event highly anticipated.

Bottom Line

This year's NBA draft lottery could reshape team dynamics, especially with upcoming top prospects expected to make an impact. Watch for potential surprises, as history shows low odds can still lead to lottery success.