The Washington Wizards have emerged as the winners of the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, securing the top overall pick during today’s drawing in Chicago.
The Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls—the latter overcoming just a 20 percent chance to move into the top four—will select at No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4, respectively. Former BYU star AJ Dybantsa is widely expected to be the first name called on draft night.
**Lottery Results and Key Implications**
The Wizards’ lottery win marks a significant moment for the franchise, while the Jazz earned their first-ever lottery day jump to No. 2. The Grizzlies climbed three spots to No. 3, and the Bulls, under new front office leadership, leaped from No. 9 to No. 4.
In another notable development, the Indiana Pacers lost their first-round pick to the LA Clippers, who will now select at No. 5 following the Ivica Zubac trade in February. Other teams that slipped include the Brooklyn Nets falling to No. 6 and the Sacramento Kings dropping to No. 7.
**Pacers’ Perspective on Losing the Pick**
Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard commented on the pick conveying to the Clippers after falling out of the top four. The February trade sent Ivica Zubac to Indiana in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and one second-round pick. One of those picks was Indiana’s 2026 first-rounder if it landed between No. 5 and No. 9—which it did. Despite finishing with one of the league’s three worst records, the Pacers had only about a 48 percent chance of the pick landing fifth or sixth, with a 52.11 percent chance of a top-four selection.
**The Anthony Davis Trade Connection**
Interestingly, in the era of flattened lottery odds, acquiring Anthony Davis at the trade deadline prior to the lottery seems to have become an unexpected good luck charm for teams aiming for the No. 1 pick.
**Fan Reaction: Hawks Still Feeling the Pain**
A reader from Atlanta noted that the basketball gods continue to punish the Atlanta Hawks for their infamous 2018 trade that sent Luka Dončić’s draft rights to the Dallas Mavericks.
**Bucks GM on Draft Position and Potential Giannis Trade**
Though the Milwaukee Bucks did not move up in the lottery despite long odds, they still hold a top-10 pick in a deep draft class. The Bucks’ general manager expressed excitement about their position, noting the team’s optimism about the upcoming selection.
