As the 2026 NBA playoffs continue, 14 teams that didn’t make the postseason are now focusing on the NBA Draft Lottery happening on May 10.

This event will decide which teams get the top picks in the draft, where a strong group of young players is expected this year.

The Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, and Washington Wizards currently have the best chance at getting the No. 1 pick, each with a 14% chance.

However, the lottery is unpredictable, like last year, when the Dallas Mavericks unexpectedly won the top pick with very low odds.

After the lottery, the top 14 picks will be decided, and The rest of the order will be based on teams’ regular-season results.

Recently, the NBA settled a tie between the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz for lottery odds. Utah won the tie-breaker and now has slightly better chances than Sacramento.

In the end, the lottery will decide which teams get the biggest boost in rebuilding their future.

The 2026 NBA Draft order is taking shape after tie-breakers were finalized, with a few important changes to lottery positions.

The New Orleans Pelicans were given the 7th pick, and the Dallas Mavericks got the 8th.

However, New Orleans won’t use its pick because it has already been traded to the Atlanta Hawks.

Atlanta will now get the better pick between that selection and Milwaukee’s 10th pick, while Milwaukee receives the lower one.

Both the Mavericks and the Atlanta/Milwaukee-linked pick still have strong lottery chances, including a small shot at the No. 1 pick.

Further down the draft order, teams like the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Charlotte Hornets hold picks in the mid-first round, while the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Knicks, and Lakers fill out the rest of the top 25.

The final four top picks will still be decided by the lottery, so the order could change again before draft night.

The second round of the NBA Draft is packed with picks across the league, featuring teams like the Knicks, Nets, Spurs, Rockets, Bulls, Warriors, and more making moves through trades and acquired selections.

Fans won’t have to wait long for the next big moments in the offseason.

The NBA Draft Lottery will take place on May 10 in Chicago, during the same week as the NBA Draft Combine (May 10–17), where top prospects will showcase their skills.

The 2026 NBA Draft will be a two-night event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York:

• First round: June 23

• Second round: June 24

Meanwhile, the pressure is already building, early entry declarations must be submitted by this Friday, meaning players are making final decisions about entering the draft.