2026 NBA Draft: Complete Guide to Dates, Order, Lottery Results & How to Watch
The 2026 NBA Draft was held June 23 24 at Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards selecting AJ Dybantsa No. The two night format returned for a third year: Round 1 on ABC/ESPN with 5 minute pick intervals, Round 2 exclusively on ESPN with 4 minute intervals.
Published byEdited with DeepSeek-V4-FlashImages generated with GPT Image 1.5
The 2026 NBA Draft was held June 23 24 at Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards selecting AJ Dybantsa No.
The two night format returned for a third year: Round 1 on ABC/ESPN with 5 minute pick intervals, Round 2 exclusively on ESPN with 4 minute intervals.
This was the 80th edition of the NBA Draft, featuring the current lottery system (adopted 2017, effective 2019) where the three worst teams each receive 14.0% odds at the No.
Search & fact-check with cited sources for What are the complete details for the 2026 NBA Draft, including its dates (June 23-24 at BarclaysThe 2026 NBA Draft was held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, over two nights on June 23-24.
AI Prompt
Create a landscape editorial hero image for this Studio Global article: Search & fact-check with cited sources for What are the complete details for the 2026 NBA Draft, including its dates (June 23-24 at Barclays. Article summary: Here is the complete, fact-checked breakdown of the 2026 NBA Draft.. Topic tags: general, general web, user generated, news. Style: premium digital editorial illustration, source-backed research mood, clean composition, high detail, modern web publication hero. Use reference image context only for broad subject, composition, and topical grounding; do not copy the exact image. Avoid: logos, brand marks, copyrighted characters, real person likenesses, fake screenshots, UI text, readable text, watermarks, charts with fake numbers, clickbait thumbnails, icons, and tiny thumbnail layouts. Make it useful as an illustrative visual, not as factual evidence.
openai.com
The 2026 NBA Draft was one of the most anticipated in recent memory, headlined by a historically deep prospect class and a Washington Wizards team landing the No. 1 pick for the first time since selecting John Wall in 2010. Here is a complete, fact-checked breakdown of every detail you need to know.
Dates, Venue & Format
The 2026 NBA Draft — the league's 80th edition, dating back to the inaugural BAA draft in 1947 — was held over two nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York . The NBA switched to a two-night format starting in 2024 to give teams more time between rounds .
Studio Global AI
Continue your research
This page includes a source-backed answer you can continue inside Studio Global.
What is the short answer to "2026 NBA Draft: Complete Guide to Dates, Order, Lottery Results & How to Watch"?
The 2026 NBA Draft was held June 23 24 at Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards selecting AJ Dybantsa No.
What are the key points to validate first?
The 2026 NBA Draft was held June 23 24 at Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards selecting AJ Dybantsa No. The two night format returned for a third year: Round 1 on ABC/ESPN with 5 minute pick intervals, Round 2 exclusively on ESPN with 4 minute intervals.
What should I do next in practice?
This was the 80th edition of the NBA Draft, featuring the current lottery system (adopted 2017, effective 2019) where the three worst teams each receive 14.0% odds at the No.
2026 NBA Draft: Complete Guide to Dates, Order, Lottery Results & How to Watch
The 2026 NBA Draft was held June 23 24 at Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards selecting AJ Dybantsa No. The two night format returned for a third year: Round 1 on ABC/ESPN with 5 minute pick intervals, Round 2 exclusively on ESPN with 4 minute intervals.
Published byEdited with DeepSeek-V4-FlashImages generated with GPT Image 1.5
The 2026 NBA Draft was held June 23 24 at Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards selecting AJ Dybantsa No.
The two night format returned for a third year: Round 1 on ABC/ESPN with 5 minute pick intervals, Round 2 exclusively on ESPN with 4 minute intervals.
This was the 80th edition of the NBA Draft, featuring the current lottery system (adopted 2017, effective 2019) where the three worst teams each receive 14.0% odds at the No.
Search & fact-check with cited sources for What are the complete details for the 2026 NBA Draft, including its dates (June 23-24 at BarclaysThe 2026 NBA Draft was held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, over two nights on June 23-24.
AI Prompt
Create a landscape editorial hero image for this Studio Global article: Search & fact-check with cited sources for What are the complete details for the 2026 NBA Draft, including its dates (June 23-24 at Barclays. Article summary: Here is the complete, fact-checked breakdown of the 2026 NBA Draft.. Topic tags: general, general web, user generated, news. Style: premium digital editorial illustration, source-backed research mood, clean composition, high detail, modern web publication hero. Use reference image context only for broad subject, composition, and topical grounding; do not copy the exact image. Avoid: logos, brand marks, copyrighted characters, real person likenesses, fake screenshots, UI text, readable text, watermarks, charts with fake numbers, clickbait thumbnails, icons, and tiny thumbnail layouts. Make it useful as an illustrative visual, not as factual evidence.
openai.com
The 2026 NBA Draft was one of the most anticipated in recent memory, headlined by a historically deep prospect class and a Washington Wizards team landing the No. 1 pick for the first time since selecting John Wall in 2010. Here is a complete, fact-checked breakdown of every detail you need to know.
Dates, Venue & Format
The 2026 NBA Draft — the league's 80th edition, dating back to the inaugural BAA draft in 1947 — was held over two nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York . The NBA switched to a two-night format starting in 2024 to give teams more time between rounds .
Studio Global AI
Continue your research
This page includes a source-backed answer you can continue inside Studio Global.
What is the short answer to "2026 NBA Draft: Complete Guide to Dates, Order, Lottery Results & How to Watch"?
The 2026 NBA Draft was held June 23 24 at Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards selecting AJ Dybantsa No.
What are the key points to validate first?
The 2026 NBA Draft was held June 23 24 at Barclays Center, with the Washington Wizards selecting AJ Dybantsa No. The two night format returned for a third year: Round 1 on ABC/ESPN with 5 minute pick intervals, Round 2 exclusively on ESPN with 4 minute intervals.
What should I do next in practice?
This was the 80th edition of the NBA Draft, featuring the current lottery system (adopted 2017, effective 2019) where the three worst teams each receive 14.0% odds at the No.
Pick intervals: Teams had 5 minutes per selection in the first round and 4 minutes per selection in the second round . This was originally adopted when the two-day format launched in 2024 .
Full 2026 Draft Order: First Round (Picks 1–14 via Lottery)
The Washington Wizards won the lottery with the worst record and the highest possible odds (14.0%), giving them the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2010 . The full top-14 lottery order, as confirmed by multiple outlets :
Pick
Team
1
Washington Wizards
2
Utah Jazz
3
Memphis Grizzlies
4
Chicago Bulls
5
LA Clippers (via Indiana)
6
Brooklyn Nets
7
Sacramento Kings
8
Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans)
9
Dallas Mavericks
10
Miami Heat
11
San Antonio Spurs
12
Houston Rockets
13
Phoenix Suns
14
Golden State Warriors
Picks 15–30 (first round) and 31–60 (second round) were set by reverse order of regular-season record after the lottery teams . For the full 60-pick order, see CBS Sports or ESPN .
Actual Top 3 Picks
No. 1: Washington Wizards selected forward AJ Dybantsa out of BYU .
No. 2: Utah Jazz took Darryn Peterson (Kansas) .
No. 3: Memphis Grizzlies took Cameron Boozer (Duke) .
How the NBA Draft Lottery System Works
The current lottery format was adopted in 2017 and took effect starting with the 2019 draft. Key features:
The three teams with the worst records each receive 14.0% odds of winning the No. 1 pick .
The bottom team (worst record) cannot pick lower than 5th overall .
The lottery determines only the top four picks; the remaining lottery positions (5–14) are assigned in inverse order of regular-season record.
This replaced the prior system (1990–2018) where the worst team had a 25% chance and could fall no lower than 4th.
2026 Lottery Odds for All 14 Lottery Teams
Per the official NBA explainer for the 2026 lottery, the default odds for teams in reverse order of record :
Position
Odds for No. 1
Team 1 (worst)
14.0%
Team 2
14.0%
Team 3
14.0%
Team 4
12.5%
Team 5
10.5%
Team 6
9.0%
Team 7
7.5%
Team 8
6.0%
Team 9
4.5%
Team 10
3.0%
Team 11
2.0%
Team 12
1.5%
Team 13
1.0%
Team 14
0.5%
In 2026, the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, and Indiana Pacers all entered with 14.0% odds; the Wizards won .
Key Process Dates for 2026
Per the NBA's official announcement :
Early-entry declaration deadline: April 24, 2026
NBA Draft Combine: May 10–17, 2026
NBA Draft Lottery: May 10, 2026 (held at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago)
Early-entry withdrawal deadline: June 13, 2026
Draft nights: June 23–24, 2026
Last 10 No. 1 Overall Picks
Confirmed via the official lottery winner history :
Year
Team
Player Selected
2026
Washington Wizards
AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
2025
Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg (Duke)
2024
Atlanta Hawks
Zaccharie Risacher (France)
2023
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama (France)
2022
Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero (Duke)
2021
Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State)
2020
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards (Georgia)
2019
New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson (Duke)
2018
Phoenix Suns
Deandre Ayton (Arizona)
2017
Philadelphia 76ers
Markelle Fultz (Washington)
2016
Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons (LSU)
Lottery History (1985–2026)
The NBA Draft Lottery began in 1985. Its evolution :
1985–1989 — "Envelope era": 7 teams (later 9) with equal odds for the No. 1 pick.
1990–1993 — Weighted system introduced; lottery determined the first three picks.
1994–2018 — Expanded to 13 lottery teams (following two expansion franchises); odds further adjusted.
2019–present — Current "flat odds" system: three worst teams each get 14.0%, worst record drops no lower than 5th, lottery determines top four picks .
Notable lottery upsets include the Knicks in 1985 (Patrick Ewing, 14.3% odds), the Magic in 1993 (Chris Webber, 1.5% — the biggest leap ever), and the Mavericks in 2025 (Cooper Flagg, 1.8%) .
How to Watch
United States: Round 1 aired on ABC and ESPN; Round 2 aired exclusively on ESPN. Both nights streamed on the ESPN App.
International: Available through NBA League Pass.
Canada: Broadcast on TSN and Sportsnet.
How to Attend (NBA Experiences)
NBA Experiences (the league's official hospitality and travel package partner) offered ticket-and-experience packages to attend the draft live at Barclays Center, including premium seating, behind-the-scenes access, and meet-and-greet opportunities .
basketballsphere.comDates for 2026 NBA draft announced - Basketball Sphere
Pick intervals: Teams had 5 minutes per selection in the first round and 4 minutes per selection in the second round . This was originally adopted when the two-day format launched in 2024 .
Full 2026 Draft Order: First Round (Picks 1–14 via Lottery)
The Washington Wizards won the lottery with the worst record and the highest possible odds (14.0%), giving them the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2010 . The full top-14 lottery order, as confirmed by multiple outlets :
Pick
Team
1
Washington Wizards
2
Utah Jazz
3
Memphis Grizzlies
4
Chicago Bulls
5
LA Clippers (via Indiana)
6
Brooklyn Nets
7
Sacramento Kings
8
Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans)
9
Dallas Mavericks
10
Miami Heat
11
San Antonio Spurs
12
Houston Rockets
13
Phoenix Suns
14
Golden State Warriors
Picks 15–30 (first round) and 31–60 (second round) were set by reverse order of regular-season record after the lottery teams . For the full 60-pick order, see CBS Sports or ESPN .
Actual Top 3 Picks
No. 1: Washington Wizards selected forward AJ Dybantsa out of BYU .
No. 2: Utah Jazz took Darryn Peterson (Kansas) .
No. 3: Memphis Grizzlies took Cameron Boozer (Duke) .
How the NBA Draft Lottery System Works
The current lottery format was adopted in 2017 and took effect starting with the 2019 draft. Key features:
The three teams with the worst records each receive 14.0% odds of winning the No. 1 pick .
The bottom team (worst record) cannot pick lower than 5th overall .
The lottery determines only the top four picks; the remaining lottery positions (5–14) are assigned in inverse order of regular-season record.
This replaced the prior system (1990–2018) where the worst team had a 25% chance and could fall no lower than 4th.
2026 Lottery Odds for All 14 Lottery Teams
Per the official NBA explainer for the 2026 lottery, the default odds for teams in reverse order of record :
Position
Odds for No. 1
Team 1 (worst)
14.0%
Team 2
14.0%
Team 3
14.0%
Team 4
12.5%
Team 5
10.5%
Team 6
9.0%
Team 7
7.5%
Team 8
6.0%
Team 9
4.5%
Team 10
3.0%
Team 11
2.0%
Team 12
1.5%
Team 13
1.0%
Team 14
0.5%
In 2026, the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, and Indiana Pacers all entered with 14.0% odds; the Wizards won .
Key Process Dates for 2026
Per the NBA's official announcement :
Early-entry declaration deadline: April 24, 2026
NBA Draft Combine: May 10–17, 2026
NBA Draft Lottery: May 10, 2026 (held at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago)
Early-entry withdrawal deadline: June 13, 2026
Draft nights: June 23–24, 2026
Last 10 No. 1 Overall Picks
Confirmed via the official lottery winner history :
Year
Team
Player Selected
2026
Washington Wizards
AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
2025
Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg (Duke)
2024
Atlanta Hawks
Zaccharie Risacher (France)
2023
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama (France)
2022
Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero (Duke)
2021
Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State)
2020
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards (Georgia)
2019
New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson (Duke)
2018
Phoenix Suns
Deandre Ayton (Arizona)
2017
Philadelphia 76ers
Markelle Fultz (Washington)
2016
Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons (LSU)
Lottery History (1985–2026)
The NBA Draft Lottery began in 1985. Its evolution :
1985–1989 — "Envelope era": 7 teams (later 9) with equal odds for the No. 1 pick.
1990–1993 — Weighted system introduced; lottery determined the first three picks.
1994–2018 — Expanded to 13 lottery teams (following two expansion franchises); odds further adjusted.
2019–present — Current "flat odds" system: three worst teams each get 14.0%, worst record drops no lower than 5th, lottery determines top four picks .
Notable lottery upsets include the Knicks in 1985 (Patrick Ewing, 14.3% odds), the Magic in 1993 (Chris Webber, 1.5% — the biggest leap ever), and the Mavericks in 2025 (Cooper Flagg, 1.8%) .
How to Watch
United States: Round 1 aired on ABC and ESPN; Round 2 aired exclusively on ESPN. Both nights streamed on the ESPN App.
International: Available through NBA League Pass.
Canada: Broadcast on TSN and Sportsnet.
How to Attend (NBA Experiences)
NBA Experiences (the league's official hospitality and travel package partner) offered ticket-and-experience packages to attend the draft live at Barclays Center, including premium seating, behind-the-scenes access, and meet-and-greet opportunities .
basketballsphere.comDates for 2026 NBA draft announced - Basketball Sphere
timesofindia.indiatimes.comNBA Draft 2026 guide: Schedule, full order, top prospects and rising prospects
nba.comNBA Draft 2026 to take place June 23-24 at Barclays Center
cbssports.com2026 NBA Draft order: Complete list of all 60 picks with ...
nbcsports.comHow to watch 2026 NBA Draft: Schedule, time, projected ...