2026 NBA Draft Lottery: What Every Lottery Team Needs

The NBA Draft Lottery is one of the strangest nights on the league calendar. No games are played, no shots are taken, and yet, the bounce of a few ping-pong balls can alter the future of an entire franchise. That date is soon approaching, and it will determine picks in a class loaded with insane talent. The Wizards, Pacers and Nets own the top odds, but as history has shown, lottery night rarely goes exactly as expected. For every team involved, the question is simple: what do they need most?

The teams at the top don’t just need a good player—they need direction. Most of these teams can sell themselves on drafting the best available star. But the teams in the middle and back of the pack could prioritize trade ammunition. Let's see what the wisest move would be for the top fourteen teams with the highest odds of clinching a lottery pick.

1. Washington Wizards

Regular Season Record: 17-65

Projected Pick: Darryn Peterson

No. 1 Pick Odds: 14%

Washington's identity is no longer in crisis with the acquisition of Anthony Davis and Trae Young. With two perennial stars and a long list of young draft picks ready to take the league by storm, the Wizards regular season record isn't an accurate depiction of what the squad actually looks like now. Because of that, I'm hoping they don't get the number one pick and that it falls to one of the other teams. However, if they do get the first pick, it makes the most sense to draft Darryn Peterson. The Wizards need a speedy guard who can score at will and while Tre Johnson does have potential as a scorer, I don't see the Wizards passing up on Peterson for the likes of Dybantsa or Boozer because they already have those positions filled with promising talent.

2. Indiana Pacers

Regular Season Record: 19-63

Projected Pick: AJ Dybantsa

No. 1 Pick Odds: 14%

If the Pacers get the second overall pick, AJ Dybantsa would be a lock. A tandem of Dybantsa and Pascal Siakam would form one of the most dominant wing duos in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers’ identity is built on a high-octane, transition-heavy offense orchestrated by Tyrese Haliburton (who's arguably the best playmaker in the East), and the dimes from Hali to Dybantsa would make the Pacers league-favorites in the blink of an eye. Also, having a 6'9" wing who can simply be handed the ball and asked to get a bucket against a set defense is a luxury Indiana lacks and hasn't really seen since Danny Granger. This team made the finals just under a year ago and I think AJ and the reemergence of Tyrese Haliburton could make this team a top-five seed easily.

3. Brooklyn Nets

Regular Season Record: 20-62

Projected Pick: Cameron Boozer

No. 1 Pick Odds: 14%

I hope the Nets remain fully confident in their backcourt tandem of Nolan Traore and Egor Demin, because they can't afford to stack up any more guards. MPJ looked comfortable playing the four last season, But I think drafting Cameron Boozer and putting him back to small-forward would give this team an offensive leg-up. After a tough 20-62 season, the Nets are in a "blank canvas" phase under coach Jordi Fernández, and Boozer is arguably the most pro-ready prospect to help them paint it. Noah Clowney had a career best season but the efficiency just wasn't there. Boozer isn't just efficient, he's dominant in the post and he and Claxton would be a pretty durable combination on the interior. He's more than post player though. Boozer’s ability to space the floor (39.6% from three at Duke) is the perfect foil for Claxton’s rim-running.

4. Utah Jazz

Regular Season Record: 22-60

Projected Pick: Caleb Wilson

No. 1 Pick Odds: 11.5%

I absolutely hate the logistics of this pick, but it’s undeniable that Caleb Wilson won’t slide past the top five, making Utah a very real, and complicated, destination. The Jazz recently brought in Jaren Jackson Jr., and with Walker Kessler already established as a field goal percentage leader and rim-protecting monster, the frontcourt is beyond crowded. Trying to slot JJJ at the five to make room for Wilson at the four feels impossible with Kessler in the mix, yet the talent gap makes this pairing a likely reality. Despite the awkward fit, Wilson is simply that good; he’s a dominant player who can impact the game at any level. The fact that he’s already had his jersey honored at North Carolina after just twenty games as a freshman tells you everything you need to know—he's a generational talent, even if the roster math in Utah doesn't add up.

5. Sacramento Kings

Regular Season Record: 22-60

Projected Pick: Darius Acuff Jr.

No. 1 Pick Odds: 11.5%

Unless the Kings get a Top 3 pick, they're taking a point guard without question. Sacramento spent this season running a 37-year-old Russell Westbrook as the point of attack, and it resulted with the second worst record in the West and the worst record by the team in seventeen years. While this isn't entirely on Westbrook, the Kings need serious help at the backcourt. That's where Acuff comes in, a player who can immediately fill the "lead guard" void left in the wake of the De'Aaron Fox trade. His fit in Sacramento would be an explosive, offense-first experiment centered on dynamic spacing and pick-and-roll versatility. This guy is a phenomenal facilitator and a sniper from long-range. He’s also shown he can play off-ball which would be vital when LaVine or Sabonis are hot.

6. Memphis Grizzlies

Regular Season Record: 25-57

Projected Pick: Keaton Wagler

No. 1 Pick Odds: 9%

Let's be blunt, we don't know what Ja Morant's future in Memphis is, and all signs point to the Grizzlies dealing him in some sort of rebuilding package this summer. With Jaren Jackson Jr. gone, rebuilding was always going to be inevitable. That's where Keaton Wagler comes in. Wagler is a 6'6" guard who just makes your team better. If the team decides to move on from Ja, Wagler gives you a steady hand who can run the pick-and-roll with Zach Edey or Santi Aldama. He's also a ready shooter and shot just under 40% from three in his lone season at Illinois. Overall, I think he synergizes well with Memphis. The Grizzlies spent the last year leaning into size and skill with guys like GG Jackson and Cedric Coward and Wagler being an oversized point-guard is the missing link. As for Ty Jerome? Both he and Wagler are capable of playing either guard role.

7. Atlanta Hawks

Regular Season Record: 26-56

Projected Pick: Kingston Flemings

No. 1 Pick Odds: 6.8%

Despite a brutal first round exit, the Hawks have a pretty complete squad. The next step for them is increasing their bench production. The Hawks haven't been privy to draft luck, and it seems that their number one-overall pick is already being labeled a bust: so here's our message to Atlanta's scouting team. Draft a guard. If we're looking ahead to the future, past CJ McCollum, this team needs a lead guard. The forward positions feel promising, and Johnathan Kuminga could be a beast next season. Pair them with an elite floor general. Our pick? Kingston Flemings. He's a score first guard who can get you a bucket in any high pressure situation and he looks like a killer with the ball in his hands. We haven't seen ball handling and control this early from a prospect in a while. Bringing a slept-on Cougars team to the Sweet Sixteen, Flemings is a hustler I think would make an immediate impact in Atlanta, even if it's off of the bench at first.

8. Dallas Mavericks

Regular Season Record: 26-56

Projected Pick: Mikel Brown Jr.

No. 1 Pick Odds: 6.7%

Cooper Flagg was robbed of a true floor general this season, and the Mavericks are going to focus on pairing him with a dimer this upcoming draft. Under the tutelage of legend Kyrie Irving, Mikel Brown Jr. could be the high-ceiling, modern lead guard they desperately need to bridge the gap between their veteran backcourt and their young frontcourt. The Mavs tried running Cooper Flagg at the point, much to his dismay. Flagg is a defensive monster and an unselfish playmaker, he shouldn't be the primary ball-handler every possession. Brown Jr. is a P&R maestro that would allow Flagg to operate as two-way bucket-getter rather than forcing him into a heliocentric role. Brown’s ability to manipulate defenses with his handle and find Flagg in his favorite spots could give Dallas a high-IQ duo that could anchor the franchise for a decade.

9. Milwaukee Bucks

Regular Season Record: 32-50

Projected Pick: Nate Ament

No. 1 Pick Odds: 3%

I see Milwaukee trading this pick for a moderately young player in an effort to get rid of Kuzma's massive contract. However, if the Bucks commit to the draft, I think Nate Ament is a phenomenal pick. We're talking about a highly-skilled forward/wing who could give the Bucks a leg-up on the offensive end. There aren't methods to guarding this kid. At 6'10" he had no issue shooting over the opposing teams best defender and he isn't shy when it comes to finishing at the rim. The closest thing to Caleb Wilson, Ament's defense is his biggest red flag. But with defensive standouts Giannis and Myles Turner in the frontcourt as well, I don't think the Bucks are sweating a lack of defense. There's also been promise of Ament being a point-forward and he doesn't hesitate to make the extra pass.

10. Chicago Bulls

Regular Season Record: 31-51

Projected Pick: Brayden Burries

No. 1 Pick Odds: 4.5%

This is another team I see trading their pick for cash considerations, but the frontcourt is abundantly weaker after cutting Jaden Ivey so I believe they'll draft another guard. Here's where Brayden Burries comes in. Burries has been dubbed Jamal Murray 2.0 for good reason, the kid is fearless. Coming off a stellar true freshman season at Arizona, Burries stepped up to lead a Final Four team in scoring. The Bulls are still stacked with guards: Anfernee Simons, Sexton and Dillingham, but I think Burries' defensive edge despite being undersized just makes him a hungrier plug-and-play guy. The biggest hurdle for Chicago is simple roster redundancy but I think Burries is too good of a prospect to pass up on. Burries' 6'6" wingspan and sturdy 205-pound frame allow him to battle through screens and absorb contact. Don't let his height fool you, he'll get a bucket if he wants one.

11. Golden State Warriors

Regular Season Record: 37-45

Projected Pick: Yaxel Lendeborg

No. 1 Pick Odds: 2%

This would be a dream. NCAA Champion and fan-favorite Yaxel Lendeborg would be an immediate impact maker with the Golden State Warriors, who currently have Gui Santos as the projected starting small forward next season and are taking a completely new coaching direction. We don't know what the future holds for the Dubs, but what we do know is that they desperately need wings especially after losing Kuminga. The Warriors are trying to maximize the twilight of the Stephen Curry era, and they don't have the luxury of waiting three years for a prospect to develop. Lendeborg is an older prospect at 23 and comes with the ultimate winning pedigree. He's a streaky shooter, an athletic finisher and brings serious physical tools. With the lateral mobility to switch onto guards or contest bigs, Lendeborg's wide skill set makes him an interesting case study.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder

Regular Season Record: 64-18

Projected Pick: Hannes Steinbach

No. 1 Pick Odds: 1.5%

It's kind of surreal that a team this good gets the twelfth overall pick, but playing the fair card, the immediate plug-and-play prospect for them be a forward-center (following Thomas Sorber's injury). I think Hannes Steinbach is exactly the type of "high-IQ, high-motor" big man that Sam Presti would want. OKC’s biggest strategic challenge is balancing Chet Holmgren’s defense with the team's need for interior bulk and rebounding. Steinbach led the nation in rebounding as a freshman at Washington (11.8 RPG), and much like Hartenstein, can do the dirty work—boxing out, fighting for offensive boards and absorbing the physicality of larger centers. The kid also played at the professional level pre-Washington—he plays at his own pace and is comfortable enough on the perimeter to keep the defense honest.

13. Miami Heat

Regular Season Record: 43-39

Projected Pick: Labaron Philon

No. 1 Pick Odds: 1%

While Davion Mitchell is a lockdown, I believe Miami is still searching for their lead point guard. Insert Labaron Philon, a 20-year-old phenom who could be the perfect fit for a not-so-crowded backcourt. The 6'4", 185 pounds guard averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 assists and shooting 50.1% from the field for one of the best teams in the nation. He’s not just a standstill shooter or tiny scoring guard; he can pressure the rim, looks like a three-level scorer and toggles between both guard spots. Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware would need a guard who can bend the defense, throw pocket passes, hit lobs, and keep the offense moving before everything turns into Herro bailout possessions. Miami needs more young scorers, and Philon has the exact kind of guard skill they’ve lacked: handle, pace, and enough passing to grow into a real engine.

14. Charlotte Hornets

Regular Season Record: 44-38

Projected Pick: Karim Lopez

No. 1 Pick Odds: 0.5%

Charlotte has talented wings without a doubt, but I think they're lacking size. Charlotte has leaned heavily into versatile wings like Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Tidjane Salaün. At 6'9" with a 7'1" wingspan, Lopez fits that exact physical prototype. He would provide the Hornets with another switchable body who can play both forward spots, and after finishing up a season in a "grown man's league" in New Zealand, there's no doubt that his body is NBA ready. The Hornets have no shortage of creation with LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel. Lopez won't be asked to score, but rather, play to his strengths: he's a high-IQ cutter and a physical finisher around the rim, has the instincts to be a disruptive help defender and isn't afraid to do the things that don't show up on the stat sheets.

Lottery night has a way of changing everything. With several teams desperate for a new direction and a draft class loaded with high-end talent, the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery could be one of the most important nights of the offseason. So which franchise will walk away with the biggest win before the draft even begins? Which lottery team needs the No. 1 pick the most? Let us know in the comments below!

The NBA's prestigious Draft Lottery airs Sunday, May 10th 🚨 Can't keep up with the drama? Be sure to stay tuned into Sportz Nation for your sports updates on all things basketball.

Thanks for reading!

-Joel Piton

(@jpiton7)