yahoo - 5/11/2026 7:35:40 PM - GMT (+2 )
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is over, and we now know the order of the draft on June 23-24, starting with the Washington Wizards at No. 1.
The lottery brought surprises, disappointments and, for one team, a jump-up that could make an enormous difference in their pending rebuild.
Let's get into it.
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The Wizards walked away with the top pick, meaning they can choose BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, arguably the most intriguing all-around wing in the class.
Dybantsa (25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists) would slide in immediately as the team's primary wing, in-between recent acquisitions Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
Of course, with this lottery win, the Wizards might be inclined to pivot away from that duo to build something more timeline appropriate. Winning the No. 1 pick in a loaded draft is a legitimate franchise-changer for Washington.
Dear Brooklyn Nets fans. I get it. That was rough, wasn't it? Instead of landing Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, or Cam Boozer, you will have to look at the secondary level of prospects at No. 6.
But, hey, at least that should still be high enough to take Darius Acuff Jr., who could be your crowning piece of your rebuild. Because let's be honest, last year's five first-rounders don't exactly inspire much confidence.
(Seriously, don't get weird again, Sean Marks. You really need to nail this one.)
The Chicago Bulls don't tank. They instead prefer to stay somewhat competitive, despite the need to do literally the opposite. The NBA clearly rigged the lottery and rewarded them with the fourth pick, for being ethical.
(They didn't. It was a joke. Tinfoil hats off please.)
In all seriousness, this adds such a boost to the Bulls, who under new leading man Bryson Graham will likely build through youth. Being assured one of Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, or Caleb Wilson is quite a talent injection.
I sure hope Ivica Zubac was worth it, Pacers, because, uh, yikes. Not only did Indiana send Bennedict Mathurin to the Clippers in the trade deadline deal, but they also gave up a top-four protected first-round pick this season (which came up No. 5), and a 2029 first.
Pacers president of basketball operations, Kevin Pritchard, has already apologized to fans for the trade, while also preaching patience. That's a baaaaad look, just three months after the trade.
Pritchard and the Pacers better hope Zubac turns into a perennial All-Star, starting next season. Otherwise it'll be impossible to justify that trade.
Memphis jumped three spots, and will now pick third, which is such a great sweet spot to be in given the available talent and the fact they've completely embraced a pivot after shipping off Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. over the past year.
If Peterson (20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds) is available at No. 3, he seems like an obvious replacement to Ja Morant, who likely will get heavily shopped during the offseason.
This represents a major chance for the Grizzlies to get a top-tier piece to add to an otherwise solid roster. The organization has chosen well late in the draft, but needs to hit home runs closer to the top of the draft.
The Kings dropped two slots, and will now pick seventh instead of fifth. We're reaching Defcon 2 on Sacramento's sadness level. I have no additional notes other than it's 5 p.m. somewhere.
Utah jumped from fourth to second, and that might be the best possible place to land.
Should Dybantsa be bypassed by Washington, he's clearly the right choice. If not, Peterson slides right in as the explosive 2-guard they need who has All-NBA upside.
Whichever direction the Jazz go in, it will be defensible and could even fill some needs for them, all while going for the best player available.
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