The 2026 NBA Draft lottery is approaching, determining the selection order for the first 14 picks. This event is crucial for franchises looking to secure top talent and reshape their futures.
When is the NBA Draft lottery? Date, time, format and how to watch
The 2026 NBA Draft lottery is just days away, and fans, executives, and players alike are speculating about which franchise will secure the coveted No. 1 overall pick, a selection that could dramatically reshape the future of a team.
The NBA Draft lottery employs a randomized drawing system to determine the selection order for the first 14 picks. These lottery selections are critical, often serving as the lifeline for franchises seeking to rebuild around standout talent. The top four picks are determined by the lottery itself, while the remaining teams in the lottery draw select in positions five through 14, according to the reverse order of their 2025-26 regular-season records.
The rest of the first round (picks 15 to 30) and the entire second round follow the same reverse order format. Every team is guaranteed one pick per round, ensuring that talent is distributed as equitably as possible across the league.
Heading into the NBA Draft Lottery, the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets each hold a 14% chance of winning the top pick due to their regular-season records. However, the lottery’s element of chance means that even teams with the worst records aren’t guaranteed the No. 1 selection.
Upsets and surprises are common with the NBA Draft Lottery. Here is how to watch and what to know about the event.
More: Who are top picks in new AI NBA mock draft ahead of 2026 lottery?
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
1 / 5
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
1 / 5
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
2 / 5
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
3 / 5
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
4 / 5
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
5 / 5
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10 at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.
The 14 NBA teams that did not qualify for the 2026 NBA Playoffs are eligible for the NBA Draft lottery.
Under the current format, the teams with the worst regular-season records each have a 14% chance of securing the top overall pick, a system meant to prevent intentional losing, or "tanking," while still offering hope to franchises in need of a fresh start. The lottery itself utilizes a random drawing to determine the order of the first four selections in the NBA Draft. After the top four are set, the remaining lottery teams select in inverse order of their regular-season records, ensuring a fair and competitive draft order.
The Dallas Mavericks captured the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, securing the coveted No. 1 overall pick for the first time in franchise history. With this opportunity, Dallas selected standout player Cooper Flagg.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA Draft lottery date, time, TV and what to know about format
The 2026 NBA Draft lottery is scheduled for May 16, 2026, at 8 PM ET.
The NBA Draft lottery uses a randomized drawing system to determine the selection order for the first 14 picks, with the top four determined by the lottery.
The NBA Draft lottery will be broadcast live on ESPN, allowing fans to watch the event as it unfolds.
The NBA Draft lottery is crucial as it can dramatically reshape a team's future by providing them a chance to secure the No. 1 overall pick.

How Andree Jeglertz transformed Manchester City into WSL champions

PSG secures Champions League final spot after 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.