2026 NBA Draft Lottery: What you need to know

The NBA Draft lottery is one of the most important–and unpredictable–events on the league calendar, and the 2026 edition could have major implications for franchises like the Sacramento Kings.

Set for Sunday, May 10th at 12 p.m. PT, the NBA Draft Lottery will be broadcast nationally on ABC. It’s the moment when the league’s non-playoff teams find out where they’ll pick in the upcoming draft, with the coveted No. 1 overall selection hanging in the balance.

Here’s what you need to know for Sunday’s action.

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What is the NBA Draft Lottery?

The NBA Draft Lottery determines the order of the first 14 picks in the NBA Draft. The teams that missed the playoffs are entered into a weighted system, giving those with worse records better odds at landing a top pick, but nothing is guaranteed.

Fourteen ping-pong balls are drawn in a randomized process, creating combinations that ultimately decide the top four selections.

After those top four picks are revealed, the remaining lottery teams fall into order based on their regular-season record.

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Why The NBA Draft Lottery Matters For Sacramento

For teams stuck in mediocrity or rebuilding, the NBA Draft Lottery represents a chance to change everything overnight. A jump into the top four, or even better, landing the No. 1 pick, can reshape a franchise’s trajectory.

That’s exactly what the Kings are hoping for. Sacramento hasn’t held the No. 1 overall pick since 1989, and this year presents a real opportunity to finally reverse that history. If the ping-pong balls bounce their way, it could mark a turning point for the organization.

Sacramento holds an 11.5% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick and a 45.2% chance to jump into the top four.

Recent NBA Draft Lottery history only adds to the intrigue, especially when it comes to the team with the fifth-best odds.

In 2025, the Philadelphia 76ers jumped two spots from fifth odds to secure the No. 3 pick, selecting VJ Edgecombe.

In 2024, the San Antonio Spurs moved up one spot to No. 4 and drafted Stephon Castle, a move that paid immediate dividends, as Castle went on to win Rookie of the Year.

The upward movement continues in 2023, when the Portland Trail Blazers climbed two spots to No. 3, landing Scoot Henderson.

In 2021, the Cleveland Cavaliers also jumped from fifth odds to the No. 3 pick, selecting Evan Mobley, who quickly became a foundational piece.

The only recent exception came in 2022, when the Indiana Pacers dropped one spot to No. 6 and selected Bennedict Mathurin. Even then, the slide was minimal compared to the multiple instances of teams jumping up.

Teams with the fifth-best odds in the NBA Draft Lottery rarely stay put. Four of the last five have improved their position, with several jumping into the top three—and in San Antonio’s case, turning that movement into an immediate-impact, award-winning rookie.

The 2026 NBA Draft Class Is Loaded

Part of what makes this year’s NBA Draft Lottery so compelling is the strength of the 2026 draft class. It’s widely viewed as one of the deepest and most talented groups in recent memory.

Headlining the class is AJ Dybantsa out of BYU, a dynamic prospect with superstar potential. He’s joined by Kansas standout Darryn Peterson, Duke’s versatile Cameron Boozer, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, and Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr.

For teams at the top of the lottery, landing any of these players could mean securing a future cornerstone.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Kings can add their “North Star” anywhere in 2026 NBA Draft Lottery

• Would it require Keegan Murray to trade for RJ Barrett?

• NBA Draft Lessons: Lottery luck doesn’t guarantee success
• Zach LaVine’s $49M decision: Why opting out isn’t off the table

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Sunday, May 10th – NBA Draft Lottery
• Thursday, June 4th– NBA Finals begin
• Thursday, June 25th – NBA Draft (Round 1)
• Friday, June 26th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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