2026 NBA Draft: Date, Lottery, Prospects & How to Watch
The 2026 NBA Draft is officially set for June 23-24, 2026 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This two-day draft kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET each night. The Washington Wizards won the May 10 draft lottery (14.0% odds) and hold the No.1 pick. Top prospects like BYU’s 6’9″ wing AJ Dybantsa, Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson, and Duke forward Cameron Boozer are widely viewed as the likely top selections.
We summarize the confirmed dates/venue, lottery results, projected order and prospects, historical draft timing, TV/streaming info (US, UK, Canada, Australia), ticketing tips, and fantasy/betting angles. We also provide SEO-optimized headings, a comparison of the past 5 drafts, and a timeline of pre-draft milestones.
Draft Date & Venue – Confirmed
The NBA officially announced that the 2026 Draft will be held Tuesday-Wednesday, June 23-24, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. This continues the recent pattern of late-June drafts: for example, the 2025 draft was June 25-26 at Barclays and 2024 was June 26-27 (with round 1 at Barclays and round 2 at ESPN’s Seaport Studios in NYC). The first round (June 23) and second round (June 24) both begin at 8 p.m. ET. Coverage will be broadcast live on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App (first round) and on ESPN/ESPN App.
The draft is a two-night event for the third straight year. Like prior years, pick times will be five minutes in Round 1 and four minutes in Round 2. Key dates leading up to the draft include the April 24 entry deadline and the Chicago Draft Combine (May 10–17). A timeline of these milestones is provided below.
Draft Lottery Timing and Order
The 2026 Draft Lottery was held on Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC. In the lottery, the 14 worst teams had chances to win picks 1–4. The Washington Wizards (with the highest odds, 14.0%) won the lottery and will pick No.1. The official lottery results placed the first four picks as follows: 1) Washington, 2) Utah, 3) Memphis, 4) Chicago.
By NBA rules, the remaining “lottery teams” (pick 5–14) are slotted in reverse order of their 2025–26 record. The rest of the first round (picks 15–30) and the entire second round (picks 31–60) will be in strict reverse-order of records. In summary, the lottery determined picks 1–4, then picks 5–14 by record, and picks 15–60 by record.
Key Lottery Note: In the new 2022–2026 system, after the four lottery draws, teams 5–14 are fixed by record. (A new lottery reform goes into effect in 2027.) The full 2026 lottery results and odds are on NBA.com.
Projected Top Picks and Prospects
With the Wizards holding #1, analysts have largely converged on the same top prospects. AJ Dybantsa (BYU, 6’9″ wing) and Darryn Peterson (Kansas, 6’6″ guard) head most big boards. NBC Sports lists its Big Board top five as: 1. Dybantsa; 2. Peterson; 3. Cameron Boozer (Duke, PF); 4. Caleb Wilson (UNC, PF); 5. Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas, PG).
It notes that Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Wilson “perceive as a class of their own” with Washington at #1 and questions about Kansas for Peterson. Likewise, ESPN’s mock drafts have alternated Dybantsa and Peterson at the top. Dybantsa sits atop many lists due to his size/athleticism, especially with the Wizards adding Trae Young to Brooklyn’s roster.
For example, CBS Sports’ June 2026 mock project has Dybantsa to Washington at #1, Peterson to Utah at #2, and Boozer to Memphis at #3. (Caleb Wilson and Keaton Wagler often appear near the top-5 in mocks.) Overall, Dybantsa and Peterson are widely favored for the top pick, with Boozer and Caleb Wilson trailing. In fact, bookmakers reflect this: FanDuel lists Dybantsa at about -450 to go No.1, Peterson +300, and Boozer a longshot +3000.
Beyond the top 5–10 prospects, other names to watch include Kingston Flemings (Houston, PG), Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville, PG), Keaton Wagler (Illinois, PG) and Memphis guard Brayden Burries, who all show up in many big boards. College seniors like Aday Mara (Michigan C) and transfers like Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky C) also appear as first-round potentials. For in-depth analysis of these players, see the official NBA Draft Prospect Profiles and mock drafts.
Historical Draft Timing (Past 5 Years)
NBA Drafts have typically been held in late June. Before 2022, COVID caused delays (2020, 2021 drafts occurred in October). Since 2022, the draft has returned to June on a mostly annual schedule. Below is a table of the past five drafts’ dates and venues:
| Year | Date(s) | First-Round Venue | Second-Round Venue (if different) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | June 23, 2022 | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY) | – (full draft same day) |
| 2023 | June 22, 2023 | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY) | – (58 picks same day) |
| 2024 | June 26, 2024 | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY) | ESPN Seaport Studios (NYC) |
| June 27, 2024 | – | – (second round) | |
| 2025 | June 25–26, 2025 | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY) | Barclays Center (Wed) |
| 2026 | June 23–24, 2026 | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY) | Barclays Center (Thu) |
Sources: Official NBA releases and reports confirm each year’s schedule. For example, the NBA announced the 2025 draft for June 25–26 at Barclays, and the 2026 draft for June 23–24 at Barclays.
How to Watch: TV & Streaming
United States: The draft will air live at 8 p.m. ET both nights. The first round (June 23) is on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App; the second round (June 24) is on ESPN/ESPN App. It’s also available on ESPN Radio and any TV/streaming service carrying those channels. League Pass users can watch via the NBA app (usually NBA also streams the draft). Check local sports guides for simulcasts or rebroadcast options.
Canada: As with past years, the NBA Draft will be broadcast on TSN and Sportsnet (English) and RDS (French). (For reference, an official announcement for 2026 said the draft “will take place…at 8PM on TSN & Sportsnet” for each night.) Fans can also stream via TSN Direct or Sportsnet NOW.
United Kingdom/Ireland: Sky Sports holds the NBA’s UK rights, so expect live coverage on Sky Sports (and the Sky Sports app). Now TV day passes (~£7.99) can give contract-free access. (Note: NBCSN used to air NBA content but Sky is now exclusive.)
Australia: ESPN Australia (via Foxtel/Kayo Sports/Disney+) typically carries NBA content. Fans should tune in on ESPN or stream on Kayo/Disney+. NBA League Pass is also available Down Under.
International: In other regions, check local broadcasters or NBA League Pass for live coverage. Most international leagues provide NBA broadcasts (e.g. Sky NZ in New Zealand, SuperSport in Africa). The NBA’s official site and social accounts will also have highlight clips and coverage.
Tickets & In-Person Tips
Tickets for the draft sell out fast. The NBA Experiences/Ticketmaster platform usually opens sales in late spring. (For example, 2022’s draft tickets went on sale May 24.) Fans should follow the NBA’s or Barclays Center’s announcements for ticket dates, and consider official hospitality packages. Secondary markets show mid-$60 prices for upper-level seats as of June 2026. Lower bowl seats are more expensive and scarce. Tip: Buy as early as possible. Arrive early on draft day lines can form for fan access areas and meet-ups. Brooklyn’s Barclays Center has clear bag policies and security, so plan accordingly. Public transit is recommended.
For those attending the second round (June 24), note it’s also at Barclays, with ESPN coverage starting at 8 p.m. Local NYC fans often treat draft night as an event there are usually NBA-themed activities around the arena. Keep an eye on official NBA social media for fan event details.
Fantasy & Betting Outlook
In basketball fantasy or DFS, the NBA draft can impact dynasty and keeper leagues (rookie draft picks for managers). Top picks like Dybantsa and Boozer are likely to be high-value dynasty rookies next season. Fantasy managers should monitor draft-night and Summer League rotations of new rookies.
On the betting front, futures markets heavily favor Dybantsa to be the first overall pick. FanDuel lists AJ Dybantsa at –450 to go No.1, with Darryn Peterson around +300. (Cameron Boozer is a 30/1 longshot.) Bettors have been active on No.1 pick props and “how many lottery teams pick a big man” etc. If you play fantasy or DFS, be aware injury reports or team interviews could affect draft stock right up to draft day.
