The 2026 NBA Draft, marking the league's 80th edition, is scheduled for June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The draft will follow a two-night format, with the first round airing on June 23 on ABC and ESPN, and the second round on June 24 exclusively on ESPN.
2026 NBA Draft: Date, Time, and Venue
The 2026 NBA Draft will take place over two nights at Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets. The first round is set for June 23 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN, while the second round will be held on June 24 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. International viewers can stream both rounds via NBA League Pass.
Key dates include the early entry deadline on April 24, 2026, the NBA G League Combine from May 8-10 in Chicago, the NBA Draft Lottery on May 10 at McCormick Place in Chicago (aired on ABC), the NBA Draft Combine from May 10-17, the withdrawal deadline on June 13, and the draft itself on June 23-24.
2026 NBA Draft Order
The draft order was finalized through the NBA Draft Lottery on May 10 at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. The Washington franchise secured the No. 1 overall pick, giving them first access to the top prospects. The lottery results for the top selections are as follows: Washington, Utah, Memphis, Chicago, LA Clippers (via Indiana), Brooklyn, Sacramento, Atlanta (via New Orleans), Dallas, Milwaukee, Miami, Oklahoma City (via LA Clippers), Miami, and Charlotte. The remainder of the first round and the entire second round are determined by reverse order of regular-season records.
2026 NBA Draft Format
The NBA will again use its two-night structure. Teams will have five minutes to make first-round selections and four minutes for second-round picks. This format provides front offices additional time to process trade discussions, finalize selections, and adjust strategy as the draft unfolds.
How to Watch NBA Draft Lottery 2026
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery aired nationally on ABC and was available through the ESPN app and fubo. The lottery began at 3 p.m. ET on May 10 from Chicago. Fans interested in attending the draft can purchase NBA Experiences packages presented by DoorDash, which may include access to the NBA EXP Lounge, behind-the-scenes experiences, photo opportunities, and select meet-and-greet events with NBA legends and prospects.
2026 NBA Draft Lottery Odds
The lottery system continues under rules approved by the NBA Board of Governors in 2017. The three teams with the worst regular-season records each received a 14% chance at the No. 1 pick. The odds for the top teams are as follows: Washington 14%, Indiana (may be conveyed to LA Clippers) 14%, Brooklyn 14%, Utah 11.5%, Sacramento 11.5%, Memphis 9%, New Orleans (to Atlanta or Milwaukee) 6.8%, Dallas 6.7%, Chicago 4.5%, Milwaukee (may be conveyed to Atlanta) 3%, Golden State 2%, LA Clippers (to Oklahoma City) 1.5%, Miami 1%, and Charlotte 0.5%.
Top prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft include Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Darryn Peterson. The next major date is June 23, when speculation gives way to decisions as front offices finalize their draft boards.
