NBA Lottery Booking 2026

I don't believe the NBA Lottery is rigged.  There's too much money involved and there's no way the other owners would allow it.

But if it did...

2026 is supposed to be a great draft.  The experts think there might be 3-4 franchise-level players, and the draft is supposed to be deep with quality players.

AJ Dybantsa- the #1 pick... maybe?

And there's a couple of major themes leading up to this draft.

* The level of tanking in the NBA has gotten to a ridiculous level, with teams being fined for tanking games in February.  The NBA is working on new tanking rules.  But the problem is... tanking works.  If you have a bad team, and you are not a 'major media market' that can attract free agents, then the best way to get talented players is through the draft.  

* There have been a lot of trades that could affect the draft- OKC gets the Clippers pick; Atlanta gets New Orleans pick.  Washington and Utah could have lost their picks, and Indiana might if they don't get a top 4 pick

* The past two decades have had the lottery favor the Western Conference.  When a top franchise player is in the draft, they have ended up in the West.  Victor Wembanyama ended in San Antonio; Cooper Flagg in Dallas;  Edwards in Minnesota, Anthony Davis in New Orleans.  When the East gets the #1 pick, the quality of the player hasn't been so high.  It's one reason the Western Conference is perceived as the better conference.

With that said...

Tanking works:  Washington, Indiana, Brooklyn, Utah

We'll go chalk here- the four worst teams get the top four picks.  Three of the franchises have been bad for well over a decade; Indiana fell apart after making the Finals when Tyrese Haliburton was injured.

The NBA's dream scenario:  Chicago, Milwaukee, Golden State, Atlanta

Chicago is a major market undergoing a rebuild, and could use a top pick.  Milwaukee and Golden State have aging stars that could be rejuvenated with a rookie.  Atlanta is a major city with a young team and one more player might put them as contenders

That was a mistake:  Atlanta, OKC, Sacramento, Washington

The top two picks in a deep draft go to playoff teams due to trades.  The Paul George trade hurts the Clippers on last time, and New Orleans lives out a nightmare.  As a bonus, Indiana's pick at #5 goes to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Life in unfair:  Dallas, Golden State, Utah, Brooklyn

Dallas gets their second #1 pick in a row.  Golden State revives the end of Curry's career.  Utah is rewarded for their blatant tanking.  And the West get the top 3 picks