The NBA draft lottery is almost here, and for fans of the league's rebuilding teams, it's the most exciting—and nerve-wracking—event of the offseason. This year's lottery takes place on Sunday, with the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets holding the best odds to land the coveted No. 1 pick.
The lottery has been a game-changer since it began in 1985, when the New York Knicks won the top pick and selected Patrick Ewing, a move that reshaped their franchise for years. The format has evolved over time, and there's even talk of more changes coming soon. But for now, the process remains the same: the top four picks are determined by a weighted drawing, while picks 5 through 14 are assigned in reverse order of each team's regular-season record.
Last year, we took a deep dive into each franchise's lottery history. Now, with the 2026 lottery on the horizon, here's an updated look at the teams involved—and how luck has (or hasn't) smiled on them in the past.
Washington Wizards
Lottery Wins: 2 (2001: Kwame Brown; 2010: John Wall)
Other Top-3 Picks: No. 2 in 2024; No. 3 in 2012 and 2013
Dropped Out of Top 3: 1993, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2025
The Wizards are one of just 11 teams to win multiple No. 1 picks in the lottery era, so it hasn't been all bad. But last year's drop from second to sixth overall was a tough break. Fortunately, after finishing with the league's worst record this season, Washington doesn't have to worry about losing its pick—unless it fell outside the top eight, in which case it would have gone to the Knicks. That's one less thing to stress about.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers were one of the league's worst teams when the lottery debuted in 1985, but they narrowly missed out on Patrick Ewing. This year, their pick will go to the Los Angeles Clippers if it falls outside the top four, so the pressure is on to land a high selection.
Brooklyn Nets
Lottery Wins: 2 (1990: Derrick Coleman; 2000: Kenyon Martin)
Other Top-3 Picks: No. 2 in 1991; No. 3 in 1987 and 2010
The Nets have had some incredible lottery luck. In 2000, they won the No. 1 pick with just a 4% chance. They might have another top pick to their name if they hadn't traded away their selection before the 2017 lottery. Still, their history shows that fortune can strike when you least expect it.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz haven't spent much time in the lottery over the last 40 years, and when they have, they've often been overlooked. A trade landed them the Nets' pick at No. 3 in 2011, and last year they found themselves in the top of the draft again. As they continue to rebuild, the Jazz will be hoping for a little more luck this time around.