NBA breaks ties for 2026 draft position; Jazz keep protected pick
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- The NBA conducted tiebreakers for the 2026 draft order, notably deciding the fourth and fifth lottery odds between the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings, with Utah securing the fourth-best odds.
- Both Utah and Sacramento have a 45.2% chance to move into the top four picks and an 11.5% chance at the first overall pick; Utah's top-eight protected pick remains secured.
- The New Orleans Pelicans received the seventh lottery slot but will not use the pick due to a prior trade with the Atlanta Hawks, who will get the better pick between New Orleans and Milwaukee.
- Other tiebreaks set picks 16 through 25 among teams including Memphis, Oklahoma City, Charlotte, Toronto, San Antonio, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles, often involving traded picks.
- The NBA draft lottery is scheduled for May 10 in Chicago, with the draft combine running May 10-17, and the draft itself held June 23-24 in Brooklyn; the early entrant deadline is this Friday.
