Winners, Losers from NBA Draft Lottery: Shameless tanking for the win. And Toni Kukoc.

Key Points:

• The Washington Wizards secured the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft despite having the worst record, highlighting ongoing issues with tanking under the current lottery system, which the NBA plans to change next year.
• Teams like the Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Memphis Grizzlies were rewarded for tanking strategies, with all three landing the top three picks, underscoring why the league sees a need to revise the lottery to discourage intentional losing.
• The Chicago Bulls improved their draft position to No. 4, likely selecting a promising player such as Caleb Willson or Cameron Boozer, marking a critical move for new lead executive Bryson Graham.
• The Brooklyn Nets, despite having a poor season, ended up with the No. 6 pick, missing out on a top-tier prospect and facing challenges with the upcoming new lottery system reducing their chances for elite talent.
• The Indiana Pacers lost their top-five protected pick to the LA Clippers due to a February trade, effectively exchanging the No. 5 pick for Ivica Zubac, a move that carries significant implications for their rebuilding efforts.