Watch the First Round of the 2026 NBA Draft tomorrow at 8:00pm/et on ABC & ESPN.
Washington will be getting the first pick in the NBA Draft for the third time in its common draft era history (since 1966). Previously, Washington Wizards got Kwame Brown (in 2001) and John Wall (in 2010) with the No. 1 overall pick.
For the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, Washington had a 14.0% probability of receiving the No. 1 overall pick, along with Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers. Washington became the first team in NBA Draft history since flattening odds were implemented in 2019 that finished at the bottom of NBA and received the No. 1 pick. Washington picking up the top choice will be their first since selecting Wall with the first pick in 2010. Wall was a five-time NBA All-Star player in the Washington Wizards.
Cleveland Cavaliers are leading the list of teams that have the most No. 1 picks in NBA Draft during the lottery era (since 1985). With their top pick, Cleveland selected Brad Daugherty (1986), LeBron James (2003), Kyrie Irving (2011), Anthony Bennett (2013), and Andrew Wiggins (2014).
When it comes to the common draft era, Duke is the school with the highest number of No. 1 picks with five, followed by Kentucky with three. Duke University’s No. 1 picks include Elton Brand (1999), Kyrie Irving (2011), Zion Williamson (2019), Paolo Banchero (2022), and Cooper Flagg (2025). Kentucky University’s No. 1 picks include John Wall (2010), Anthony Davis (2012), and Karl-Anthony Towns (2015).
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Four out of 41 No. 1 overall picks during the lottery era have won the NBA championship with the drafting team, namely David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs, first pick in 1987), Tim Duncan (Spurs, first pick in 1997), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers, first pick in 2003) and Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers, first pick in 2011). LeBron James’ NBA Championship with the Cavaliers was during his second stint with the team.
PICK POSITION
• Utah Jazz will be selecting second overall in the NBA Draft for the second time ever. Utah Jazz picked up Darrell Griffith in the No. 2 position in the 1980 draft.
• Memphis Grizzlies will be selecting third overall in the NBA Draft for the second time ever. Memphis Grizzlies picked up Shareef Abdur-Rahim with the No. 3 pick in 1996 before their second year as an expansion team.
• Chicago Bulls will be selecting fourth overall in the NBA Draft for the sixth time. With the No. 4 pick, Chicago Bulls picked up Tom Boerwinkle in 1968, Kelvin Ransey in 1980, Marcus Fizer in 2000, Eddy Curry in 2001 and Patrick Williams in 2020.
• LA Clippers will be selecting fifth overall in the NBA Draft for the first time ever. It will be the first time that LA Clippers have made a top five pick since 2009, when they selected Blake Griffin with the No. 1 pick.
How to watch 2026 NBA Draft first round
Date: Tuesday, June 23 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Barclays Center — New York
TV: ABC and ESPN
How to watch 2026 NBA Draft second round
Date: Wednesday, June 24 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Barclays Center — New York
TV: ABC and ESPN
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