NBA Tanking Picture: Daily Look at Race to Draft Lottery

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The NBA tanking picture is coming into clearer focus as the regular season winds down. This daily update provides a detailed look at the standings, lottery odds, and remaining schedules for the teams jockeying for the best draft position. The Pacers, Nets, Wizards, Kings, and Jazz currently have the best odds for the top pick, while teams like the Mavericks, Grizzlies, and Pelicans are also in the mix. The Warriors, Trail Blazers, Magic, and Hornets are fighting for play-in tournament spots.

Why it matters

The NBA draft lottery is a high-stakes event that can significantly impact a team's future. Teams at the bottom of the standings are strategically losing games to improve their odds of landing a top draft pick, which could be a franchise-changing talent. This daily breakdown keeps fans informed on the latest tanking picture and the implications for each team's playoff and draft aspirations.

The details

The Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, and Washington Wizards currently have the best odds (14%) of landing the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Sacramento Kings (12.5%), Utah Jazz (10.5%), and Dallas Mavericks (9%) round out the teams with the highest lottery odds. Meanwhile, the Warriors, Trail Blazers, Magic, and Hornets are all in the play-in tournament race, fighting to extend their seasons. Each team's remaining schedule is provided, highlighting the key matchups that could impact the tanking and playoff pictures.

• The NBA regular season ends on April 12, 2026.

What’s next

The NBA draft lottery will take place on May 21, 2026, determining the order of the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.