NBA Draft Lottery: Power Rankings of Chaos II
Do I really look like a guy with a plan? I'm a dog chasing Draft Lottery ping pong balls; I wouldn't know what to do if I caught them. The NBA Draft Lottery Power Rankings of Chaos are back for 2026.
You’ve just survived a generational tanking experience.
One that, apparently, we may never see again.
Now, there’s a chance to dance with destiny for a handful of teams tonight.
The 2026 NBA Draft class is the belle of the ball. It’s the glass slipper that Cinderella left behind. It’s the holy grail that Indiana Jones is trying to capture.
For all of the fan bases watching eagerly today, this lottery feels different. It feels like hope. But to quote the great Red from Shawshank Redemption…
“Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive an NBA fan insane.”
The lottery brings forth a lot of exciting times and can have fans getting caught daydreaming about grabbing the missing piece of the puzzle. But there’s also the other side of the fence that can present itself on a night full of optimism.
Tonight can bring us chaos.
Last year, I installed the first annual edition of the “Lottery Power Rankings of Chaos.” My number one pick last year? The Dallas Mavericks. I’m not trying to say I have a crystal ball here. But if I’m right this year. Well, we could have a conversation.
This year is the most challenging power rankings of all time. Based on the fact that there’s a plethora of insane storylines to monitor, we’ve got a lot to talk about.
I present to you the…
Lottery Power Rankings of Chaos II.
#1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Currently Slotted: 12th
Chances at #1: 1.8%
You can run, but you can’t hide.
No matter what we try to do, Sam Presti is standing at the end of the hallway in the pitch black like Freddy Krueger, ready to haunt all of our dreams for an eternity. It’s incredible that one of the top teams in the league, as of right now, has a chance to get lucky and find themselves in the mix to add a gigantic asset to the roster. The Thunder are slotted to have the 12th overall pick, via the Los Angeles Clippers.
That means if Mark Tatum pulls out an envelope for the 12th spot that doesn’t have the Clippers/Thunder logo, you might hear me on TV screaming in the background of the lottery.
#2. Dallas Mavericks
Currently Slotted: 8th
Chances at #1: 6.7%
Tanking got a lot of attention in the basketball world this year—so much so that the league is considering making rule changes to the system of madness moving forward. Last year, after a trade that still somehow doesn’t seem real, the Mavericks struck lottery gold, which resulted in them landing the eventual Rookie of the Year in Cooper Flagg. History has told us that there’s no way that something like that could happen again…right? RIGHT?!
Dallas made news recently with the announcement of Masai Ujiri taking over the reins in the front office. Then, they sent shockwaves on Friday with the news that they are hiring former DraftExpress maniac and Portland Trail Blazers assistant GM Mike Schmitz to be the new General Manager. There’s a lot of positive juju flowing in the air surrounding the Mavericks…one more night of lottery fortune could see things get scary in Dallas in a hurry.
#3. Indiana Pacers
Currently Slotted: 2nd
Chances at #1: 14.0%
ANARCHY WARNING: This pick is basically going to either the Pacers or the Clippers
Not only are Pacers fans rooting for lottery fortune, but they are hoping that in the worst-case scenario, they have a pick to get excited about. After a trade deadline move, the Pacers will only keep this pick if it remains inside the Top 4. If it doesn’t, the Los Angeles Clippers will be picking.
Indiana has the rare opportunity to be a team that could make a serious run in the Eastern Conference next year. Superstar Tyrese Haliburton should be back, and the roster will be hungry to contend once again. Adding a potential top pick in this class would be the engine to get things really rolling.
#4. Golden State Warriors
Currently Slotted: 11th
Chances at #1: 2.0%
Look…As scared as we all are when it comes to the OKC Thunder winning the lottery, there’s another universe that’s just as scary. Golden State has been trending towards the Dark Ages when it comes to thinking of the next step of their franchise evolution. One way that can suddenly jolt some electricity into the picture would be getting some luck with the lottery gods. It would seem only fitting if Golden State landed a Top 3 pick while also getting another legit option for the future rebuild. There’s also just a chance if GSW lands a Top 3 pick, we all let out a loud sigh at the exact same time.
#5. Milwaukee Bucks
Currently Slotted: 10th
Chances at #1: 3.0%
Can you imagine if, after a year full of Giannis trade rumor galore and injury debates, they suddenly just magically win the lottery?
Would that be the all-time “are you kidding me…” moment?
Wait, no; that just happened last year with the Mavericks.
Would that somehow rival the Mavericks moment from last year?
Probably. Milwaukee needs to get a little lucky to get things cooking in the right direction. You could argue that Bucks fans have a little spooky momentum on their side if they are trying to get “rewarded” for potentially losing a franchise player via trade at the same time. Is the fix in? Are we actually onto something? If they could land a top pick, it would send the conspiracy theory folks into a frenzy.
#6. Utah Jazz
Currently Slotted: 4th
Chances at #1: 11.5%
You know how in every single lottery, there’s a team that seems to quietly lurk in the shadows? It seems as if too many fans are focusing on the fact that some chaotic scenarios could happen (OKC, GSW, DAL, etc.) while not realizing that this could be the ultimate madness.
What if Utah, after successfully pulling off a big trade for Jaren Jackson Jr., lands at the top after having some serious ties to a certain prospect that played at BYU? After also having another serious connection to a certain prospect who played at Duke? It seems as if there are too many paths that lead to the Utah Jazz landing a Top 3 pick. If they can win the top pick, it will be a heck of a get for an organization that looks to be on the verge of taking a massive step in the right direction.
#7. Miami Heat
Currently Slotted: 13th
Chances at #1: 1.0%
No one is really focusing on one of the most ridiculous outcomes of the lottery. After just sort of being stuck in the middle of the pack in the league…what if Miami suddenly wins the lotto? Look, I know what you’re thinking. I’m thinking the exact same thing.
“No…there’s just no way.”
But, is that when we should be the most concerned? Is that when the DEFCON chart needs to suddenly be shifting in a much more serious direction? I think quietly Will Smith’s “Welcome to Miami” is playing in the distance like a creepy background noise. I feel like I’m hallucinating. I’m officially concerned.
#8. Sacramento Kings
Currently Slotted: 5th
Chances at #1: 11.5%
Alright, Kings fans, I promise this is meant as a compliment. It seems like every time there’s a big, gigantic lottery, fans just sort of focus on other teams potentially winning the big night. WHAT IF IT’S TIME FOR KINGS FANS TO SHOCK THE WORLD?! WHAT IF THIS IS THE DAY THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WAITING FOR? WHAT IF THE BEAM SUDDENLY STARTS TO KICK INTO OVERDRIVE WHEN THE LOTTERY BEGINS?!
I think I’m buying into the madness. I think the beam has been a caged animal just waiting to be unleashed.
#9. Memphis Grizzlies
Currently Slotted: 6th
Chances at #1: 9.0%
It seems as if there’s a high chance that after the lottery, we are quickly looking back and realizing, “Oh my goodness, the Grizzlies somehow pulled off landing in the Top 3.” Memphis has a fun roster that looks poised to have a bit of a sped-up rebuild. The icing on top of the cake would be getting some lottery luck this evening. There’s a world in which Memphis moves up and quietly adds Cameron Boozer alongside Zach Edey and spreads fear to every rebounding category that exists. High amount of “hey, I could see that guy wearing a Grizzlies uniform” vibes. That has to mean something when it comes to the lottery balls.
#10. Atlanta Hawks
Currently Slotted: 7th
Chances at #1: 6.8%
Atlanta has a bit of a kicker that we need to point out. Hawks fans are basically rooting for the Bucks and the Pelicans on lottery night. If either team jumps, Atlanta would get the best of the picks. So basically, the Hawks have been thriving when it comes to being Agents of Chaos. What a wild curveball for the Hawks. A year after making an incredible draft night trade with the Pelicans, the Hawks could get rewarded for stressing patience and insert a bit of a spark plug when it comes to the rebuilding process. High amount of good vibes when it comes to “hey, no one is focusing enough on the Hawks potentially pulling this off…”
#11. Washington Wizards
Currently Slotted: 1st
Chances at #1: 14.0%
Every year, it seems as if it’s time for the Washington Wizards to get lucky at the NBA Draft. After a big swing at the NBA trade deadline, it seems as if the Wizards are ready to roll. Is this the last piece of the puzzle for the Washington Wizards to be back cooking in the kitchen of the Eastern Conference?
That’s what the streets are wondering. I’m starting to believe it’s time. These aren’t the same Washington Wizards, and I believe it’s time for the Wizards to strike gold.
#12. Charlotte Hornets
Currently Slotted: 14th
Chances at #1: 0.5%
Charlotte was one of the most pleasant surprises in the league last year, and the Hornets are quickly trending as a team on the rise. It would seem like another big-time get in the lottery would be the piece that gets the Charlotte rebirth shifted into overdrive for the foreseeable future.
Not that Hornets fans are getting their hopes up already, but hey…what if this really could happen? What if it’s time for the Charlotte Hornets to turn into a bit of a mini-wagon?
#13. Chicago Bulls
Currently Slotted: 9th
Chances at #1: 4.5%
I’m still in awe that the Chicago Bulls landed Derrick Rose back in the day. People don’t forget. So I’m never going to rule out the Bulls somehow landing a Top 3 pick because it seems like they are due. I’m also thinking there’s a chance that Mark Tatum turns over a Bulls logo for the seventh pick just to mess with the fans and then goes “just kidding guys.” I mean, could you imagine?
#14. Brooklyn Nets
Currently Slotted: 3rd
Chances at #1: 14.0%
The Brooklyn Nets find themselves at the bottom of the chaos power rankings. It’s not because I don’t love them. It’s because they’ve done things the right way and probably should be rewarded for it. Seriously, guys, let’s get the Nets in the Top 3 and keep this train rolling.
You got the Hawks part right re: the Pels and Bucks…but then why would you include the Bucks at all when they in fact cannot win the lottery?