2026 NBA Draft Odds: Latest Lottery Projections & #1 Pick Favorites

The 2026 NBA Draft features a "Big Three" of high-profile prospects, with Darryn Peterson the current favorite to go No. 1, followed by AJ Dybansta and Cameron Boozer.

Jared Hochman - Content Operations Manager at Covers.com
Jared Hochman • Content Manager
Feb 27, 2026 • 13:28 ET • 5 min read
2026 NBA Draft odds Darryn Peterson AJ Dybantsa
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) looks to pass against BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3).

Both the NBA and college basketball seasons are winding down, which means 2026 NBA Draft odds are becoming a major topic of discussion. 

The NBA has come under fire for almost one-third of the league seemingly tanking — but with one of the deepest draft classes in years (including the "Big Three" prospects of Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybansta, and Cam Boozer), the NBA's cellar dwellers have a lot to gain... by losing.

The NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled for May 10, where we'll find out which team selects first, but for now, here are the latest odds for which player will go No. 1-overall at the NBA Draft on June 24.

2026 NBA Draft odds to go No. 1

Odds from bet365, one of our best betting apps. Sign up with our bet365 promo code, or get one of our other sportsbook promos.

Player bet365
Kansas Darryn Peterson -125
BYU AJ Dybantsa +130
Duke Cameron Boozer +700
UNC Caleb Wilson +10000
Houston Kingston Flemings +10000
Illinois Keaton Wagler +15000
Houston Chris Cenac Jr. +20000
Kentucky Jayden Quaintance +20000
Australia Karim Lopez +20000
Arizona Koa Peat +20000
Louisvilla Mikel Brown Jr. +20000
Tennessee Nate Ament +20000
Baylor Tounde Yessoufou +20000
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2026 NBA Mock Draft: Top 5 Scouting Reports

The 2026 class is defined by a "Big Three" at the top, followed by high-upside versatile wings. Here is how the top of the board looks as we head toward March Madness.

1. Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas

2025-26 stats: 19.5 ppg, 47.4 3PT%

Bill Self has called Peterson the best recruit he’s ever landed at Kansas, as the 6-foot-5 combo guard has elite body control and a methodical scoring pace. He has dealt with minor hamstring and ankle issues this season, but remains the draft's best pure scorer as he can bully smaller guards in the post or pull up from 30 feet with ease.

2. AJ Dybantsa | SF | BYU

2025-26 stats: 25.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 52.8 FG%

Dybantsa is the most "pro-ready" scorer in the class. Standing 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, he currently leads the nation in scoring — including an absurd 30 ppg in February. He is explosive in driving to the paint, and getting to the free-throw line a lot, and he has a strong mid-range game... plus he has greatly improved as a playmaker and ball handler as the season has progressed.

3. Cameron Boozer | PF | Duke

2025-26 stats: 22.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 58.3 FG%

The son of former NBA player Carlos Boozer, Cam is the most productive player in college basketball. He's not as flashy (or may not have quite as high a ceiling) as the flashy wings above him, but Boozer has the highest floor of any player in the draft to turn out as a highly productive player. He is an elite short-roll passer, a solid defender, and can also hit jumpers from a distance.

4. Caleb Wilson | F | North Carolina

2025-26 stats: 19.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 57.8 FG%

Possibly the most athletic player in the draft, has major hops and a relentless motor, which combine well with his elite speed at 6-foot-10. He's a raw player: He struggles to finish at the rim, is not a 3-point threat at all right now, and has issues in off-ball defense, but his potential is as high as any player in the draft.

5. Kingston Flemings | G | Houston

2025-26 stats: 16.8 ppg, 5.1 apg, 85.7 FT%

Flemings has been the biggest draft riser throughout the season. A true point guard, he is a skilled passer, and his incredible speed sees him wreak havoc by getting in the paint and he shines in the open court. His improved jump shot has helped him move from a projected late-lottery pick to the Top-5 conversation over the last few months.

NBA mock draft comparison table

Player School Strength Comparison
Darryn Peterson Kansas Pure scoring Devin Booker
AJ Dybantsa BYU Shot creation Tracy McGrady
Cameron Boozer Duke Passing/IQ Alperen Sengun
Caleb Wilson UNC Athleticism Kenyon Martin
Kingston Flemings Houston Speed/Passing De'Aaron Fox

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Current 2026 NBA Draft Lottery odds

The three teams finishing with the worst record in the NBA all have equal odds of winning the first-overall pick. while the fourth and fifth-worst teams also have odds better than 10% to land No. 1.

Team Record No. 1 odds
Sacramento Kings 14-47 14.0%
Indiana Pacers 15-45 14.0%
Brooklyn Nets 15-43 14.0%
Washington Wizards 16-42 12.5%
New Orleans Pelicans* 16-42 10.5%
Utah Jazz 18-41 9.0%
Dallas Mavericks 21-37 7.5%
Memphis Grizzlies 21-36 6.0%
Chicago Bulls 24-36 4.5%
Milwaukee Bucks 26-31 3.0%

*New Orleans traded its unprotected 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta for Derik Queen at the 2025 draft.

NBA Draft betting trends

Here are some recent trends you'll want to keep in mind when betting on NBA Draft odds:

  • Positions have been reasonably well-distributed among the No. 1 picks. Over the past 21 NBA Drafts, nine have been forwards, seven guards, and five centers.

  • "One-and-done" college freshmen make up the overwhelming majority of recent top picks, being selected No. 1 in 16 of the past 19 seasons since high schoolers were ruled ineligible.

  • Among NCAA schools, Duke leads the all-time count with five No. 1-overall picks, including Paolo Banchero in 2022.

Popular NBA futures markets


History of first overall NBA Draft picks

Cooper Flagg's selection last year ended a two-year stretch of international players taken No. 1 — after just one such player (Andrea Bargnani, 2006) was selected in the previous 17 years. 

Year Player Position
2025 Mavericks Cooper Flagg SF
2024 Hawks Zaccharie Riscacher SF
2023 Spurs Victor Wembanyama C
2022 Magic Paolo Banchero PF
2021 Pistons Cade Cunningham PG
2020 Timberwolves Anthony Edwards SG
2019 Pelicans Zion Williamson PF
2018 Suns Deandre Ayton C
2017 76ers Markelle Fultz PG
2016 76ers Ben Simmons PG/F
2015 Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns C
2014 Cavaliers Andrew Wiggins G/F
2013 Cavaliers Anthony Bennett PF
2012 Pelicans Anthony Davis PF
2011 Cavaliers Kyrie Irving PG
2010 Wizards John Wall PG
2009 Clippers Blake Griffin PF
2008 Bulls Derrick Rose PG
2007 Blazers Greg Oden C
2006 Raptors Andrea Bargnani F/C
2005 Bucks Andrew Bogut C
2004 Magic Dwight Howard C
2003 Cavaliers LeBron James SF/PF
2002 Rockets Yao Ming C
2001 Wizards Kwame Brown C
2000 Nets Kenyon Martin PF

NBA Draft Odds FAQ

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Jared Hochman Content Operations Manager at Covers.com
Content Manager

Before Jared Hochman joined the Covers team in 2020, he worked for newspaper outlets such as the Chronicle Herald and The Coast, worked in marketing for SkipTheDishes and Vivid Seats, and previously ran a magazine. A journalism graduate from the University of King's College in, Halifax, N.S., "Hoch" brings more than a decade of experience in sports betting, having worked as a freelance handicapper, making appearances on Monumental Sports Network and the Sharp 600 podcast, and now also filling in occasionally as host of Covers' NHL Puck Props. 

Awarded Covers' company MVP for 2023, Jared is an avid bettor of MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA, while also wagering on some soccer and WNBA. His best advice for sports bettors? Price shop, which is something he does daily across 10 different sportsbook apps.

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