Jokes, silence and ping-pong balls inside the 2026 NBA draft lottery room

The Washington Wizards secured the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft lottery after 90 minutes of high-stakes tension in Chicago.

A room full of pressure The sealed drawing room at Chicago's Navy Pier was far from boring on Sunday afternoon. It pulsed with heart-pounding excitement and agonizing suspense as 15 team representatives, each carrying the hopes of millions of fans, awaited the fate of 14 ping-pong balls. For many, these moments decided the future of their franchises after months of strategic planning and disappointing performances. The stakes were monumental, turning what might seem like a simple game into a gripping drama that played out in absolute silence between draws. ## The strict secrecy before the draw The league enforced strict rules to ensure the results remained confidential. All phones and computers were confiscated an hour before the lottery to prevent any leaks, and only a select few media members were allowed inside the room for transparency. The event took place on a separate floor from the main lottery show set, with team reps seated beside placards displaying the 1,001 possible combinations based on their draft odds. Among the attendees were executives with advanced degrees, including Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, a tech billionaire and Yale-trained lawyer. ## The suspense between draws The most nerve-wracking part of the process came when NBA vice president Matt Doria paused between pulling each ball, using an internal timing method that stretched the tension to unbearable levels. Between draws, the room fell into complete silence, making the entire event feel like a high-stakes soap opera where 14 faces held the weight of organizational futures. Washington Wizards president Michael Winger sat in the first seat, often called the 'loser seat,' as his team had the worst record and highest odds of securing the top pick. ## Washington’s near-disaster and relief Winger, known as one of the league’s sharpest executives, had convinced owner Ted Leonsis to rebuild the franchise three years earlier. After missing the top five the previous year despite having the best odds, another miss would have been devastating. This year, dropping out of the top five again could have set them back years, even if the No. 5 pick might still yield an All-Star. When the numbers were revealed, Winger’s reaction was minimal—he simply stroked his chin, deep in thought, as his organization’s future shifted in an instant. ## The Jazz’s long-awaited triumph Utah Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge had spent months advocating for tanking to secure a better draft position. Owner Ryan Smith was skeptical after the Jazz fell to No. 6 in 2025 despite their efforts, marking the worst possible outcome despite their high odds. When the Jazz were called for the second pick, Ainge erupted with a fist pump, the only breach of decorum in the 90-minute session. His team, with the fifth-highest odds, ended up with the best luck of the day, defying their previous lottery misfortunes. ## Memphis and Charlotte’s rollercoaster Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman watched in tense silence as the numbers were called, knowing his team had no combinations with '2' in them. The situation took a dramatic turn when the Jazz’s pick triggered a re-draw, with '13' appearing first—fueling hope for long-shot teams like the Charlotte Hornets, who had just a 0.5% chance. Hornets executive Jake Stone clutched his breath as '13' was announced, but the next call to '4' dashed their hopes. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies clung to life as the numbers shifted in their favor. ## Brooklyn and Indiana’s critical moment Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, who had tanked for two years to secure a top pick, felt his chances slipping away as the numbers moved against him. Indiana Pacers assistant GM Ted Wu remained composed beside Winger, knowing his team’s fate hinged on the next draws. When '7' and '6' appeared, the Pacers’ slim hopes flickered, leaving Wu and Clippers representative Rishabh Desai exchanging nervous glances. The tension peaked when '9' was called, leaving the Pacers with just one possible combination to secure the fourth pick. ## Chicago’s local pride and Brooklyn’s slip The Chicago Bulls, with a 20% chance of a top-four pick, saw their late-season tanking pay off as they climbed into the lottery. Their executive Chigozie Umeadi received fist bumps from teammates in the back row, celebrating their unexpected rise. Meanwhile, the Nets slipped to No. 6, compounding their disappointment after years of rebuilding. Sacramento Kings minority owner John Kehriotis, representing his team with a 45% chance of moving into the top four, remained seated as their odds faded. ## A mentor’s support and a champion’s relief Washington Wizards president Michael Winger stepped away to steady himself with a glass of water, his hand trembling as the reality of their top pick set in. Oklahoma City Thunder executive Sam Presti, one of his former mentors, was the first to greet him. Presti, who had previously worked with Winger, sent a good-luck message before the draw. After the results, Winger allowed himself a smile, eager to share the news with his team after watching the broadcast an hour later.