Utah Jazz rise in draft lottery, claim No. 2 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft
May 10, 2026, 1:28 PM | Updated: 1:29 pm
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) slaps hands with guard Keyonte George (3) after Markkanen made a basket during an NBA game against the Boston Celtics held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
CHICAGO — For the second time in franchise history, the Utah Jazz will be on the clock with the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
It will be Utah’s highest selection in the lottery era. The franchise had never climbed to pick ahead of its pre-lottery position before today.
The 2026 NBA Draft will be held on June 23 and 24 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The Utah Jazz will pick second in the 2026 NBA Draft!#NBADraftLottery #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/g0TKUZvg29
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 10, 2026
The Jazz had just a 45.2 percent chance of landing in the top four, and only an 11.4 percent chance of claiming the second pick.
The ping pong balls bounced in favor of Utah at the perfect time. Not only will the franchise add a top prospect as they shift toward playoff contention, but they are doing so in what is seen as one of the better drafts in recent memory.
The Utah Jazz will be able to pick one of BYU wing AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cam Boozer, and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, all of whom are seen as potential future All-Stars.
NBA Draft Lottery Results
- Washington Wizards
- Utah Jazz
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Chicago Bulls
- LA Clippers
- Brooklyn Nets
- Sacramento Kings
- Atlanta Hawks
- Dallas Mavericks
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Golden State Warriors
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Miami Heat
- Charlotte Hornets
Utah Jazz Draft Lottery History
Since beginning the current rebuild back in 2022, the Jazz have picked at No. 9, No. 10, and No. 5. In each of the last two seasons, they dropped in the lottery and picked later than where their record slotted them.
Utah also dropped in the 2014 and 2005 lotteries. They stayed in place in 2016, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2006, and 2004.
The franchise has only moved up in the lottery once, and that was with a pick acquired from the Brooklyn Nets back in 2011.
