How to Watch 2026 NBA Draft: TV Channel, Start Time, Draft Order & Top Prospects

The 2026 NBA Draft will shape the future of the league as franchises select the next generation of stars. The two-night event takes place June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with live coverage on ABC and ESPN beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Whether you’re looking for the NBA Draft TV schedule, draft order, top prospects, or information on the projected No. 1 pick, here’s everything you need to know before draft night.

Stream NBA all season long with MySports^® Genre Pack^®.

Try MySports for Free!

What Channel Is the NBA Draft On?

The 2026 NBA Draft airs live on ABC and ESPN beginning at 8 p.m. ET on June 23. The second-round airs June 24 on ESPN and streams on the ESPN App.

When is the 2026 NBA Draft

The 2026 NBA Draft takes place June 23 and 24 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY:

• Tues, June 23 at 8 p.m. ET: First-round airs on ABC and ESPN.
• Wed, June 24 at 8 p.m. ET: Second-round airs on ESPN and streams on the ESPN App.

2026 NBA Draft Order

The Washington Wizards will make the first selection in the 2026 NBA Draft after winning the draft lottery. The Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies round out the top three selections. Here’s the official 2026 NBA Draft order:

First Round Order (1-30):

1. Washington Wizards
2. Utah Jazz
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND)
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP)
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
13. Miami Heat
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX)
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI)
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL)
19. Toronto Raptors
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN)
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU)
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE)
24. New York Knicks
25. Los Angeles Lakers
26. Denver Nuggets
27. Boston Celtics
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS)
30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC)

Second Round Order (31-60)

31. New York Knicks (via WSH)
32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND)
33. Brooklyn Nets
34. Sacramento Kings
35. San Antonio Spurs (via UTA)
36. Los Angeles Clippers (via MEM)
37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via DAL)
38. Chicago Bulls (via NOP)
39. Houston Rockets (via CHI)
40. Boston Celtics (via MIL)
41. Miami Heat (via GSW)
42. San Antonio Spurs (via POR)
43. Brooklyn Nets (via LAC)
44. San Antonio Spurs (via MIA)
45. Sacramento Kings (via CHA)
46. Orlando Magic
47. Phoenix Suns (via PHI)
48. Dallas Mavericks (via PHX)
49. Denver Nuggets (via ATL)
50. Toronto Raptors
51. Washington Wizards (via MIN)
52. Los Angeles Clippers (via CLE)
53. Houston Rockets
54. Golden State Warriors (via LAL)
55. New York Knicks
56. Chicago Bulls (via DEN)
57. Atlanta Hawks (via BOS)
58. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET)
59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via SAS)
60. Washington Wizards (via OKC)

Teams without a pick in the 2026 NBA Draft: Indiana Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers.

Top Prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft

There are plenty of elite candidates in this year’s draft class. Here are the top prospects entering draft night:

1. AJ Dybantsa, BYU

Dybantsa has been the presumptive No. 1 pick in this draft for years. The 6-foot-9 wing from Boston led the nation with 25.5 points per game during his freshman season at BYU. It would be a major surprise to see him fall from the top spot.

2. Cameron Boozer, Duke

Boozer has been hyped as an elite prospect for years, and he lived up to the billing in his lone season at Duke. The versatile forward averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

3. Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Darryn Peterson might not have the name recognition of Boozer or the hype surrounding Dybantsa, but whichever team lands him will be getting a star. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as a freshman at Kansas.

4. Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

Rounding out a stellar top four is Caleb Wilson. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. Wilson impacts the game on both ends of the floor and is especially dangerous in transition.

5. Keaton Wagler, Illinois

Wagler played a key role on an Illinois team that reached the Final Four. He averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range.

6. Kingston Flemings, Houston

The 6-foot-4 guard from San Antonio showcased his all-around game during his season at Houston. Flemings averaged 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc.

7. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

Acuff may be the best pure scorer in the draft and is the latest elite point guard to emerge from John Calipari’s system. He averaged 25.5 points per game while shooting 44% from 3-point range. During Arkansas’ tournament run, Acuff averaged more than 30 points and six assists per game.

8. Brayden Burries, Arizona

Burries was a major contributor on Arizona’s Final Four squad, averaging 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He shot 49% from the field and 39% from 3-point range.

9. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

Lendeborg was the centerpiece of Michigan’s national championship team. During the regular season, he averaged 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game while anchoring the Wolverines on both ends of the floor.

10. Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

Brown was limited to just 21 games during his freshman season, but he flashed elite scoring ability, shooting and defensive instincts. Down the stretch, he recorded a 29-point, five-steal performance against Baylor and averaged 20 points and two steals per game.

NBA Lottery Changes

Starting in 2027, the NBA is adopting sweeping changes to the draft’s lottery system in an effort to eliminate tanking, or intentionally losing to get a better draft pick.

While nothing has been confirmed, the proposal has been deemed the “3-2-1” lottery system. This refers to the chances 16 teams will have to get the number one pick.

Here’s how it works. For the teams that finished fourth worst to 10th worst in the league will get three balls in the lottery basket. The league’s worst three teams will be put in the relegation zone and receive two balls thus curbing the incentive to be the league’s worst teams.

Borderline playoffs teams will also be eligible for the lottery. The ninth and 10th seeds in each conference will receive two chances at the top pick and the losers of the 7-8 play-in game will receive one chance.

Stream NBA on DIRECTV

Watch every pick of the 2026 NBA Draft live on DIRECTV. Catch complete coverage on ABC and ESPN as teams build their futures and select the next generation of NBA stars.

Don’t have DIRECTV? Let’s fix that!