The race for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has been heating up for months, and three names keep leading the conversation — AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson.
But the real answer may not come until the NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday, when one lucky franchise lands the top selection and possibly changes its future overnight.
Every team entering the lottery has different goals and roster needs, which makes this one of the most unpredictable nights of the basketball season. Still, a few franchises winning the top pick could completely shift the balance of power across the league — and not in a good way.
Teams Fans Probably Don’t Want Winning the Lottery
Oklahoma City Thunder
This is the nightmare scenario for the rest of the NBA.
The Thunder are already stacked with talent around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Adding a player like Boozer, Peterson, or Dybantsa could push them from contender to full-blown dynasty.
What makes it even crazier? The draft pick originally came from the Los Angeles Clippers in the blockbuster Paul George trade.
Imagine this lineup:
- Elite young core
- MVP-level leadership
- Another future superstar added to the mix
That’s the kind of roster that could dominate the league for years.
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas already shocked the basketball world after moving Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
A lot of fans called it one of the worst trades in recent sports history. But somehow, the Mavericks bounced back by landing top prospect Cooper Flagg, who quickly proved he was worth the hype.
Now imagine Dallas getting another elite young talent like Peterson or Dybantsa.
At that point, all the criticism surrounding the franchise would disappear fast.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are in a strange spot right now. With Stephen Curry nearing the later stages of his career, the team clearly needs fresh superstar talent for the future.
But NBA fans have seen this movie before.
People doubted Golden State once, and then the whole Kevin Durant era happened. That memory alone is enough to make the league nervous about the Warriors getting another top draft pick.
One lucky bounce on Sunday could completely reshape the NBA landscape — especially if one of these powerhouse franchises lands the next superstar.
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