Utah Jazz’s 2026 NBA Draft Lottery Position to be Decided by Coin Flip
The 2025-26 NBA regular season has officially concluded, leaving the Utah Jazz in a high-stakes deadlock. Following a final-night loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Jazz finished the season with a 22-60 record, placing them in a tie with the Sacramento Kings for the fourth-best odds in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery.
Because the two teams finished with identical records, the NBA will use a coin flip to determine their official order. This result will not only dictate their odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick but could also determine whether the Jazz retain their first-round selection.
The Mechanics of the Tiebreaker
In the NBA, when teams finish with the same record entering the lottery, the league bypasses standard regular-season tiebreakers used for playoff seeding. Instead, a random drawing—specifically a coin flip—is used to break the tie.
The NBA is scheduled to conduct this coin flip around April 20, following the conclusion of the play-in tournament. The winner of the flip will be awarded the fourth-best lottery odds, even as the loser will take the fifth spot.
Why the Coin Flip Matters
While the difference may seem marginal, the shift in percentages is significant for a team seeking a franchise-altering talent:
- 4th Spot: 12.5% chance at the No. 1 overall pick.
- 5th Spot: 10.5% chance at the No. 1 overall pick.
Currently, both the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings are listed with 11.5% odds until the tie is broken.
Draft Pick Protection and the Oklahoma City Thunder
Beyond the percentage chance at the top pick, this coin flip has major implications for the Jazz’s roster management. The Utah Jazz’s pick is top-8 protected, with the Oklahoma City Thunder holding the rights to the selection if it falls outside that range.
Securing the fourth spot on the board provides a stronger cushion, increasing the likelihood that the Jazz will keep their pick rather than seeing it transferred to Oklahoma City.
2026 NBA Draft Lottery Landscape
The Jazz are part of a larger pool of teams vying for the top spot. The Washington Wizards secured the worst record in the league (17-65), giving them the best odds at the No. 1 pick.
Current Lottery Odds (Top 5)
| Lottery Slot | Team | Record | No. 1 Pick Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Wizards | 17-65 | 14% |
| 2 | Indiana Pacers | 19-63 | 14% |
| 3 | Brooklyn Nets | 20-62 | 14% |
| 4 (Tie) | Utah Jazz | 22-60 | 11.5% |
| 4 (Tie) | Sacramento Kings | 22-60 | 11.5% |
Other teams involved in upcoming tiebreakers include the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans, who will flip for the seventh and eighth spots.
Key Takeaways and Timeline
- The Tie: Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings both finished 22-60.
- The Solution: A coin flip will determine who takes the 4th spot (12.5% odds) and who takes the 5th (10.5% odds).
- The Risk: The pick is top-8 protected; the Oklahoma City Thunder hold the pick if it falls to 9th or lower.
- Key Date: The coin flip occurs around April 20; the official NBA Draft Lottery takes place on May 10.
As the Jazz move toward the May 10 lottery, the organization remains focused on developing young talent and navigating the complexities of their protected pick agreements.