Austin Lands No. 2 Pick in 2026 Lottery, Giving Jazz a Boost
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Utah Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge left the 2026 NBA Draft lottery with a smile on Sunday after the franchise vaulted from the fourth‐best odds to the No. 2 overall selection.
“Jazz fans have waited a long time for something like this,” Ainge said, according to the Deseret News. “I’m really excited for our fans.” The jump marks the first time the organization has moved up in the lottery with its own pick.
The Washington Wizards secured the top spot, and high school standout AJ Dybantsa is widely projected as the favorite to be taken at No. 1.
For Utah, the draft position signals another step in a rebuild that began when the club traded away its All-Stars in 2022. Until now, the highest pick during that process had been No. 5 in 2025, used to select Ace Bailey.
Holding the second choice places the Jazz within reach of the top tier of prospects. Forwards Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are among the names expected to receive close consideration.
“It feels great, a big relief,” Ainge said. “It’s a really important tool for us to help build this winning team.” He added that the front office must decide which player ranks first and second on its board, emphasizing that “we still have to get it right.”
Utah is also open to listening to trade inquiries involving the pick, though any move would need to align with the club’s long-term plans.
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is slated for June 23.
Source: Hoops Wire
