Thursday, October 29, 2026

NBA Draft Lottery Will Conclude Victor Wembanyama Sweepstakes

  • Wembanyama’s games in France have been streamed free this season.
  • The NBA Draft lottery will air Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Victor Wembanyama is entering the NBA.
Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Tuesday night will mark championship-level celebration for one lucky NBA franchise. 

The NBA Draft lottery, airing at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, is expected to change the future of the team that lands the first overall pick — and the right to select French sensation Victor Wembanyama.

The 7-foot-4 teenager is such a highly touted prospect that the NBA made all of his games in France’s LNB Pro A available to stream for free this season.

Here’s the breakdown on the odds to land the No. 1 overall pick:

  • The Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs each have a 14% chance at landing the first selection, and all 14 teams in the lottery have at least a chance at winning.
  • The Charlotte Hornets (12.5%) and Portland Trail Blazers (10.5%) have the fourth- and fifth-best odds.
  • Wembanyama’s future is up in the air: There’s a 35% chance he could end up in Orlando, Indiana, Washington, Utah, Dallas, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Toronto, or New Orleans — all of which have no more than a 9% chance of winning the lottery.

Look for tonight’s lucky team to waste no time capitalizing on their good fortune. 

The Pelicans, for example, reportedly sold 3,000 season-ticket packages the day after winning the 2019 lottery and the right to select Zion Williamson. Just last week, the Chicago Blackhawks sold $5.2 million in season-ticket packages after winning the NHL’s draft lottery and thus the Connor Bedard sweepstakes.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBA Opening Week Ratings Rise Amid Mass Injury Concerns

Several NBA stars have sustained significant injuries in the first week.
Basketball - EuroLeague - Virtus Bologna v Maccabi Tel Aviv - PalaDozza, Bologna, Italy - November 21, 2025 Virtus Bologna's Carsen Edwards reacts

NBA Europe’s Promise Comes With an Americanization Risk

“The energy around European basketball is undeniable right now.”
Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ernie Johnson looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Ernie Johnson Leaving ‘Inside the NBA’ After 37 Years

He’ll still be around for March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS.

Mavs’ Miriam Adelson Leads All Sports Owners in Midterms Spending

Adelson spent at least $67 million on Republican races.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/29/26 – Brewers Win World Series, Ernie Leaving ‘Inside the NBA,’ Saquon’s Polymarket Exit

0:00

Featured Today

Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?

PGA Tour Fills Part of $6M Void Left by Good Good Split

The Good Good Championship was renamed the Austin Championship.
Exclusive
October 29, 2026

Aaron Rodgers’s International Games Plan Has No NFL Support

Sources call the QB’s proposed international schedule a “nonsensical concept.”
October 29, 2026

Masters Open to Increasing National Open Winner Invites

“There could be others in the future,” Augusta National’s chairman said.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
October 29, 2026

WNBA Finals Ticket Prices Recover Before Game 6

The Valkyries lead the Dream 3–2 in the Finals.
October 28, 2026

Small-Market Brewers Oust Rays to Claim First World Series Title

The budget-conscious MLB club completed a dominant postseason run.
October 28, 2026

NHL Winter Classic Weekend Expanding Amid Utah’s Sports Push

The “Winter Weekend” includes events with the Jazz, Mammoth, and a concert.
The Sports Bra
October 28, 2026

Women’s Sports Bar Owners: Matinee WNBA Finals Game a ‘Slap in the Face’

The Game 6 reschedule will likely mean thousands in lost revenue.