What's next for 10 lottery-bound teams ahead of the NBA draft? - ESPN

As we near the end of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, the postseason picture is becoming clearer for not only playoff contenders but also teams at the bottom of the standings looking to turn the page.

After reaching the 2025 NBA Finals last season, the Indiana Pacers have fallen far from those heights as they suffer through an injury-plagued season. But they could land a top-five pick in June's draft to build on their championship aspirations from last season. The Milwaukee Bucks will also be busy this offseason, with the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo being one of the biggest questions.

Our NBA insiders evaluate the 10 teams at the bottom of the standings, checking on what is new after the trade deadline and whether their draft and offseason strategy has changed.

It might not be their turn to raise the Larry O'Brien Trophy this June, but these 10 teams still have something to look forward to: the NBA lottery, set to take place May 10.

Projections are based on ESPN Analytics as of Feb. 23

Jump to a likely lottery team:
Kings | Wizards | Nets
Pacers | Jazz | Hawks
Mavericks | Bulls | Grizzlies | Bucks

Current record: 13-46

Projected record: 18-64

Chance at the No. 1 pick: 13.8%

What's new after the trade deadline?

Deactivating players and a whole bunch of blowout losses. Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and deadline acquisition De'Andre Hunter — three of their four highest-paid players — have all undergone season-ending surgeries in the past week. The Kings were winning only occasionally when their veterans were available, and they've now shifted toward a youth movement that has only spiraled their season further. They snapped a franchise-record 16-game losing streak on Monday after defeating Memphis, improving to 4-26