Prediction Markets Reveal Interesting NBA Draft Longshots

The 2026 NBA Draft is finally here.

Even though the NBA is holding one of their biggest nights of the 2026 offseason on a Tuesday night, this event will draw millions of viewers and will drastically change the landscape of the league’s futures.

Popular prediction markets like Kalshi that allow users to trade outcomes of real-world events can give us insight into how the NBA Draft might go down. It’s important to monitor these markets closely as they fluctuate regularly. Let’s take a look at a few fun value options for the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday morning.

Team to draft AJ Dybansta

As of Tuesday morning, the Washington Wizards currently have a 87% chance of selecting Dybansta with the No. 1 overall selection, according to Kalshi. An 87¢ contract on Dybansta landing in Washington would only return 1.14x, which might not make it the best value play.

Instead, Dybansta staying in Utah and being selected by the Jazz would be a fun outcome to root for. The BYU star could fall to the Jazz at No. 2 overall if the Wizards decide to select Kansas guard Darryn Peterson to pair with Trae Young in Washington’s backcourt. Or, the Jazz could get aggressive and make a trade up one spot to land Dybansta.

Dybansta to be selected by the Jazz has a 16% chance of happening as of Tuesday morning on Kalshi. That 16% contract would payout 5.90x, making it a more attractive option.

Team to draft Darryn Peterson

Similarly, if you’re going to root for chaos, a contract on Peterson to be selected by the Wizards would make sense in this scenario.

Peterson to be selected by Washington has a 19% chance of happening. The 19¢ contract has a 4.98x return. Remember, Peterson signaled his confidence in being the NBA Draft’s No. 1 overall pick when he initially made the decision to only workout for Washington.

However, there have been rumors leading up to the NBA Draft that he snuck in a meeting with Utah, also.

Team to draft Yaxel Lendeborg

One of the most fun players in college basketball was Yaxel Lendeborg. And now, he has a chance to become the biggest story in the 2026 NBA Draft.

On Monday, the Dallas Mavericks hired Michigan coach Dusty May, who obviously coached and won a national championship with Lendeborg. After that news became official, Lendeborg sent a message to his former coach.

"I'm going to tell him he better pick me up," Lendeborg said. "If he doesn't, I'm going to be mad, I might block him."

Since those comments, the Mavericks’ saw their chances of landing Lendeborg shoot up. They currently have a 26% of drafting the athletic Michigan wing.