The Massive NBA Draft Lottery: What You Need to Know
When and How to Watch
The NBA Draft Lottery takes place tomorrow, May 12th, at 7 PM EST. You can catch the event live on ESPN or streaming on the ESPN app.
Why It’s Such a Big Deal This Year
Last year’s draft didn’t have a clear cut top prospect, but this year, it’s a different story. Cooper Flagg, a junior forward from Duke, is widely considered the best prospect in years. Although it’s not necessarily a “Flagg or bust” draft, he’s clearly the cream of the crop.
The Lottery Process Demystified
The lottery determines the order of the first 14 picks in the draft. Fourteen ping pong balls, each with numbers corresponding to each team, are placed in a machine. Four numbers are drawn, and the team with the first number drawn gets the first pick.
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14.0% |
| 2 | 13.8% |
| 3 | 13.6% |
| 4 | 13.4% |
| 5 | 13.2% |
| 6 | 13.0% |
| 7 | 12.8% |
| 8 | 12.6% |
| 9 | 12.4% |
| 10 | 12.2% |
| 11 | 12.0% |
| 12 | 11.8% |
| 13 | 11.6% |
| 14 | 11.4% |
Which Teams Have the Best Odds?
The teams that didn’t make the playoffs have the best chances of winning the lottery. The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets have the highest odds.
Key Teams and Their Odds:
- Utah Jazz (1st pick guaranteed) – 14.0%
- Washington Wizards (5th place) – 52.1%
- Charlotte Hornets (6th place) – 33.7%
What’s in It for the Winners?
The top pick is almost always a game-changer, and this year is no different. Flagg, a skilled scorer and tenacious defender, has the potential to be a superstar in the league. As “Slam Magazine” put it>,
Flagg is a once-in-a-generation talent who could redefine the way the game is played.
What Could Go Wrong?
Even with the top pick, things could go awry. Philadelphia 76ers fans know this all too well after their “Process” went up in smoke. History has shown us that teams can still mess up the draft, even with the number one pick.
Who’s Hoping for a Miracle?
Dallas Mavericks fans are praying for a lottery miracle. With just a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery, they need all the karma they can get. After this season’s heartbreaking end, a Flagg-led revival would be an unforgettable redemption story.
What About the Phoenix Suns?
The Suns had a disappointing season and their pick is-suns/”>headed to Houston. The Rockets have the chance to add another promising young star to their roster or use the pick to acquire a proven veteran scorer.
Final Thoughts
The NBA Draft Lottery is one of the most exciting events in the league, with fortunes changing with the spin of a ping pong ball. As fans of losing teams, we стЧpply root for our teams to “win” the lottery, but we also recognize the importance of losing to rebuild and ultimately compete.
“Winning cures everything,” says former NBA coach and executive Dr. Jack Ramsay, “Winning is the best deodorant.”
FAQs
- Why is the lottery only for the first 14 picks?
- The top 14 picks are determined by the lottery, while the rest of the draft order is based on the teams’ regular-season records.
- How can the ping pong balls land on the same number twice?
- They can’t. Once a number is drawn, it isn’t put back in the machine, ensuring that each team gets a fair shot.
- What happens if a team gets the same pick in the lottery twice?
- It hasn’t happened before, but the team that gets picked twice would keep the better pick.
Don’t miss out! Tune in to the NBA Draft Lottery tomorrow at 7 PM EST on ESPN or streaming on the ESPN app.