NBA Draft Lottery: Start Time, Odds & What’s At Stake

This year’s NBA Draft Lottery will be one of the most compelling in years as many believe that Duke’s Zion Williamson is one of the best draft prospects of the last decade. There is also a brand new format which will make it more difficult for the worst teams in the league to end up winning the lottery. This means that the playing field is a little bit more level this year and the last place team isn’t exactly guaranteed their star player.

For instance, the New York Knicks were the worst team in the league this season. In past years they would have a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery but this year, they only have a 14 percent chance. The other bottom three teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns will also have a 14 percent chance of winning. Moving down the list, the Chicago Bulls have a 12.5 percent chance at getting the first pick, all while the Atlanta Hawks have a 10.5 percent chance. One of the more notable teams in the lottery is the Los Angeles Lakers who have a two percent shot at winning it all.

The winner of the lottery will have the ability to draft a player who could change the shape of a franchise. Considering the deep pool of talent here, there is a lot on the line for these struggling teams.

If you plan on watching the lottery, it will be broadcasted tonight on ESPN at 8:30 P.M. EST. If you have any stake in this thing, you might want to buy a lottery ticket tomorrow if your team somehow wins.