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The 2025 NBA draft lottery is one of the most anticipated events on the basketball calendar. For teams, fans, and players alike, it represents hope and possibility—a chance to reshape a franchise’s future with the right pick. This guide highlights how the NBA draft lottery works, this year’s key storylines, and how you can follow the action live.
The NBA draft lottery determines the order of the first 14 picks in the upcoming NBA draft. The teams that missed the playoffs get a shot at landing the coveted No. 1 spot. The system gives struggling teams hope for improvement while ensuring the process remains fair and transparent.
If you want to understand the full mechanics, this Yahoo Sports guide covers everything from lottery odds to event timing.
The draft lottery takes place in a private room, with NBA officials, select media, team representatives, and an accounting firm on hand to oversee the drawings. Fourteen ping-pong balls, numbered 1 through 14, are mixed within a lottery machine. Teams are assigned different combinations before four numbers are drawn to identify the winner of the No. 1 pick. This process repeats for the top four picks. After that, selection order is based on teams' regular-season records, in reverse.
The 2025 NBA draft lottery is scheduled for Monday, May 12, at 7 p.m. ET in Chicago and will air on ESPN.
Only the 14 teams that didn't make the playoffs are eligible. The teams with the three worst records—Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets—each have a 14% chance of getting the first pick. Other teams, such as the New Orleans Pelicans (12.5%) and Philadelphia 76ers (10.5%), round out the field with varying odds. Check out the full odds breakdown courtesy of Yahoo Sports for all 14 teams.
This year, the NBA draft lottery is being called the "Cooper Flagg Sweepstakes." Flagg, the standout Duke freshman, is widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick. Whichever team lands the top pick is expected to draft him, aiming to accelerate their rebuild with his talent.
The latest USA TODAY Sports mock draft previews potential lottery outcomes and top prospects to watch—such as Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and VJ Edgecombe.
Winning the NBA draft lottery can change a franchise’s direction overnight. Securing a generational talent, like Cooper Flagg, brings excitement, increased ticket sales, and most importantly, hope for the future. Even teams that don’t land the top pick can find cornerstone players and critical role pieces through the lottery system.
For a comprehensive look at the NBA draft combine, player workouts, and pivotal decisions that follow the lottery, see ESPN's NBA Draft Combine Preview.
The NBA draft lottery is more than just a drawing—it’s a launchpad for hope and transformation across the league. Whether your team is eyeing the No. 1 pick or looking to improve its roster, the 2025 NBA draft lottery is a must-watch event for every basketball fan. Stay tuned for lottery night, as the fate of the league’s future stars hangs in the balance.
Looking for more details on top prospects and team draft strategies? Check out the latest insights from USA TODAY Sports.