2025 NBA Draft Lottery: Date, Teams, Odds, and the Race to Land Cooper Flagg
When and Where?
The NBA Draft Lottery will take place on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Chicago during the NBA Draft Combine. Results will air live on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET, with Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum overseeing the event. This lottery sets the order for the first 14 picks in the June 25–26 draft
Eligible Teams
The 14 non-playoff teams include:
- Utah Jazz (17–65, highest odds)
- Washington Wizards (18–64)
- Charlotte Hornets (19–63)
- New Orleans Pelicans (21–61)
- San Antonio Spurs (34–48)
Odds Breakdown
The three worst teams (Jazz, Wizards, Hornets) each have a 14% chance to land the No. 1 pick. The Pelicans (12.5%) and 76ers (10.5%) follow, while the Spurs hold just a 6% chance. The lottery system guarantees the worst team can’t drop below the fifth pick .
The Prize: Cooper Flagg
The 6’9" Duke forward is the undisputed top prospect, blending elite defense (5.4 blocks and 4.6 steals per 40 minutes at the U17 World Cup) with growing offensive polish. Scouts liken his length and IQ to Kevin Durant, though his three-point shooting remains inconsistent. Flagg’s reclassification from the 2026 draft has made him the franchise-altering target for lottery teams
How the Lottery Works
Fourteen numbered ping-pong balls generate 1,001 possible combinations. The top four picks are drawn first, with remaining slots ordered by regular-season records. For example, Utah holds 140 combinations (14%) for the No. 1 pick .
Key Storylines
Utah’s Rebuild
The Jazz aim to pair Flagg with Lauri Markkanen, creating a defensive anchor and scoring duo.
Washington’s Reset
The Wizards need a cornerstone—Flagg’s rim protection could fix their frontcourt weaknesses.
Charlotte’s Desperation
Five straight playoff misses have the Hornets praying for a 14% miracle to revive their roster.
What to Watch
- Trades: Teams like Brooklyn (four first-round picks) and Utah could trade up for Flagg or stockpile assets.
- Draft Combine: Prospects like Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe may shift team strategies during May 11–18 evaluations in Chicago.
Historical Context
Since the 2019 lottery reform, tanking incentives have dropped—the three worst teams share equal 14% odds. The 2024 Hawks’ jump from 10th to No. 1 proved luck still trumps odds .
Don’t Miss the Drama
Tune in to ESPN on May 12 to see which franchise wins the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes—and potentially a decade of relevance.
