We’re drawing ever closer to the 2025 NBA Draft, and with it a transformative player who could turn around a franchise. A total of 14 teams have a chance to win the No. 1 overall pick, with five organizations having a 10% chance or better to landing the first pick.
Find our most recent mock draft from Ricky O’Donnell here. Today we break down everything you need to know about the NBA Draft Lottery in 2025, and why so much attention is on this draft class.
When is the NBA Draft Lottery?
The lottery will be held on Monday, May 12 — airing live on ESPN with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
What are the draft lottery odds this year?
NBA Draft Lottery Odds
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| Utah Jazz | 14 | 13.4 | 12.7 | 12 | 47.9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Washington Wizards | 14 | 13.4 | 12.7 | 12 | 27.8 | 20 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Charlotte Hornets | 14 | 13.4 | 12.7 | 12 | 14.8 | 26 | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| New Orleans Pelitcans | 12.5 | 12.2 | 11.9 | 11.5 | 7.2 | 25.7 | 16.8 | 2.2 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.6 | 10.5 | 2.2 | 19.6 | 26.7 | 8.7 | 0.6 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Brooklyn Nets | 9 | 9.2 | 9.4 | 9.6 | – | 8.6 | 29.7 | 20.6 | 3.7 | 0.2 | – | – | – | – |
| Toronto Raptors | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.5 | – | – | 19.7 | 34.1 | 12.9 | 1.3 | >0.0 | – | – | – |
| San Antonio Spurs | 6.o | 6.3 | 6.7 | 7.2 | – | – | – | 34.5 | 32 | 6.8 | 0.4 | >0.0 | – | – |
| Houston Rockets | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.9 | – | – | – | – | 50.7 | 28.3 | 3.5 | 0.1 | >0.0 | – |
| Portland Trailblazers | 3.7 | 4 | 4.4 | 4.8 | – | – | – | – | – | 63.4 | 18.5 | 1.2 | >0.0 | – |
| Dallas Mavericks | 1.8 | 2 | 2.2 | 2.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 77.6 | 13.5 | 0.5 | >0.0 |
| Chicago Bulls | 1.7 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 2.4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 85.2 | 6.6 | >0.0 |
| Sacramento Kings | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1 | 1.1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 92.9 | 0.1 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3.3 |
| 96.6 |
Why is 2025 such a big deal?
Cooper Flagg. The Duke forward is the most exciting U.S.-born prospect since LeBron James, and he’s been earmarked as a No. 1 overall pick since high school. His blend of size, athleticism, feel for the game, and basketball I.Q. has the entire NBA drooling.
Flagg has been compared to players like Scottie Pippen, Jason Tatum, and Kawhi Leonard — all three franchise-defining players who can be a cornerstone of an organization. However, even beyond Flagg there are some exciting top prospects in this class including Dylan Harper from Rutgers (son of former Bulls’ great Ron Harper), Ace Bailey, and V.G. Edgecombe. While Flagg is the ultimate prize, this is a big-time draft at the top for potential star players.
Who are the franchise representatives at the NBA Draft Lottery?
One of the best traditions of the NBA lottery is having each team send a representative of their choice to witness the drawing. These include team executives, current players, and franchise greats. This is the list of people who will be repping each lottery candidate.
- Utah Jazz: Thurl Bailey (former player)
- Washington Wizards: Will Dawkins (general manager)
- Charlotte Hornets: Charles Lee (head coach)
- New Orleans Pelicans: Willie Guerin (general manager)
- Philadelphia 76ers: Jared McCain (player)
- Brooklyn Nets: Jordi Fernandez (head coach)
- Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes (player)
- San Antonio Spurs: Mitch Johnson (head coach)
- Houston Rockets: Hakeem Olajuwon (former player)
- Portland Trail Blazers: Toumani Camara (player)
- Dallas Mavericks: Rolando Blackman (former player)
- Chicago Bulls: Matas Buzelis (player)
- Sacramento Kings: Monte McNair (president of basketball operations)
- Atlanta Hawks: Jami Gertz (co-owner)
How to watch 2025 NBA Draft lottery
The 2025 NBA Draft lottery is going down before Game 4 of the Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks series. Here’s how to watch it:
Date: Monday, May 12
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV/streaming: ESPN
