Updated NBA Draft Lottery Odds: Every Team's Chance at the No. 1 Pick
Some teams, like Golden State, Houston and Cleveland, enter the season with the expectation of a championship. Others, like Boston, Oklahoma City and Toronto expect to contend.
But then there are the tanking teams, squads that hope to lose as many games to potentially secure a draft position high enough to land a franchise player that can lead them to the promise land.
Although the NBA's new drafting system makes tanking a little more difficult, the worst teams still get the highest odds of a higher draft pick. The top three picks are decided by drawing ping pong balls, but the remaining picks in the lottery (4-14) will be arranged by team records. Here are the final 2018 NBA draft lottery standings and odds:
| <p>Team</p> | <p>Odds of No. 1 pick</p> | <p>Odds of top-three pick</p> |
|---|---|---|
1. Phoenix Suns (21-61) | 25 percent | 64.2 percent |
2. Memphis Grizzlies (22-60) | 19.9 percent | 55.8 percent |
3. Dallas Mavericks (24-58) | 13.8 percent | 42.6 percent |
4. Atlanta Hawks (24-58) | 13.7 percent | 42.6 percent |
5. Orlando Magic (25-57) | 8.8 percent | 29.1 percent |
6. Chicago Bulls (27-55) | 5.3 percent | 18.3 percent |
7. Sacramento Kings (27-55) | 5.3 percent | 18.3 percent |
8. Cleveland Cavaliers via Brooklyn Nets (28-54) | 2.8 percent | 9.9 percent |
9. New York Knicks (29-53) | 1.7 percent | 6.1 percent |
10. Philadelphia 76ers or Boston Celtics via L.A. Lakers (35-47)* | 1.1 percent | 4.0 percent |
11. Charlotte Hornets (36-46) | 0.8 percent | 2.9 percent |
12. L.A. Clippers via Detroit Pistons (39-43)** | 0.7 percent | 2.5 percent |
13. L.A. Clippers (42-40) | 0.6 percent | 2.2 percent |
14. Denver Nuggets (46-36) | 0.5 percent | 1.8 percent |
* Celtics get pick if 2-5, otherwise Sixers receive it
** Pistons keep pick if 1-4
