🏀 NBA Draft Lottery *DISCUSSION* (Tuesday May 14th) Who Lands #1? 🏀
How to watch the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery
Which teams are in the Lottery this year?
2019 NBA LOTTERY ODDS
* Owed picks:
Are there any changes to the format this year?
Yes. In an attempt to discourage teams from tanking, the league implemented a new set of lottery odds. Previously, the team with the worst record had a 25 percent chance at getting the top pick. Now, the teams with the three worst records all have an equal 14 percent chance at the top pick. Likewise, the odds were smoothed across the board, giving teams in the middle of the lottery a better chance at moving up into the top-four slots.
Additionally, the team with the worst record used to be guaranteed to receive no worse than the fourth pick. That was because the first three picks were the only ones determined by the lottery. After those picks, the remaining teams were ordered in the inverse of their regular season records. Now, the first four picks will be decided by the lottery draw. Thus, the team with the worst record will receive no worse than the fifth pick.
Who are the top prospects?
There's no question that the best prospect heading into the draft is Duke forward Zion Williamson. The 18-year-old was a viral sensation in his high school days, and became the best player in college basketball in his freshman season. Regardless of which team wins the No. 1 pick, he's expected to be the first player selected.
Beyond that, however, there are plenty of questions. Here are the top five players off the board in the most recent mock draft from CBS Sports' Kyle Boone:
By Jack Maloney
- Date: Tuesday, May 14
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- TV channel: ESPN
- Online streaming: WatchESPN
Which teams are in the Lottery this year?
2019 NBA LOTTERY ODDS
 NY |
17-65 | 52.1% | 14.0% | |
 CLE |
19-63 | 52.1% | 14.0% | |
 PHO |
19-63 | 52.1% | 14.0% | |
 CHI |
22-60 | 48.0% | 12.5% | |
 ATL |
29-53 | 42.1% | 10.5% | |
 WAS |
32-50 | 37.2%* | 9.0%* | |
 NO |
33-49 | 26.3% | 6.0% | |
 DAL |
33-49 | 26.3%* | 6.0%* | |
 MEM |
33-49 | 26.3% | 6.0% | |
 MIN |
36-46 | 13.9% | 3.0% | |
 LAL |
37-45 | 9.4% | 2.0% | |
 CHA |
39-43 | 4.8% | 1.0% | |
 MIA |
39-43 | 4.8% | 1.0% | |
 SAC |
39-43 | 4.8%* | 1.0%* |
* Owed picks:
- The Cavaliers owe the Hawks a first-round pick via the Kyle Korver trade, and it is protected 1-10 this year.
- The Grizzlies owe the Celtics a first-round pick via the Jeff Green trade, and it is protected 1-8 this year.
- The Mavericks owe the Hawks a first-round pick via the Luka Doncic trade, and it is protected 1-5 this year.
- The Kings' first-round pick, which was owed to the Sixers via the Nik Stauskas trade, is now owed to the Celtics via the Markelle Fultz trade, and is protected No. 1 overall.
Are there any changes to the format this year?
Yes. In an attempt to discourage teams from tanking, the league implemented a new set of lottery odds. Previously, the team with the worst record had a 25 percent chance at getting the top pick. Now, the teams with the three worst records all have an equal 14 percent chance at the top pick. Likewise, the odds were smoothed across the board, giving teams in the middle of the lottery a better chance at moving up into the top-four slots.
Additionally, the team with the worst record used to be guaranteed to receive no worse than the fourth pick. That was because the first three picks were the only ones determined by the lottery. After those picks, the remaining teams were ordered in the inverse of their regular season records. Now, the first four picks will be decided by the lottery draw. Thus, the team with the worst record will receive no worse than the fifth pick.
Who are the top prospects?
There's no question that the best prospect heading into the draft is Duke forward Zion Williamson. The 18-year-old was a viral sensation in his high school days, and became the best player in college basketball in his freshman season. Regardless of which team wins the No. 1 pick, he's expected to be the first player selected.
Beyond that, however, there are plenty of questions. Here are the top five players off the board in the most recent mock draft from CBS Sports' Kyle Boone:
- Zion Williamson -- F, Duke
- RJ Barrett -- F, Duke
- Ja Morant -- G, Murray State
- Coby White -- G, North Carolina
- De'Andre Hunter -- F, Virginia
By Jack Maloney