The 2018 NBA Draft Lottery is done, and we now know the Phoenix Suns will possess the top pick, as the odds suggested they would. Here is the full lottery order:
NBA Draft Lottery odds 2018: Each team’s chance at winning the No. 1 pick
The Phoenix Suns had the best odds, and that worked out for them.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
- Phoenix Suns
- Sacramento Kings
- Atlanta Hawks
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Dallas Mavericks
- Orlando Magic
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets)
- New York Knicks
- Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)
- Charlotte Hornets
- Los Angeles Clippers (via Pistons)
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Denver Nuggets
The lottery itself was fairly straightforward: every team that didn’t make the playoffs was in the lottery and had a chance at “winning” the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The top three spots were decided by the drawing of ping-pong balls, while the remaining draft slots were filled based on record, with the next-worst record after the top three picking fourth, and so on. Teams with worse records have a higher chance at getting the top pick, or a top-three pick.
The Suns had the highest chance at winning the top selection at 25 percent, and a 64.2 percent chance of getting a top-three pick. That bet worked out for them. The Memphis Grizzlies (19.9 percent chance at No. 1 overall) and Dallas Mavericks (13.8 percent) were next, and both tumbled out of the top 3 in favor of the Kings and Hawks.
There are a few things to consider this season due to trades: the Detroit Pistons’ pick will go to the Los Angeles Clippers since it was outside of the top four. The Los Angeles Lakers’ pick will go to Philadelphia 76ers because it fell between picks six through 30. If it fell between picks No. 2 and 5, it’d have gone to the Boston Celtics.
Below, you can see the full odds for each team getting the top pick and a top-three pick.
2018 NBA Draft Lottery Odds
Team (Record) | No. 1 pick odds | Top-3 pick odds |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Suns (21-61) | 25 percent | 64.2 percent |
| Memphis Grizzlies (22-60) | 19.9 percent | 55.8 percent |
| Dallas Mavericks (24-58) | 13.8 percent | 42.6 percent |
| Atlanta Hawks (24-58) | 13.7 percent | 42.6 percent |
| Orlando Magic (25-57) | 8.8 percent | 29.1 percent |
| Chicago Bulls (27-55) | 5.3 percent | 18.3 percent |
| Sacramento Kings (27-55) | 5.3 percent | 18.3 percent |
| Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets) (28-54) | 2.8 percent | 9.9 percent |
| New York Knicks (29-53) | 1.7 percent | 6.1 percent |
| Philadelphia 76ers or Boston Celtics (via Lakers) (35-47) | 1.1 percent | 4.0 percent |
| Charlotte Hornets (36-46) | 0.8 percent | 2.9 percent |
| Detroit Pistons or LA Clippers (39-43) | 0.7 percent | 2.5 percent |
| LA Clippers (42-40) | 0.6 percent | 2.2 percent |
| Denver Nuggets (46-36) | 0.5 percent | 1.8 percent |
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