2025 NBA Draft Lottery: Burning Questions and Key Takeaways
The draft lottery pulls a few surprises every year, but the 2025 edition was particularly eventful. This year’s order reshuffled plans for several teams. With the full lottery board in place, teams are shifting toward next month’s draft—but there’s still plenty to unpack.
Dallas Wins Big With Tiny Odds
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The Mavericks had just a 1.8% shot at the top pick but walked away with it anyway. It’s the first time in franchise history they’ve moved up in the lottery. After trading Luka Doncic, the likely selection of Cooper Flagg gives Dallas a new face of the rebuild.
San Antonio’s Giannis Fantasy Hits a Wall
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Jumping to No. 2 and adding the 14th pick, the Spurs are stockpiling young talent. Wembanyama, Castle, and Fox give them options, but what’s the long-term plan? Are they aiming for a scoring wing to round out the lineup, or another unexpected swing?
Sixers Keep Their Pick, Keep Their Options Open
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Had the 76ers’ pick landed outside the top six, it would’ve gone to Oklahoma City. At No. 3, they now hold a valuable asset that could either become a future cornerstone or be packaged in a trade. Daryl Morey says the priority is youth, but that can shift fast in Philly.
Charlotte’s Draft Board Is Wide Open
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The Hornets are back in the top five after another tough season. Their backcourt has promise, but hasn’t stayed healthy. Will they add another scorer like VJ Edgecombe, or finally bring in someone who can stabilize the perimeter defense and floor spacing?
Utah Still Looking for Its Cornerstone
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Despite finishing with the NBA’s worst record, Utah only landed the fifth pick. It’s a letdown, but not a surprise given the odds. The Jazz are content to take the long road. They have over $70 million in projected 2026 cap space, so they’re biding their time for a star.
Wizards Trending in the Right Direction—Slowly
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Washington doubled its pre-All-Star break win total after the break, going 9-19 in the home stretch. Modest, but meaningful. Last year’s rookies are gaining experience, and two more first-rounders are incoming. Can the incoming prospects lift a team stuck in a cycle of resets for years?
Pelicans Get Unlucky—But Not Irrelevant
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New Orleans fell from No. 4 to No. 7, but they still have Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and Trey Murphy III. That’s not a bad base. The larger issue is whether Zion is still the long-term bet. He’s played less than half of the possible regular-season games and never appeared in the playoffs.
Brooklyn’s Patience Might Pay Off
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The Nets dropped to No. 8 but still control the most cap space in the league and have four first-round picks. They carry no pressure to speed things up, and could run it back and regroup next summer. But if a star becomes available, they’re in a position to act.
Toronto Juggling Scorers
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Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and now Brandon Ingram. The Raptors don’t lack offensive-minded players—they just haven’t figured out how to make it click. Can this pick deliver a player who brings defensive intensity or on-court leadership, or will it just add to the logjam?
Houston’s Next Move Isn’t Urgent—But It’s Looming
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After stretching Golden State to seven games in the first round, Houston seems inclined to keep its core intact. There’s been trade speculation, but they’ll stay patient unless the right star hits the market. Steven Adams’ potential return adds size, and Amen Thompson remains off-limits in any talks.
Portland’s Youth Movement Might Speed Up
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The Trail Blazers have built a solid young base around Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Donovan Clingan. Their veterans, including Jerami Grant and DeAndre Ayton, could be trade bait this summer or by the deadline. The lottery pick adds flexibility—they don’t need it to hit big immediately.
Chicago Stuck in the Middle Again
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Their 1.7% chance at the top pick didn’t pan out, and they missed the playoffs again. Unless they find a surprise in the draft, the Bulls are likely to remain in that frustrating middle tier—not bad enough to bottom out, not good enough to rise.
Hawks May Finally Face Their Trae Young Decision
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There’s more cap space and young talent emerging—Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher—the Hawks can entertain life beyond Trae Young. But will the front office finally make the call on Young’s future? His value likely won’t get any higher from here.
Spurs Need a Backup Plan Behind Wemby
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San Antonio’s second lottery pick could’ve gone a lot of directions, but don’t count on them grabbing another center. Zach Collins is gone, and Charles Bassey’s injury history is piling up, so the Spurs might solve that need in free agency instead.
Mavericks Are Building Around Defense Again
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Cooper Flagg hasn’t been drafted yet, but if he lands in Dallas, it’ll be because of how he fits into Nico Harrison’s defensive vision. The Mavs believe in building around two-way players, and Flagg’s instincts on that end are already ahead of most prospects.