5 things to watch for on NBA Draft lottery day

The NBA Draft lottery takes place on Monday, which will set the order for the top 14 picks ahead of the first round on June 25.

The lottery is filled with excitement because of the unknown as bouncing lottery balls decide those teams' draft positions. While the teams with the three worst records from this past season – the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards – have the highest probability (14%) of getting the first overall pick, it doesn't always go as planned. In 2024, the Atlanta Hawks, who had a 3.7% chance of winning the lottery, got lucky, ultimately using the top selection on Zaccharie Risacher. 

This season, former Duke forward Cooper Flagg is the indisputable crown jewel, so fans of each of the non-playoff teams, and of the NBA in general, will be clamoring to watch the entirety of Monday's event and find out where he'll end up. Here are five more things to watch for on NBA Draft lottery day:

2025 NBA Draft Lottery: Odds, how it works, date, time

Rutgers guard Dylan Harper is the consensus No. 2 prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft class, but that doesn't mean he'll be selected second overall. 

If the Wizards end up with the No. 2 pick for the second straight season, Harper fits their roster perfectly. The Wizards have a slew of scrappy young players, including Carlton "Bub" Carrington, Kyshawn George, and Alex Sarr, a rim protector they selected with the second-overall pick in 2024. Harper would provide them with a primary ball-handler and an offensive hub. 

Harper would also be a good option for the New Orleans Pelicans, who have a 12.5% probability at the top pick, allowing them to move on from C.J. McCollum and rebuild around Harper, Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy. The Brooklyn Nets, who have a