The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, scheduled for May 12, will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of several struggling franchises as it determines the order of the top 14 draft picks. Three teams—Utah Jazz (17-65), Washington Wizards (18-64), and Charlotte Hornets (19-63)—enter with the best odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick. Each holds a 14% chance to strike gold at the top of the draft.
Trailing close behind in the odds are teams like the New Orleans Pelicans (11%), Philadelphia 76ers (10.5%), Brooklyn Nets (9%), and Toronto Raptors (7.5%), all hoping for a lucky bounce that could transform their future. The San Antonio Spurs hold a 6% chance through their own pick and an additional 0.7% via Atlanta. Other teams with slimmer chances include Houston (via Phoenix), Portland, Dallas, Chicago, and Atlanta (via Sacramento)—each still in the hunt for the top spot, albeit as long shots.
The consensus No. 1 overall pick is expected to be Cooper Flagg, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward from Duke who has been heralded as a franchise-altering talent. Known for his elite two-way skillset, basketball IQ, and leadership, Flagg is widely seen as the kind of player who could anchor a team for years to come.
According to ESPN, the San Antonio Spurs are viewed as perhaps the most ideal destination for Flagg. NBA analyst Bobby Marks envisions a terrifying defensive trio forming in San Antonio—pairing Flagg with last year’s top pick Victor Wembanyama and newly acquired De’Aaron Fox. Marks called the potential trio a “formidable big three” that could dominate on both ends of the floor. With two lottery picks in hand, the Spurs are in an enviable position to make a splash and solidify their rebuild into a championship-caliber core.
Not everyone agrees on the best fit for Flagg. Veteran NBA reporter Marc Spears made a compelling case for the Washington Wizards, a franchise that hasn’t reached the conference finals or NBA Finals since 1979. Spears compared Flagg’s potential arrival to the impact Jayden Daniels has had for the NFL’s Washington Commanders—bringing fresh energy, optimism, and a reason for fans to believe again. In Spears’ view, Flagg could be the long-awaited catalyst to revitalize basketball in the nation’s capital.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike put her support behind Flagg joining the Philadelphia 76ers, calling it the “perfect culmination” of ‘The Process”—the team’s long-term rebuild that began a decade ago. Philadelphia endured a turbulent 2024–25 season marked by injuries and off-court uncertainty. Star center Joel Embiid, newly added forward Paul George, veteran Eric Gordon, breakout guard Tyrese Maxey, and promising rookie Jared McCain all dealt with injuries down the stretch. Ogwumike believes Flagg could be the stabilizing force Philadelphia desperately needs—someone to reset the franchise’s foundation and usher in a new chapter.
Flagg’s arrival would have major implications for Philadelphia’s trajectory. If Embiid stays, Flagg could develop under the wing of a former MVP and form a dynamic inside-outside tandem. If Embiid leaves, Flagg would serve as the centerpiece of a reimagined roster—offering the Sixers a clean slate and a new identity.
As the lottery approaches, anticipation is building across the NBA. Teams, fans, and analysts alike are waiting to see who will secure the opportunity to draft Cooper Flagg—a player many believe could be the next transformative star in the league. With so much uncertainty and so much at stake, May 12 promises to be one of the most consequential dates on the NBA calendar this year.
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