NBA Lottery 2013: Viewing Info, 1st Pick Odds and Preview for Key Draft Event
The NBA draft lottery is a key turning point for teams that didn't qualify for the playoffs. Luck will determine where they will select in the draft, which is scheduled for June 27, and whether or not they are able to secure the prospect they want.
What makes the lottery so interesting is the sheer number of possibilities. For example, the Orlando Magic had the worst record in the regular season. While that gives them the best chance to land the top pick (25 percent), there's still a 75 percent chance they don't pick first.
All 14 teams that didn't make the postseason have at least a small chance to win the top pick. It makes for a tense night in front offices around the NBA. Knowing that, let's check out where to catch the lottery, followed by complete odds for the top pick and a preview.
Viewing Information
When: Tuesday, May 21, at 8:30 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN.com
Odds of Winning Top Pick (via NBA.com)
| Team | Record | % Chance |
| Orlando Magic | 20-62 | 25 |
| Charlotte Bobcats | 21-61 | 19.9 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 24-58 | 15.6 |
| Phoenix Suns | 25-57 | 11.9 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 27-55 | 8.8 |
| Sacramento Kings | 28-54 | 6.3 |
| Detroit Pistons | 29-53 | 3.6 |
| Washington Wizards | 29-53 | 3.5 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 31-51 | 1.7 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 33-49 | 1.1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 34-48 | 0.8 |
| Toronto Raptors | 34-48 | 0.7 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 41-41 | 0.6 |
| Utah Jazz | 43-39 | 0.5 |
Lottery Preview
The NBA draft lottery has provided some shockers over the years, including one in 2008 that saw the Chicago Bulls land the top pick despite less than a two percent chance of winning. It gave them the right to draft Derrick Rose.
In response, there's been a rise of conspiracy theories about the league having a hand in the results. Of course, the most notable example is the New York Knicks earning the top spot and a prospect to revitalize the franchise in Patrick Ewing.
Whether or not a new one is created Tuesday night depends on the result, but nothing has ever been proven to illustrate the lottery is anything more than luck of the draw.
There are no prospects on the level of Ewing or Rose available in the 2013 class, but there are still some players capable of making a major impact at the next level. The lottery will determine where they continue their promising careers.
Ben McLemore of Kansas has the inside track on the top pick if the team selecting at No. 1 needs a guard. He averaged 16 points and five rebounds while shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc in his only season with the Jayhawks. He should develop into a go-to scorer at the next level.
If the lottery-winning team needs a post player, it will likely look toward Nerlens Noel. The Kentucky product is hoping for a return around Christmas from an ACL injury, according to The Associated Press. His combination of size and athleticism will make him a defensive force immediately.
Another player that should be in the conversation for the first pick is Otto Porter. He made major strides in his second season at Georgetown. He possesses the across-the-board skills necessary to thrive at small forward in the NBA.
The fates of those three players and several others will be decided by the lottery. Once the order is finalized, a much clearer outlook for the 2013 NBA draft should start to emerge.
