NBA Draft Lottery 2015: Odds to Win No. 1 Pick and Teams That Need It the Most
The NBA draft lottery ensures that any team that missed the playoffs has a chance to pick No. 1 overall, although not every squad is as desperate for this selection.
While everyone wants to add a great player to its rotation, certain organizations need someone to build a team around after a disappointing year. Landing the first pick in the draft would go a long way toward finally bringing some wins to these programs.
Although the lottery is based on odds and chance instead of need, here is a look at the squads that could use the top pick the most.
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 25 percent |
| New York Knicks | 19.9 percent |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 15.6 percent |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 11.9 percent |
| Orlando Magic | 8.8 percent |
| Sacramento Kings | 6.3 percent |
| Denver Nuggets | 4.3 percent |
| Detroit Pistons | 2.8 percent |
| Charlotte Hornets | 1.7 percent |
| Miami Heat | 1.1 percent |
| Utah Jazz | 0.7 percent |
| Indiana Pacers | 0.7 percent |
| Phoenix Suns | 0.6 percent |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 0.5 percent |
New York Knicks
The Minnesota Timberwolves had the worst record in basketball last season, but there is already quite a bit of promise for the future on that team thanks to last year's first-round pick and reigning Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins.
Between Wiggins, Zach LaVine and others, the Timberwolves have a young base to build around.
The same can't be said about the New York Knicks, who have 30-year-old Carmelo Anthony and not much else. Adding a big-name prospect such as Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor would certainly provide a lot more hope for fans going forward.
Additionally, one of those projected top picks is actually hoping to land in New York. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Towns explained how he would love to be around team president Phil Jackson at the next level:
"It's his presence. What he means to me, his presence is just amazing. What was so awesome as a coach, he made every player better and put them in the best position to succeed. He's just so smart and intelligent and has so much experience. He knows how to win. At the end of the day, what every player wants to do is win. If I have the opportunity to ever play for the Knicks, that's what I would love to do.
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With the Kentucky player's upside and willingness to compete for the Knicks, this could be a perfect match.
Los Angeles Lakers
Along with the Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers have two priorities in the draft. Not only do they need to add the best available player at just about any position, but they also need marketable stars to sell to a major fanbase.
Kobe Bryant isn't going to be around forever, and the team needs other players capable of becoming "the guy" for the franchise.
While the team can add high-profile free agents, such as Rajon Rondo or Kevin Love, selecting No. 1 overall would give the organization a chance to start fresh with a young superstar in the making. Combining the top pick with last year's first-round selection, Julius Randle, would provide plenty of hope for the future.
NBC Sports recently explained how the draft is more important for both these teams than free agency:
Another important factor is that the Lakers need to finish in the top five of the draft after the lottery to avoid having to give up their pick to the Philadelphia 76ers. According to Zach Helfand of the Los Angeles Times, there is an 82.8 percent chance they hold on to the pick.
Still, some poor luck in the lottery could change the team's fortunes in a hurry.
Denver Nuggets
It was only two years ago the Denver Nuggets were one of the top teams in the Western Conference with a 57-25 record. Since the dismissal of head coach George Karl, however, the squad has gone downhill with two miserable seasons.
That said, there is still plenty of talent on the roster. Point guard Ty Lawson and forward Kenneth Faried have the ability to be key parts on a playoff team, although the squad is still missing a superstar to bring it all together.
Denver hasn't had an All-Star since Carmelo Anthony during the 2010-11 season.
With the first pick, the Nuggets can draft a high-upside talent capable of leading the franchise back to the postseason and beyond. They just have to hope whomever they select lives up to his potential.
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