NBA Insider Expects Team That Wins Draft Lottery to Keep No. 1 Pick Amid Flagg Buzz
Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix doesn't believe the team that wins Monday night's 2025 NBA Draft Lottery would consider missing out on Cooper Flagg by trading the No. 1 pick.
One executive of a team in the lottery reportedly told Mannix about Flagg, "If we don't get him, I just hope he winds up in the (other) conference."
The draft lottery is set to air Monday night at 7 p.m. ET.
The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets enter Monday night's lottery with top odds at receiving the No. 1 pick.
The Jazz haven't made the playoffs since 2022 and haven't won a playoff round since 2021. The Wizards have missed five straight postseasons and haven't won a series since 2017.
The Hornets, meanwhile, boast the longest playoff series win drought in the NBA, having not emerged from the first round since 2002.
All three teams could use a No. 1 prospect as a foundation to build on. The chance to add Flagg could be too good of a rebuilding opportunity for any of these league-bottom teams to pass up on.
Teams with lower lottery odds could be more likely to consider a theoretical trade for the top pick. A playoff team like the Houston Rockets, who have been tied to an interest in Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, could potentially think about dealing a draft pick in favor of a veteran who could help the team win immediately.
The Rockets have a 3.80 percent shot at the top selection thanks to a pick acquired from the Phoenix Suns. That's similar to the odds the Atlanta Hawks had before winning the 2024 NBA draft.
But Mannix said on social media he feels the Rockets "probably" would say no to trading the No. 1 pick even as part of a theoretical deal to acquire Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs also have a chance to win the top pick and a shot at Flagg in Monday's lottery.
