Every season, the worst-performing teams in major American sports leagues have the highest chances of securing top draft picks. In the NBA, teams that struggle throughout the year often aim to land the next big star through the draft lottery. This year, all eyes are on Cooper Flagg, the Duke Blue Devils’ star expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
NBA Draft Lottery: Teams Competing for Cooper Flagg
As the regular season progresses, several teams find themselves in prime position to land the first pick. If the season ended today, the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, and Utah Jazz would each have a 14% chance of securing the No. 1 pick, the highest odds under the current lottery system.
However, history has shown that the lottery can be unpredictable, with teams that finish at the bottom not always getting the top selection.
Here are the current betting odds for which team is most likely to draft Flagg:
- Wizards: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
- Jazz: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
- Pelicans: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
- Nets: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
- Hornets: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
- Blazers: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
The Wizards currently hold the worst record in the league at 7-41 as of Feb. 3. They have struggled defensively, allowing the most points per game and losing by an average margin of nearly 15 points.
Utah, with a record of 11-36, has only five more wins than Washington. Meanwhile, the Pelicans sit at 12-37, making them another top contender for the lottery.
Despite these teams’ struggles, the potential reward of drafting Flagg keeps hope alive. Through 21 games at Duke, Flagg has averaged 20 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
His shooting percentages stand at 48.4% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc. These stats reinforce his position as the consensus top pick in 2025.
In 2024, the Atlanta Hawks won the lottery despite making the play-in tournament and having just a 3% chance of securing the first pick. The Detroit Pistons, who had the worst record, ended up with the fifth selection.
The 2025 NBA Draft will be held over two days, with the first round taking place on June 25 and the second round on June 26. The Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, will host the event. Coverage will begin at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Cooper Flagg’s Role at Duke and NBA Potential
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has repeatedly emphasized his team’s unselfish play, commending his players for consistently making the right basketball decisions. One of the standout performers in that regard has been Flagg, whose ability to facilitate and create plays has made him a key contributor.
Scheyer said:
“Cooper really is a point guard in a lot of ways for us. So you don’t need a guy that just always has the ball in his hands as a point guard.”
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Flagg has showcased his playmaking abilities, averaging 4.2 assists per game while leading the team with 89 total assists. He has recorded nine games with five or more assists, further proving his versatility on the court.
Aside from Flagg, Duke has multiple other players who contribute to the team’s success. However, Flagg remains the clear standout, widely regarded as the favorite to win the National Player of the Year award. His well-rounded game and ability to impact both ends of the floor make him the top prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft.
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