NBA Draft Lottery 2016 odds and scenarios
![Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the stage before the start of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the stage before the start of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/87b83fa4d99b7aaf399b632619cb37ff35a35ca4a9448f8de255594d37a9d9f8.jpg)
The complete guide for all the possible 2016 NBA Draft Lottery scenarios.
The 2016 NBA Draft Lottery will take place on May 17th with the actually draft occurring nearly a month later on June 23rd as teams hope to get their hands on coveted prospect such as Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. The teams below are ranked based on the odds of their ping-pong ball getting sucked up the magical tube first.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (25.0%): After finishing last in the NBA with an embarrassing 10-72 record, the 76ers have the best chance of winning the draft lottery at 25.0%. The Sixers could also receive the Los Angeles Lakers’ first round selection if the Lakers fall out of the top three.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (19.9%): Finishing with a franchise worst 17-65 record, the Lakers have the second-best odds, but will be crossing their fingers in hopes of picking in the top three because losing this pick to the 76ers would seriously delay the rebuilding process of this proud franchise.
3. Brooklyn Nets (15.6%): Regardless of when the Nets ping-pong ball is picked, the draft selection will belong to the Boston Celtics via a 2013 trade that sent both Kevin Garnett and Paul Peirce to Brooklyn. After reaching the postseason in consecutive years, it certainly appears the Celtics won this trade.
4. Phoenix Suns (11.9%): The rebuilding Suns will have a tremendous opportunity to build through the 2016 NBA Draft with three first round selections. In addition to the pick that they earned for finishing with the fourth-worst record, the Suns own the Washington Wizards protected 1-9 pick and the Cleveland Cavilers first round pick.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (8.8%): After winning the 2015 NBA Draft Lottery, the young and exciting T-Wolves have the fifth-best chance to win the lottery this year and if they were to do such, could be a powerful dynasty in the making.
6. New Orleans Pelicans (6.3%): Under new head coach Alvin Gentry, the Pelicans were highly disappointing and it seems All-Star forward Anthony Davis cannot carry this entire organization to the playoffs by himself. With just a 6.3% chance of winning, New Orleans is a bit of a long-shot, but much like Minnesota could see their long-term fortunes turn very quickly.
7. New York Knicks (4.3%): The Knicks’ first round pick belongs to the Toronto Raptors as part of trade that sent former number overall pick Andrea Bargnani to the Big Apple. No debating this one, Drake’s squad is definitely not taking any L’s on this deal.
8. Sacramento Kings (1.9%): The dysfunctional Kings are yet again in another sticky situation when it comes to the lottery. If Sacramento lands outside of the top 10, the selection will belong to the Chicago Bulls and if they end up ahead of Philadelphia, the 76ers have the right to swap picks.
9. Denver Nuggets (1.9%): Follow along closely to this one: if the Nuggets finish behind the Knicks in the lottery, they will have the option of swapping first round picks. However as we already know, New York’s pick actually belongs to the Raptors, meaning the Nuggets could swap picks with the Raptors via the Knicks.
10. Milwaukee Bucks (1.8%): The Bucks were a team that did not expect to find themselves in the lottery, but after finishing head-scratching 33-49 this year, Milwaukee has not finished above .500 since the 2009-10 season.
11. Orlando Magic (0.8%): The up-and-coming Magic have less than an 1% chance of winning the lottery and will most likely look do add depth to a young roster full of potential.
12. Utah Jazz (0.7%): The Jazz just missed out on the 2016 playoffs as they were edged out by the Houston Rockets in the last week of the season. Utah will have the one first-round selection and two second-round selections.
13. Washington Wizards (0.6%): Probably the most under-achieving team this season, the Wizards and their fans will most likely again have nothing to celebrate as their protected 1-9 pick will probably belong to the Phoenix Suns.
14. Chicago Bulls (0.5%): The Bulls were again marred with injuries this season and failed to reach the postseason for the first time since 2007-08. However, if lady luck decides to pay a visit, Chicago could own to first-round selections via the Sacramento Kings.
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