NBA Draft Lottery Odds (Who Has Best Chance at No. 1 Pick?)
By Peter Dewey
While many teams are looking to make a final push for the NBA playoffs over the final two months of the season, there are some teams that are out of the playoff race and looking towards the future.
Those teams will be awaiting the ping pong balls in the NBA’s Draft Lottery, as they hope to draft a franchise cornerstone in the 2022 NBA Draft.
While WynnBET doesn’t have odds for the lottery, it does have odds for who will be selected No. 1 overall in the upcoming draft, with Auburn forward Jabari Smith leading the way.
Based on the NBA Finals odds at WynnBET, and the remaining schedule strength from Tankathon, which of the five worst teams in the NBA has the best shot at securing the top odds for the No. 1 pick?
With the NBA’s new format giving the three worst teams in the league a 14 percent chance of picking No. 1, here’s how the top of lottery could shake out:
No. 5: Indiana Pacers (+100000 to Win NBA Title)
The Pacers have embraced a tank this season, trading away Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert at the trade deadline, but they did get a solid young player in Tyrese Haliburton from the Sacramento Kings.
The Pacers have the fifth worst record in the NBA, but Tankathon has them playing the easiest schedule the rest of the 2021-22 season. For that reason, Indiana may pick up a few too many wins to end up with the top odds in the draft.
No. 4: Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000 to Win NBA Title)
Oklahoma City is the second best team in the NBA against the spread, but it has the fourth worst record in the league.
However, 2021 first-round pick Josh Giddey has been fantastic this season, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should return at some point after the All-Star break. SGA alone may play the Thunder out of one of the three-worst records in the NBA.
No. 3: Orlando Magic (+500000 to Win NBA Title)
Orlando currently has the worst record in the NBA, and it is destined to land among the top three teams for the lottery, but it does have an easy schedule down the stretch.
The Magic play the teams on this list alone six times over their 22 games, which could lead to some wins that they have struggled to pick up otherwise. They’ll still be in the running for No. 1, but don’t be surprised if Orlando climbs out of the basement over the final two months.
No. 2: Detroit Pistons (+500000 to Win NBA Title)
The Detroit Pistons had the No. 1 pick last season, selecting guard Cade Cunningham, and they could find themselves in the same spot again this season.
Detroit is just a game ahead of the Orlando Magic in the standings, and it has gone into full tank mode, ranking 29th in offense and 25th in defense this season. If the Pistons get a longer look at some of their younger players over playing veteran Jerami Grant, we will know what the goal is in mind.
No. 1: Houston Rockets (+100000 to Win NBA Title)
The Rockets may have the third-worst record in the NBA right now, but I think they are the worst team in the league. This team ranks 30th in defensive rating and 27th in offensive rating despite playing at the fastest pace in the league.
Houston is going to be steamrolled down the stretch if it keeps playing lackluster defense, and it has the 11th toughest schedule down the stretch of this season.
The Rockets should be able to get Jalen Green a running mate this offseason.