The New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, Ill. – It’ll be a new era in New Orleans.
Tuesday, despite having just a six-percent chance of doing so, the New Orleans Pelicans win the NBA Draft lottery – earning the No. 1 pick in next month’s NBA Draft. This year’s lottery, held in Chicago, was one of the most anticipated in years – due to the fact that Zion Williamson, the most-hyped hoopster since LeBron James, is expected to be drafted number one overall.
Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
In his lone season at Duke, Williamson was the biggest draw men’s college basketball saw in years. At 18 years old and listed at 6 feet, 7 inches tall and 285 pounds, Williamson was a human highlight reel — not just with his explosive dunks but with his all-around game.
The 14 teams that missed the playoffs all had a chance at the coveted No. 1 spot.
Here’s the 2019 NBA Draft order with the odds of landing the number one pick in parenthesis:
- New Orleans Pelicans (6%)
- Memphis Grizzlies (6%)
- New York Knicks (14%)
- Los Angeles Lakers (2%)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (14%)
- Phoenix Suns (14%)
- Chicago Bulls (12.5%)
- Atlanta Hawks (10.5%)
- Washington Wizards (9%)
- Atlanta Hawks via Dallas Mavericks (6%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (3%)
- Charlotte Hornets (1%)
- Miami Heat (1%)
- Boston Celtics via Sacramento Kings (1%)
The rest of the first round (15-30) and the entire second round of the draft are determined in reverse order of regular season record. In 2018, Phoenix won the lottery and took DeAndre Ayton with the No. 1 pick.
This year’s NBA draft is June 20th.
