Updated Betting Odds for All Teams in 2020 NBA Draft Lottery

• Tiebreakers were completed earlier this week ahead of the NBA Draft Lottery
• The Golden State Warriors, owners of the worst record in the league, are one of the favourites to win the first overall pick
• See odds to win the #1 pick for every team in the NBA’s Draft Lottery within the story below

The NBA Draft lottery takes place on Thursday, August 20th. There’s not the hype there was last year with Zion Williamson at stake for the lucky team on lottery night, but this is still a major event in the NBA calendar. It gives a chance for teams to enhance their trade assets or it could be the gateway to a future star.

Tiebreaker results were announced on Monday. The Sacramento Kings moved ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans – the two both finished the season with 28-36 records. Sacramento is now 12th in the draft order, marginally increasing their chances of moving up. The Kings have a 6.2% chance of a top four selection, while the Pels are at 5.7%.

Further down, a draw was completed to decide the order of the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz. The Thunder won, meaning they get the 21st pick.

The latest NBA Draft lottery odds are in the table below.

Odds to Win 2020 NBA Draft Lottery

Odds taken August 19th

Minimal Change

The flattened lottery odds leave the top three teams with the same chance at landing the first overall pick. Each sit at 14% of winning the lottery, and this is reflected in the odds.

As a result of these changes, teams further down the lottery have a better chance of moving up than they did in the past. New Orleans benefited from this last season. The tiebreakers have had little impact on the betting, with both the Kings and Pelicans still massive outsiders to select first in the draft later this year.

As was the case when the NBA Draft lottery odds opened back in June, the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers remain tied as favorites to win the lottery. Both the Cavs and T-Wolves have history of lottery success.

No team has a great chance at the top pick. The lottery is more open than it has been previously – plenty of front offices will be crossing their fingers on Thursday.

The changes introduced to limit tanking have given more teams reason to be optimistic ahead of the draft lottery. There might be no Zion or Ja Morant-type talent in this draft, but moving up can be a big moment for a franchise.

Desperate Detroit

Inevitably, the focus is on the Warriors. Golden State is in the rare position of having the worst record in the NBA and being a potential title contender next season. Should they land one of the top picks in this draft, the trade rumors will take off. The other option, of course, is the Warriors adding a high-upside young player to their Hall of Fame core.

It’s false to pretend the Warriors need lottery luck. Their dynasty gap year is the stuff of luxury compared to the teams around them.

Their fellow 14% crew are more in need. Minnesota is giving its 2021 pick to the Warriors – they need to be good next season, and could do with a player who can help them right away. Cleveland has some exciting young talent, but they are a long, long way from competing.

Teams beginning a rebuild are the ones most desperate for lottery fortune. In the case of New Orleans, their post-Anthony Davis rebuild was effectively cancelled by their lottery luck.

The Detroit Pistons, crippled by Blake Griffin’s contract and with minimal trade assets, need all the talent they can find. Landing the top pick, and a player like Anthony Edwards, should give them something to build around in the coming seasons.

Have Fun With It

There are conspiracy theories galore when it comes to the draft lottery. The Pelicans and Grizzlies were saved on draft night last year, aiding their rebuilds. The Knicks and Lakers got a helping hand. Detroit are the team most needy for someone to believe in, and where the big-market Knicks and Lakers benefited last year, the Chicago Bulls will be hoping they are in a similar spot come Thursday.

The Pistons have a 10.5% chance at the top pick, as is reflected in the table above. For the competitiveness of the league, it would be good to see Detroit have some positive news after what was a dire season. Of the three favorites, Minnesota are the most interesting proposition as they look to put pieces around D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns.