The Draft lottery for 2021 will be announced on ESPN Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET. The ability to draught Oklahoma State star Cade Cunningham at No. 1 is seen to be the greatest prize, but inclusion in what NBA analysts believe might be a historically strong top five is a highly wanted situation for every team with their logo on a pingpong ball.
Here’s everything you need to know about the lottery, including the odds for each team, the top prospects to keep an eye on, the latest news from across the league, traded picks to keep an eye on, and what’s next.
The lottery will be televised on ESPN and the ESPN App at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, directly following Game 2 of the Clippers-Suns series.
Representatives from all 14 lottery teams are expected to attend, including Hakeem Olajuwon (Rockets), Ben Wallace (Pistons), Jeff Weltman (Magic), Nazr Mohammed (Thunder), Koby Altman (Cavaliers), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Fred Van Vleet (Raptors), Marc Eversley (Bulls), Monte McNair (Kings), Swin Cash (Pelicans), Miles Bridges (Hor (Warriors).
The NBA draught for 2021 will take place on July 29 on ESPN and ABC.
This year’s lottery odds
Here’s a quick look at the odds for every team with a chance to win a top pick this year:
- Average pick: 3.7
- No. 1: 14.0%
- Top four: 52.1%
Note: If Houston’s pick falls outside the top four, it gets conveyed to Oklahoma City.
- Average pick: 3.9
- No. 1: 14.0%
- Top four: 52.1%
- Average pick: 4.1
- No. 1: 14.0%
- Top four: 52.1%
- Average pick: 4.6
- No. 1: 11.5%
- Top four: 45.1%
- Average pick: 4.8
- No. 1: 11.5%
- Top four: 45.1%
- Average pick: 5.5
- No. 1: 9.0%
- Top four: 27.6%
Note: If Minnesota’s pick is not one of the top three, it gets conveyed to Golden State.
- Average pick: 6.2
- No. 1: 7.5%
- Top four: 31.9%
- Average pick: 7.5
- No. 1: 4.5%
- Top four: 20.2%
Note: If Chicago’s pick does not move up to the top four, it gets conveyed to Orlando.
- Average pick: 8.1
- No. 1: 4.5%
- Top four: 20.2%
- Average pick: 8.7
- No. 1: 4.5%
- Top four: 20.2%
- Average pick: 10.4
- No. 1: 1.8%
- Top four: 8.5%
- Average pick: 11.3
- No. 1: 1.7%
- Top four: 8.1%
13. Indiana Pacers
- Average pick: 12.5
- No. 1: 1.0%
- Top four: 4.7%
- Average pick: 13.7
- No. 1: 0.5%
- Top four: 2.4%
The top prospects
Since 2000, there have been only six draughts in which three or more All-Stars were taken in the top five.
The 2021 NBA draught boasts that type of firepower at the top, with executives often claiming that this crop has many No. 1-caliber picks.
Cade Cunningham:: Regardless of who wins the lottery, Cunningham’s versatility is a huge reason he’s the frontrunner to go No. 1 overall.
He’s the only player anticipated to be in the top five who can play four positions legitimately.
Evan Mobley: Once his physique fills out, it’s no secret in NBA circles that Mobley could end up being the best player to come out of this draught.
Given his rebounding issues and small frame, he could use a more physical big alongside him early on.
Jalen Green: Green has a slew of NBA front offices on his side, and there’s a case to be made that he has the most star potential in the draught.
Green has a chance to be a “ten-time All-Star and 25-point-per-game scorer” once he settles into the NBA game, according to one NBA executive.
Jalen Suggs: Suggs is a game-changer who will bring toughness and a winning mentality to every situation he enters.
Coaches and staff who have worked with him describe him as the most competitive player they’ve ever worked with.
Jonathan Kuminga: Of the top five players, Kuminga is the most physically prepared, with great tools for a two-way wing in today’s NBA. Even if his discipline and motor on that end are still developing, Kuminga is the only one of the aforementioned possibilities who an NBA coach could confidently ask to limit top wing scorers like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Tatum.
