SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 06: Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils speaks during the Naismith … More
Even with eight teams still alive in the NBA Playoffs, the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery is already here. The offseason waits for no one.
This year’s top prize isn’t quite on the Victor Wembanyama level—but he’s no consolation prize, either. Duke’s Cooper Flagg is the clear No. 1 prospect, and he’ll be the name teams are crossing their fingers for when the ping pong balls start rolling on Monday.
Who Is Cooper Flagg?
Flagg is a 6-foot-8 do-it-all wing who made an impact on both ends during his lone season at Duke. The former No. 1 high school recruit didn’t disappoint, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
He racked up hardware too—winning the Naismith College Player of the Year, the John R. Wooden Award, and earning consensus All-American honors. He also made the NCAA All-Tourney Team and the ACC All-Defensive Team.
With a sky-high basketball I.Q. and an incredibly polished all-around game, Flagg has the makings of a future NBA star.
Due to his position, he can fit in seamlessly on just about any team. Since he doesn’t need the rock in his hands, he can find a way to impact games from the tip. He’s a player who immediately makes others around him better on both ends of the court.
How To Watch The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery
Nearly half the league will have a shot at the top pick and a chance to land Flagg as the crown jewel of this draft. But before the results roll in, here’s everything you need to know about how to watch.
When: 7 p.m. ET, Monday
Where: Chicago
TV: ESPN
The NBA Draft Lottery airs at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, just ahead of Game 4 between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Both the lottery and the playoff game will be broadcast on ESPN.
After Flagg, the draft board gets a bit more unpredictable. While there are still high-upside prospects available, most come with more question marks. Flagg is viewed as a rare high-floor, high-ceiling pick—the rest of the field isn’t as universally solid.
Here’s a look at the top prospects expected to go in the lottery after Flagg:
- Dylan Harper, Rutgers, Guard
- V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor, Guard
- Ace Bailey, Rutgers, Wing
- Kon Knueppel, Duke, Wing
- Carter Bryant, Arizona, Wing
- Derik Queen, Maryland, Big
- Khaman Maluach, Duke, Big
- Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois, Guard
- Tre Johnson, Texas, Guard
- Labaron Philon, Alabama, Guard
- Thomas Sorber, Georgetown, Big
- Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma, Guard
- Jace Richardson, Michigan State, Guard
2025 NBA Lottery Odds
And here are the 13 lottery teams hoping to hear their name called first—along with their odds of landing the No. 1 pick:
- Utah Jazz (14%)
- Washington Wizards (14%)
- Charlotte Hornets (14%)
- New Orleans Pelicans (14%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (10.5%)
- Brooklyn Nets (9%)
- Toronto Raptors (7%)
- San Antonio Spurs (6.7%)
- Houston Rockets (3.8%)
- Portland Trail Blazers (3.8%)
- Dallas Mavericks (1.8%)
- Chicago Bulls (1.8%)
- Sacramento Kings (0.8%)
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