NBA 2025 Lottery Booking

Another year, another potential franchise player that everyone wants.  Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Mister Cooper Flagg.  All of the NBA teams want him, and the teams who did not make the playoffs are in the lottery to earn the right to draft him (if the teams haven't already traded away their picks).  And the draft is supposed to be deep enough that anyone who gets into the top 4 should get an excellet player.  I don't think the lottery is rigged.... but IF it was, here's how I'd book things.

Cooper Flagg

My Crazy Dream Booking: Portland, Sacramento, Houston, Chicago.

When in doubt, pick franchises that haven't ever won the NBA title.  I'm also in favor in giving all of the fanbases hope- and Portland certainly needs some hope.

As an added bonus, if Philadelphia drops from 5 to 7, they lose their pick to OKC.  Add in Phoenix losing their pick to Houston, and it's a lesson in not trading away unprotected draft picks.

  
What Should Happen: Winners of the lottery:  Washington, Charlotte, Toronto, Chicago, 

One thing I've noticed- all of the top prospects end up in the Western confernce. Wembeyana ended up in San Antonio; Zion ended up in New Orleans.  It's one of the reasons the Western Conference is tougher than the Eastern Confernce.

We need some balance- and Washington needs some hope.  Let's give the Eastern conference the top 3 picks  

What Will Happen: Winners of the lottery:  Utah, Washington, Brooklyn, Charlotte

Fourtune favors the worst teams, and the three worst teams end up in the top 4 picks.  Brooklyn is a large city franchise that ends up with a top 3 pick.

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Dallas, Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia

I don't like rewarding teams that make foolish moves.  Dallas traded Luka Doncic and got an older, injury-prone Anthony Davis for him.  The Dejounte Murray trade cost Atlanta their pick (to San Antonio)- and then Atlanta traded Murray for New Orleans' pick.  

If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: The Lakers get Cooper Flagg

Not possible- but the Lakers have the "I win.  I always win" button.  So never say never...