The 2023 NBA Draft lottery could be one of the most important moments in basketball history. Multiple NBA teams are battling for the worst record possible, trying to put themselves in the best position to have a top pick in a potentially historic 2023 NBA Draft class.
It’s not your typical pre-draft hype. While plenty of marquee names and All-Star talents enter the league through the NBA Draft every year, things are different in 2023. Scouts and general managers agree there is the potential for this to be an all-time draft class, with some already seeing a future Hall of Famer atop draft boards.
Related: 2023 NBA Draft mock
While everyone’s focus is on the path to the NBA playoffs, it’s never too early to look ahead even further. Bookmark this page for weekly updates on the latest 2023 NBA Draft lottery odds and the full draft order for Round 1.
When is the 2023 NBA Draft lottery?
The 2023 NBA Draft lottery will be on May 16, 2023 and broadcast on ESPN. It will be aired at 8 PM ET, but the top four picks likely won’t be unveiled until closer to 8:30 PM ET.
Related: NBA power rankings
2023 NBA Draft lottery odds: Who will have the No. 1 pick?
The latest 2023 NBA Draft lottery odds are based on the updated NBA standings. Under NBA rules, the lottery sets pre-determined odds to determine who will receive the top-four picks in the NBA Draft. In 2017, the league’s Board of Governors changed the odds to create less intensive for teams to tank for the worst record.
As a result, the three teams at the bottom of the standings have an equal chance at landing the No. 1 pick or a top-four pick. Below is a breakdown of the current 2023 NBA Draft lottery odds entering January 31.
| Pick | Team | Record | No. 1 pick | Top 4 pick |
| 1 | Houston Rockets | 12-38 | 14% | 52.1% |
| 2 | Detroit Pistons | 13-39 | 14% | 52.1% |
| 3 | San Antonio Spurs | 14-37 | 14% | 52.1% |
| 4 | Charlotte Hornets | 15-36 | 12.5% | 48.1% |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | 20-31 | 10.5% | 42.1% |
| 6 | Toronto Raptors | 23-29 | 9% | 37.2% |
| 7 | New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL) | 23-28 | 7.5% | 26.3% |
| 8 | Indiana Pacers | 24-28 | 6% | 23.5% |
| 9 | Orlando Magic (via CHI) | 23-26 | 4.5% | 20.3% |
| 10 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 24-26 | 2.2% | 10.3% |
| 11 | Portland Trail Blazers | 24-26 | 2.2% | 10.3% |
| 12 | Washington Wizards | 24-26 | 2.1% | 9.9% |
| 13 | Utah Jazz | 26-26 | 1% | 4.8% |
| 14 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 27-26 | 0.5% | 2.4% |
2023 NBA Draft order
The 2023 NBA Draft is on June 22, 2023 and fans can watch it on ESPN. The latest first round 2023 NBA Draft order is based on the inverse order of the standings. It does not include projected lottery simulations.
- Houston Rockets
- Detroit Pistons
- San Antonio Spurs
- Charlotte Hornets
- Orlando Magic
- Toronto Raptors
- New Orleans Pelicans (via Los Angeles Lakers)
- Acquired as part of the 2019 Anthony Davis trade
- Indiana Pacers
- Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls)
- Acquired as part of the 2021 Nikola Vucevic trade
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Top-14 protected or else belongs to Chicago Bulls
- Acquired via three-team Lauri Markkanen trade with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Washington Wizards (top-14 protected)
- HOU receives WAS 2024 1st i2023 pick is top-14, via Russell Westbrook-John Wall trade
- Utah Jazz
- Utah Jazz (via Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Acquired via 2022 Rudy Gobert trade
- Atlanta Hawks
- Los Angeles Lakers (via New Orleans Pelicans)
- New Orleans owns swap rights in the 2023 NBA Draft with the Lakers
- New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks)
- Acquired via 2019 Kristaps Porzingis trade
- Phoenix Suns
- Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Clippers
- New York Knicks
- Miami Heat
- Sacramento Kings
- Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Acquired via Caris LeVert trade
- Brooklyn Nets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Utah Jazz (via Philadelphia 76ers)
- Acquired via Royce O’Neale trade. Utah receives the least favorable PHI, BKN, HOU picks
- Houston Rockets (via Milwaukee Bucks)
- Acquired through 2021 P.J. Tucker trade
- Charlotte Hornets (via Denver Nuggets)
- Acquired via a four-team Steven Adams trade. Denver’s pick is top-14 protected
- Indiana Pacers (via Boston Celtics)
- Acquired via 2022 Malcolm Brogdon trade
Related: NBA scores
Who has the number 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft?
The official 2023 NBA Draft order is still not determined and it will not be known until June 22, 2023 following the NBA Draft lottery. The three worst teams in the NBA will all have an equal chance at holding the number 1 pick.
Who is the top prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft?
Victor Wembanyama is the top prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 7-foot-2 French center is one of the largest and most athletic players to enter the NBA Draft in decades. He boasts an 8-foot wingspan but moves like a guard, providing him with a significant advantage over just about anyone he faces on the court.
When Wembanyama faced Chet Holmgren in the 2021 FIBA u19 Championship, he dominated the player many viewed as the top prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft. He is also drawing rave reviews from some of the best players in basketball.
“This kid is going to be a problem. A big problem. I’ve never seen this before in my life. I saw him up close, he was on the same team as my brother, Kostas. He’s taller than Rudy Gobert. He can block shots like Rudy, but shoot like KD. Bro, bro. Crazy, crazy. He has a good attitude. If he stays healthy, he’s going to be really good.”
NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama briefly played in the United States during a showcase in Las Vegas, facing some of his fellow top 2023 NBA Draft prospects. While he has dealt with some leg injuries over the past two years, he is now healthy and dominating overseas.
- Victor Wembanyama stats: 22.1 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 3.1 BPG, 1 SPG, 48.5% FG in 32 MPG
At his peak, Wembanyama can be the best player in the NBA and someone capable of carrying a team to the championship. Turning 19 years old on Jan. 4, there is already a belief he could make the NBA All-Star Game as a rookie next season.
Needless to say, it’s evident why teams are essentially tanking for Wembanyama. He might be the best NBA Draft prospect since LeBron James and in an era where so many teams outside of big markets struggle to land stars, Wembanyama can change the course of a franchise’s future the moment he is drafted No. 1 overall.
2023 NBA Draft top prospects
- Victor Wembanyama, C, France
- Scoot Henderson, G, G League
- Amen Thompson, G, Overtime Elite
- Brandon Miller, F, Alabama
- Jarace Walker, F, Houston
- Keyonte George, G, Baylor
- Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova
- Ausar Thompson, Wing, Overtime Elite
- Taylor Hendricks, F, UCF
- Cason Wallace, G, Kentucky
- G.G. Jackson, F, South Carolina
- Nick Smith Jr, G, Arkansas
- Maxwell Lewis, F, Pepperdine
- Anthony Black, F, Arkansas
- Dariq Whitehead, F, Duke
- Dillon Mitchell, G, Texas
- Jett Howard, G, Michigan
- Kel’el Ware, C, Oregon
- Rayan Rupert, F, New Zealand Breakers
- Kris Murray, F, Iowa
Where is the 2023 NBA Draft being held?
The 2023 NBA Draft location is the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Tickets for the NBA Draft won’t be available until later this year.
Who was the first pick in the NBA Draft?
The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero with the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Prior to that, Cade Cunningham was the first pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
- 2022 NBA Draft: Paolo Banchero, forward, Orlando Magic
- 2021 NBA Draft: Cade Cunningham, guard, Detroit Pistons
- 2020 NBA Draft: Anthony Edwards, guard, Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2019 NBA Draft: Zion Williamson, forward, New Orleans Pelicans
- 2018 NBA Draft: Deandre Ayton, center, Phoenix Suns
Do the Lakers have a 2023 first-round pick?
The Los Angeles Lakers have one first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, however, the New Orleans Pelicans own the swap rights to it. Under the Stepien Rule, teams aren’t allowed to be without first-round picks in back-to-back drafts. As a result, the Lakers can only trade their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks.
Is Bronny James eligible for 2023 NBA Draft?
Bronny James draft year is in 2024. He will spend the 2023-’24 season playing college basketball before becoming eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft. The son of LeBron James, Bronny is a projected first-round pick and viewed as a very talented two-way player with outstanding basketball IQ.
