What are the draft lottery odds this year? Why is 2025 such a big deal? Cooper Flagg. The Duke forward is the most exciting U.S.-born prospect since LeBron James, and he’s been

LaMelo Ball has five NBA seasons under his belt, and only one of them produced a winning record. Even more worrisome for the Hornets, their win rate is trapped in a three-year spiral that has taken it to a dismal .232.

We think of the NBA Draft Lottery, first and foremost, as a way for the league's poor and downtrodden franchises to replenish their ranks and take the first steps toward meaningful winning years down the line.