The 2025 NBA Draft is over a month away, with the combined events starting this weekend. The next marquee moment is the NBA Draft Lottery, where we’ll know who will get the No. 1 overall pick. We already know which player will be selected at No. 1, as Duke freshman star forward Cooper Flagg has been the projected top guy for over a year, ever since reclassifying to play college basketball last season.
After producing 19.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and 4.2 apg as a freshman and earning National Player of the Year honors, Flagg will be the main attraction of Monday’s NBA Draft Lottery pick. There are 14 ping pong balls and several teams in the mix at the No. 1 overall pick. Looking at the realistic options, here are the three preferred fits for the former Blue Devil.
3. New Orleans Pelicans - 12.5% chance of No. 1 pick
The last time New Orleans got the surprise No. 1 pick, they selected another former Duke star in Zion Williamson. Things haven’t gone overly well in the years since, with injuries preventing the franchise from taking the leap in the Western Conference. With Brandon Ingram traded to Toronto and Williamson potentially on the trading block, the Pelicans getting the top pick would allow them to fully rebuild once again and move on from the former No. 1 pick.
2. Washington Wizards - 14% chance of No. 1 pick
The Wizards had two top-10 picks in the last draft, with Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington showing flashes as rookies. Flagg would have the chance to be the focal point for the team out of the gate and would form an elite defensive frontcourt with Sarr inside for years to come. As we’ve seen with the OKC Thunder, a great young core can turn you into a contender in a short time, and Flagg could accelerate the process for Washington.
1. Philadelphia 76ers - 10.5 % chance of No. 1 pick
A roster with national championship aspirations could rarely have a shot at the No. 1 pick, but that’s the case with the 76ers, who lost Joel Embiid, Paul George, and last year’s first-round pick, Jared McCain, due to injuries. When “healthy”, Philly has an elite starting lineup and with Flagg plugged in at the four-spot, can be part of a deep playoff run out of the gate.
Of course, if the 76ers don’t end up with a top-7 pick after the lottery results, they’ll lose it to OKC, giving them yet another first-round pick to work with.