The NBA Draft Lottery is a chaotic mix of strategy and luck, particularly for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, who have historically capitalized on lottery opportunities. With the 2025 draft approaching, the 76ers, who hold the fifth overall pick, boast a 64% chance of retaining it, supported by their impressive record of gaining 24 net draft slots over lottery history. On the flip side, teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings have faced lottery misfortunes, with Dallas never having moved up in the lottery.

The San Antonio Spurs represent a unique case, having turned their top picks into superstars, despite only gaining nine net draft slots in their lottery history. As the draft approaches, teams must balance their performance to maximize their chances at a high pick amid unpredictable lottery outcomes.