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Philadelphia 76ers: 2018 NBA Draft Lottery odds

By Kenneth Teape

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers attends the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers attends the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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What are the Philadelphia 76ers’ odds of landing the Los Angeles Lakers’ selection in the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery?

The Philadelphia 76ers‘ Process finally bore some fruits of its labor this season. The 76ers saw things finally come together after years of not trying to win games on the court.

Philadelphia went 52-30 during the 2017-18 regular season, qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2012. Since that season, the 76ers won only 109 games as they went all in on their rebuild.

While some people didn’t like the Sixers diluting their product on the court, it seems to have paid off. Philadelphia has picked in the top three in four consecutive seasons, landing two franchise cornerstones and hopefully a third.

The process began in 2014 when Joel Embiid was selected third. The 76ers whiffed on Jahlil Okafor in 2015, passing on Kristaps Porzingis. They made up for it in 2016 when they selected Ben Simmons No. 1 overall. In 2017, they landed Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 pick after making a trade with the Boston Celtics.

Philadelphia is hopeful it will have an opportunity to land another lottery talent this year. Despite making the playoffs, the 76ers could have a pick in the top 10 this season. However, they will need a little luck for that to happen.

The Sixers could land the Los Angeles Lakers‘ lottery selection this year. If the pick lands at No. 1 or 6-30, the 76ers will make the selection. However, if it lands at No. 2-5, it will be relayed over to the Boston Celtics.

What are the chances that pick lands where Philadelphia needs it to? They are actually quite high.

  • 1st:  1.1%
  • 2nd:  1.3% (Celtics)
  • 3rd:  1.7% (Celtics)
  • 10th:  87%
  • 11th:  8.9%
  • 12th:  0.2%
  • 13th:  >0.0%

As you can see, there is only a three percent chance that this pick goes to the Celtics. More than likely, the 76ers will keep this pick. For a team that won 52 games, this is an unexpected chance to add a lottery talent to the roster.

The 76ers are on the cusp of becoming a contender in the Eastern Conference. They could use this selection to land a more established talent via trade, or add yet another young building block to their core.

With Simmons and Embiid already in place, Philadelphia has its franchise cornerstones. Now, it is time to improve and build the roster around them.

In lottery history, the 76ers have selected in top 10 15 times. They have picked first three times, selecting Allen Iverson in 1996 before selecting Fultz and Simmons in the last two years. Philadelphia would really have to defy the odds to land the No. 1 pick a third consecutive year.

The 76ers have the highest odds of landing the No. 10 pick. They have selected there twice previously.

In 1984, they selected Leon Wood. In 2014, they selected Elfrid Payton, who they traded to the Orlando Magic for Dario Saric and two picks. Those selections turned into Willy Hernangomez and De’Aaron Fox, two players that never played for the 76ers as those picks were traded away.

Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft

Will the 76ers get lucky once again? We will find out when the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery is held on Tuesday, May 15.