Ranking the 13 most unlikely draft lottery winners in NBA history

One of the most exciting moments for a basketball franchise is if they learn they have won the NBA draft lottery, especially when it’s unexpected.

Lottery odds formatting have changed several times since the system began in 1985 when the New York Knicks selected Patrick Ewing. In the future, the format might change again to help prevent tanking from league bottom-dwellers.

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The upcoming 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is on May 10 in Chicago and will determine which teams will have a chance to draft top prospects like AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson.

14 teams will have a chance at No. 1 overall and with that in mind, here are all of the lottery winners who received the pick despite less than 10 percent odds.

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The Orlando Magic make Chris Webber in the 1993 NBA Draft. Orlando would trade Webber to Golden State for Anfernee Hardaway and three future first round picks.

Player: Chris Webber

Record: 41-41

Odds: 1.52% (11th)

This pick was included in a trade to the Golden State Warriors involving Penny Hardaway and future first-round picks.

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No. 1 draft pick for the Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose walks to the stage during the 2008 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 26, 2008 in New York City.

Player: Derrick Rose

Record: 33-49

Odds: 1.70% (9th)

Rose, who is originally from Chicago, was named 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year and won NBA MVP in 2011.

Andrew Wiggins shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center.

Player: Andrew Wiggins

Record: 33-49

Odds: 1.70% 9th

Before his rookie season, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a deal involving Kevin Love. He was named 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Cooper Flagg poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

Player: Cooper Flagg

Record: 39-43

Odds: 1.80% (11th)

This was shortly after Luka Dončić was sent to the Los…


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Publish date : 2026-04-30 21:51:00

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