The draft lottery determines the order of the first 14 picks. It takes place in a private room with NBA officials, representatives of participating teams, select media and the accounting firm Ernst & Young, which oversees the drawings, in attendance.

The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets have the best chance of getting the 2025 No. 1 pick by virtue of finishing with the three worst records in the league during the 2024-25 regular season.