Shams: Jazz ‘To Go For’ Top Pick Even If They Don’t Win Lottery
May 12, 2025, 1:33 PM | Updated: May 20, 2025, 2:47 pm
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania told Pat McAfee that the Utah Jazz would be trying to go for the number one pick, even if they don’t win the draft lottery.
The Jazz have a 52.1 percent chance of landing one of the top four picks in the draft, and a 47.9 percent chance of dropping down to fifth.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About The NBA Draft Lottery
Shams Charania: Jazz Could “Go For” Top Lottery Pick
The Jazz are one of six teams in league history that have never owned the top pick in the NBA Draft, and they are the only team of those six to own a lottery pick this summer.
Even if they don’t cash in on their 14 percent chance of winning the draft lottery and the rights to select Cooper Flagg, the Jazz may still push to acquire the top selection according to Charania.
“The Utah Jazz have a lot of draft picks if they wanna make a move..
Even if they don’t get the number one pick they could be going for it” ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/C3p49BtQM4 pic.twitter.com/wtjp4Smvtm
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 12, 2025
“They have like 13-14 first-round picks they can use in trades,” Charania said. “I’m not saying they’re going to use all of them to go get number one and Cooper Flagg, but I did some research there for you, they’ve got over a dozen first-round picks.”
Smith appeared on McAfee’s show last week to discuss many subjects, including the draft lottery.
“There are a lot of teams gunning, there’s a lot of fan bases who all want number one, the Jazz have never really moved up, I think in our history, or had the number one,” Smith said. So why not now, why not us?”
The Jazz have only moved up in the lottery once, jumping from sixth to third to draft Enes Freedom in 2011.
Along with the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets, the Jazz have a 14 percent chance of winning the top overall selection in Monday’s lottery.
“Even if they don’t get the number one pick, they’re going to be trying to go for it,” Charania said.
Odds For The No. 1 Overall Pick
- Utah Jazz (14.0 percent)
- Washington Wizards (14.0 percent)
- Charlotte Hornets (14.0 percent)
- New Orleans Pelicans (12.5 percent)
- Philadelphia 76ers (10.5 percent)
- Brooklyn Nets (9.0 percent)
- Toronto Raptors (7.5 percent)
- San Antonio Spurs (6.0 percent)
- Phoenix Suns (3.8 percent)
- Portland Trail Blazers (3.7 percent)
- Dallas Mavericks (1.8 percent)
- Chicago Bulls (1.7 percent)
- Sacramento Kings (0.8 percent)
- Atlanta Hawks (0.7 percent)
How To Watch 2025 NBA Draft Lottery
The NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 12 in Chicago on the second day of the NBA Combine.
Related: Ashley Smith To Represent Jazz At Draft Lottery
The actual lottery is held in private with representatives from the 14 teams and members of the media. The results of the draft lottery will be revealed on ESPN beginning at 7 p.m. EST on May 12.
Fans can stream the draft lottery on Watch ESPN, or listen to our full NBA Draft Lottery reaction show on 97.5 the KSL Sports Zone and the KSL Sports app.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
