Raptors Lottery odds: What are the chances of landing the No. 1 pick?

The Toronto Raptors can finally put what looked like cursed season behind them as they try to get the team back on a path to contention in 2023. Rather than lean into the tank for a better shot at the top draft choice, Toronto’s desire to chase the postseason landed them with the 13th-best odds at the top slot.

Given how projected top pick Victor Wembanyama is expected to be an All_Star immediately, and the fact that second-tier stars like Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller have been regarded highly by the league, moving up in a class like this would be a godsend for this organization.

The Raptors have a very slight chance of moving up in the draft order, but the only reason that Scottie Barnes is in town is due to the fact Toronto jumped to the No. 4 selection despite having the seventh-best lottery odds. Will Lady Luck smile on them once again this year?

Toronto Raptors lottery odds: Can the Raptors get the No. 1 pick?

Toronto has just a 1.0% percent chance of moving up to the top spot and landing Wembanyama. Those odds increase to just 2.1% to grab a top-two pick and 4.8% to move into the top four. In other words, don’t expect any movement up, barring an act of basketball God.

The worst-case scenario for the Raptors, who have a 92.9% chance of staying right where they are picking No. 13 overall, is the 2.3% chance of slipping down to the No. 14 spot becoming a reality. The New Orleans Pelicans would leapfrog them and get a premium pick in that case.

While No. 13 certainly does not give you the flexibility that one of the top-four selections does, many Hall of Famers have been added with this pick. Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, Devin Booker, and Donovan Mitchell are just some of the names that have been picked here.

The Raptors have to be well aware of the fact that heads will roll if they don’t make major improvements in a short amount of time. Adding a star with their lottery pick could get this offseason started off on the right foot.