NBA Draft Lottery Moves to Chicago

The NBA Draft Lottery will be held outside of New York or New Jersey for the first time next Spring. The league announced on Thursday that the 2018 NBA draft lottery will take place in Chicago.

The decision to host the event in Chicago on May 15 will streamline the process in addition to the draft combine, which already takes place in the windy city. The draft combine will follow the draft lottery on May 16 – 20.

It follows the trend of holding drafts in Chicago after the NFL and NHL also did it in recent years.

The Lottery is a nationally televised event which features the 14 teams that didn’t reach the playoffs. It decides the selection order in the first round of the draft. Via K.C Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said:

“”The decision by the NBA to move the 2018 Draft Lottery to Chicago is a recognition of our city’s status as a worldwide hub for sports, entertainment and culture. The eyes of basketball fans from across the country and also around the world will be on Chicago next year. The NBA is recognizing what the NFL, NHL, MLS and the America’s Cup have all realized in recent years: Chicago is unique in our ability to host world class events and Chicago residents and fans are second to none.”

Rebuilding

The change also gives an incentive to teams whose draft position is dependent on the lottery result. As a result, they can concentrate on the proper group of players. The Chicago Bulls have been rebuilding this season. Having the lottery in their backyard will increase their chances of a top pick. They are 1 – 5 so far this year.

The Bulls won the draft lottery back in 2008, securing Derrick Rose, who in 2011 won NBA MVP honors. Next year, the likes of Marvin Bagley, Luka Doncic, and DeAndre Ayton are potential first picks.