The lottery system is how the NBA determines the draft order for the teams that don’t make the playoffs. It only determines the first 14 picks of the draft and has no impact on the second round. The first four picks are determined by the lottery, and picks 5-14 are determined by the reverse standings of whoever is left.

We think of the NBA Draft Lottery, first and foremost, as a way for the league's poor and downtrodden franchises to replenish their ranks and take the first steps toward meaningful winning years down the line.

Every team in the NBA draft lottery is dreaming of winning the top pick or at least winding up somewhere in the top four. Getting slotted in the draft order is just the first part of the process, though. Once each team knows its draft slot, it needs to find a player who can help them get back into contention as soon as possible.