The Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers — the three teams holding the top three selections in the 2025 NBA Draft — are all expected to contend for playoff spots next season. Additionally, the Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks, who own picks nine through 13, are trying to become relevant, and the Spurs have another lottery pick at No. 14. The No. 7-pick-bearing New Orleans Pelicans, fresh off a down year with injuries, have the pieces to win 49 games again like they did in 2023-24. This year’s lottery will realistically feature only four teams who are in “rebuild” mode — the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. The turn of events bucks a significant trend from recent NBA Drafts. In 2024, the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder were the only teams with lottery picks expected to contend. A year before, only the Mavs — who lucked into Dereck Lively II — were a legitimate playoff
