It's time once again for the NBA draft lottery, and for the 13th consecutive year it involves the Timberwolves. A random, weighted draw will be held Tuesday to determine the top three draft picks. Picks 4 through 14 will then be allotted based on teams' records. The Wolves, currently slotted sixth, have a 5.3 percent chance of landing the top pick. The Boston Celtics, who clinched a berth in the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night, have the best odds at 25 percent. That's thanks to a 2013 trade they made with the Brooklyn Nets.
What: The NBA's annual game of chance, its draft lottery that will determine the order for the top 14 picks in the June 22 draft.
When and where: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel.
TV coverage: ESPN, beginning at 7 p.m.
Wolves' odds: Currently slotted sixth, they have a slim chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick but an 18.3 percent chance of moving up into the top three. They're most likely to stay sixth (43.95 percent) or pick seventh (33.1 percent).
Did you know? The Wolves never have improved their draft position in 18 tries. They've maintained their position 10 times — including winning the No. 1 pick (and Karl-Anthony Towns) for the first time in 2015 — and dropped down the order eight times.
If the Wolves get lucky: Washington's Markelle Fultz, UCLA's Lonzo Ball, Kansas' Josh Jackson, Duke's Jayson Tatum and Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox are considered top-five picks.
If they don't: Lanky Florida State freshman forward Jonathan Isaac, Arizona freshman shooter Lauri Markkanen and Kentucky freshman guard Malik Monk are likely targets, unless someone like Tatum or Fox drops to them.
