DENVER — The Nuggets have never moved up in the NBA draft lottery in franchise history. And after missing the playoffs by one game this season, they'll need a miracle to land the No. 1 overall pick.
The Nuggets have the worst odds (0.5 percent) to land the top selection at Tuesday night's NBA draft lottery in Chicago, which will set the order for the picks happening June 21 at the Barclays Center in New York.
Denver has a 1.8 percent chance of getting a top-three selection. Most likely, the Nuggets will receive the 14th overall pick, where prospects such as Texas A&M center Robert Williams, Kentucky small forward Kevin Knox and Kentucky point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be available for selection. Denver also has two second-round picks, acquired via trades with the Clippers and Warriors.
Phoenix has the best odds of landing the No. 1 pick (25 percent) after posting a league-worst 21-61 record last season. Memphis (19.9 percent), Dallas (13.8 percent), Atlanta (13.7 percent) and Orlando (8.8 percent) are the other top contenders to secure the top pick in a draft considered to be one of the most talent-laden in recent memory. Arizona big man DeAndre Ayton, Slovenian shooting guard Luka Doncic, Duke power forward Marvin Bagley III and Michigan State center Jaren Jackson Jr. are projected as potential franchise-changers. The draft combine, also held in Chicago, will take place May 16-20.
In last year's draft, the Nuggets held the No. 13 overall pick, which became rookie of the year contender Donovan Mitchell, before trading it to Utah for reserve forward Trey Lyles and the 24th pick — which Denver used to select forward Tyler Lydon.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray will be on hand to represent the team.