Mar 19, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (22) celebrates with forward Keegan Murray (13) after Murray’s basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Kings Win Lottery Coin Flip - Lock in Draft Lottery Position

Originally posted on Sacramento Kings on SI
By Will Zimmerle | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 6:05 PM ET

In a tradition unlike many others, the Sacramento Kings will put their fate in ping pong balls and the NBA draft lottery that is to be held on May 12th, and after winning the coin flip against the Atlanta Hawks, have their odds locked in for the 13th best odds of the night.

While the regular season ended over a week ago, the draft lottery positions were still up in the air with play-in games and coin flips being the final deciding factor. The Miami Heat jumped from the lottery to the 15th pick with their clinching of a playoff series, which left the Kings tied with the Hawks for the 13th or 14th position.

Both Sacramento and Atlanta finished the season with a record of 40-42, leaving it up to the coin to decide who ended up where. And the coin worked in favor of the Kings to move them up to 13.

The Sacramento Kings won the coin flip with the Atlanta Hawks and go into the lottery with the 13th best odds of moving into the top 4. If they stay at 13 or drop to 14 in the lottery, the pick goes to the Hawks to complete the original Kevin Huerter trade.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) April 21, 2025

Going into the draft lottery, the Kings have six possible spots they can land. Either one of the top four picks, the 13th pick, or 14th. The highest odds are staying at the 13th position, but they have a 3.8% chance to jump into the top four.

Tankathon

If the Kings do get lucky and jump into the top four, they'll get to keep their pick, otherwise, the pick will convey to the Hawks to complete the Kevin Huerter trade.

It's not a terrible situation to be in for the Kings. They'll either strike gold and get a top-four pick or lose their pick this year while opening up future draft picks for trades. If this year's pick doesn't convey, the Kings will owe the Hawks their 2026 with a top-10 protection.

New General Manager Scott Perry has a lot of work to do in the offseason with question marks surrounding the Kings, but in three weeks, we'll all get our next big answer of what is next for the Sacramento Kings.

This article first appeared on Sacramento Kings on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: