Vernon Carey Jr.

All teams missing the playoffs are in the Lottery

Teams with worse records get more chances at winning a top four pick (more ping pong ball combos)

The 1st overall pick is awarded by a drawing of ping pong balls

The 2nd overall pick is awarded by a drawing of ping pong balls

The 3rd overall pick is awarded by a drawing of ping pong balls

The 4th overall pick is awarded by a drawing of ping pong balls

Remaining lottery teams, sorted by record, fill out picks 5-14

Playoff teams, sorted by record, are assigned picks 15-30 - playoff seeds and outcomes have no impact

Random drawing decides who picks first between teams with same record

Tied lottery teams split their ping pong balls evenly, and any odd remainder and the better draft order position are given to the random drawing winner

Second round is ordered by record without playoff consideration

Second round ties are in reverse order of the teams' first round picks