We’re about three weeks away from the NBA draft lottery (Tuesday, May 19, 2009), and too long away from the actual draft (Thursday, June 25). Are you wondering about lottery odds like I am? Wikipedia breaks down the percentage chances for each lottery team. Here are the Toronto Raptors’, in order of likeliness:

• 9th pick, 81.3%
• 10th, 12.2%
• 3rd, 2.4%
• 2nd, 2.0%
• 1st, 1.7%
• 11th, 0.4%

For reference, here’s the 21st-century history of

pick #9

• D.J. Augustin
• Joakim Noah
• Patrick O’Bryant
• Ike Diogu
• Andre Iguodala (I know, I know)
• Mike Sweetney
• Amar’e Stoudemire
• Rodney White
• Joel Przybilla

pick #10

• Brook Lopez
• Spencer Hawes
• Saer Sene
• Andrew Bynum
• Luke Jackson
• Jarvis Hayes
• Caron Butler
• Joe Johnson
• Keyon Dooling

As highlighted above, with a little insight and a little luck, the Raptors can end up with a star player.

Just for kicks, let’s look at the other possible draft positions too:

pick #3

• O.J. Mayo
• Al Horford
• Adam Morrison
• Deron Williams
• Ben Gordon
• Carmelo Anthony
• Mike Dunleavy
• Pau Gasol
• Darius Miles

pick #2

• Michael Beasley
• Kevin Durant
• LaMarcus Aldridge
• Marvin Williams
• Emeka Okafor
• Darko Milicic
• Jay Williams
• Tyson Chandler
• Stromile Swift

pick #1

• Derrick Rose
• Greg Oden
• Andrea Bargnani
• Andrew Bogut
• Dwight Howard
• LeBron James
• Yao Ming
• Kwame Brown
• Kenyon Martin

pick #11

• Jerryd Bayless
• Acie Law
• J.J. Redick
• Fran Vasquez
• Andris Biedrins
• Mickael Pietrus
• Jared Jeffries
• Kedrick Brown
• Jerome Moiso

What a way to end the post, eh?

Yep, I’m scared too.