Simply put, the Raptors can draft as high as #1 overall, and as low as 6th overall (though this is highly unlikely, as three non top 3 teams would have to win the lottery).As of 2008, with 30 NBA teams, 16 qualify for the playoffs and the remaining 14 teams are entered in the draft lottery. These 14 teams are ranked in reverse order of their regular season record and are assigned the following number of chances
1. 250 combinations, 25.0% chance of receiving the #1 pick
2. 199 combinations, 19.9% chance
3. 156 combinations, 15.6% chance
4. 119 combinations, 11.9% chance
5. 88 combinations, 8.8% chance
6. 63 combinations, 6.3% chance
7. 43 combinations, 4.3% chance
8. 28 combinations, 2.8% chance
9. 17 combinations, 1.7% chance
10. 11 combinations, 1.1% chance
11. 8 combinations, 0.8% chance
12. 7 combinations, 0.7% chance
13. 6 combinations, 0.6% chance
14. 5 combinations, 0.5% chance
The 2011 class as a whole is quite weak, particularly after the losses of: Perry Jones, Harrison Barnes and Jared Sullinger. Still this draft contains one true impact player in PG, Kyrie Irving whom the Raps would have to finish first in the lottery to draft, or second if Washington wins the lottery, and a potential impact SF/PF in Derrick Williams. Needless to say, the hope is that the Raptors win one of the first two lottery spots tonight.