Customize ESPN

The fascinating conflict between drafting in the top five and winning NBA titles

As the NBA considers dramatic lottery reform, the numbers show that drafting in the top five hasn't turned into NBA titles over the past 20 years.

6hZach Kram
Illustration by ESPN

NBA draft lottery reform: Pros and cons of the new '3-2-1' proposal

Tim Bontemps examines the good, the bad and the head-scratching changes coming to the draft lottery.

5hTim Bontemps

TOP HEADLINES

ON THE DIAMOND

.143, .170, .194 ... How bad can these 7 MLB regulars hit and still stay in the lineup?

Several elite defensive players are struggling big-time at the plate in 2026. Here's what history says about their ability to stick in the lineup and what options their teams have.

5hDavid Schoenfield
Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire

Inside Javier Baez's unforgettable chaotic baserunning play, five years later

When he was with the Cubs, Baez pulled off a magic trick that made the Pirates look like Little Leaguers.

5hJesse Rogers

CONTROVERSIAL OR HAVING FUN?

Abner Uribe's mound celebration sparks controversy

2h
0:16

MLB SCOREBOARD

INSIDE THE NFL

Four trade candidates, 16 offers, just one deal: What now for Richardson, Coleman, Kmet and Thibodeaux?

We proposed trade offers for Keon Coleman, Cole Kmet, Anthony Richardson Sr. and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Could any of them be on the move?

6hCourtney Cronin, +7 More
AP Photo/Darron Cummings

Who are the top quarterbacks in next year's NFL draft? 22 names to know

The 2027 QB draft class should be loaded. Arch Manning, Dante Moore, CJ Carr and Trinidad Chambliss top the list.

20hJordan Reid
West Finals - Game 5OKC leads series 3-2

Thunder top Spurs in pivotal Game 5 to take 3-2 series lead

13h
1:36

How the Thunder's unlikely heroes have taken the Spurs to the brink of elimination

Oklahoma City turned to Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Jared McCain to claw its way back against San Antonio.

4hBen Golliver

Stephen A.: ‘I was impressed with how OKC bounced back’

2h
2:25

Perkins: Wemby got 'punked' in Game 5

3h
1:53

Thunder fans hyped as pair of Jared McCain triples force Spurs timeouts

12h
0:33

Holmgren finishes over the top of Wemby

11h
0:22

Jared McCain somehow gets circus shot to fall plus the foul

13h
0:16

Wemby throws down an alley-oop jam over SGA

13h
0:24

Wemby sends Holmgren to the court with huge block

12h
0:16

Wemby tips in alley-oop for an incredible and-1

13h
0:22

    FRENCH OPEN WOMEN'S SCOREBOARD

    Top Headlines

    Favorites

    Fantasy

    Customize ESPN

    Trending Now