NBA's 2018 Draft Lottery Lands In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL — With only a single win under their belt in less than a month of the 2017-18 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls seem well on their way to becoming one of the 14 teams in the league's draft lottery to determine the first pick. Luckily, Bulls team reps won't have to travel far to see if the ping-pong balls bounce in their direction as Chicago will be the site of the 2018 NBA draft lottery, the league and the city announced Thursday. It marks the first time the lottery has been held outside of the New York City area in the event's more than 30-year history.

Next year's NBA draft lottery will be May 15, and Chicago also will play host to the draft combine, which runs May 16-20. The league's 2018 draft is June 18, but the location hasn't been announced yet. Since 2013, the event has been held at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn.

"The NBA is recognizing what the NFL, NHL, MLS and the America’s Cup have all realized in recent years: Chicago is unique in our ability to host world class events and Chicago residents and fans are second to none," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in statement.

The NBA draft lottery was established in 1985, and the Bulls have won it twice. In 1999, Chicago used the first pick to select Elton Brand, and the team chose Derrick Rose with the top selection in 2011.

NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum reveals that the Chicago Bulls earned the 14th pick in the 2016 NBA draft during the league's draft lottery in New York. (Photo by Julie Jacobson | Associated Press)