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The NBA will hold its draft lottery in Chicago next May, the league announced Thursday. The lottery will take place May 15, and a draft combine will follow May 16-20 in Chicago. It is the first time the lottery will be conducted outside the New York area.
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"The decision by the NBA to move the 2018 Draft Lottery to Chicago is a recognition of our city's status as a worldwide hub for sports, entertainment and culture," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. "The eyes of basketball fans from across the country and around the world will be on Chicago next year, and we look forward to hosting a great event.
"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."
The first lottery took place in 1985 when the New York Knicks selected Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing with the top overall pick.
This is the final year before lottery reform is implemented. The new process will even the odds for the top pick between multiple teams instead of giving the club with the league's worst record the best chance at the top pick.
