The Toronto Raptors beat the odds Tuesday, winning the NBA draft lottery and the right to pick first overall.

The Raptors (27-55) finished with the fifth-worst record last season, so had the fifth-best chance of securing the No. 1 pick at 8.8 per cent.

Bryan Colangelo will pick first overall.
Bryan Colangelo will pick first overall.
(Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)
"For us to have this kind of luck is a symbol of a reversal of fortune going forward," said Bryan Colangelo, hired as Raptors president and general manager on Feb. 28.

"We have our work cut out [but] this will help. We'll see what comes our way and see what we can dig up,"

Critics have yet to agree on a consensus No. 1 pick, but prime candidates include Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison, Texas centre LaMarcus Aldridge and LSU forward Tyrus Thomas.

"We've got so much to do to improve right now," Colangelo explained. "I don't think you could pick around a player right now.

"I think we just have to pick the best available basketball player that is going to be a good long-term piece for the Toronto Raptors."

The Raptors, who also own the 35th and 56th selections, were participating in their fourth consecutive lottery, having chosen Chris Bosh fourth in 2003, Rafael Araujo eighth in 2004 and Charlie Villanueva seventh in 2005.

The highest draft choice in franchise history was centre Marcus Camby, taken second overall in 1996.

"We go into this draft not only holding the No. 1 pick but with the cap flexibility to take on a pretty large contract," said Colangelo. "So the combination of those two is pretty powerful.

"Hopefully, we can manipulate it the right way and make some good decisions. I think, at this point, we're in a no-lose situation."

The Chicago Bulls (41-41) will select second in the June 28 draft with a first-round pick acquired last Oct. 4 in a swap with the hapless New York Knicks (23-59). 

"We made the deal and we're lucky we got in the lottery," Bulls general manager John Paxson said.

Drafting third will be the Charlotte Bobcats (26-56), who confirmed earlier Tuesday that Bernie Bickerstaff is remaining both general manager and head coach.

The Portland Trail Blazers, the worst team in the NBA at 21-61, had the best chance of receiving the top pick at 25 per cent,
but were forced to settle for fourth overall. 

"You may find a player with as big an impact at No. 4, or even No. 6, as you may at No. 1," explained Trail Blazers president Steve Patterson, mindful that NBA rookie of the year Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets went fourth overall last spring.

Drafting five through 10 in the opening round are the Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Seattle SuperSonics.

With files from Canadian Press