Monday's draft lottery result caused a stir in the NBA world, with some fans questioning whether the league intentionally rewarded the Mavericks with the top pick.

The lottery system is how the NBA determines the draft order for the teams that don’t make the playoffs. It only determines the first 14 picks of the draft and has no impact on the second round. The first four picks are determined by the lottery, and picks 5-14 are determined by the reverse standings of whoever is left.

Instituted in 1985, the lottery system is the way the NBA (which is coming home to NBC this fall!) chooses which teams will get the first four (previously first three) picks in ea