The NBA’s lottery system, designed to deter teams from tanking, effectively operated on Sunday as the Detroit Pistons, who had the fewest wins last season since the 76ers in 2015-2016, were awarded the 5th overall pick.
This marks the 2nd consecutive season that the Pistons, despite having the worst record in the NBA and thus the highest odds for the #1 pick, received the 5th pick instead.
Instead of Detroit with the #1 overall pick, it will be the Hawks. Atlanta, while they did make the play-in tournament, wrapped up the season 10 games below .500. The Hawks were given 3% odds to land the #1 pick before the lottery.
The Washington Wizards will draft 2nd, followed by the Houston Rockets, and then the San Antonio Spurs at #4.
Both the Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers have two picks within the top 14.
On the bright side for Detroit and other teams that may have been snubbed out of a high draft pick, the 2024 NBA draft is not quite filled with prospects like it was last year.
As of now, the projected #1 overall pick is Alexandre Sarr, a F/C out of France. The 19-year-old that stands at 7-1 averaged 9.7 points and 4.4 rebounds last season with the Perth Wildcats in the Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League.
The 2024 NBA draft will begin June 26th.
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