The 2023-24 NBA regular season is officially coming to a close, with teams having just a handful of games remaining on their schedule.
The NBA Draft lottery, held in May, will be officially set following the conclusion of the regular season, and a few teams are positioning themselves to get the highest possible odds.
Here are the official Tankathon reverse standings as of Sunday, March 17:
1. Washington Wizards, 11-56
The Wizards have now taken a 1.5-game lead over Detroit for the No. 1 draft odds, and with just 15 games remaining on their schedule, it’s going to be an uphill climb for anyone else to nab them.
In the first true year of their rebuild, that was likely always the goal. And the organization has now put itself in position to replenish its talent pool with no less than a top-five pick in 2024.
2. Detroit Pistons, 12-54
After rolling out an all-time bad product earlier in the season, Detroit has now won three games in their last five tries, beating the Raptors, Hornets and Nets.
While better draft odds are likely better for the future at this point in the regular season, the organization and fans likely aren’t unhappy with seeing some in-season progressions from its top players like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.
Chances are high Detroit will still make it out with a great pick.
3. San Antonio Spurs, 14-53
The Spurs have fairly consistently rode the line of the third-best draft odds this season, not quite being at Detroit and Washington’s level while still maintaining a gap between themselves and Charlotte.
Wembanyama has proved his future superstardom already, and San Antonio will now look to surround him with talent gathered via 2024.
4. Charlotte Hornets, 17-51
5. Portland Trail Blazers, 19-48
6. Memphis Grizzlies, 23-45
7. Toronto Raptors, 23-44
8. Brooklyn Nets, 26-41
9. Utah Jazz, 29-38
10. Atlanta Hawks, 29-37
11. Houston Rockets, 32-35
12. Chicago Bulls, 33-35
13. Los Angeles Lakers, 36-32
14. Golden State Warriors, 35-31
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