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.
NBA DRAFT LOTTERY ORDER pic.twitter.com/nq0XpM5OI9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 12, 2024
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.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!