The 2018 NBA Draft Lottery occurs tonight in Chicago.
Tonight in Chicago the 2018 NBA Draft lottery takes place with lottery teams vested in the outcome and placement of where they’ll pick in June.
For 13 teams tonight is the equivalent of their playoffs. That’s because those squads for the most part failed to secure a postseason berth. Instead they’ll have to suffice with hoping lottery balls drop in their favor.
Some squads luck out based on previous trades. The LA Clippers have two of the 14 lottery picks. Perhaps the luckiest team is the Cleveland Cavaliers. By virtue of the Kyrie Irving trade the Cavs snagged the coveted Brooklyn Nets pick. Fortunately for Nets fans and Sean Marks this is the final time they have to watch another team land their selection.
Odds:
A few teams have never lucked out to get the top pick like the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. The Suns may end that streak tonight as they enter with the best odds to nab the top draft pick.
Although each squad could move up the most likely teams who’ll nab the top selection other than Phoenix are the Grizzlies, Mavericks and Hawks.
NBA Draft Lottery Odds ahead of tomorrow night's lottery:
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) May 14, 2018
1) PHO - 25%
2) MEM - 19.9%
3) DAL - 13.8%
4) ATL - 13.7%
5) ORL - 8.8%
6) CHI - 5.3%
7) SAC- 5.3%
8) CLE* - 2.8%
9) NYK - and 1.7%
10) PHI* - 1.1%
11) CHA - 0.8%
12) LAC* - 0.6%
13) LAC - 0.6%
14) DEN - 0.5%
LeBron James may be watching with added interest:
Aside from where the Nets pick falls LeBron James may have a vested interest in where each team selects. For example when the Knicks hired coach David Fizdale some pundits opined it could be with a view to taking a run at LeBron this summer.
Likewise, the 76ers are among the rumored teams LeBron may depart Cleveland for in the next ‘Decision’ of his career.
Suffice to say there isn’t a definitive answer of whether James will leave Cleveland, but landing a top draft pick might be the type of recruitment extra James enjoys. Remember, it was Andrew Wiggins who the Cavaliers dealt to Minnesota in order to bring Kevin Love to Cleveland.
Eastern Finalists could be double winners tonight:
Ironically the two Eastern Conference Finalists could land one of the coveted top three picks. Cleveland has the eighth best odds (via Brooklyn). But, the Cavaliers have a history of being extremely lucky with the ping pong balls.
Boston who already has a treasure trove of picks with no end in sight of future assets still to be reaped. Tonight, Celtics fans will hope to take a 2-0 series lead and for the Lakers ping pongs to drop into the second or third slot. This opportunity exists via last season’s Markelle Fultz – Jayson Tatum trade. The history behind this pick is complicated . It ties all the way back to Lakers trade for Steve Nash six seasons ago. To wit, check out Real GM’s explanation of it:
"2018 first round draft pick to Philadelphia or BostonL.A. Lakers’ 2018 1st round pick to Philadelphia (via Phoenix) or to Boston (via Phoenix to Philadelphia) protected for selections 1 and 6-30; if this pick falls on any of its protected selections and is therefore retained by Philadelphia, then Boston will instead receive the more favorable of Philadelphia’s 2019 1st round pick protected for selection 1 and Sacramento’s 2019 1st round pick (via Philadelphia) protected for selection 1 and Philadelphia will receive the less favorable or the protected of these two picks [L.A. Lakers-Phoenix, 7/11/2012; Milwaukee-Philadelphia-Phoenix, 2/19/2015; Philadelphia-Sacramento, 7/9/2015; Boston-Philadelphia, 6/19/2017]; the 2019 pick conveyance is included in “2019 first round draft pick from Philadelphia or Sacramento” on Boston Incoming"
Who’ll be representing each team:
The past few seasons Devin Booker has been the Suns representative, but this year Phoenix is sending Josh Jackson. Perhaps they think Jackson will bring them better luck. Three other teams are sending players as their representative. Canadian Jamal Murray will rep the Nuggets although they are as close to being cemented in the 14th spot as it gets. Detroit Pistons’ Luke Kennard and Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox are the other two player representatives.
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Two owners will attend as Jami Gertz of the Atlanta Hawks and minority Memphis Grizzlies owner Elliot Perry rep their franchise. Nepotism will be at play for the Cavaliers as Dan Gilbert’s son Nick once again takes to the stage. You may recall he proved to be the lucky charm for the Cavaliers who landed the top pick in a year they weren’t projected to finish in the top three.
‘The Logo’ himself (Jerry West) will be on hand for the festivities. LA Clippers hope he brings them luck as they have two shots to move up and are the only team with two picks in the top 14.
For the remaining seven squads the team representatives are management based with Presidents, Chief Operating Officers, Presidents of Basketball Operations hoping to bring luck to their franchise. The seven management representatives are:
- Rich Gotham (Boston)
- Mitch Kupchak (Charlotte Hornets)
- Michael Reinsdorf (Chicago Bulls)
- Michael Finley (Dallas Mavericks)
- Scott Perry (New York Knicks)
- Elton Brand (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Jeff Weltman (Orlando Magic)
Notably, there are rumors ‘little Penny’ (Anfernee Hardaway mini doppelganger) may also be in attendance.
Time, location, TV, Live Stream:
The event is scheduled to take place at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. Airing of the event begins at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN prior to the Eastern Conference Finals Game 2. In Canada you can watch the event on TSN4. The event can be streamed via the ESPN app on your Apple TV, Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.
Why OKC Thunder Fans should watch:
If Sam Presti’s draft day moves have taught Thunder fans anything it’s that he likes to surprise us. Last season, draft day resulted in the trade to land Paul George. Although there doesn’t seem to be a path this season or reason to believe he’ll be active, the moral of this story is to never underestimate Sam Presti.
Who knows, maybe the Rockets get swept by the Warriors and Presti will find an avenue to trade Carmelo Anthony and involve a third team with picks in the process. Regardless, for NBA fans this is a must watch event.
Hey, even if we only get to see Little Penny it will be worth it!