OKC Thunder In the news: Magic ties, wild shifts and crazy takeaways punctuate NBA Draft Lottery

Following a shocking turn of events in the NBA Draft Lottery, OKC Thunder In the news looks back on the night that will have a great effect on the offseason.

For years watching the NBA Draft Lottery was met with anticipation but in reality, fans expected the balls to fall precisely how the teams finished. The OKC Thunder have benefited over the years landing Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Steven Adams, and even a few late round gems.

But, as the new generation of the 3-ball and super teams took over the Association the other common denominator became all-out tanking. The Philadelphia 76ers invested years into “the process” actively tanking to rebuild their roster, and the ends justified the means.

But, not all teams experienced the same success as Philly. For example, years of tanking coupled with high draft picks haven’t translated into success for the Phoenix Suns or New York Knicks.

And, tanking had the resulting effect of a clear delineation of top tier and lower tier teams which meant the product on the floor was suffering.

In an effort to stabilize this effect the NBA restructured the draft lottery endeavoring to make the product more competitive throughout the season. In the end, the lottery delivered on its promise almost as if Adam Silver had selected the final order himself.

Recounting the lottery:

TI writer Rylan Stiles reviewed the night in his article: Pelicans win NBA Draft Lottery; How it impacts OKC Thunder

"The way the NBA Lottery played out actually impacts the OKC Thunder in a huge way. The top five has three Western Conference teams, and depending on how the Pelicans brass handles this offseason the OKC Thunder could be having to deal with an Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson led team on top of every other juggernaut in the Western Conference."

With the New Orleans Pelicans leaping into first, the Memphis Grizzlies jumping to second and the LA Lakers moving up to fourth it means three of the top four picks will land in the West (barring trades).

The results sent social media into a tizzy:

Here’s a sampling from social media including coverage of the event as it took place and some of the reactions to the results:

https://twitter.com/theScore/status/1128467165055803393

Lucky charms and the “magic tie”:

Having won several draft lotteries while in Cleveland, David Griffin knows a thing or two about good luck charms. Dan Garland of SI.com serves up the full story.

The Lowe angle:

Last but never least Zach Lowe served up his insights on the what is considered the craziest draft lottery night in recent history.

"In all my years in the drawing room — and I’m becoming the Elgin Baylor of that room at this point — the loudest display of emotion I had seen was in 2012 from Dell Demps, then the general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans, when New Orleans won the Anthony Davis lottery.Seven years later, with Davis hovering over the lottery in a very different way, Alvin Gentry, the Pelicans’ coach, and drawing room representative, threw all decorum out the window when the fourth ping pong ball drawn (numbered 13) completed a four-number combination that belonged to New Orleans.Gentry rose from his chair. “F—, yeah!” he exclaimed. He raised his arms in celebration, and even turned to high-five six rival team representatives behind and around him."

Pelicans aim to emulate OKC Thunder:

Another comment from the Lowe article points to how the OKC Thunder has become the benchmark for small market teams.

The successful retention of Paul George is now the measuring stick for the Thunder peer group. Even though Thunder Nation isn’t surprised by the team’s successful retention of stars (after all – we know how cool Oklahoma City is, right?) it should be noted that event really is considered a coup by most smaller markets.

"“We can be Oklahoma City with Paul George,” he said. “We can hold onto [Davis] and let him see what we really are."

The morning after and moving forward:

This morning, the conspiracy mongers are out in full force. Some are assuming the Pelicans will now try to send Zion Williamson (the definitive number one draft pick) to LA and bring LeBron James to New Orleans.

More from Thunder News

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

While others believe Davis will still leave New Orleans and either land in LA or Boston but the Pelicans will gain a bevy of picks to pair alongside Zion, Jrue Holiday to rebuild quickly.

For the OKC Thunder while it helps to know in the future the team doesn’t have to outright tank to land a high pick (something which becomes much more relevant as high school prospects join the draft soon), this draft wasn’t exactly great news.

Three Western teams will gain strength adding the few good prospects from this draft class. In a perfect world, these picks would’ve gone to the opposite coast.

For now, Thunder Nation will await the June 20th draft and in the interim, we will begin rolling out our Draft Prospect series so you’re familiar with the draft class of 2019.

That wraps up In the news for May 15th. The Eastern Conference Finals tips off in Milwaukee tonight. Enjoy your day!