Tonight on ESPN at 7 p.m. CT. * The Pistons' pick will go to the Bobcats if they fall below 8 (via the Ben Gordon trade). * The Pelicans' pick will go to the Sixers unless they jump into the top 3 (via the Jrue Holiday trade). * The Knicks' pick belongs to the Nuggets (via the Carmelo Anthony trade). * The Magic will receive the less favorable of Knicks/Nuggets picks (via the Dwight Howard 4 team trade).
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>NBA Draft Lottery: With Kevin Love sweepstakes looming, much at stake on Tuesday <a href="http://t.co/cdnRNxqqxy">http://t.co/cdnRNxqqxy</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/sportingnews">@SportingNews</a></p>— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanDeveney/statuses/468725868324343809">May 20, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Since people who think the lottery is rigged will point to whoever wins this one as proof, let's put cards on the table now. Who does Silver want to win this time? I say the fix should be in for the Knicks. That would be a great way for Jackson to kickoff the rebuild. With how good this draft is supposed to be, you could have a powerhouse in the country's largest market for a decade. And, it could change the calculus of what Melo does. I'm excited for Philly, even if they tanked the hell out of the season. They have a great rookie now, and will pick top-5 and ~#10 in a supposedly deep draft. They can build around 3 bigtime rookie contracts. Philly is doing what Morey should have done during the Lost Years.
Yeah, the fix being in for the Knicks would be so AMAZING!!!!! YOU'RE SO RIGHT. THE KNICKS WILL GET THE NUMBER 1 PICK Except they don't have a pick in the draft.
Well, he's right about one thing then: if the Knicks get a high draft pick from the lottery, it's definitely rigged.
Lol. I thought it was protected. Top-3 or the like. But, looking around I don't find anyone now who says so. Damn, Knicks are dumb. So, who gets the alleged frozen envelope then? Lakers? Seems too obvious.
hmm so the Magic could possibly own the 1st and 3rd pick (very unlikely though) Magic would need to win the lottery themselves with their own pick. Then Denver needs to win the #2 pick and then the NY pick needs to win the #3 pick. or Orlando can win the #2 and #3 picks if Denver wins the lotto and the NY pick and their pick lands in the 2 and 3 spots. would be crazy if either scenario actually happens
Here's a link for you so you can say the draft was rigged no matter what - http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/20/2014-nba-lottery-is-100-percent-fixed/
I'm gonna go with 1. Milwaukee 2. Orlando 3. Los Angeles. Milwaukee gets the New Orleans package (New owner, new franchise player), Orlando gets the #2 pick for the 2nd year in a row, and Los Angeles somehow gets into the top 3. Philly gets a little slap on the wrist for openly tanking, falling from #2 to #4, followed by the order of teams by record, Utah, Boston, Sacramento, etc. So Philly would end up with #4 and #10 via New Orleans. EDIT- I previously said Denver would end up with #11 and #12 (via Knicks), but I forgot that the less favorable of Denver's picks goes to Orlando. So, in my scenario, Orlando would get #2 and #12.
If you think conspiracy, this won't be as obvious as the frozen Knicks/Ewing card. Since there are three or more potential franchise players in this draft, you don't have to give the Lakers the top pick. You only have to give them #3.
No "favorite" has gotten the number one pick since Orlando did 10 years ago in 2004(Dwight Howard). Sorry Milwaukee. 2004 - #1 team(Orlando) 2005 - #6 team(Milwaukee) 2006 - #5 team(Toronto) 2007 - #6 team(Portland) 2008 - #9 team(Chicago) 2009 - #3 team(LA Clippers) 2010 - #5 team(Washington) 2011 - #8 team(Cleveland via LA Clippers) 2012 - #4 team(New Orleans) 2013 - #3 team(Cleveland) 2014 - ??? 1-1 2-0 3-2 4-1 5-2 6-2 7-0 8-1 9-1 I'm going to guess things continue that way and a team from the 3-6 range gets the number one pick. Good news for Orlando, Utah, Boston and LA.
I think Milwaukee will win it, and then Wiggins/Atentekounpo backcourt will be the most athletic in the league, top 5 defense, but still can't score.