Even though Boston are currently in the running for an NBA title as they prepare to face defending champions the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference finals, the Celtics had the best chance of landing the top lottery pick at 25 per cent after their 2013 blockbuster trade involving Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry going to the Brooklyn Nets.
In a slight twist on Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns dropped from an expected top-three pick to number four, and the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers rounded out the second and third spots in the draft order respectively.
Phoenix owned the second-highest odds for the top pick (19.9 per cent) and were 55.8 per cent sure to retain one of the top three picks.
That did not happen. Instead, the Lakers jumped the Suns for second overall and the 76ers moved from the fourth-best odds into the number three slot.
Had Los Angeles fallen out of the top three, it would have forfeited the pick to Philadelphia.
Fortunately for those in Los Angeles, that did not happen, and they are guaranteed the opportunity to draft one of Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball — the consensus top two prospects in the class – on June 22.
The rest of the 2017 NBA Draft lottery order is as follows:
- Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets)2. Los Angeles Lakers3. Philadelphia 76ers4. Phoenix Suns5. Sacramento Kings6. Orlando Magic7. Minnesota Timberwolves8. New York Knicks9. Dallas Mavericks10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans)11. Charlotte Hornets12. Detroit Pistons13. Denver Nuggets14. Miami Heat
2 votes
