While the teams at the top of the NBA standings are busy fighting for playoff positioning, the tankers at the bottom are hoping to land the No. 1 overall pick and select a franchise-changing talent.
Duke star Zion Williamson is essentially a lock for the top spot at the 2019 NBA Draft, as he is arguably the best college prospect since Anthony Davis. Fellow Blue Devil R.J. Barrett and Murray State stud Ja Morant are terrific options and should land somewhere in the top five, but this tanking war is all about Zion.
Being the biggest loser is different this time around, though. The odds have shifted significantly ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft lottery (May 14 in Chicago).
How does the revamped system work? Oh, glad you asked...
Prior to this year, the odds of winning the lottery started with 25 percent for the worst team, 19.9 percent for the second-worst team and 15.6 percent for the third-worst team. Under the 2019 format, the three worst teams will each have a 14 percent chance of winning the lottery. The team with the worst overall record will drop no lower than fifth in the draft order.
Here are each team's lottery odds with the percent chance to land each pick. (Standings are current as of April 1. The Bulls, Cavs, Hawks, Knicks, Wizards, Grizzlies, Kings, Lakers, Mavericks, Pelicans, Suns and Timberwolves have been eliminated from playoff contention.)
— The Mavericks owe a first-round pick to the Hawks, and it would currently transfer because it is 1-5 protected.
— The Kings owe a first-round pick to the Celtics, and it would currently transfer because it is No. 1 overall protected.
— The Grizzlies owe a first-round pick to the Celtics, but it would not currently transfer because it is 1-8 protected.
— The Cavs owe a first-round pick to the Hawks, but it would not currently transfer because it is 1-10 protected.
2019 NBA tanking race
1. Knicks
Overall record: 14-62
Games back: —
Remaining strength of schedule: .433
2. Suns
Overall record: 17-60
Games back: 2.5
Remaining strength of schedule: .458
3. Cavaliers
Overall record: 19-58
Games back: 4.5
Remaining strength of schedule: .486
4. Bulls
Overall record: 21-56
Games back: 6.5
Remaining strength of schedule: .414
5. Hawks
Overall record: 28-49
Games back: 13.5
Remaining strength of schedule: .607
6. Mavericks
Overall record: 30-46
Games back: 16
Remaining strength of schedule: .448
7. Grizzlies
Overall record: 31-46
Games back: 16.5
Remaining strength of schedule: .524
8. Pelicans
Overall record: 32-46
Games back: 17
Remaining strength of schedule: .464
9. Wizards
Overall record: 32-46
Games back: 17
Remaining strength of schedule: .404
10. Timberwolves
Overall record: 34-42
Games back: 20
Remaining strength of schedule: .579
11. Lakers
Overall record: 35-42
Games back: 20.5
Remaining strength of schedule: .619
12. Hornets
Overall record: 35-41
Games back: 21
Remaining strength of schedule: .495
13. Kings
Overall record: 38-39
Games back: 23.5
Remaining strength of schedule: .505
14. Magic
Overall record: 38-39
Games back: 23.5
Remaining strength of schedule: .460
No comments:
Post a Comment