The Cleveland Cavaliers, entering the NBA draft lottery with a 1.7 percent chance of winning the top pick in the draft, won the drawing for the third time in four years Tuesday night.
A positive sign came for the Cavs when Mark Tatum announced Charlotte, rather than Cleveland, as ninth in the order, meaning Cleveland was assured a top-three selection. The Milwaukee Bucks, entering the lottery with a 25 percent chance of capturing the top spot, depart with the second pick. Just three times in twenty-one lotteries had the team with best odds won the top pick. Julius Erving, representing the Philadelphia 76ers, grabbed the third pick after observing that NBA greatness moves in “cycles,” with the Celtics, Lakers, 76ers, and Bucks putting winning teams on the court during his heyday but occupying spots at the lottery Tuesday night.
Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins from Kansas, and Duke’s Jabari Parker, figure to be among the players the Cavaliers consider come the actual draft next month. Here’s the order of the draft for the lottery teams….
14. Phoenix Suns
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
12. Orlando Magic
11. Denver Nuggets
10. Philadelphia 76ers
9. Charlotte Hornets
8. Sacramento Kings
7. Los Angeles Lakers
6. Boston Celtics
5. Utah Jazz
4. Orlando Magic
3. Philadelphia 76ers
2. Milwaukee Bucks
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
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