Tonight is the night we’ve all been waiting for. The night we watch as ping-pong balls determine the future of the Washington Wizards franchise.
For fans of any team that didn’t make the playoffs this year, tonight has been a long time coming. Some fans, like those who root for the New York Knicks or Atlanta Hawks, have had tonight circled on their calendars for months. While others who had playoffs on their mind this year, like the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers, may have only just recently been interested in tonight’s ping-pong ball party.
Fortunately or unfortunately (take your pick), the Washington Wizards will be firmly entrenched in tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery action. Before the Wizards are able to replace Grunfeld, a few (un)lucky bounces could determine the future of the franchise. With an upcoming offseason of uncertainty, where the Wizards find themselves picking in the draft will seriously affect the team’s path forward on the court and in the front office.
Seems unfair that one little ping-pong ball could have so much power, but here we are. And it’s not a place the Wizards haven’t been before. The Wizards have had mixed results with the draft lottery in the past. Sure, it’s helped them land John Wall and Bradley Beal, but Kwame Brown and Jan Vessley are also on the list of notable Wizards lottery picks. The latter duo didn’t quite have the careers the former are enjoying.
This season wasn’t a very lucky one for the Wizards. It’d be nice if they finally got lucky tonight.
Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery.