Wiz of Awes
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Everything You Need to Know For the NBA Draft Lottery

By Ethan Smith

Washington Wizards NBA Draft Lottery (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Washington Wizards NBA Draft Lottery (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What’re the Odds?

The Wizards almost certainly didn’t think they’d be here when the season began. Playoffs seemed like a foregone conclusion on opening night. The things started to unravel. With a regular season record of just 32-50, the Wizards had the NBA’s sixth-worst record. Tonight they have the sixth best chance at the number one pick.

Changing the Lottery

Recently, the rules for the lottery were changed slightly to discourage tanking and make the lottery a bit more competitive. Now, the worst teams have less of a chance to land a top three or number one pick, and teams that just barely missed the playoffs might get a little luckier.

Here’s what it means for the Wizards’ chances at a top-10 pick.

  • First Pick/Zion Williamson: 9.0%
  • Second Pick: 9.2%
  • Third Pick: 9.4%
  • Fourth Pick: 9.6%
  • Fifth pick: 0.0%
  • Sixth pick: 8.6%
  • Seventh pick: 29.6%
  • Eighth Pick: 20.6%
  • Ninth Pick: 3.8%
  • Tenth Pick: 0.2%

For comparison, the teams with the three worst records (New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Phoenix Suns) each have a 14% chance of landing the number one pick. The Chicago Bulls (12.5%) and Atlanta Hawks (10.5%) are the only two other teams with better odds than the Wizards tonight.

How Many Balls is That?

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