[ad_1]
In all likelihood, Zion Williamson will begin his career in the Big Easy.
That's because the New Orleans pelicans won the NBA draw on Tuesday night. Many predict that superstar Duke will be the first pick in next month's draft, and the Pelicans will be able to call Williamson on the podium on June 20 in Brooklyn. New Orleans had the seventh highest score among the 14 teams in the lottery, with a six percent chance of winning.
Here are the complete results of Tuesday's provisional lottery.
1. Pelicans of New Orleans
2. Memphis Grizzlies
3. New York Knicks
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Phoenix Suns
7. Chicago Bulls
8. Atlanta Hawks
9. Washington Wizards
10. Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas Mavericks)
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
12. Charlotte Hornets
13. Miami Heat
14. Boston Celtics (via Kings)
The Kings would have taken 14th overall in this draft, but would have lost their choice after trading the former first-round pick, Nik Stauskas, at the Philadelphia 76ers to pursue free agents in the summer. 2015. The 76ers then exchanged this choose the Boston Celtics at the 2017 NBA Draft, coming back from first place while Philadelphia rode to the selection of former Washington University goaltender, Markelle Fultz. The Kings and Sixers are probably fighting for these exchanges because one or the other team could have added a cost-controlled player to his lineup before the decisive summers.
[RELATED:[RELATED:[ENRELATION:[RELATED:Look at Dell, Sonya throw a coin to find out who Steph, Seth was originally]
The Knicks will not be able to choose Williamson, which is good news for the Warriors. Kevin Durant may not want to go to New York this summer – it depends on who you ask – but the Knicks ability to surround Durant with talent has become even more difficult. New York always has more salary cap space than anyone else, but a trade deal for the Pelicans' unhappy star, Anthony Davis, will not be as appealing to Williamson already in New Orleans. The Knicks can still easily sign another star with Durant, but their way to the NBA Finals will not be a straight line.
The Lakers have not landed Williamson, but they will be able to add to their lineup a young player at controlled cost to play with LeBron James. According to their choice at No. 4 – James Ham of NBC Sports in California, James Ham predicts that they will choose Jarrett Culver from Texas Tech – they could even have a more attractive commercial package to land Davis unhappy. Whether the Warriors lose Durant or not, a James-Davis combination would pose problems to the defending champions.
The Kings, for their part, would then still have an extra team in a conference charged to reverse their efforts to return to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Lakers' choice does not guarantee that Davis will head to Hollywood, but we must at least consider this possibility.
The worst news for the Warriors and Kings, however, is that they will play Williamson at least three times a year for the foreseeable future. The Warriors' dominance of the Western Conference could be relaxed if Durant showed up independently, as the Kings would have to face another rising team they could face when they try to return to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2006.
[ad_2]
Source link