NBA 2019 provisional lottery results, takeaway: first choice of pelicans, probably Zion Williamson; Knicks, Lakers take numbers 3 and 4



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The draw of the NBA 2019 lottery sparked a series of dramas and intrigues as pelicans in New Orleans won the right to first choice. They had only a six percent chance of winning the first choice, but chances were favorable Tuesday night.

The Memphis Grizzlies, the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers round out the top five. Knicks fans did not get the # 1 pick that they were hoping for, but # 3 is a solid landing. As for the Lakers, they made a big jump. They were in slot 11 before heading to the lottery and only had a 9.4% chance of placing in the top four, but that's where they landed in the fourth row.

The big loser here is the Suns, who recorded the second worst performance of the regular season and a 14 percent chance on the No. 1 pick, but dropped to number 6. They had the choice n ° 1 last year, they may have used all their luck in the lottery.

With Duke's feeling, Zion Williamson was waiting to be the first choice, there was a lot at stake this year. Each team would have been delighted to win the right to take the big man, who is one of the best prospects for the future for years.

The draw – held annually since 1985 – determines the order in which teams that did not participate in the playoffs will select this year's NBA draw. Technically, the first four choices were the only ones decided by the lottery system. After the first four choices, the remaining teams were ranked by the inverse of their regular season records.

Results of the NBA 2019 Interim Lottery

Here are some things to remember about the NBA 2019 Interim Lottery:

Pelicans catch Zion whatever happens

Before the draw, there were all sorts of speculations as to whether the team that had won the right to choice No. 1 would try to turn around and give it to the Pelicans as part of a trade agreement with Anthony Davis. It was especially true if the Knicks, or the Lakers, had already won the first choice, once we knew that they were in the top four.

Instead, the pelicans eventually won the lottery themselves. Now they will have Zion Williamson no matter what happens. Plus, this adds even more intrigue to their offseason plans. At his press conference, new team president David Griffin said he had not lost hope of convincing Davis to stay. It is unclear if this is true or if it is a simple attempt to increase the price of a commercial package, but winning the first choice can only improve their case if they really hope that Davis will stay. And if he does not, they now have Williamson as a replacement centerpiece.

There is no doubt that they are the biggest winners of the evening.

The lakers make a big jump

The first season of the Lakers with LeBron James was only a disaster, both on the court and on the outside, but Tuesday night could be the first sign of a turnaround. They were in slot 11 before going to the lottery after finishing the regular season with a record of 37-45 and only had a 9.4% chance of placing in the top four. But that's exactly where they landed, getting choice # 4 in next month's draft.

This is a great boost for their chances of getting an exchange with Anthony Davis. Many contradictory signals were sent before and after the trading deadline a few months ago, but one of the main points to remember seems to be that the Pelicans did not think the Lakers trade was sufficient. Without being in the pelicans' front office, it's impossible to know if this feeling has changed, but this year's Lakers first-round pick being No. 4 instead of saying, No. 10 or 11 is a difference immense. And even if the Lakers do not withdraw the Davis trade, so does the Lakers. They will have a much higher level prospect to help the team next season and their future.

The Knicks do not get the # 1, probably not the AD.

The Knicks finished the regular season with the league's worst record at 17-65, but with the new lottery odds set up this season, their odds of getting the top pick went from 25% to 14% . And as we now know, they did not get the first choice. Even if they stayed in the top three with choice # 3, this probably ends up their hope of working for Anthony Davis.

The Knicks will always struggle to create a commercial package that can compete with the Lakers and Celtics offers, but winning the first choice would have been their great asset. Instead, the pelicans themselves have had the first choice, and can now take Zion Williamson themselves. Nevertheless, getting choice # 3 is not a bad consolation prize for the Knicks because they should add a nice young player to further rebuild or complete the stars that they are able to sign in. summer.

NBA Draft Lottery Recap

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