Biggest Winners and Losers from the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery
The 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, held on May 12, reshuffled the fortunes of several NBA teams, setting the stage for a transformative offseason. As the ping pong balls settled, the Atlanta Hawks emerged as the unexpected victors, securing the No. 1 pick despite having only a 3% chance. This dramatic turn of events has reshaped the narratives for a number of franchises as they prepare for the upcoming draft.
Winners
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks' surprising leap to the top of the draft order was the headline of the lottery. With just a 3% chance of winning, the Hawks defied the odds, marking their first No. 1 pick since 1975. This victory gives the Hawks a significant asset in either selecting a top prospect or trading for immediate help to complement their core duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, who have struggled to meet expectations.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs also emerged as clear winners, securing two top-ten picks. They landed the No. 4 pick with their own lottery odds and acquired the No. 8 pick from the Toronto Raptors as a result of a previous trade. This double win provides the Spurs with a golden opportunity to accelerate their rebuilding process around last year’s No. 1 pick, Victor Wembanyama.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets, who entered the lottery with the 12th-best odds via their own pick and a 20.3% chance of landing a top-four pick through the Brooklyn Nets, ended up with the No. 3 pick. This outcome is a boon for the Rockets, who are looking to build a competitive team around young talents like Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün.
Losers
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons, despite having the highest odds (14%) for the No. 1 pick due to their league-worst record, fell to the No. 5 spot for the second consecutive year. This result continues a streak of bad luck in the lottery for the Pistons, who have struggled to turn their fortunes around despite numerous high draft picks in recent years.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors faced a significant setback as they lost their top-six protected pick to the Spurs, falling to the No. 8 spot. This was a critical blow to a team in the midst of a rebuild, having traded away key players like OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam in the previous season. The loss of this pick, which was part of a trade for Jakob Poeltl, adds to the challenges facing the Raptors' front office.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers also found themselves on the losing end, dropping from a potential top-four pick to the No. 14 spot. This result is particularly disheartening for a team that needed a high-impact player to jump-start its rebuild around Damian Lillard, who has been loyal to the franchise amidst ongoing struggles.
Implications for the Draft and Beyond
The outcomes of the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery will have significant implications not just for the teams involved but for the entire landscape of the league. The Hawks, with the No. 1 pick, have a variety of options, including trading for an established star or selecting a top prospect to build around. The Spurs' dual picks could see them adding substantial young talent to their roster, potentially hastening their return to contention.
For the losers, particularly the Pistons and Raptors, the path forward becomes tougher. These teams will have to make the most of their remaining assets and focus on development and strategic acquisitions during the offseason.
As the NBA Draft approaches on June 26-27, all eyes will be on these teams as they make decisions that could alter their trajectories for years to come. The drama of the lottery has set the stage for what promises to be an intriguing offseason in the NBA.