Rip City Project
Fansided

NBA Draft Lottery odds revealed, how they affect the Portland Trail Blazers

By Dave Nelson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NBA revealed its draft lottery odds Tuesday. Even though the Portland Trail Blazers currently don’t have a pick, first or second rounds, the draft could affect the Northwest Division now and into the future.

First, the odds of how the draft could go. The Houston Rockets have a 14% chance at the top pick, as they finished the regular season 17-55. The Detroit Pistons at 20-52 14% at number 2, the Orlando Magic 21-51 14% chance at the 3rd, and the Oklahoma City Thunder(22-50), if things go the way they should, an 11.5% odds of landing the 4th.

So why don’t the Blazers have a pick in either round? If you remember, Portland traded their 2020 first to Houston (16th overall), which was later traded to the Pistons, who used it on Washington center Isaiah Stewart, and their 2021 pick as part of the trade that landed them Robert Covington. The Blazers also traded their second-round selection via Cleveland, Detroit, and Dallas. They would have been the 23rd and 51st.

Portland may not have a draft pick, but the draft could play a big part in their Northwest Division. The Thunder currently one of those top 4 selections. That top 4 could end up being the number 1, with an 11.5% chance of it taking place. The draft site Tankathon however, has Oklahoma City landing the 6th at a 27.1% odds. Regardless of how the lottery goes, the Thunder own the 18th (via Miami)35, 36, and 55. Now here’s where things could get really interesting for the division. Oklahoma City towns 34 draft picks between 2021-2027.

One has to think they’ll trade a few of them between now and 2027. However, could they possibly be doing what the Philadelphia 76ers did in the past, stockpiling draft picks to stockpile them? Could they be hoping to draft that franchise-changing player(s)? Players like Gonzaga point guard Jalen Suggs or draft and keep Oklahoma State point/shooting guard Cade Cunningham at home. They could be available if the odds go in their favor. Or, possibly center Chet Holmgren, who committed to Gonzaga this next NCAA season.

Whatever they do, it could impact Portland and the division as time goes on. If the Thunder were to go young and add younger blood, in hopes it works better for them than it did for the 76ers, or could they use those picks for veterans, or a star player or two, who might be able to help immediately. Maybe in the not-so-distant future, Portland should look at acquiring some or one of those picks.

They have some positions they need to address, now and again in the future. Especially if they end up being a high lottery pick.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, also in the same division, have a 29.7% chance of landing the 7th, 20.6% 8th, and 9.0 odds of repeating selection at 1.

The draft lottery takes place on June 22.

Next. Portland Trail Blazers – Denver Nuggets: 3 defining plays from Game 2. dark