Minnesota Timberwolves Win 2020 NBA Draft Lottery
Before Game 2 of the Blazers-Lakers series, the NBA conducted the 2020 version of the Draft Lottery.
Minnesota, Golden State and Cleveland had the best odds entering the night. The Cavaliers dropped to No. 5, while the T-Wolves and Warriors finished 1-2.
The Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls jumped up from No. 7 and No. 8 in the odds into No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
Also, the seemingly annual tradition of New York Knick fan misery continued as the Knicks were team they jumped. If the “odds” had held up New York would have gotten the No. 6 pick, instead they dropped to No. 8.
While there isn’t a consensus No. 1 pick, three players stand out; LaMelo Ball, who skipped college and is the younger brother of Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball; Georgia freshman guard Anthony Edwards; and Memphis freshman center James Wiseman
The only other “news” from the lottery, Memphis fell into their “expected” place of No. 14, and they lost their pick to Boston. The Grizzlies traded for Jeff Green back in 2015 with a “future first round pick” attached.
Last year, Memphis’ pick was Top 8 protected, and they jumped up to No. 2 and drafted Ja Morant. This year, the Grizz weren’t so lucky to jump forward, so the No. 14 pick goes to Boston.
The order of the first 14 picks looks like this:
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Golden State Warriors
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavs
- Atlanta Hawks
- Detroit Pistons
- New York Knicks
- Washington Wizards
- Phoenix Suns
- San Antonio Spurs
- Sacramento Kings
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Boston Celtics (via Memphis)