This year’s NBA draft lottery took place last week and the consequences of how it unfolded will be felt for years to come. The Wizards and Jazz figure to emerge from the tanking darkness after winning the top two picks. The Grizzlies were gifted a path forward from the failed Ja Morant era by landing in the No. 3 slot. The Bulls moved up the lottery more than any other team to get the No. 4 pick, an absolute boon for a franchise finally embracing rebuilding status.
Of course, no result had more ripple effects than the Pacers’ pick falling to No. 5, and that result could have an impact on Kawhi Leonard’s future with the Clippers.
