While the thought of walking away with the #1 overall pick in this year's draft sounds nice and I'm sure most fans would love to have a problem like figuring out how to maneuver a roster that boasts the likes of Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid and either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor.
Philly could be leaving Brooklyn tonight with much, much more. In fact, they have a chance of owning 3 picks within the first 11 selections of this year's draft.
After finishing with the 3rd worst record in the NBA following the end of the 2014-15 regular season, the Sixers are guaranteed a Top-6 pick in this year's lottery. With a sliding scale, the probability of picks within the Top-6 varies (#5 - 26.5%, #4 - 22.6% & #1-3 - 15% each) but the biggest steal depend on the fate of two other franchises; the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat.
Thanks to what has turned out to be a completely disastrous trade for Steve Nash, one which the Lakers could continue to pay for. The Lakers will have to sweat it out tonight as they potentially watch their top-5 protected 2015 1st-rounder (Lakers/Suns Nash deal in 2012), now owned by Philly, fall out of the top 5.
After an abysmal year in Laker-land came to an end, the only redeeming factors were the development of rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson and the possibilities surrounding their pick. With a 16% chance at the #6 pick, the Lakers dreadful season may continue well into the spring.
Although the Heat's season didn't fare quite as badly as the Lakers, it was no less disappointing considering the fall from grace that has taken place in South Beach over these past 11 months.
After reaching the NBA Finals for four straight seasons, including two NBA titles, the Heat's tumbled started last July when the face of the league LeBron James decided to return home to Cleveland. Despite the team's still very talented roster, Miami stumbled throughout the season and was then forced to deal with a devastating blow when star PF Chris Bosh was lost for the season due to a scary blood clot found in his lungs.
As if things couldn't get any worse, the Heat now face the possibility of losing its 1st round lottery pick if they fall out of the Top-10. The way things have gone for Miami of late, it wouldn't be completely shocking to see their nightmare season continue but for the sake of their fans, here's hoping at least some good can come out of this year.
Although the Heat's season didn't fare quite as badly as the Lakers, it was no less disappointing considering the fall from grace that has taken place in South Beach over these past 11 months.
After reaching the NBA Finals for four straight seasons, including two NBA titles, the Heat's tumbled started last July when the face of the league LeBron James decided to return home to Cleveland. Despite the team's still very talented roster, Miami stumbled throughout the season and was then forced to deal with a devastating blow when star PF Chris Bosh was lost for the season due to a scary blood clot found in his lungs.
As if things couldn't get any worse, the Heat now face the possibility of losing its 1st round lottery pick if they fall out of the Top-10. The way things have gone for Miami of late, it wouldn't be completely shocking to see their nightmare season continue but for the sake of their fans, here's hoping at least some good can come out of this year.
All told, there is a scenario (albeit with 1-in-357 odds) that they could go home tonight with the #1, #6 & #11 pick in this June's 2015 NBA Draft.
Certainly worth following tonight if you cheer for the boys from the city that boos Santa.
Whether this does anything to change the Sixers "tanking" philosophy...well, that remains to be seen.
The full list of lottery-bound teams odds of coming away with the #1 pick tonight:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-66) - 25%
2. New York Knicks (17-65) - 19.9%
3. Philadelphia 76ers (18-64) - 15.6%
4. Los Angeles Lakers* (21-61) - 11.9%
5. Orlando Magic (25-57) - 8.8%
6. Sacramento Kings (29-53) - 6.3%
7. Denver Nuggets (30-52) - 4.3%
8. Detroit Pistons (32-50) - 2.8%
9. Charlotte Hornets (33-49) - 1.7%
10. Miami Heat** (37-45) - 1.1%
11. Indiana Pacers (38-44) - 0.8%
12. Utah Jazz (38-44) - 0.7%
13. Phoenix Suns (39-43) - 0.6%
14. Oklahoma City Thunder (45-37) - 0.5%
2. New York Knicks (17-65) - 19.9%
3. Philadelphia 76ers (18-64) - 15.6%
4. Los Angeles Lakers* (21-61) - 11.9%
5. Orlando Magic (25-57) - 8.8%
6. Sacramento Kings (29-53) - 6.3%
7. Denver Nuggets (30-52) - 4.3%
8. Detroit Pistons (32-50) - 2.8%
9. Charlotte Hornets (33-49) - 1.7%
10. Miami Heat** (37-45) - 1.1%
11. Indiana Pacers (38-44) - 0.8%
12. Utah Jazz (38-44) - 0.7%
13. Phoenix Suns (39-43) - 0.6%
14. Oklahoma City Thunder (45-37) - 0.5%
