NBA Lottery Tonight At 8:30 pm Eastern

2013 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Probability of Pick 1 to 14 by percentage * In order of worst regular-season record to best

[h=1]NBA draft lottery preview[/h][h=3]What would these 14 teams do if they got a top-3 pick?[/h]By Chad Ford | ESPN Insider

NEW YORK -- The 2013 NBA draft lottery is Tuesday night (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). It is one of the few moments in life when being a loser all season can really pay off.

Fourteen teams vie for the No. 1 pick in the draft based off of the NBA's convoluted lottery process.

The lottery was originally developed to help the NBA's worst teams rebuild by giving them a chance at having the highest pick in the draft. More often than not, the results haven't come out as planned.

Since the lottery moved to its present format in 1994, the team with (or tied for) the best odds has won just three of the 19 lotteries -- the Philadelphia 76ers in 1996 (who selected Allen Iverson); the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 (LeBron James); and the Orlando Magic in 2004 (Dwight Howard).

Since 1994, the team with the second-best probability of winning the lottery has fared even worse, winning the lottery just two times -- the San Antonio Spurs in 1997 and the Los Angeles Clippers in 1998.

No. 1 picks like Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, James and Derrick Rose have gone on to change the entire complexion of teams. Unfortunately this year, those types of elite players aren't available.

In fact, many teams feel like no one is really worthy of the No. 1 pick. But someone has to be first, and many NBA GMs still think Kentucky's Nerlens Noel, Kansas' Ben McLemore and Michigan's Trey Burke are the odds-on favorites to go No. 1. As I wrote on Monday, Indiana's Victor Oladipo also has a shot of winning the No. 1 pick.

Be sure to check out our Draft Lottery Machine to see any number of the more than 2,000 scenarios.

Here's a brief look at what each team would do if it got one of the top three picks.
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[h=3]Orlando Magic[/h]
First choice: Nerlens Noel (25.0 percent chance of winning lottery)

Second choice: Trey Burke (21.5 percent chance of drafting second)

Third choice: Ben McLemore (17.7 percent chance of drafting third)

Analysis: Since the lottery began in 1985, Cleveland, the L.A. Clippers and Orlando have made the first overall pick three times, most among all teams. The Magic could strike again for the fourth time. Orlando's biggest need probably is at point guard, leading many to speculate that Burke could be the pick here. Had Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart declared for the draft, he would've been the choice. But the Magic, who already boast a smallish point guard similar to Burke in Jameer Nelson, would also like size. The Magic already have a young, productive center in Nikola Vucevic, so adding an athletic shot-blocker next to him on the front line makes a lot of sense.

[h=3]Charlotte Bobcats[/h]
First choice: Noel (19.9 percent)
Second choice: Ben McLemore (18.8 percent)
Third choice: Anthony Bennett (17.1 percent)
Analysis: The Bobcats' highest draft position in team history was second overall, so they're due to win one of these things. Had they not gone on a mini winning streak at the end of the season, they would've had a 5 percent better shot of taking home the No. 1 pick. The Bobcats really need help everywhere. They are unlikely to draft a small forward after taking Michael Kidd-Gilchrist No. 2 last year, and after a solid sophomore season from Kemba Walker, it's unlikely they'll want to replace him at the point.

Noel is another long, athletic project, but his upside might be too much for the Bobcats to pass up. Adding McLemore's shooting or Bennett's versatility at forward also would be attractive to Charlotte. Knowing the Bobcats, this one probably is still really up in the air.

[h=3]Cleveland Cavaliers[/h]
First choice: Noel (15.6 percent)
Second choice: Otto Porter (15.7 percent)
Third choice: Alex Len (15.5 percent)
Analysis: This is the 10-year anniversary of the Cavs' selecting James No. 1 overall. Could lightning strike twice? Porter is really the perfect fit for Cleveland. The Cavs need a small forward who can impact the game without shooting 15 to 20 times a night. They don't need a star, just someone to complement point guard Kyrie Irving.

However, if they land the No. 1 pick, they'll be sorely tempted to add Noel to the mix. That type of athletic shot-blocker doesn't come along often, and they would have a nice mentor in Anderson Varejao to help him along. Len is another possibility here. He sort of reminds some scouts of a young Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

[h=3]Phoenix Suns[/h]
First choice: Noel (11.9 percent)
Second choice: Oladipo (12.6 percent)
Third choice: C.J. McCollum (13.3 percent)
Analysis: The Suns will be drafting in the lottery for the third straight year, but this is the first time they have a legit shot at the No. 1 pick. They're due. They have never won the lottery in franchise history. What do they need? Everything, starting with a franchise cornerstone. There isn't one player on the entire roster around whom a sane general manager would want to build his team. But I'm just not sure that guy is in this draft.

Noel would give them a long, athletic shot-blocker -- something they desperately need. Oladipo would give them toughness and leadership, and McCollum would give them instant scoring and 3-point shooting -- something else they really, really need.

[h=3]New Orleans Pelicans[/h]
First choice: Porter (8.8 percent)
Second choice: Burke (9.7 percent)
Third choice: McLemore (10.7 percent)
Analysis: The Hornets took home the prize last year with just a 13.7 percent chance. Noel is too similar to Anthony Davis to warrant taking No. 1. Now the Pelicans, New Orleans' biggest need is probably at small forward. Porter seems like the best fit, it just seems like teams are reluctant to take him No. 1 overall. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Pelicans buck conventional wisdom and take Porter if they win the lottery. He might not be the sexiest pick, but he does everything they really need a small forward to do.

Greivis Vasquez was great in New Orleans this season, but Burke would give them a more traditional player running the point. McLemore is a bit undersized for that position, but might make some sense for the Pelicans, giving his shooting abilities.

[h=3]Sacramento Kings[/h]

First choice: Noel (6.3 percent)
Second choice: Porter (7.1 percent)
Third choice: Oladipo (8.1 percent)
Analysis: Sacramento fans already won the lottery once last week when the NBA Board of Governors voted to keep the Kings in Sacramento. Can the NBA make it two-for-two for Sacramento this week with a lottery win? In some ways, the Kings don't need it. This is the seventh straight lottery selection for Sacramento. The Kings have plenty of young talent, but it just doesn't fit together well and is mired in the machinations of a poorly run franchise. What they need are veterans.

But if the Kings win it, Noel would be a tempting option -- allowing them to either trade DeMarcus Cousins or pair him with Noel on the front line. Porter and Oladipo are the sort of unselfish, team-first players Sacramento's roster desperately lacks. If Noel isn't on the board, either Porter or Oladipo would help change the culture of the team.

[h=3]Detroit Pistons[/h]
First choice: McLemore (3.6 percent)
Second choice: Porter (4.9 percent)
Third choice: Oladipo (5.8 percent)
Analysis: The Pistons are selecting in the lottery for the fourth straight year -- the longest stretch in franchise history. But general manager Joe Dumars has been on fire the past three years, landing Greg Monroe, Brandon Knight and Andre Drummond. With their front line set and their point guard in place, Dumars will likely be focused on his wings. McLemore brings some much-needed shooting to the mix. Porter probably fits their biggest need at small forward. Oladipo brings some of that nastiness on the defensive end that the Pistons used to be famous for. All three could propel Detroit into the playoffs next season.

[h=3]Washington Wizards[/h]
First choice: Noel (3.5 percent)
Second choice: Porter (3.3 percent)
Third choice: Bennett (3.9 percent)
Analysis: The Wizards are also making their fourth straight appearance in the lottery. They've had two home runs -- John Wall and Bradley Beal -- and one major strikeout -- Jan Vesely -- on their ledger. If they could get this one right, they'd be a lock for the playoffs in 2014.

Noel would give them a young big to groom behind Nene. Porter would fill a major need at the small forward position and give them a point forward-type presence to help out Wall. Bennett could be an immediate upgrade at forward over Emeka Okafor. Bennett's one of the best scoring big men in the draft, and he also crashes the boards. He's a great fit in Washington.

[h=3]Minnesota Timberwolves[/h]
First choice: McLemore (1.7 percent)
Second choice: Noel (2 percent)
Third choice: McCollum (2.4 percent)
Analysis: The Timberwolves have never held the No. 1 pick and given the odds, their chances are slim that this will be the year. Former GM David Kahn has stunk up the lottery like no other the past few years. He got one right in Ricky Rubio -- but missed on a string of high picks with the likes of Jonny Flynn, Wesley Johnson and Derrick Williams (who, in fairness, still could pan out). With Flip Saunders running the show, owner Glen Taylor is hoping the Wolves' luck in the lottery will change. The Wolves need shooters and both McLemore and McCollum make a lot of sense for them. Don't count out Noel, either. While Nikola Pekovic has locked down the center spot, the Wolves still need shot-blocking.

[h=3]Portland Trail Blazers[/h]
First choice: McLemore (1.1 percent)
Second choice: Oladipo (1.3 percent)Third choice: Noel (1.6 percent)Analysis: The Blazers are still recovering from the last time they had the No. 1 pick in 2007. They selected Greg Oden over Kevin Durant (and, by the way, so would have all 30 GMs in the league), and the rest is history. Durant became the second-best player in the NBA behind James and Oden has played a total of 82 games since the 2007-08 season. If they're fortunate enough to get the pick again, would they really gamble on a guy who is coming off ACL surgery? I'm told yes … but I'm not sure Neil Olshey could really do that to Blazers fans. The team could still also use more help in the backcourt. McLemore has one of the best strokes in college basketball. Oladipo could provide some lockdown defense next to Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard.

[h=3]Philadelphia 76ers[/h]
First choice: Noel (0.8 percent)
Second choice: Bennett (0.9 percent)Third choice: Len (1.2 percent)
Analysis: The Sixers have new management and will likely be taking a hard look at the roster. Even if free agent-to-be Andrew Bynum decides to re-sign in Philly, the team still needs a lot of help on the front line. Noel gives them that athletic shot-blocker the team has really lacked, Bennett gives them some much-needed frontcourt scoring and Len may have the most offensive promise of any big guy in the draft.

[h=3]Toronto Raptors[/h]
First choice: Noel (0.7 percent)
Second choice: Bennett (0.8 percent)Third choice: Burke (1.0 percent)Analysis: The Raptors must send their pick to the Thunder if they don't win one of these three spots -- so no team might be praying harder for a lottery miracle. If they get the pick, it's going to be a tough call for the Raptors, who clearly want to win now. Noel is a pick for the future, and he eventually would be a nice fit next to Jonas Valanciunas on the front line. However, Noel is one to two seasons away from having any real impact. I'm not sure the Raptors are that patient. Bennett is much further along and could step in right now and help at both the 3 and 4. The team likes point guard Kyle Lowry, but he's a free agent soon and Burke could help them a lot even as a backup.

[h=3]Dallas Mavericks[/h]
First choice: Noel (0.6 percent)
Second choice: Burke (0.7 percent)Third choice: McLemore (0.9 percent)Analysis: The Mavs have almost no shot of winning this thing. The fact they are even in the lottery is rare: They haven't selected in the lottery since they took Etan Thomas at No. 12 in 2000. The Mavs don't really have any young players to build around, so they could go in a number of directions here. Noel would give them that athletic big man to build around. The team loves Burke and knows it needs an upgrade over Darren Collison at the point. McLemore would give the team much-needed shooting and athleticism, especially if they can't re-sign O.J. Mayo.

[h=3]Utah Jazz[/h]
First choice: McLemore (0.5 percent)
Second choice: Burke (0.6 percent)Third choice: Porter (0.7 percent)Analysis: The Jazz will make their seventh lottery pick in franchise history; only the Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers have made fewer. Everyone knows Utah's biggest need is at the point guard position, and it's possible the Jazz could take Burke at No. 1. He's the sort of leader the team is looking for. But the team also needs shooting, and McLemore might just have more long-term upside for the Jazz. Porter also fits the culture the Jazz are trying to build and could be a very nice fit next to Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter on the front line.

fuck the NBA

The Wizards jumped from 8th to 3rd

thekeyman said:

fuck the NBA

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noel is the easy pick, reminds me of a young mutombo.

Don't like Noel.

Worst draft in years and years.