Each week, we will take a look at the NBA and the standings–particularly the bottom of them, to rank teams based on their odds to land the number one pick in the draft. They are not necessarily ranked by who is making the most or who should tank the most, but rather the highest odds of landing the top draft pick in the lottery, based on lottery odds.
TANK Power Rankings (based on chances to finish with No. 1 lottery odds)
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Los Angeles Lakers (would keep pick if they finish 1-3 in the lottery)
- Brooklyn Nets*
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Phoenix Suns
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Portland Trailblazers
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Sacramento Kings
- Denver Nuggets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Washington Wizards
- New York Knicks**
- Orlando Magic
** = Does not have a first round pick
Notes:
- Brett Brown is in a tough “rock and hard place” situation involving Jahlil Okafor. Many want him to win, but many want him to play Jahlil Okafor. In more cases than logic would suggest, there are also those that overlap and are of both interests. Monday against the Knicks, instead of taking Nerlens Noel out of the game, he chose to keep Jahlil Okafor on the bench. They nearly won, but there was some controversy as people had called for more Okafor. Ultimately, the team fell anyway, which undoubtedly made the decision look worse.
- Oh boy are the Suns in a free-fall. The former Jerry Colangelo’s are soaring towards the top of the lottery with what has been rather uninspired play. In one particular game I watched, they elected to shoot a corner three in a double team with about a :16 seconds remaining on the shot clock. They went on to allow nearly 150 points to the Kings. They have shown no signs to suggest they will be back approaching the playoff picture, or even the bottom of the lottery.
- One note about the Sixers’ No. 1 odds that often seems overlooked–they get the right to swap with the Kings. So, their chances for the No. 1 overall pick are actually 28%, not 25%.
