The NBA Draft Lottery is currently one month away.
The 2021 NBA Draft will be on July 29, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. NBA Draft Lottery will be on June 22. Draft Combine scheduled for June 21-27.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 29, 2021
Teams that didn’t make the playoffs are waiting patiently for the day to come.
Drafts are what can make or break a franchise, and the first step is the lottery.
14 teams have a shot to win the lottery, but only one can win it.
Some teams need the first overall pick more than others.
Especially, knowing that the ultimate prize is Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham.
Cade Cunningham highlights at OK State! @CadeCunningham_ pic.twitter.com/MNtRG78fgE
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms_) May 11, 2021
There are three teams that need to win the first overall pick this season.
Hopefully, the odds are in their favor.
3. Orlando Magic
Odds of first pick: 14%
The Orlando Magic did not make the playoffs after consecutive trips to the postseason.
The Magic are now in the process of completely starting all over.
This was the case after they traded away their All-Star center, Nikola Vucevic.
Orlando is now in desperate need for a marquee guy.
They have some good young pieces, such as Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz, both of whom are recovering from a torn ACL.
Wendell Carter Jr., R.J. Hampton, and Cole Anthony are all solid pieces for right now.
However, the first pick can lead to a franchise guy.
Orlando has won the lottery three times.
Each instance gave them a franchise player with the one in 1993 leading to a trade for Penny Hardaway.
The Magic need this pick to make another leap with the franchise.
2. Houston Rockets
Odds of first pick: 14%
The owner of the worst record in basketball this season was the Houston Rockets.
Their season started with so much turmoil, but there were no inklings of them being the worst team in the NBA.
However, they were awful and even lost 20 straight games.
The Rockets had their franchise guy in James Harden, but after years of being close to a title, he was ready to leave.
Houston is back to square one as they are in the hunt for a resurgence.
They have Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr. as their good young pieces.
With the first pick, the Rockets can get a little bit better and not have to rebuild for much longer.
1. Detroit Pistons
Odds of first pick: 14%
The Detroit Pistons have not won a NBA playoff game since 2008.
For over a decade, they have not been able to breakthrough.
After an era of contending, the Pistons have not been close to a seed higher than eighth seed.
In that timeframe, they have not won the lottery once.
In fact, their lowest pick was the seventh pick twice.
This franchise needs a savior of some sorts.
They have been able to get solid players in the draft, but none of an extremely high level.
Andre Drummond was their only All-Star that they drafted, but his tenure with the organization ended with a dud.
Blake Griffin became a shell of his former self a year after making the All-Star team the year prior.
This year could be the year for the Pistons.
Detroit needs to win the lottery this season more than anyone.
NEXT: 3 Knicks Who Could Become New York Legends This Postseason