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Less than 48 hours after Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors ended the Sixers’ season in heart-breaking fashion, Philadelphia already has to look to the future, beginning with tonight’s NBA draft lottery. One of the few silver linings in what turned out to be a disastrous 2017 trade with the Boston Celtics is that while taking a break from Twitter burner account sessions, Bryan Colangelo negotiated top-one protection on the 2019 Sacramento first-round pick. After finishing 39-43, the Kings are sharing lottery odds with Charlotte and Miami, meaning all three clubs have a 4.8 percent chance of jumping into the top-four, and crucially for the Sixers, a 1.0 percent chance of leaping up to first overall.
If that one percent prevails, the Sixers will receive the first overall pick and Boston will get Philadelphia’s selection at 24th overall. Hopefully, like Doctor Strange finding the one iteration where Thanos could be defeated, we are living in the timeline where that glorious outcome takes place. The Celtics have a 3.8 percent chance of receiving the second, third, or fourth overall pick, a.k.a. the Darkest Timelines, and a 95.2 percent of receiving the Kings’ pick at their current 14th overall slot.
Team President Chris Heck will be the Sixers’ representative at the event, hopefully adorably sharing the dais with Boston’s Rich Gotham like Elton Brand and Gotham did last year.
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The news dropped late last night that Brett Brown will be returning as head coach next season, possibly ushering in the Run It Back era. I sure wouldn’t mind seeing one new face in particular next year, though. Zion Williamson would certainly solve the backup center problem.
Sure, one percent isn’t likely to happen. But what were the odds a fadeaway jumper from the corner over the outstretched hand of a seven-footer would hit the front rim, find iron three more times, and then fall through the net? Balance out the scales, basketball gods. Philadelphia is due for a break. ONE PERCENT!
NBA Draft Lottery Info
When: 8:30 pm EST
Where: Chicago, IL
Watch: ESPN
Follow: @Liberty_Ballers