Almost There: Raptors’ Near Miss at No. 1 Pick in NBA Draft Lottery
As per The Athletic, when the last ping pong ball was inserted into the NBA draft lottery system on Sunday afternoon, the Raptors were among the seven clubs that stood a chance to secure the top choice. Toronto would have received the first pick if No. 4 had shown up on the last ball.
It was not to be, though. The Atlanta Hawks won the top pick in the 2024 NBA draft when No. 14 appeared on the last ball, despite No. 4 Scottie Barnes representing the team during the draft lottery.
After finishing at No. 8, Toronto will now have to give the choice to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Jakob Poeltl in 2023. The Raptors would have maintained the pick if it had been in the top six, but Toronto was forced out of the top six when Atlanta and Houston leapt into the top four.
Atlanta jumped up nine spots, profiting from a 3% chance to take the top choice. Washington, who entered the draft lottery second in the lottery standings and had the second-worst record this past season, will take home No. 2.
The Houston Rockets will receive Brooklyn’s pick, which shot up to No. 3, as payment for the James Harden trade. San Antonio, which ended the NBA season with the fifth-worst record, moved up one slot to take the fourth pick
Detroit experienced the worst-case scenario as they dropped from first place in the draft lottery to fifth place. The Pistons ended up with the worst conceivable outcome for the franchise, despite having a 52% chance of securing a top-four choice.
Both Portland and Charlotte dropped three spots and will draft at No. 8, just ahead of the Spurs. The Jazz will retain their first-round pick, which they acquired from Oklahoma City, while Memphis and Utah will complete the top 10.
Nos. 11 through No. 14 will be chosen by Portland, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Sacramento, and Oklahoma City. The Indiana Pacers originally had choice No. 19, which will be selected by Toronto first No. 31, which Toronto obtained from the Detroit Pistons in the New York Knicks trade for OG Anunoby, who is also owned by the Raptors.