The teams who finish with the three worst regular-season records will each have a 14 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft lottery.
New York, Cleveland and Phoenix finished at the bottom of the standings, but atop of the Zion Williamson sweepstakes. The talented Duke freshman — who has not declared for the draft — is projected to be the top overall pick of this year’s NBA class.
The Hawks (29-53) finished with the fifth worst record in the league. Atlanta has a 10.5 percent chance of landing the top overall selection in the May 14 NBA Draft lottery. Jami Gertz, co-owner and wife of principal owner Tony Ressler, will once again represent the team at the draft lottery this year.
Atlanta had the third overall pick in last year's draft. The team chose Real Madrid swingman Luka Doncic and promptly traded him to Dallas in exchange for fifth-overall pick Trae Young. Both ended their first seasons as Rookie of the Year contenders.
Atlanta’s chances to move up in the lottery are set at a combined 42 percent. The chance they fall back to sixth are 10.5 percent; seventh, 9.0 percent; and so on.
The Hawks are projected to have among the most salary-cap space in the league this summer.
The NBA Draft takes place June 20.
