What Every NBA Lottery Team Should Do If It Wins No. 1 Pick
Winning the lottery can fix an NBA franchise and alter its course for the next decade.
There is extreme pressure to nail the No. 1 overall pick. It requires exploring all options, including each eligible prospect and potential trades, either to move down and acquire a second asset or an established star.
Bleacher Report views Slovenia's Luka Doncic and Arizona's DeAndre Ayton as the two players worth considering with the top pick. However, they appear close enough where fit and need can make one more attractive than the other depending on who's picking.
For each projected lottery team, we created a plan and options for what it should do with the No. 1 pick.
The lottery takes place May 15, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Odds for the No. 1 pick courtesy of NBA.com
Phoenix Suns
1 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 25.0 percent
Option A: Trade down for Jaren Jackson Jr. or Mohamed Bamba
The Phoenix Suns have the NBA's worst defense, per ESPN, and neither DeAndre Ayton nor Luka Doncic are known for defending. Is either a generational offensive talent? If the Suns aren't confident, moving down for Jackson or Bamba, two potential elite rim protectors, should be explored.
Bamba and his absurd 7'9" wingspan just finished second in the nation in shot-blocking. And Jackson, who's still 18 years old, swatted three shots a game, the only player to do so in fewer than 25 minutes.
Phoenix should engage in conversation with teams in the No. 3-5 range with the idea of adding Jackson or Bamba and acquiring another key asset via trade.
Option B: Draft Doncic
The Suns' hiring of Igor Kokoskov is significant and should factor into the franchise's decision at No. 1. There isn't another head coach in the league more familiar with Doncic. Kokoskov led Slovenia to a gold during last summer's EuroBasket, and he did a terrific job of using Doncic and putting him in position to make plays.
Fit always plays a major role in young prospects' development, and given Kokoskov's success coaching Doncic and their established relationship, the opportunity for Phoenix to reunite the two would be difficult to pass up.
The Suns could ultimately use Doncic, an excellent passer and pick-and-roll setup man, at point guard alongside Devin Booker. But they'd also have the flexibility to use Doncic and Booker as wings, and move either T.J. Warren or Josh Jackson to the 4 to create a faster lineup.
Memphis Grizzlies
2 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 19.9 percent
Plan A: Draft Doncic
Unless the Memphis Grizzlies feel Ayton or Duke's Marvin Bagley III is the clear superior prospect, Doncic makes the most sense for the franchise.
He's a fit alongside Mike Conley, a primary playmaker and solid defender. The Grizzlies can offer Doncic a starting position at the 2 without giving him too heavy of a workload early on.
Memphis has been searching for a second guard. And with Doncic, it would finally acquire one, as well as a player to eventually hand the keys once Conley's time is up.
Having Marc Gasol to help Doncic get acclimated to the NBA and American lifestyle can only be viewed as a plus.
Dallas Mavericks
3 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 13.8 percent
Plan A: Make an offer for a star
If the Dallas Mavericks win the lottery, they might as well explore the possibility of trading for a star. Outside of the obvious benefits of having a franchise player like Kawhi Leonard or Paul George, Dennis Smith Jr. would individually benefit from playing alongside veteran talent.
Would the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder be intrigued by a package around the No. 1 overall pick and Harrison Barnes?
Plan B, option 1: Draft Ayton
Ayton would give the Mavericks an anchor at center. He'd be their second cornerstone and an inside scorer and presence that Dallas is missing.
Plan C: Trade down
The Mavericks lack assets. Smith and their draft picks are the only ones with significant value. If Dallas doesn't see a major difference between Doncic, Ayton or Bagley, it could move down two spots—where it would still draft one of those three prospects—in an attempt to land a future first-round pick, the way the Boston Celtics did last year.
Atlanta Hawks
4 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 13.7 percent
Option A: Draft Doncic
The one hole in DeAndre Ayton's game may make him difficult for the Atlanta Hawks to select. The team will have to decide if its wants to build around two bigs in John Collins and Ayton, neither of whom are known as strong defenders.
Instead, the safer play is drafting Doncic to play shooting guard. Dennis Schroder, who finished behind only James Harden in field goals made per game off drives, would be a fitting backcourt partner for Doncic, since his only question mark is explosiveness.
Otherwise, he'd give Atlanta needed secondary playmaking and shot-making from the wing.
Option B: Explore trading down
If the Hawks don't see a major difference between the top handful of prospects, it would be worth looking to move down for either rim protectors like Jackson or Bamba or another playmaker in Young.
The Hawks have few players or prospects of value and may want to acquire multiple assets instead of banking on Ayton, Doncic or Bagley to become All-Stars.
If the Hawks can guarantee themselves one of Jackson, Bamba or Young and then acquire a future lottery pick, quality starter or exciting young talent via trade, they should look into it.
Orlando Magic
5 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 8.8 percent
Plan A: Explore all trade options
The Orlando Magic don't have enough assets to allow Aaron Gordon to sign elsewhere. They'll want to match any offer in restricted free agency and then find cornerstones for their backcourt and wing.
Would the Portland Trail Blazers listen to any proposals for Damian Lillard? Orlando could create a package around the No. 1 pick and Jonathan Isaac plus fillers like Evan Fournier. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George would be the other obvious targets.
Orlando could also look to trade down for Trae Young, who'd give the Magic a needed playmaker, but not one worth taking No. 1 overall. The Magic can attempt to add Young and another asset via trade, whether it be a future first-round pick or another player like Taurean Prince from Atlanta.
Plan B: Draft Doncic
If the Magic win the lottery and keep their pick, Doncic stands out as the most fitting addition among the No. 1 overall candidates.
Though Gordon and Isaac are interchangeable and versatile, adding another big man doesn't sound ideal. In Orlando, Doncic would be able to start at either backcourt position.
Chicago Bulls
6 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 5.3 percent
Plan A: Explore all trade options
The Chicago Bulls lack star power. Adding some from another team would be ideal, with Leonard and George being the obvious targets. After winning the lottery, Chicago's package would likely feature the No. 1 pick, the No. 22 pick (via New Orleans Pelicans) and salary fillers.
Depending on how the team ranks Ayton, Doncic and Bagley versus Jackson and Bamba, moving down could be an option worth exploring. While Ayton and Bagley have struggled defensively, Bamba and Jackson have shined in rim protection.
If the Bulls can get a pick in the No. 3-6 range, plus another valuable asset like a future first-rounder from a projected lottery team or a quality starter, they should consider it.
Plan B: Draft Ayton
The Bulls put their faith in Dunn and LaVine by trading Jimmy Butler for them. Does it make sense to add Doncic with Ayton available and Robin Lopez being a replaceable role player?
Ayton is a long-term upgrade at the 5 and gives the lineup another go-to option for offense. Between Markkanen and Ayton, the Bulls would then have two seven-foot scorers, one capable of dominating the paint and the other a stretch-4 mismatch.
Sacramento Kings
7 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 5.3 percent
Plan A: Draft Ayton
With the No. 1 pick, the Sacramento Kings would have the opportunity to strengthen arguably the league's weakest frontcourt.
Ayton gives the Kings a top scoring option to build around at a position where they play Willie Cauley-Stein, Zach Randolph and Skal Labissiere.
Doncic would fit as well alongside De'Aaron Fox, but without many supporting weapons, Sacramento isn't the best fit for the 19-year-old Slovenian. Unless the Kings feel Doncic is the no-brainer top plck in the draft, Ayton should be the selection for his elite offensive upside and ability to balance out the lineup with inside scoring and his physical presence down low.
Cleveland Cavaliers (via Brooklyn Nets)
8 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 2.8 percent
Plan A: Make an offer for a star
The Oklahoma City Thunder can't be too confident in what they have following their first-round exit. They may be enticed by the idea of retooling through the draft, which is how they became relevant in the first place years ago.
Meanwhile, no rookie is likely to move the needle for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their pursuit of a title—or to convince LeBron James to stay. Paul George could, however. Cleveland should be looking for a player to put it over the top and help it compete with the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets.
With the No. 1 pick, Jordan Clarkson and George Hill, the Cavaliers could put together an attractive package.
Plan B: Luka Doncic
With Doncic making a serious impact in Euroleague after averaging 14.3 points and 8.2 rebounds against pros, both European and from the NBA, during last summer's EuroBasket, he stands out as the most NBA-ready prospect in the draft. And the Cavaliers are looking to win now.
They could use another playmaker in the lineup, whether it's at the 1 or 2. James and head coach Tyronn Lue would also appreciate Doncic's toughness, along with his offensive versatility as a setup man and shot-maker capable of playing three positions.
New York Knicks
9 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 1.7 percent
Plan A: Make an offer for a star
Chances are, whoever the No. 1 pick is won't be better than Kawhi Leonard.
The goal for New York is to patiently build for the future, but if the Knicks have the chance to acquire Leonard without giving up Kristaps Porzingis, they'd have to make it happen. It would be worth offering the San Antonio Spurs the No. 1 pick, which would likely be Ayton, Doncic or Bagley, plus either a future first-rounder or Frank Ntilikina and salary fillers.
Plan B: Draft Doncic
There is something about Doncic's toughness, basketball IQ and winning resume that New York has been missing.
The Knicks' current franchise player would likely approve, after the then 18-year-old Doncic poured 27 points on Porzingis and Latvia in Slovenia's win during EuroBasket 2017.
Doncic would give the Knicks another setup man to pair with Ntilikina. He thrives as a pick-and-roll facilitator, and his size, developing scoring ability and shooting range make him a mismatch cover at the point but also a versatile enough player who can be moved around the lineup.
Philadelphia 76ers (via Los Angeles Lakers)
10 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 1.1 percent
Plan A: Explore all trade options
The Philadelphia 76ers went from tanking to competing in a year. Ideally, they'll add a proven star instead of a prospect. Leonard or George could make the Sixers 2019 favorites to emerge from the East.
If the Los Angeles Lakers win the lottery, the pick goes to Philadelphia. And with it, the 76ers could put together a serious package including the first selection, their own at No. 26 and Markelle Fultz.
The Sixers could also look to move down for a prospect who fits and another asset via trade. Jaren Jackson Jr. or Villanova's Mikal Bridges would make sense as three-and-D players to surround Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Plan B: Draft Doncic
Doncic should be the top choice for Philadelphia in the draft, particularly if it can't bring back JJ Redick. The 19-year-old combo can act as a secondary playmaker next to Simmons.
Just imagine teams trying to match up with a 6'10" point guard and 6'8" 2-guard. Doncic brings enough versatility to work from multiple positions, which is a big selling point when projecting his ability to work with Simmons, Robert Covington and Dario Saric.
Charlotte Hornets
11 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 0.8 percent
Plan A: Draft Doncic
If the Charlotte Hornets get lucky and win the lottery, they should keep Kemba Walker and take Doncic. That's a backcourt to build around, with Walker's speed and scoring a strong complement to Doncic's size and overall versatility.
If Dwight Howard couldn't take Charlotte to another level, Ayton isn't likely to, either. The Hornets should look to establish a new identity by creating a do-it-all guard duo.
And with Doncic, who's viewed as one of the more NBA-ready prospects due to his success in EuroLeague, the Hornets would add a player capable of helping them push for the playoffs next year.
Detroit Pistons
12 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 0.7 percent
Plan A: Make an offer for a star
The Detroit Pistons keep their pick if it lands No. 1-4. Otherwise, it goes to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Detroit is clearly looking to win now after dealing for Blake Griffin. So it would make sense to offer the No. 1 pick for a third star like George or Leonard, who'd both fit in perfectly.
However, teams engaged in trade talks would likely want Andre Drummond in any deal for a franchise-caliber player. It may still make sense for the Pistons to give up the pick and Drummond for a player like Leonard, particularly given the questions about whether a Griffin-Drummond frontcourt works.
Plan B: Draft Doncic
With the No. 1 pick, the Pistons would want to strengthen their backcourt and wing by adding Doncic, who can either take over the point or play next to Reggie Jackson. There wouldn't be room for Ayton or Bagley, and Doncic would fit right in while also helping right away.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 0.6 percent
Plan A: Explore all trade options
The Los Angeles Clippers could use Doncic in their backcourt and Ayton to potentially replace DeAndre Jordan, but adding a veteran star should be plan A.
L.A. has Danilo Gallinari or Tobias Harris to pair with the No. 1 pick in a trade package.
Plan B: Draft Doncic
Without knowing if Jordan will be back, it's difficult to suggest the right option for the Clippers, but Doncic makes sense regardless. He'd be a significant upgrade over Milos Teodosic and Patrick Beverley.
They could also use Doncic in different ways, either as the point guard next to Lou Williams or on the wing.
Denver Nuggets
14 of 14
Chances of winning the lottery: 0.5 percent
Plan A: Make an offer for a star
In 1993, the Orlando Magic won the lottery with a 1.5 percent chance. The Denver Nuggets would need a similar miracle.
Deep at multiple positions, Denver could look to strengthen one of them by adding a star and creating a trade package including the No. 1 pick and some combination of players like Kenneth Faried, Mason Plumlee, Trey Lyles, Malik Beasley and Tyler Lydon. Leonard or George would each fit right into Denver's lineup at the 3.
Plan B: Draft Doncic
If the Nuggets stayed at No. 1, they'd want to draft Doncic, who'd immediately contribute, regardless of where he'd play in the lineup.
Denver would go positionless with Doncic, a combo capable of handling the ball or working off it next to Jamal Murray and Gary Harris.
