Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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SALT LAKE CITY — It hasn't been long since the Jazz were in this position.
Exactly one year ago, the franchise went to New York, slated as the 12th pick and hoping for an against-the-odds jump into the top 3 of the 2015 NBA Draft. It didn't happen.
This year, they'll be in the same place. Once again, there's a 93.54 percent chance that the team stays at the 12th slot. Yep, still just a 0.7 percent chance that they draft No. 1. Slightly bigger, but still quite miniscule 0.83 percent and 1.01 percent chances at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. Just like last year, a 3.92 percent chance that the Jazz will actually drop in the draft, if they were passed by Washington or Chicago.
Team President Steve Starks will be the Jazz's podium representative this year instead of General Manager Dennis Lindsey. Assistant General Manager Justin Zanik will be watching the actual drawing of the ping-pong balls in the back, making sure along with 13 other team representatives and 12 NBA journalists that everything is up to code. For a full explanation of that process, read here.
Tuesday morning, Starks posted a summation of the Jazz's thinking going into the lottery process on Twitter:
My quick draft lottery day thoughts. pic.twitter.com/VeReLbDTfp — Steve Starks (@StevenStarks) May 17, 2016
So given that the odds for the Jazz moving up or down are quite slim, lottery watchers might be more interested in the other storylines. The biggest impact to Utah in the lottery is likely to be what happens to other franchises and the impact on the Jazz's competition.
- The Los Angeles Lakers finished with the second-worst record in the league. If they finish with a top-3 pick, they get to keep it. If the pick falls to four or below, it's sent to Philadelphia. Furthermore, if their pick is sent this year, it's much more likely that they'll be sending the Orlando Magic a first-round selection in 2018. Laker haters will be rooting for multiple teams to jump up early.
- The Boston Celtics own the Brooklyn Nets' pick this year, the result of the Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett trade in 2013. The Celtics were the fifth seed in this year's Eastern Conference, and getting a star at the top of the lottery would make them formidable moving forward.
- Division rivals Denver own New York's pick this year and have the seventh best odds in tonight's lottery.
- Phoenix owns two picks in the lottery: their own fourth-ranked selection and Washington's 13th-ranked slot. If the latter jumps the Jazz, not only would Utah move down, but a Western Conference foe would have two likely top-5 picks to rebuild with.
- Minnesota has the last two rookies of the year already: Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. If they win the lottery again this year, will their young core ever be stopped?
