NBA Draft: Lottery odds and Where the Cavs stand

As I listen to Chad Ford and Bill Simmons compare this summer's NBA draft to the worst draft of all time, I thought I would update everyone on the race for the top chances of winning the first overall selection. NBA tank season is in full bloom. The Phoenix Suns aren't even trying to hide it anymore. Charlotte and Orlando have a firm grip on the top odds; Charlotte doesn't need much explanation, and Orlando is essentially refusing to play veterans Hedo Turkoglu and Al Harrington, opting instead to play 20 year olds for 40 minutes a game. For all the bluster in Detroit about challenging for a playoff spot after trading for Jose Calderon, they have regressed. I have obviously been wrong before, but it seems pretty likely that the Cavs are locked into the 4th spot in terms of odds. This means that the lowest they could possibly pick is 7th. But enough, here we go with the odds.

1. Charlotte Bobcats - 25% chance of winning the lottery, .231 winning percentage.

2. Orlando Magic - 19.9% chance of winning the lottery, .244 winning percentage.

3. Phoenix Suns - 15.6% chance of winning the lottery, .295 winning percentage.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - 11.9% chance of winning the lottery, .312 winning percentage.

5. Detroit Pistons - 8.8% chance of winning the lottery, .333 winning percentage.

6. New Orleans Hornets - 6.3% chance of winning the lottery, .346 winning percentage.

7. Sacramento Kings - 4.3% chance of winning the lottery, .351 winning percentage.

8. Washington Wizards - 2.8% chance of winning the lottery, .372 winning percentage.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves - 1.7% chance of winning the lottery, .377 winning percentage.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder - 1.1% chance of winning the lottery, really high winning percentage. Note: this is from Toronto, and if it lands in the top 3, Toronto keeps it. OKC might be secretly hoping for that in hopes Toronto stays in lottery next year in deeper draft.

11. Philadelphia 76ers - .8% chance of winning the lottery,

12. Portland Trailblazers - .7% chance of winning the lottery, .429 winning percentage.

13. Dallas Mavericks - .6% chance of winning the lottery, .494 winning percentage.

14. UTAH JAZZ YEAAAAAAA - .5% chance of winning the lottery, .519 winning percentage.

Couple notes. YEA UTAH NOT IN THE PLAYOFFS GO LAKERS KOBE KEEP SHOOTING. Kudos to the Washington Wizards for going out there and trying to win basketball games. I hope they get somebody good. This is their second straight year of not tanking, when it was arguably in their best interests to do so. They get Beal last year, we will see if they are rewarded again.