The daily tank: Detroit Pistons 2020 NBA Draft odds on Feb. 24

The Detroit Pistons have the NBA’s longest losing streak, which is only improving their 2020 NBA Draft odds. Here’s the latest daily tank.

The Detroit Pistons haven’t won since trading Andre Drummond, losing six straight games. That’s the NBA’s longest losing streak, which only the Golden State Warriors can match.

Detroit (19-40) trailed by 19 points in the first quarter at Portland on Sunday but rallied to take a lead in the third quarter in a 107-104 loss. After nearly playing spoiler to the Trail Blazers playoff chances, the Pistons’ loss was critical to improving their 2020 NBA Draft odds.

The Atlanta Hawks are surging, going 5-5 in their last 10 and are losing grip on their third spot in the Tankathon standings, dropping to fourth based off win percentage. The Minnesota Timberwolves — who the Pistons are one game behind — moved up to the third spot, having lost four straight and 1-9 in their last 10.

Detroit has the fifth-most difficult schedule remaining, according to Tankathon, entering Monday’s games. The Bulls, Warriors and Wizards are lottery teams ahead of the Pistons. But it won’t be until April that the Pistons’ schedule truly lightens up.

With the Pistons having a more difficult schedule ahead than the Wolves, Hawks, Knicks and Cavs, it could be likely to see them slide into a top-3 slot. That would give the Pistons the same odds as the other two teams for a top-4 pick and the No. 1 pick. Those odds would be 52.1% for a top-4 pick and 14% for the top pick.

The Daily Tank

But that’s not where the Pistons are at, yet. They sit sixth in the lottery standings. That’s good for a 37.2% chance at a top-4 pick and 9% at the top pick. And with that, let’s get to today’s simulations.

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Monday’s simulations prove that anything can happen. Detroit landed the No. 1 pick on the first simulation but only had a top-4 selection one other time. The worst draft slot was ninth, meaning three teams jumped ahead of the Pistons into a top-4 slot. The average draft position through 10 simulations was 6.6.

Tankathon’s mock draft, which updates daily, has the Pistons selecting Deni Avdija, a versatile forward from Israel.

Four teams ahead of the Pistons in the lottery standings play in Monday’s eight NBA games. The Hawks visit Philadelphia, Cleveland hosts Miami, the Knicks visit Houston and the Timberwolves visit the Mavericks.