Detroit Pistons: Your NBA Draft Lottery Fact Sheet
The NBA Draft Lottery is set for Tuesday, June 22 at 8:30 p.m. (ET). Here are the basic facts Detroit Pistons fans need to know for an event that could define the franchise’s immediate future.
A fans guide to 2021 NBA Draft Lottery
When: Tuesday, June 22, 8:30 p.m.
Where: New York City. Will be televised live on ESPN
Why: The lottery was created so teams would not lose on purpose to gain a high draft pick. It’s effectiveness can be debated.
How: (via NBA.com): Drawings will be conducted to determine the first four picks in NBA Draft 2021. The remainder of the “Lottery teams” will select in positions 5 through 14 in inverse order of their records in 2020-21 regular-season games.
Detroit Pistons specific lottery facts
Who will represent the Pistons at the lottery: Recently elected Hall of Famer Ben Wallace will be in New York for the Pistons.
Pistons position pre-lottery: Second. With a 20-52 record, Detroit had the second worst record in the NBA.
Best possible outcome for Pistons: No. 1 overall draft pick. Detroit has a 14% chance of getting the first selection. It would be the first time they were No. 1 since 1970.
Worst possible outcome for Pistons: No. 6 overall selection. Detroit can not fall lower than sixth. The Pistons have a 20.1% chance of ending up there.
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Draft position Pistons best chance of ending up at: No. 5 overall. According to Tankathon, Detroit has a 27.8% chance of finishing with the fifth pick. Considering most draft experts have the draft as four players deep with star potential, it would be an aggravating result.
Odds Pistons finish in top four: 52%
Number of times Pistons have previously been in the lottery with their own pick: 13
Number of times Pistons have moved up in the Lottery from regular season position: 0 (They did move up to No. 2 in 2003, but that was with Memphis’ pick).
Effect Pistons lottery finish would have on its second round draft selections: None. The lottery only involves the first four slots in the NBA Draft. Detroit does not own its own second-rounder (Knicks have it) but currently have the rights to No. 37 overall (Toronto), No. 42 (Charlotte) and No. 52 (Lakers). Those positions will not change.
When is the actual NBA Draft: July 29, 8 p.m. (ET)
Will we get to see the actual drawing?: No. The real ping pong balls being mixed up and picked out of a bowl is done beforehand in a nearby room under strict security. What you will see on TV is the results of that drawing. For exact details go here.
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The NBA Draft Lottery is an exciting moment for Detroit Pistons fans. The team certainly is in line for some lottery luck, and a breakout star would certainly help.
Of course, when dealing with 19- 20-year-olds, nothing is guaranteed. Look at the Philadelphia 76ers, they had the No. 1 pick two years in a row, took Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz, and what has it gotten them?