Busting Brackets
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NBA Draft 2020: 3 biggest storylines regarding upcoming draft lottery

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

1. Which team really needs that No. 1 overall the most?

In past years, the team with the worst NBA record throughout the season usually ends up with a 25% chance to get the No. 1 overall pick. That changed last year, with the percentage going down from 25 all the way to 14%, which is the same as the second and third-worst records. 4th and 5th (12.5 and 10.5 respectively), also have double-digit percentages but could easily fall out of the top five overall too.

That’s not great assurance to the Golden State Warriors, who had the worst record in the league after losing star guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. They would love to get back into title contention after Kevin Durant left the franchise last offseason for the Brooklyn Nets. The Warriors could get their first choice of a potential superstar and considering their history of 1st round picks, it’s safe to trust their scouting of top prospects.

The other teams with similar odds (14%) are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves. After losing superstar LeBron James, the Cavaliers expect to be in this position for a while, while Minnesota needs to find another piece to join Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, as they try to navigate the tough western conference.

The next six teams in the current order of odds are all from the Eastern Conference, including the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons. With Tre Young and John Collins as franchise building blocks, the Hawks could be one key piece away from taking a big leap in the pecking order. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are several players away after striking out on some previous picks.

One of the reasons why there isn’t a clear-cut No. 1 overall pick is because of the needs of each team. Some need a big (James Wiseman) while others prefer an elite ball-handler (LaMelo Ball). Or a future franchise go-to scorer (Anthony Edwards). Those who do mock drafts will love to finally have an order to work with to make things more clear. The ping pong balls will ultimately determine who goes where, since need will likely be more important than “best available”.

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