With the NBA Draft Lottery set for tonight, the numbered ping pong balls will be drawn and the future of franchises will be altered.
And after finishing the 2017-18 season with a 29-53 record, the Knicks currently hold the ninth pick but could move up … or down.
Here are the odds for the various scenarios that could unfold for the Knicks tonight:
- 81.3% chance of staying at No. 9
- 12.6% chance of falling back as many as three picks
- 6.1% chance of jumping into the top-3 picks
- 1.7% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick
The Knicks have not moved up in the lottery since the inaugural one in 1985 when they vaulted to No. 1 pick and selected Patrick Ewing.
[Hahn: Knicks Seek Inspiration, Patience with Fizdale Hire]
Last season the Knicks dropped from seven to eight, where they drafted Frank Ntilikina. The last time the Knicks selected ninth, they took Georgetown forward Michael Sweetney.
Hoping for some good fortune, the Knicks have chosen General Manager Scott Perry to represent them on the dais.
As for who the Knicks may target, it would obviously depend on where they pick but there appears to be an early inclination.
“In an ideal world, we’d like to get a wing player,” President Steve Mills told Al Trautwig last week.
Some of the top wing players in this year’s draft include Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr., Villanova’s Mikal Bridges, and Michigan State’s Miles Bridges.
[Robbins: Pressure of New York Won’t Faze Fizdale]
After tonight’s lottery, the next step in the draft process is the NBA Draft Combine, which takes place from May 16-20. The NBA Draft will be held Thursday, June, 21.
