SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings, one of the worst teams in the NBA over the past 15 years, didn't catch a break in the draft lottery Tuesday night. They were not able to jump into the top-five positions, and will stay with the 9th pick in next month's NBA Draft.
Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, which the Kings haven't been to in almost two decades, 19 years to be exact, kicked off at 6 p.m., but before the highly anticipated sequel began, ESPN televised the 2021 NBA draft lottery.
Sacramento had just a 4.5% chance of winning the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday and a 20.3% chance of leaping from the ninth position into the top four picks.
Every year, the NBA gathers 14 of the worst teams in the league and gives them a top draft pick with hopes that they will prove as the years go on. Each team has "odds" or a chance to get a top-four pick based on how poorly they played during that season.
If this sounds familiar, it's what Philadelphia 76ers' fans call "The Process," or what other fans call "tanking."
Teams choose a player, executive, former player, or fan to represent them at the draft. This year, the Kings were represented by general manager Monte McNair.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum revealed the results of the Draft Lottery from 14 to 1; bottom to top.
Recent History
According to basketball reference, over the past 15 years, the Kings have had a top-five pick just five times.
2018 | 2nd overall pick | Marvin Bagley III
2017 | 5th overall pick | De'Aaron Fox
2012 | 5th overall pick | Thomas Robinson
2010 | 5th overall pick | DeMarcus Cousins
2009 | 4th overall pick | Tyreke Evans
While the Kings may miss out on top players like Cade Cunningham - Oklahoma State, Evan Mobley - USC, Jalen Green - NBA G League, Jalen Suggs - Gonzaga, or Davion Mitchel - Baylor. National College Player of the Year, Luka Garza our of Iowa could be available.
The Top Picks
The Detroit Pistons did a lot of losing this season, finishing with the second-worst record in the NBA and the franchise’s worst record in nearly 30 years. It paid off. The Pistons won the NBA draft lottery on Tuesday night, grabbing the No. 1 pick in the July 29 draft and presumably the chance to select Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham with that selection.
If the Pistons keep the pick, it’ll be the first time they select No. 1 overall since taking Bob Lanier in 1970. Houston will pick second, Cleveland will pick third, and Toronto will pick fourth.
Look below to see what pick other lottery teams received:
1. Detroit Pistons
2. Houston Rockets
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Toronto Raptors
5. Orlando Magic
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Golden State Warriors (via the Minnesota Timberwolves)
8. Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls)
9. Sacramento Kings
10. New Orleans Pelicans
11. Charlotte Hornets
12. San Antonio Spurs
13. Indiana Pacers
14. Golden State Warriors
The NBA draft will air on July 29 at 5 p.m. with the first round playing on ESPN and ABC10 and the second round will only be televised on ESPN.
Watch Party
The Kings organization announced via social media that they will welcome ticketed fans inside Golden 1 Center on July 29 to watch the draft on the big screen and cheer on what the Kings decide to do with the ninth overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Watch More: Here's how it lottery unfolded: