The Hawks still could have three first-round picks in the 2018 draft.
The Timberwolves remained alive for a playoff berth after Monday’s results. If the Timberwolves beat the Nuggets at home on Wednesday, they would be assured of qualifying for the playoffs and thus send their 2018 first-round draft pick to the Hawks.
The Hawks (24-57) already will have their own lottery pick plus Houston’s first-round pick (No. 30 overall) that they acquired from the Rockets in a 2017 trade. After Monday’s results, the Hawks can finish no better than third in the draft lottery behind the Suns (20-61) and Grizzlies (22-59).
A weighted lottery is used to determine the top three selections in the draft, with the remaining teams picking in reverse order of record.
The Hawks acquired the lottery-protected pick from Minnesota in February 2015 in exchange for Adreian Payne. The Hawks selected Payne with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2014 draft out of Michigan State.
About the Author
