May 05, 2017

Running through great, tragic and funny Sixers NBA lottery scenarios

By Rich Hofmann
PhillyVoice Contributor

The Sixers are about to be a central figure in what shapes up as an ultra-important NBA Draft lottery, one that should have major ramifications on the next decade of basketball. For anyone even kind of invested in any of teams involved, the lottery drawing promises to be nothing short of absolute torture. I can’t wait.

So, for your Friday afternoon post, I thought it would be a fun exercise to run through some Tankathon scenarios that I’m kicking around.

The Sixers Fan’s Dream Scenario

1.    Sixers
2.    Phoenix
3.    Boston

Explanation: This one is simple, but the Sixers getting 1 and 4 only has a 2.4 percent chance of happening. For anyone wondering about the Celtics’ inclusion, Boston and Phoenix need to finish 2-3 in some order for the Sixers to land 1 and 4.

The Sixers would gladly take their second straight top-overall pick (likely Markelle Fultz, who visited “The Farg” last month) and No. 4, where we figure out whether Bryan Colangelo and Co. favor Malik Monk, Jayson Tatum, or even a wild-card like Jonathan Isaac.

The Sixers Fan’s Other Dream Scenario

1.    Sixers
2.    Phoenix
3.    Lakers

Explanation: Magic Johnson breathes a deep sigh of relief as the Lakers keep two of their next three first-round picks, but the Sixers still get Fultz and Los Angeles’ unprotected 2018 pick. Colangelo would sign up for this one in a heartbeat.

One Sixers Fan’s Nightmare Scenario

1.    Celtics
2.    Lakers
3.    Minnesota

Explanation: The Celtics could be playing in the conference finals (where, of course, Brad Stevens will be coaching for his job) and adding Fultz to a roster that isn’t quite equipped to beat LeBron right now. The Lakers get Lonzo Ball or a valuable trade chip even if I don’t believe the latter is likely. And the Timberwolves probably pair Josh Jackson with Towns and Wiggins?

Another Sixers Fan’s Nightmare Scenario

1.    Knicks
2.    Minnesota
3.    Orlando

Explanation: This is for the people who would rather roll the dice with the Luka Doncic/Michael Porter 2018 lottery than receive the 6th and 7th pick, which is precisely what would happen here. This has less than a one percent chance of happening, though. Magic would be very sad on national television.

The ‘This is Rigged!’ Scenario

1.    Knicks
2.    Lakers
3.    Celtics

Explanation: Big markets! Twitter would be great after this one. Here, the Sixers would have the fifth pick and only the fifth pick. As far as realistic worst-case scenarios go, this one ain’t half-bad.

The Kings Fan’s Nightmare Scenario

1.    Pelicans
2.    ~~Sacramento~~ Sixers
3.    Anyone else

Explanation: The Kings somehow couldn’t get an unprotected pick for Boogie Cousins, and that would come back to bite them here as the Pelicans get the pick if it lands in the Top-3. Combine that with the pick swap, and this would be a case of the basketball gods punishing Vivek and Vlade for past mistakes.