3 nightmare NBA Draft Lottery scenarios that would hurt Raptors
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors will be one of many teams that will have the outcome of their collective futures shaped by what goes on in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. The bounces of a few ping-pong balls will play a vital role in deciding what 2023 will look like.
While landing Victor Wembanyama would be one of the most impressive strokes of good luck the fates have ever bestowed upon this franchise, that is nothing more than a pipe dream that would require the most insane luck falling in their favor. It would be great! Just don’t expect it.
The Raptors are in as unenviable a position as one could hope to be in on lottery night. Not only are they not in a position to make significant moves up the order, but they can only watch and hope that teams with eyes on derailing their plans for short-term success don’t get a fortunate luck of the draw.
The Raptors need to hope that one of these three scenarios does not come to light. The team has enough challenges as it is, and one of their top competitors potentially gaining an edge over them on lottery night would be yet another swift kick in the teeth.
3 NBA Draft Lottery scenarios that hurt the Toronto Raptors.
3. Knicks land pick 11 or 12
The Knicks need to hope that the Dallas Mavericks don’t move too far up in the order. If the Mavericks get a Top 10 pick, the protection on their pick means that Dallas will retain their selection. If it falls just outside of it, the pick falls to the Knicks. Thanks, Kristaps Porzingis.
The Knicks went from an also-ran to a legitimate playoff force this season, with Jalen Brunson emerging as a star they can build around. Anything that helps prop up a division rival is bad for the Raptors, especially the one that was often used as a doormat for some of the more successful Toronto teams in the last decade.
The Knicks getting a pick is bad for the Toronto Raptors.
The Knicks not only would gain the opportunity to acquire a young gun who can supplement a somewhat older roster, but they would gain a very interesting pick that Leon Rose would not think twice about flipping if it meant they could acquire a star player.
The Knicks are dangerous for the first time in a very long time, and that means they will likely do everything they can with all the resources at their disposal to win now. One extra pick coming to them instead of Dallas could help them further block Toronto’s rise to the top of the mountain.