No.
In any professional sport, the team with the worst record will get the #1 pick in the next draft. But there’s one pro league that uses a lottery system. It’s the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The rules are complicated and, for many, not understandable. If you think I’m kidding, then go here and read the rules for yourself.
Makes sense? No.
The biggest college basketball prospect in years, Duke’s Zion Williamson, expects to be the #1 pick. He hoped he’d be selected by the New York Knicks–one of three teams with the best odds of getting him (all at 14%). Knicks’ fans had the same hope.
As fate would have it, Williamson will go to the New Orleans Pelicans, a team that had half the chance of getting him (at 6%).
Why wouldn’t Zion want to play in New York? It’s a huge media market with plenty of endorsement possibilities. But, of course, he’ll do well in New Orleans.
No matter where he plays, Williamson will have to go out every night and perform. He’ll have to show that he’s worth the investment being made in him.
As for the Draft Lottery, the NBA is concerned about teams tanking, that is, a team losing intentionally so that it’s in the position to get the #1 pick in the following draft.
Ok. But is this lottery system the solution? Go figure.
