Hawks Win the Lottery, Pistons Continue to Lose Out

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 21: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks on in the fourth quarter on the way to a 119-111 loss to the Utah Jazzat Little Caesars Arena on December 21, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo : Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The 2024 NBA Draft order is locked in.

After this past Sunday, we now know the fate of all of the teams around the league, in terms of where they will be picking come draft day. 

The Atlanta Hawks came out victorious, winning the lottery and getting the No.1 overall pick with a chance to take Alexandre Sarr. 

Despite rumors that this year's NBA Draft is not the best talent wise, there are still a lot of takeaways in terms of draft order. Here are some of the winners and losers from Sunday's lottery pulling.

RELATED ARTICLE: Top 3 NBA Draft Picks: Who Will Go #1 Overall in 2024?

Hawks Come Up Big

Surprisingly, the Atlanta Hawks landed this year's draft's No.1 overall pick, despite having only a 3% chance at it. 

It would be the franchise's first time picking at No.1 since 1975, where they took David Thompson in that year's draft.

Now, the Hawks could go in one or two different directions.

They could complete a rebuild by keeping their No.1 pick, taking Alex Sarr and unloading their dynamic backcourt in Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.

Or Atlanta could also trade the pick to get another star to aid them in their quest for the franchise's first NBA Championship. 

It's a win-win situation for the Hawks either way after lucking out in the draft lottery.

Atlanta Hawks: Clear Winner by Far

Spurs with Two Top 10 Picks 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Victor Wembanyama (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted first overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
(Photo : (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images))

After taking Victor Wembanyama with the No.1 overall pick last year, the San Antonio Spurs are back in the lottery with two picks in this year's draft. 

The Spurs will have two picks, the No.4 and the No.8 overall picks, which initially belonged to the Raptors from the trade that brought Jakob Poeltl to Toronto.

The Spurs are the team to watch in this year's draft. Whoever they select could be a long-term building piece to keep around Wembanyama for years to come. 

San Antonio Spurs: Winner 

Rockets at No.3?

There are reports out of Houston that the Rockets may look to unload their No.3 overall pick to get another win-now piece.

The Rockets shocked the league last season by finishing with 41 wins, their first above .500 record since the 2020-21 season. 

Now with Houston's eyes set on a postseason berth next year in a tough Western Conference, they will likely be trying to bring in the extra piece needed to put them over the top.

Any team looking to move up in this year's draft would be tempted to make a deal with the Rockets. 

Houston Rockets: Winner

Detroit Pistons, Will They Ever Win Again?

Even in the offseason, the Detroit Pistons can't seem to win. 

The Pistons for the second year in a row, will have the No.5 pick in the NBA Draft. 

It's a disappointing series of events for a franchise that has struggled for the better part of the last few years. Last season, the team reached an all-time low with only 14 wins to 68 losses. 

Despite the lack of luck, Detroit has a solid young core including Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, and Cade Cunningham, the former first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

But they do have some misses in the first round like Killian Hayes and Sekou Doumbouya. 

It's a stern reminder for any team that looks to tank, as sometimes a disappointing season doesn't always lead to the No.1 overall pick. 

Detroit Pistons: Already Losing Before the 2024-25 Season

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