The Cleveland Cavaliers have defied the odds once again to take home their third number one overall pick in four years. The Cavaliers are a clear winner of the lottery, but who were the other winners and losers?
Winners:
Cleveland: The city of Cleveland has had themselves quite a month of May. First the Browns wheel and deal themselves into Johnny Manziel and now the Cavaliers have the opportunity to draft the player of their choosing in this incredible draft. It’s a nice time to be a sports fan in Cleveland.
Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers didn't walk away with the number one pick, but they did secure two picks in the top 10. The 76ers will draft No. 3 overall and get whatever remains from the big three and then will be able to take another starter with their later pick. Philadelphia didn’t win the lottery but they won the night.
Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks were guaranteed a pick in the top four so selecting at No. 2 isn't terrible. The Bucks would have preferred to dictate the draft themselves, but now they have to adapt to what the Cavaliers do at number one. When you are picking in the top three in this particular draft you have to be considered a winner.
Losers:
Boston Celtics & Los Angeles: These two cornerstone franchises walked away empty handed in this lottery and will pick at number six and seven respectively. The Celtics and Lakers both would have loved to get into the top three as leverage to get Kevin Love, but that dream is dead for the moment as they both missed out.
LeBron James: Let the LeBron to Cleveland rumors begin as the Cavaliers now have the ammo to make a push for James if he enters free agency. Having Kyrie Irving, the number one pick and the cap room to make some noise could be enough to sway James to at least consider the Cavaliers as a destination.
NBA: The NBA can’t win when it comes to the lottery. Year after year the league has to hear about how they rigged the draft to create more interesting story lines and to “pay back” teams that have been wronged in the past. Whether it’s the Cavaliers three of the last four years or the Pelicans in 2012, the NBA has been increasingly unlucky.
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