Suns seal NBA's worst record
After yet another season of complaints about multiple NBA teams tanking to improve their draft chances, the Phoenix Suns emerged as the winner -- thanks to being the biggest loser -- heading into the lottery.
With a 117-100 home loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, the Suns (20-61) clinched the worst record in the NBA this year.
The Suns own a .247 winning percentage heading into their season finale, meaning they will land below a bevy other teams all with winning percentages of .350 or worse. In order, the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks own the next-worse records heading into the final week of the regular season.
By finishing at the bottom, the Suns will have a 25 percent chance of landing the first pick in this year's draft. Phoenix's odds of landing the No. 2 overall pick will be 21.5 percent, the No. 3 overall pick 17.8 percent and the No. 4 overall pick 35.7 percent.
Only the top three draft positions are determined by the lottery. Starting at selection No. 4, the order follows the remaining teams' inverse standing.
The Suns, who last made the playoffs in 2009-10, when they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals, could wind up with three first-round picks this year.
Thanks to the Goran Dragic trade, Phoenix would receive the Miami Heat's first-round pick as long as it is not one of the top seven selections. Because of the Eric Bledsoe trade, the Suns would get the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round choice as long as it falls anywhere from No. 11 to No. 16.
If Phoenix lands the first choice, it could take a home-state product. Center Deandre Ayton, who left the University of Arizona after his freshman season, is widely considered one of the best available players. Other candidates to go near the top of the draft include former Duke forward Marvin Bagley III and Slovenian guard Luka Doncic, who plays for Real Madrid.
--Field Level Media
