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NBA draft lottery: Reaction around the league and what's next

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

The order is set for the 2018 NBA draft (7:00 p.m. ET, June 21, ESPN/WatchESPN). The math played out in the Phoenix Suns' favor, as they won the No. 1 pick after having the best odds. The rest of the top three was full of surprises, however, as the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks jumped into the No. 2 and No. 3 slots, respectively, leapfrogging the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks.

Here's everything you need to know.


The draft order

Full two-round mock draft

Whom is your team most likely to take? ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony projects both rounds after the lottery results.Insider

The top prospects

Get a full breakdown of each projected lottery prospect's strengths, weaknesses, draft ranges, physical comps and more.Insider

Reaction around the league

The Phoenix Suns were big winners of Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery, landing the No. 1 overall pick. The Suns will have their choice of center Deandre Ayton, who played at the nearby University of Arizona, and Slovenian star Luka Doncic -- who played for new Phoenix coach Igor Kokoskov while winning last summer's EuroBasket. The Sacramento Kings landed the second pick with the Atlanta Hawks picking third. The Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks, who entered the lottery with the second- and third-best odds, respectively, dropped to fourth and fifth.

Kevin Pelton, ESPN Senior Writer6y ago

Phoenix stands pat at #1. Big decision coming from them. Hearing Ayton is not a done deal there by any means. They've liked Doncic all year. Ayton is our favorite to go #1 right now, but there will be a process that needs to play out there.

Jonathan Givony, ESPN6y ago

Sacramento are the clear winners of the night. Ayton is a lock there if he's there. Doncic is a guy they'll have to look strongly at. Serbian GM Vlade Divac won't have any issue recommending to pick a Slovenian with Serbian roots. Who's making the pick though? Bagley is a compelling fit too.

Jonathan Givony, ESPN6y ago

The draft picks at stake

  • The 76ers got the Lakers' pick at No. 10. Now Boston gets the better 2019 first-rounder between Sacramento and Philly, protected for No. 1. (If either pick lands at No. 1, it goes to the Sixers, and the Celtics get the worse pick.)

  • The Clippers received the Pistons' pick at No. 12, meaning that draft obligation from the Blake Griffin trade is complete.

All the sneaker companies want Trae Young

In a class dominated by big men, it's the 6-foot-2 Oklahoma guard who has emerged as the rookie most likely to land a big sneaker endorsement.

"There's a magic to certain players. There's an 'it factor' that's hard to quantify, and I believe he has that," said Omar Wilkes, one of the Octagon agents representing Young. "He's able to have that with his combination of passing, shooting, ballhandling and charisma. There's an effortless ease about him when he's on the court."

What's the best fit for Doncic?

Luka Doncic is maybe the most accomplished Euro prospect ever and the most proven player in this draft class. But he still needs the right pieces around him to succeed. Which teams will help him reach his star potential?Insider

  • The case for Memphis: Fit with Mike Conley + win-now timeline

  • The case for Phoenix: Relationship with new coach Igor Kokoskov + offensive fit with Devin Booker

  • The case for Dallas: Rick Carlisle's system + veteran role players

  • The case for Atlanta: Fit with Taurean Prince + John Collins

What's next?

The NBA draft combine begins Wednesday, with most of the top prospects planning to attend. Here's who made the cut, who didn't and what it means.