May 19--Today is a very important day for the Lakers and their fans. Because today is the NBA draft lottery, which will determine which teams get the first three picks in the draft, as well as the subsequent order of the first round of picks on June 25.
Will the Lakers move up from their current No. 4 spot into the top three? Or will they fall a couple of spots and lose the top-five-protected pick they owe for the Steve Nash trade in 2012, which would be a devastating turn for the team after going 21-61 last season.
There is a 17.2% chance that two teams pass the Lakers in the lottery, forcing them to forfeit their first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers. There is also a 37.8% chance the Lakers move into one of the top three spots.
Here's everything you need to know:
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. PDT.
WHERE: New York.
TELEVISION: ESPN.
ODDS FOR TOP PICK: 1. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-66): 25%; 2. New York Knicks (17-65): 19.9%; 3. Philadelphia 76ers (18-64): 15.6%; 4. Lakers (21-61): 11.9%; 5. Orlando Magic (25-57): 8.8%; 6. Sacramento Kings (29-53): 6.3%; 7. Denver Nuggets (30-52): 4.3%; 8. Detroit Pistons (32-50): 2.8%; 9. Charlotte Hornets (33-49): 1.7%; 10. Miami Heat (37-45): 1.1%; 11. Indiana Pacers (38-44): 0.8%; 12. Utah Jazz (38-44): 0.7%; 13. Phoenix Suns (39-43): 0.6%; 14. Oklahoma City Thunder: 0.5%.
Staff writer Mike Bresnahan contributed to this report.
