New York Knicks: 2019 NBA Draft Lottery odds for each possible scenario
No. 3: 12.7 percent
Just slightly higher odds than the fourth pick, the New York Knicks clock in at 12.7 percent to claim the third overall pick. It starts to make the potential draft outcomes sound more satisfying, especially if they can snag one of Barrett or Morant here.
Maybe the Knicks have their choices of players, too, if the No. 2 pick shapes up differently, pending who moves into this slot on lottery night.
Of course, the higher the Knicks land, the greater the trade value the pick will have. If they are not content after two players leave the board, this can go towards the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis or another roster upgrade that pushes New York to the 2020 postseason.
Recent history of the third pick has better results, however. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were both terrific picks for the Boston Celtics in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Joel Embiid worked out well for the Sixers in 2014. Bradley Beal and Otto Porter went to Washington in consecutive years.
The success is not guaranteed, but this is a spot that produces quality NBA talents, even dating to this millennium’s first decade, when Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Deron Williams and Al Horford were all chosen this high.
So No. 3 is not a terrible scenario for the Knicks. Maybe not ideal for the fans, but they can find someone worthwhile for the next five to 10 years.