File – Orlando Magic head coach Jamal Mosle. Sarah Steer / Getty Images / AFP
The Orlando Magic will be the first pick in next month’s NBA Draft after winning the league lottery on Tuesday.
Orlando, who finished just below the Eastern Conference standings with 22 wins against 60 defeats, won the first round ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.
The Thunder finished 14th in the Western standings, ahead of Houston, who recorded the league’s worst regular season at 20-62.
The rocket draft will be the third pick before the fourth-ranked Sacramento.
“Fans. Organization. It’s very exciting.… It’s going to be special.” – Jamal Mosle
: ESPN pic.twitter.com/KiFtYeQhXk
– Orlando Magic (rOrlandoMagic) May 18, 2022
The Detroit Pistons (23-59) are fifth from the Indiana pacers (25-57).
The lottery draw saw Orlando Dwight top the draft for the first time since 2004, choosing Howard.
Magic was the first choice back-to-back in 1992 and 1993 when Shakil O’Neill and Chris Weber were chosen.
The first-round draft pick of the crisis-ravaged Los Angeles Lakers will not be picked.
The New Orleans went to the Pelicans as part of the Lakers’ selection deal which saw Anthony Davis move to the Lakers in 2019.
The 2022 draft was held on 23 June.
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