NBA DRAFT LOTTERY GT, 12 MAY 2025, 6 PM CT, CHICAGO, ESPN

[League Circles]

What do you mean by "made an effort to maximize their pick?"

Ask the players to slack off?

Make some specific trade that was on the table that they didn't?

Ask Billy to throw games?

They didn’t have to do any of that. The Bulls tried to win every game with a playoff like intensity. If they just did what other teams did (Rest guys, reduce minutes for their best player, ex White) and not try to beat up on teams that weren’t competing like them it would have kept them at around 8.

8th pick could mean the difference in drafting Malauch or KJ instead of CMB, Denim or Newell.

Yep, I just don't see that as a big deal personally. I'm just not thrilled with any of them.

[Dan Z]

They didn’t have to do any of that. The Bulls tried to win every game with a playoff like intensity. If they just did what other teams did (Rest guys, reduce minutes for their best player, ex White) and not try to beat up on teams that weren’t competing like them it would have kept them at around 8.

8th pick could mean the difference in drafting Malauch or KJ instead of CMB, Denim or Newell.

I don't see much difference. Sadly, post combine, I could easily see both Queen and Maluach being available at 12.

I think KJ/Malauch both have more upside than CMB, Denim or Newell, but someone good at 12 will be available. It's a matter of finding out who that is. I don't think it'll be as apparent as Matas was last year.

[Am2626]

There's no moral right or wrong here. We aren't trying to solve a human rights crisis or global warming. People can pay for and enjoy whatever they want. It's certainly time for you to stop paying for it (based on your views), but the next person that enjoyed basketball as a kid and wants to take their kids to the game and have them see the United Center and enjoy Benny the Bull might have a really different motivation than you.

Every time I read one of these "everybody must boycott the Bulls" posts, my first thought is "these people must not have kids."

I don't know how people with kids can even afford games these days. Tickets, parking, concessions gonna run a family of 4 a solid $300

I have kids and I’ve actually taken them to the Family Night games, have sat in the section where Benny the Bull pours popcorn etc. Yes it can be a fun outing for kids but Chicago offers a lot of fun things for kids to do. And yes it is expensive. I’d be willing to pay to go but this is a joke and I’m done giving them my money. The last game I went last year the game was so lopsided I decided to watch an NFL game on my phone that had a bunch of my fantasy players playing. This was early in the year so teams were actually competing so obviously the Bulls were getting blown out.

[othawhitemeat]

The rigged thing is always hard for me to get fully behind, because then Chicago, NY, and LA would have won so many more lotteries over the years.

Take out the lottery. Which team is a bigger market - 06 Miami Wade Heat or the Mavericks - Dwade free throw attempts? 02 Lakers vs Kings - obviously Lakers in this, but the gaem was rigged for Kobe/Shaq. I am saying they are selective on what they do. For example 2011 Bulls vs Heat - Bulls much larger market but the Heat got many calls due to the ultimate superteam. Think it would be a lesser issue if not for the extremely shady trade of Luka to Lakers, or just what they got in return for Luka. Literally know one else makes the worst superstar trade in history of sports like that. At least 15-20 teams would have made better offers to the Mavs while getting them a defender and many more draft picks.

[Dominator83]

Every time I read one of these "everybody must boycott the Bulls" posts, my first thought is "these people must not have kids."

I don't know how people with kids can even afford games these days. Tickets, parking, concessions gonna run a family of 4 a solid $300

I have kids and I’ve actually taken them to the Family Night games, have sat in the section where Benny the Bull pours popcorn etc. Yes it can be a fun outing for kids but Chicago offers a lot of fun things for kids to do. And yes it is expensive. I’d be willing to pay to go but this is a joke and I’m done giving them my money. The last game I went last year the game was so lopsided I decided to watch an NFL game on my phone that had a bunch of my fantasy players playing. This was early in the year so teams were actually competing so obviously the Bulls were getting blown out.

There's always the windy city Bulls! Similar craptastic basketball for a fraction of the cost

[DropStep]

Listening to Zach Lowe's new podcast. He was in the secret room with the GMs etc. for the lottery ball drawing. All the worst teams had all the low numbers. The balls are numbered 1 through 14, and they draw four balls. Each combination of 4 is assigned to a team.

They draw for the top pick first - Cooper Flagg.

The first ball is a 10. The second ball is a 14. Murmuring. Oh crap, one Wizards guy says to a Jazz guy. This isn't good. The third ball is an 11. Everything is on the table at that point - there's 20-30 seconds where almost anyone can still win, and everyone is just sitting there in shock at all the high numbers.

If the last ball is a 1, the Wizards get Flagg. If it's a 2, the Jazz win. 3 - Brooklyn wins. 4 - the Raptors get Flagg. If it's a 6, Blazers win. If it's a 7, the Mavs win. 8? The Bulls get Cooper Flagg. 9 - Sacramento wins. If the last ball is a 5, a 12, or a 13, the Spurs win for the second time in three years. (Edit - FriedRise's chart below disagrees and says a 12, and it implies 13, would have gone to Atlanta. Dunno. Looks like maybe SA controls at least one of ATL's picks from a quick google.)

Up comes 7. That's how close we came - 8 vs. 7 on the last ball (in addition to the coin flip.)

The whole room freezes while everyone figures out who won.

He says it's impolite to erupt, but there was just widespread laughter afterward. He goes on to describe the subsequent drama, people trying to shuffle through papers to figure out real time which teams have jumped up or fallen down in the order, etc. (Seems like they could have their IT or data analysis people whip up an app or a spreadsheet to make that easier, but I guess they don't.)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KnSbt5TFItQLS4v2Sq8jK?si=JzlN8b9xQuiSpcdUZazuNw @ 20:22.

[_txchilibowl_]

Clearly Zach Lowe is in on it....

[HomoSapien]

The rigged thing is always hard for me to get fully behind, because then Chicago, NY, and LA would have won so many more lotteries over the years.

Take out the lottery. Which team is a bigger market - 06 Miami Wade Heat or the Mavericks - Dwade free throw attempts? 02 Lakers vs Kings - obviously Lakers in this, but the gaem was rigged for Kobe/Shaq. I am saying they are selective on what they do. For example 2011 Bulls vs Heat - Bulls much larger market but the Heat got many calls due to the ultimate superteam. Think it would be a lesser issue if not for the extremely shady trade of Luka to Lakers, or just what they got in return for Luka. Literally know one else makes the worst superstar trade in history of sports like that. At least 15-20 teams would have made better offers to the Mavs while getting them a defender and many more draft picks.

But we are talking specifically about the lottery. If there's nonsense going on with that system, why allow Wemby to end up in San Antonio? The league never did well when the Spurs won. Why would you want Zion on the Pelicans?

[fleet]

Listening to Zach Lowe's new podcast. He was in the secret room with the GMs etc. for the lottery ball drawing. All the worst teams had all the low numbers. The balls are numbered 1 through 14, and they draw four balls. Each combination of 4 is assigned to a team.

They draw for the top pick first - Cooper Flagg.

The first ball is a 10. The second ball is a 14. Murmuring. Oh crap, one Wizards guy says to a Jazz guy. This isn't good. The third ball is an 11. Everything is on the table at that point - there's 20-30 seconds where almost anyone can still win, and everyone is just sitting there in shock at all the high numbers.

If the last ball is a 1, the Wizards get Flagg. If it's a 2, the Jazz win. 3 - Brooklyn wins. 4 - the Raptors get Flagg. If it's a 6, Blazers win. If it's a 7, the Mavs win. 8? The Bulls get Cooper Flagg. 9 - Sacramento wins. If the last ball is a 5, a 12, or a 13, the Spurs win for the second time in three years.

Up comes 7. That's how close we came - 8 vs. 7 on the last ball (in addition to the coin flip.)

The whole room freezes while everyone figures out who won.

He says it's impolite to erupt, but there was just widespread laughter afterward. He goes on to describe the subsequent drama, people trying to shuffle through papers to figure out real time which teams have jumped up or fallen down in the order, etc. (Seems like they could have their IT or data analysis people whip up an app or a spreadsheet to make that easier, but I guess they don't.)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KnSbt5TFItQLS4v2Sq8jK?si=JzlN8b9xQuiSpcdUZazuNw @ 20:22.

That’s a sure sign of frustration. Does not have to be at the system or the league. The basketball gods

[fleet]

I understand economics fully, I also understand that rich men make money by any means necessary and would rather ask forgiveness then permission.. what happens if there exposed... ? They say it's our produce we run it as we see fit. Make some transparent gestures of apologizes blame it one one Rouge ref.. I mean official then sweep it under the rug.. you think congress is going to revoke there antitrust exemption for it? There are virtually 0 real world repercussions for doing what ever is best for buisness. You can't see the possibility because you don't want too.. and I'm fine with that we can just hope to make the nba great again. And agree to disagree.

I can see the possibility. You want to tell me Patrick Ewing to New York was rigged at a time the league was a fledgling league and would do anything to make it and we were passing out the lottery on envelopes where it could have been trivially rigged. Yeah I can see that. You want to tell me the league put a fix in during Lakers Kings when Mike Bibby got elbowed in the face by Kobe Bryant and htey called the foul on Bibby? I could see that too (in fact, I used to do consulting work for the Kings and I can tell you people who work there believe it).

You want to tell me the lottery now is rigged when the results have been disastrous for the league, and it is audited by a 3rd party and performed by a different 3rd party, and uses lotto based machines? No, that I don't believe. I'm certainly open to the idea of billionaires cheating to make money, but the results do not maximize money.

But generally speaking:
1: The franchises are independently owned. The league rigging LeBron James to Cleveland makes that franchise a billion dollars and screws over the other 29 owners in an an absolutely massive way. Same thing with rigging him anywhere else. All of these rich people you say benefit, do not benefit, exactly one benefits.

2: The way to possibly change that is to rig things in such a way to maximize the national revenue that is shared to all franchises. The facts are that this doesn't happen. In fact, the actual results have not quite been worst case scenario for the NBA, but pretty damn close to it.

3: The arguments that things are rigged has no meaningful economic benefit to anyone. They are based on non-sensical garbage. We're going to give this team a player because we think they did bad in a trade. We're going to put this player in his home town even though that's meaningless economically and has no benefit to the league. Oh San Antonio has had good centers before, let's give them a generational one. They're all flat out stupid reasons.

But sure, you can believe anything. I won't stop you.

The raw possibility of cheating in the NBA Draft Lottery is low but not zero. The system uses a weighted random draw with ping-pong balls, conducted by an independent accounting firm, and is heavily scrutinized with witnesses from teams and media. This setup makes tampering difficult without collusion or sophisticated manipulation, like rigging the machine or balls, which would risk severe reputational and legal consequences.

Still, human systems are fallible. Historical suspicions—like the 1985 "frozen envelope" conspiracy—fuel speculation, though no hard evidence supports it. The NBA's incentive to favor big markets or storylines exists, but the complexity of orchestrating a fix without leaks, combined with oversight, keeps the probability slim. I'd estimate a 5-10% chance of any cheating, mostly due to theoretical vulnerabilities rather than confirmed issues. Data on lottery outcomes shows no clear pattern of bias beyond expected randomness, but skepticism persists because perfect transparency is impossible.

Much higher numbers than I would have guessed it would say. Grok has been screwy though.

[FriedRise]

Read on Twitter

[dougthonus]

The raw possibility of cheating in the NBA Draft Lottery is low but not zero. The system uses a weighted random draw with ping-pong balls, conducted by an independent accounting firm, and is heavily scrutinized with witnesses from teams and media. This setup makes tampering difficult without collusion or sophisticated manipulation, like rigging the machine or balls, which would risk severe reputational and legal consequences.

Still, human systems are fallible. Historical suspicions—like the 1985 "frozen envelope" conspiracy—fuel speculation, though no hard evidence supports it. The NBA's incentive to favor big markets or storylines exists, but the complexity of orchestrating a fix without leaks, combined with oversight, keeps the probability slim. I'd estimate a 5-10% chance of any cheating, mostly due to theoretical vulnerabilities rather than confirmed issues. Data on lottery outcomes shows no clear pattern of bias beyond expected randomness, but skepticism persists because perfect transparency is impossible.

Much higher numbers than I would have guessed it would say. Grok has been screwy though.

ROFL, I wouldn't trust an LLM to do math, they're notoriously bad at it. Ask it for the reasoning behind its answer, would be curious what it would say.
it's stated rationale is already screwy, it shows no evidence of cheating but thinks there is a 5-10% chance cheating is occurring based on theoretical possibilities. FWIW, here is chatGPT O3 (advanced reasoning model)'s take. I haven't used grok a ton to get a great feel for it though.

Also, FWIW, if lotto style machines were that easy to hack, people would be hacking the megamillions left and right.

Short answer: Vanishingly small.
Long answer:

Why the fresh chatter?
Yesterday (May 12, 2025) the Dallas Mavericks leapt from a 1.8 % chance to the No. 1 pick, just weeks after their blockbuster Luka Dončić trade. The coincidence sent social media into over-drive with “rigged!” memes—LeBron joined in with a shrug emoji—but this is hardly new
news
Yahoo Sports
.

How the lottery actually works
Fourteen numbered ping-pong balls are tumbled in a clear machine.

Four balls are drawn, creating 1,001 possible combinations; 1,000 are assigned to teams based on their weighted odds.

This draw is run three times to set picks 1-4.

The remainder of the order is simply worst-to-best record.

Inside the room are an independent accounting firm (typically Ernst & Young), NBA Security, a handful of invited media, and one representative from each lottery team. Everyone’s phones are confiscated until the TV reveal airs a few minutes later
ESPN.com
Wikipedia
.

“Couldn’t they still fake it?”
To rig the lottery you’d need at least:

The league office.

The external auditors. They would have to falsify sworn affidavits.

All 14 team reps. Many are lawyers or high-level executives whose own franchises might be harmed.

Media witnesses. They sit feet from the machine and receive the raw combinations.

That is a 20-plus-person conspiracy with huge career-ending downside for each participant and very little upside—because the NBA’s popularity already rests on the perception of genuine competition. One whistle-blower and the league’s reputation (and franchise values) crater.

Historical fuel for the myth
1985 “frozen/bent envelope” theory that sent Patrick Ewing to New York; still unproven after 40 years
Bleacher Report
.

Orlando’s 1.52 % miracle in 1993, Cleveland’s two wins in four years, and now Dallas 2025. Improbable events happen because the lottery is designed to allow them—that’s the deterrent to tanking.

Putting a number on it
No formal study can produce a precise probability, but we can sanity-check:

Chance of any one low-odds team jumping to No. 1 ≈ 12 % each year (the sum of long-shot odds). An eyebrow-raising result is expected every few seasons.

Chance the NBA successfully orchestrates and hides a multi-party fraud for 40 years in the era of smartphones, leaks, and FOIA requests? Reasonable analysts peg that well below 1 in 1,000—far less than a tenth of one percent.

Bottom line
The NBA lottery looks sketchy because the actual drawing is off-camera and the outcomes occasionally defy expectation—exactly what a probabilistic system will do. But when you examine the layered safeguards and perverse incentives, the odds that the league is secretly scripting the results are astronomically lower than the odds of a team with 1.8 % lucking into Cooper Flagg.

[fleet]

Grok’s reasoning apparently assumed I thought it had a low estimate LOL

- What is the reasoning behind those estimated chances?

The 5-10% estimated chance of cheating in the NBA Draft Lottery is based on a combination of structural, historical, and human factors, balanced against the safeguards in place. Here’s the reasoning:

1. **Structural Safeguards (Lowers Likelihood)**: The NBA Draft Lottery is designed to minimize tampering. It’s run by an independent accounting firm (Ernst & Young or similar), uses a physical random draw with ping-pong balls, and is overseen by team representatives, media, and league officials. The process is audited, and the draw occurs in a secure, observed setting. These layers make covert manipulation—like altering ball weights or rigging the machine—technically challenging and detectable. The NBA also publicly releases the exact combination of numbers drawn, allowing some post-hoc verification. This robust setup suggests a low probability of cheating, as it would require significant coordination or insider compromise.

2. **Human and Incentive Factors (Raises Possibility)**: Despite safeguards, no system is immune to human interference. The NBA, as a business, benefits from compelling narratives (e.g., star players in big markets). While not evidence of cheating, historical outcomes—like the New York Knicks winning the 1985 lottery for Patrick Ewing or the New Orleans Pelicans getting Zion Williamson in 2019—spark suspicion due to their convenience for the league. These coincidences don’t prove foul play but highlight why fans question fairness. Additionally, any system involving people has vulnerabilities: a corrupt official, a bribed auditor, or a subtle mechanical tweak could theoretically go unnoticed. These possibilities, while unlikely, prevent the chance of cheating from being zero.

3. **Historical Context (Informs Range)**: No concrete evidence of NBA lottery cheating exists, but conspiracy theories persist, notably the 1985 “frozen envelope” claim, where the Knicks’ envelope was allegedly marked or cooled for identification. While debunked (envelopes were handled uniformly on video), such stories keep skepticism alive. Statistical analyses of lottery outcomes over decades show no consistent deviation from expected probabilities, but rare outliers (e.g., low-odds teams winning) fuel doubt. The lack of proven scandals suggests cheating is rare, but the absence of perfect transparency leaves room for doubt.

4. **Quantifying the Estimate**: The 5-10% range reflects a subjective balance. The lower bound (5%) accounts for the strong procedural protections and lack of evidence, suggesting cheating is highly improbable but not impossible. The upper bound (10%) acknowledges theoretical vulnerabilities—human greed, league incentives, or undetected technical exploits—and the persistent public skepticism that arises from high-stakes outcomes. A precise number is impossible without internal access, so this range captures the plausible risk based on available information.

In short, the estimate leans low due to rigorous controls but avoids zero because no system is infallible, and the NBA’s history invites speculation. If you want, I can dig into specific lottery data or fan discussions on X for further context.

[dougthonus]

Grok’s reasoning apparently assumed I thought it had a low estimate LOL

- What is the reasoning behind those estimated chances?

The 5-10% estimated chance of cheating in the NBA Draft Lottery is based on a combination of structural, historical, and human factors, balanced against the safeguards in place. Here’s the reasoning:

1. **Structural Safeguards (Lowers Likelihood)**: The NBA Draft Lottery is designed to minimize tampering. It’s run by an independent accounting firm (Ernst & Young or similar), uses a physical random draw with ping-pong balls, and is overseen by team representatives, media, and league officials. The process is audited, and the draw occurs in a secure, observed setting. These layers make covert manipulation—like altering ball weights or rigging the machine—technically challenging and detectable. The NBA also publicly releases the exact combination of numbers drawn, allowing some post-hoc verification. This robust setup suggests a low probability of cheating, as it would require significant coordination or insider compromise.

2. **Human and Incentive Factors (Raises Possibility)**: Despite safeguards, no system is immune to human interference. The NBA, as a business, benefits from compelling narratives (e.g., star players in big markets). While not evidence of cheating, historical outcomes—like the New York Knicks winning the 1985 lottery for Patrick Ewing or the New Orleans Pelicans getting Zion Williamson in 2019—spark suspicion due to their convenience for the league. These coincidences don’t prove foul play but highlight why fans question fairness. Additionally, any system involving people has vulnerabilities: a corrupt official, a bribed auditor, or a subtle mechanical tweak could theoretically go unnoticed. These possibilities, while unlikely, prevent the chance of cheating from being zero.

3. **Historical Context (Informs Range)**: No concrete evidence of NBA lottery cheating exists, but conspiracy theories persist, notably the 1985 “frozen envelope” claim, where the Knicks’ envelope was allegedly marked or cooled for identification. While debunked (envelopes were handled uniformly on video), such stories keep skepticism alive. Statistical analyses of lottery outcomes over decades show no consistent deviation from expected probabilities, but rare outliers (e.g., low-odds teams winning) fuel doubt. The lack of proven scandals suggests cheating is rare, but the absence of perfect transparency leaves room for doubt.

4. **Quantifying the Estimate**: The 5-10% range reflects a subjective balance. The lower bound (5%) accounts for the strong procedural protections and lack of evidence, suggesting cheating is highly improbable but not impossible. The upper bound (10%) acknowledges theoretical vulnerabilities—human greed, league incentives, or undetected technical exploits—and the persistent public skepticism that arises from high-stakes outcomes. A precise number is impossible without internal access, so this range captures the plausible risk based on available information.

In short, the estimate leans low due to rigorous controls but avoids zero because no system is infallible, and the NBA’s history invites speculation. If you want, I can dig into specific lottery data or fan discussions on X for further context.

I asked the same questions to grok, then pushed back on it said it made up 5% because that was a low chance with the prompt: 5% seems very high based on your description of what would need to take place to rig it, then it came back with this:

You’re right—5% does feel high given the layers of oversight and complexity required for rigging. I leaned conservative to account for any theoretical human error or insider collusion, but let’s refine it. The ping-pong ball system, with Ernst & Young auditors, team reps, cameras, and a simple mechanical process, makes undetected tampering extremely difficult. Historically, outcomes track with statistical odds, and no credible evidence of rigging has emerged in 40 years.
For rigging to occur, you’d need:
Multiple insiders (e.g., an NBA official and an auditor) to collude.

Subtle physical tampering (e.g., weighted balls) that evades pre-draw inspections.

Coordination to bypass cameras and team reps without raising suspicion.

A plausible outcome to avoid scrutiny (e.g., a team with decent odds winning).

The logistical hurdles, combined with the NBA’s incentive to avoid a catastrophic scandal, push the likelihood closer to negligible. A more realistic estimate, balancing the near-impenetrable system against the slim chance of human corruption, would be <1%—say, 0.5% or lower. This reflects the extreme unlikelihood while acknowledging that no system is 100% immune to rare, high-stakes misconduct.

Conclusion, grok's numbers are just kind of full of crap, it said 5% initially because it just figured that sounded low. Then I said that doesn't sound low, and it's like you're right, let's just pick a random much lower number

FWIW, chatGPT 03 gave this when forced to put a percentage on it:

If you forced me to slap a single number on it, I’d say about 0.05 %—roughly a 1-in-2,000 chance that the lottery is actually rigged. That figure sits comfortably below the “one-in-a-thousand” threshold most fraud-risk experts use for events requiring a broad, sustained conspiracy, yet still acknowledges that nothing in the real world is 100 % impossible.

[fleet]

That’s so funny. Grok is often a people pleasing sack of goo.

[dougthonus]

That’s so funny. Grok is often a people pleasing sack of goo.

The chatGPT 03 rationale sounded reasonable generally, it quoted fraud experts and seemed to think through the controls and rationales, but I don't take any of the answers too seriously based on the way they are coming up with the answer, but it was a fun thought experiment to ask and push back and see what it said.

[Dominator83]

We have no future unless Matas becomes a high tier star. This sucks.

and even if he does, we don't have anything around him.

[Dominator83]

None of the rigged theories can answer the question:

Why would you rig things to lose money?

Why the hell would the league want Wemby in San Antonio, one of the worst markets in the league? Why would they not put Flagg in Chicago instead of Dallas? Why would they want to prop up the Pelicans vs putting Zion in Chicago or New York that had way better odds?

All of the things you could do that would add billions of dollars of value to the league you're not going to do? If it was ever proven the league rigged the lottery you would lose billions of dollars of value. The league would absolutely tank. You're going to take that risk to LOSE money? It's like cheating on your taxes to pay the government 80% instead of 30%.

I know people love a conspiracy theory, but as I said the rationale is always backwards thinking not forward thinking. Like all the executives in the league got in a room and said we want to direct the NBA to get Wemby in a bottom 5 market in the league and LeBron in a bottom 10 market in the league. If you think of it from a forward perspective, like the rigging committee is sitting down and thinking how are we going to rig the lottery this year, they decide to rig it to do these nonsensical things that minimize money?

Fair enough, Doug - let’s just agree that the Bulls FO is both stupid AND unlucky.

It’s more than that. The organization needs new Ownership. They hired this FO. It’s time for people to stop paying for a bad product.

Yea its been more stupid than unlucky. Gar/pax and AKME combined to get us Wendell Carter & Patrick Williams when they could have gotten us SGA & Haliburton.

Sure we haven't had good lottery luck, but our awful drafting has been more worse than that!

[kodo]

Fair enough, Doug - let’s just agree that the Bulls FO is both stupid AND unlucky.

It’s more than that. The organization needs new Ownership. They hired this FO. It’s time for people to stop paying for a bad product.

Yea its been more stupid than unlucky. Gar/pax and AKME combined to get us Wendell Carter & Patrick Williams when they could have gotten us SGA & Haliburton.

Sure we haven't had good lottery luck, but our awful drafting has been more worse than that!

And I don't even think it's just incompetent drafting...they simply never prioritized talent they prioritzed winning now. They're in perpetual "competitive right now" mode to maximize this season's Ws. AK hasn't changed from Gar or Paxson, 3 straight org heads with the same philosophy just different methods.

Paxson said point blank McDermott was drafted as an older player who fulfilled a need, not the draft pick with the highest potential. He said he also had to draft someone that Thibs would actually play in the rotation.

Patrick was drafted as a defensive specialist because Vuc at center needed a PF defender, and Lauri was the opposite of that. They were looking for a roleplayer, someone like Thad Young or Daniel Theis but younger.

Ultimately it all falls upon ownership and who they hire as the head of the org. If they keep hiring decision makers whose only goal is maximizing the Ws in the current season, there will never be a change in Chicago. Even in the end of season press event when Crowley asked point blank why we aren't rebuilding through the draft, AK said that's a long process and Chicago will be taking shortcuts and not the full process of rebuilding.

[Am2626]

It’s more than that. The organization needs new Ownership. They hired this FO. It’s time for people to stop paying for a bad product.

Yea its been more stupid than unlucky. Gar/pax and AKME combined to get us Wendell Carter & Patrick Williams when they could have gotten us SGA & Haliburton.

Sure we haven't had good lottery luck, but our awful drafting has been more worse than that!

And I don't even think it's just incompetent drafting...they simply never prioritized talent they prioritzed winning now. They're in perpetual "competitive right now" mode to maximize this season's Ws. AK hasn't changed from Gar or Paxson, 3 straight org heads with the same philosophy just different methods.

Paxson said point blank McDermott was drafted as an older player who fulfilled a need, not the draft pick with the highest potential. He said he also had to draft someone that Thibs would actually play in the rotation.

Patrick was drafted as a defensive specialist because Vuc at center needed a PF defender, and Lauri was the opposite of that. They were looking for a roleplayer, someone like Thad Young or Daniel Theis but younger.

Ultimately it all falls upon ownership and who they hire as the head of the org. If they keep hiring decision makers whose only goal is maximizing the Ws in the current season, there will never be a change in Chicago. Even in the end of season press event when Crowley asked point blank why we aren't rebuilding through the draft, AK said that's a long process and Chicago will be taking shortcuts and not the full process of rebuilding.

Organization like the Spurs and OKC know how to build teams that can be competitive for decades. Organizations like the Bulls have to inherit the greatest player to ever play the game to have sustained success or get lucky and cash in on their 1.7% odds to win the lottery. Maybe if Rose didn’t get injured they could have capitalized on their luck. It will never be because of their merit like organizations like the Spurs and OKC have been able to do.