Sixers assured of top-8 spot in draft
The team has guaranteed itself one of the league's five worst records.
The 76ers are assured of getting a top-eight pick in the NBA draft lottery on May 16.
That's because they will conclude the season with one of the five worst records after Wednesday's finale against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Sixers and Orlando Magic are tied for the league's fourth-worst mark at 28-53. The Knicks (30-51) have the sixth-worst mark.
So the Sixers can't tie the Knicks in the standings.
The Sixers would finish with sole possession of the fourth-worst mark - and, at worst, the seventh pick - with a loss and a Magic victory over the Detroit Pistons. They would finish fifth with a victory and an Orlando loss.
The Sixers would remain tied with the Magic if both teams win or lose on Wednesday. In that scenario, they would split the 207 lottery balls. A coin flip would determine who gets the extra ball. The winner of the coin flip would have a 10.4 percent chance at the top pick and a 33.7 percent chance at a top-three slot. Meanwhile, the loser of the coin flip would have a 10.3 percent chance at the No. 1 pick and a 33.4 percent at a top-three slot.
The Sixers would have an 11.9 percent chance at the top pick and a 37.8 percent chance at a top-three slot if they finish in sole possession of the fourth-worst record. Finishing in sole possession of the fifth-worst mark would give them an 8.8 percent chance at the top pick and a 29.1 percent chance at a top-three choice.
Because of trades in 2015, the Sixers could still get the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick and will have the right to swap first-rounders with the Sacramento Kings.
But nothing is guaranteed.
The Lakers will keep their pick if it falls within the top three selections at the lottery. In that scenario, the Sixers would get Los Angeles' pick next season. For now, the Lakers (25-55 as of Monday) have a 46.9 percent chance of keeping their pick because they have the third-worst record.
Swapping picks with the Kings would only benefit the Sixers if Sacramento finishes with a higher lottery pick. But Sacramento went into Tuesday's game against the Phoenix Suns tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the seventh-worst record at 31-49. Assuming they remain that way, the Kings would have at best a 3.6 percent chance at the top pick and 12.7 percent chance of being in the top three.
Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.