PHOENIX SUNS

What a tease: ESPN gives Suns No. 1 pick in NBA Draft Lottery rehearsal

May 14, 2019, 2:16 PM | Updated: 3:03 pm

When the NBA Draft Lottery results roll out Tuesday night on ESPN, the television production crew, hosts and analysts will be reacting in real time, so it’s no surprise the network is rehearsing the event hours before the real thing.

It’s adding to fans’ nerves that the network practiced using a made-up order of lottery teams — and that some random human with a cell phone rolling caught the end of the run-through.

In what is certainly a tease of Phoenix Suns fans, the Suns were ESPN’s choice to win the Zion Williamson sweepstakes during the rehearsal. Is it prophetic planning or a jinx?

No, hopeful desert denizens, the lottery drawing hasn’t taken place yet. It will occur about an hour before the first overall pick is announced on live TV, in a room that will be on complete lockdown.

The lottery results will begin broadcasting around 5:30 p.m., and the first overall pick isn’t expected to be announced until close to 6 p.m.

The rehearsal caught on camera does, however, provide a fun way to look at potential outcomes.

In this scenario, the New York Knicks, who like Phoenix have 14% odds of winning, come in with a disappointing fifth overall pick, which is their worst-case scenario. The Cavs have the second-best odds but end up with a shrug-worthy No. 4 pick. The Chicago Bulls perhaps get a fun perimeter player, Ja Morant or R.J. Barrett, to complement their young big-man duo of Wendell Carter and Lauri Markkanen.

Dallas moves up to No. 2, and the thought of pairing Williamson and potential 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic is fun. But in the end, it’s Phoenix slotting Williamson next to Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker.

It’s a fun thought exercise. Now with your mental health in mind, prepare to be disappointed.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

18 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

22 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

What a tease: ESPN gives Suns No. 1 pick in NBA Draft Lottery rehearsal