Lottery Has Been Won, Now the Story Lines

The New Jersey Nets were the favorite to win the NBA draft lottery last night, shockingly they did not win.

Once it came down to the last three teams; New Jersey, Washington and Philadelphia, on Twitter (@DBerov) I predicted a huge twist in the Nets not winning the lottery or even getting the #2 pick. I said it would play out like this 1. Washington, 2. Philadelphia, 3. New Jersey, and I was spot on.

Not only is this a huge smack in the face of the New Jersey Nets but this raises tons of questions as to who will go where.

Everyone knows John Wall is the #1 player in the draft and the Wizards have come out and said they will be drafting Wall with the first pick.

Next would be Evan Turner followed by Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins, Wes Johnson, Greg Monroe and so on.

With the Wizards taking Wall the big question becomes what do the 76ers do?

If they draft Evan Turner there becomes a huge jam at the 2/3 position. With Andre Iguadala, Thaddeus Young and Jrue Holiday bringing in Turner means they would have to deal one of them.

That being said the 76ers should trade the #2 pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the #5 and something else.

Minnesota is actively trying to get the #2 pick according to sources. Maybe we see a Ricky Rubio and the #5 for the #2 pick, something to think about certainly.

Then the Nets pick at #3 where things get dicey. They have Brook Lopez at center and will potentially pick up Chris Douglas Roberts' contract. With Terrance Williams playing the 2/3 spot and Harris at point guard the Nets need another big man next to Lopez or a 2 guard. I'd say the Nets draft big man and take Favors or Cousins, although I think it makes more sense to get Cousins because I feel he is more well rounded right now. A nice little shocker might be if we see the Nets go with a shooter and take Wes Johnson.

The rest is really a crap shoot. The Kings at #5 are talking about taking a big man because they are not sold on Jason Thompson. There are talks as well of the Kings taking Wes Johnson.

Many Warriors fans I have spoken to are heart broken over their draft spot, that team is in a world of hurt and needs a lot of help. The Pistons at #7 will likely go big man potentially Al-Farouq Aminu or Ekpe Udoh. The Clippers who are hoping Blake Griffen actually plays next year need help at the 2 spot. The Jazz will go big and probably go with Greg Monroe, Cole Aldrich or Ed Davis. The Pacers round out the top 10 and have many ways they can go. They need a point guard but there aren't any worthy of being picked that high, they could go big and help out Troy Murphy. We will see...

All I know is the NBA Draft is regarded by some as a weak draft, and I completely disagree. Following this draft class very closely over the last year, I have seen many of these kids play and I feel we have a bunch of very good players in the making.

The 2010 NBA draft will take place on June 24th.