Detroit Wins NBA Draft Lottery, Complete Order

Cade Cunningham can begin looking for real estate in the Motor City. The Detroit Pistons came away as Tuesday night’s big winners in the NBA Draft lottery, landing the first overall pick and the chance to snag Cunningham. The Oklahoma State product is widely considered the safest NBA draft prospect since Zion Williamson in 2019. Rounding out the top five in what is considered a talent-rich draft are Houston, Cleveland, Toronto, and Orlando.

This year's draft will be held on Thursday, July 29th. The complete draft lottery order is as follows:

1) Detroit Pistons

2) Houston Rockets

3) Cleveland Cavaliers

4) Toronto Raptors

5) Orlando Magic

6) Oklahoma City Thunder

7) Golden State Warriors

8) Orlando Magic

9) Sacramento Kings

10) New Orleans Pelicans

11) Charlotte Hornets

12) San Antonio Spurs

13) Indiana Pacers

14) Golden State Warriors

 

After Cunningham, some combination of USC center Evan Mobley, Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs, G Leaguer Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, also of the G League is likely to round out the initial five selections. In his lone season at Oklahoma State, Cunningham averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 43.8%. The former Cowboy is listed as a 6’8 guard and has the size and versatility to fit any style of play.

Winning the lottery is a much needed shot in the arm for a Pistons franchise that has generated little excitement of late. They finished the 2021 season with the second worst record in the league (20 – 52), trailing only the tanking Rockets (17 – 55).

This marks the first time Detroit has held the top pick since 1970, when the Pistons drafted Hall of Famer Bob Lanier.