4. Milwaukee Bucks – Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
The Bucks currently have the best odds of getting the #1 pick, but in this lottery projection, fall not only out of the top pick, but outside of the top 3. Fortunately for them, they are in the midst of the best draft class since 2003, and still get a franchise-changing big man in the process. Embiid’s back injury may worry scouts and GMs, but if he remains healthy, he’ll be the best big man in Milwaukee since Lew Alcindor.
3. Los Angeles Lakers – Dante Exum, G, Australia
I promise you this one the first time I played the lottery, and the Lakers get a top 3 pick. Possibly with the luck of James Worthy, but the Lakers find themselves in the top 3, and everyone in LA rejoices. Somewhat controversially, I have them taking Dante Exum. Exum wants to be a Laker and fills a huge need for them, one that hasn’t seen a full-time starter aside from Derek Fisher for the last 15 years. Exum would be a great addition and could really benefit from learning from Kobe.