The Athletic NBA Daily: Episode Summary Episode Title: NBA Draft Lottery Fallout | Morning Shoot Around
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Hosts: Dave DeFore, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni
Regular Appearances: Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears

1. Introduction to the Draft Lottery Fallout

In this episode of Morning Shoot Around, hosted by Andrew Schlecht alongside Dave DeFore and Esfandiar Baraheni, the discussion centers on the repercussions of the recent NBA Draft Lottery. The hosts delve into how the lottery outcomes affect various teams, especially those in smaller markets struggling to attract star talent.

2. Impact on the Toronto Raptors

The conversation begins with an examination of the Toronto Raptors' position following the draft lottery results.

• Andrew Schlecht expresses skepticism about the Raptors' relevancy:
  "[03:39] They’re like the 28th, 29th most interesting, if we're being honest."

• Esfandiar Baraheni dismisses the significance of their draft position:
  "[03:50] 7 and 9 is not that big of a difference to me."

The hosts agree that missing out on top picks slightly still leaves the Raptors in a challenging spot without substantial gains from the lottery.

3. Conspiracy Theories Surrounding the Lottery

The discussion shifts to the prevalence of conspiracy theories within the NBA, particularly regarding the draft lottery's integrity.

• Dave DeFore laments the lack of trust in the process:
  "[07:10] If I was Adam Silver, I would absolutely rig the lottery every single year."

• Zena Keita adds humor while critiquing the randomness:
  "[06:31] People could believe anything."

The hosts highlight historical instances, such as the "frozen envelope" incident with Patrick Ewing, to illustrate ongoing skepticism about the lottery's fairness.

4. Evaluating Current Draft Picks and Team Strategies

The conversation delves into the effectiveness of recent draft picks and the strategies teams employ to rebuild.

• Esfandiar Baraheni praises teams excelling in scouting minor talents:
  "[15:20] The teams that get out of that, they're the best at pro personnel scouting."

• Dave DeFore discusses the inefficacy of the current system in distributing talent equitably:
  "[14:22] The bottom of the draft has come up closer to the top of the draft."

The hosts debate whether teams should adopt more aggressive tanking strategies to secure higher picks consistently.

5. Alternative Draft Systems and Proposed Reforms

Exploring potential alternatives to the draft lottery, the hosts propose innovative systems that might better serve the league.

• Zena Keita suggests a pitching tournament-like system:
  "[08:53] What if instead of a lottery, they did like these pitches?"

• Dave DeFore introduces the idea of salary scales based on team performance:
  "[09:27] What you could do is a salary scale instead of a draft lottery."

These suggestions aim to reduce randomness and incentivize teams to improve rather than tank.

6. Challenges for Small Market Teams

The episode highlights the inherent difficulties smaller market teams face in attracting and retaining star players.

• Andrew Schlecht emphasizes the lack of a fair mechanism:
  "[10:56] There's no fair and equitable way to get stars to small markets."

• Dave DeFore critiques the inability of teams like the Jazz to compete without significant changes:
  "[42:40] They have to tank. That's the only thing."

The hosts agree that without substantial reform, small market teams will continue to struggle in building competitive rosters.

7. Specific Team Analyses and Trade Scenarios

The discussion moves to detailed analyses of specific teams, including hypothetical trades and their potential impacts.

• Dave DeFore proposes trading Anthony Davis to improve team dynamics:
  "[27:09] I do think that the smart move would be to trade Anthony Davis."

• Zena Keita explores potential trade partners like the Pacers:
  "[28:07] What about AD with the Pacers?"

The hosts debate the feasibility and potential outcomes of such trades, considering team needs and salary cap implications.

8. Playoff Predictions: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets

Shifting focus to the playoffs, the hosts analyze the ongoing series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets.

• Andrew Schlecht praises the competitive nature of the series:
  "[63:19] It is a chess match, back and forth, just punch for punch, great playoff series."

• Dave DeFore critiques Jamal Murray's performance and its impact:
  "[66:24] Jamal Murray just doesn't think he's got it like he should."

• Zena Keita highlights Nikola Jokić's crucial role:
  "[64:35] He was incredible last night."

The hosts discuss the tactical nuances of the series, including defensive strategies and player performances that could determine the outcome.

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts reflect on the need for a committed strategy in team management and the broader implications for the league's future.

• Andrew Schlecht underscores the importance of commitment to a plan:
  "[43:03] Commit to a plan. Because you will die in the middle."

• Dave DeFore reiterates the necessity for teams like the Jazz to adopt aggressive rebuilding:
  "[42:39] Maybe that's the lesson to take here, it’s like, tank harder."

The hosts conclude by emphasizing that without decisive actions and strategic planning, teams will remain stagnant, perpetuating the cycle of mediocrity.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Dave DeFore: "[07:10] If I was Adam Silver, I would absolutely rig the lottery every single year."
• Zena Keita: "[08:53] What if instead of a lottery, they did like these pitches?"
• Andrew Schlecht: "[43:03] Commit to a plan. Because you will die in the middle."
• Dave DeFore: "[42:39] Maybe that's the lesson to take here, it’s like, tank harder."

Key Takeaways:

• Draft Lottery Criticism: The current NBA draft lottery system is widely viewed as flawed, with conspiracy theories undermining its credibility.

• Small Market Struggles: Teams in smaller markets continue to face significant challenges in attracting star talent, perpetuating competitive imbalances.

• Strategic Reforms Needed: Proposed alternatives to the draft lottery, such as pitching systems or salary scales, aim to create a more equitable and strategic approach to team rebuilding.

• Playoff Insights: The ongoing Thunder vs. Nuggets series showcases the importance of player performance and tactical execution in determining playoff outcomes.

• Commitment to Plans: Successful team rebuilding requires a steadfast commitment to long-term strategic plans, avoiding ad-hoc decisions that can derail progress.

This episode provides an in-depth analysis of the NBA's draft lottery aftermath, offering critical insights into team strategies, systemic issues, and the broader landscape of professional basketball.