The final order of the 2016 NBA Draft is set. The Philadelphia 76ers won the lottery and the Los Angeles Lakers nabbed the second pick with the Boston Celtics jumping into the third spot.
NBA Draft Lottery 2016 results: 76ers will pick 1st, Lakers 2nd
Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram lead the 2016 draft class, the 76ers will have their choice between the two with the first pick.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Because they had the worst record in the NBA, the 76ers had a 25 percent chance at grabbing the top spot, while the Lakers had a 19.9 percent chance of winning the pick. The Boston Celtics had a 15.6 percent chance at the top pick because they own the rights to the Brooklyn Nets' pick.
It could have been a rough night for the Lakers. By winning a top-three spot, the Lakers avoided losing their 2016 pick -- had it dropped below three, the 76ers would have taken over rights to the pick. The Lakers traded a top-three protected pick to the Phoenix Suns for Steve Nash in 2012. That pick ended up going to the 76ers in the trade that sent Michael Carter-Williams to the Milwaukee Bucks and Brandon Knight to Phoenix. It's safe for this year, at least.
Here’s the full draft order:
2016 NBA Draft
1. Philadelphia 76ers
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Boston Celtics
4. Phoenix Suns
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Orlando Magic
12. Utah Jazz
13. Phoenix Suns (via Wizards)
14. Chicago Bulls
15. Denver Nuggets (via Rockets)
16. Boston Celtics (via Mavericks)
18. Detroit Pistons
19. Denver Nuggets (via Trail Blazers)
20. Indiana Pacers
21. Atlanta Hawks
23: Boston Celtics
24. Philadelphia 76ers (via Heat)
26. Philadelphia 76ers (via Thunder)
27. Toronto Raptors
28. Phoenix Suns (Via Cavaliers)
* * *
Why the Lakers kept their high draft pick
See More:
