Atlanta Hawks Shockingly Nab No. 1 Overall Pick in NBA Draft Lottery

The Atlanta Hawks defied all odds to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, marking their first top pick since 1975.

The Atlanta Hawks have emerged as the improbable victors of the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, securing the No. 1 overall pick despite having a mere 3% chance of winning it. This historic moment marks the Hawks' first top pick since 1975, when they selected David Thompson, a five-time All-Star and NBA Hall of Famer.

The Draft Lottery, established in 1985, assigns the top picks to teams based on their regular season records, with the worst teams having the highest chances of winning. In a stunning twist of fate, the Atlanta Hawks, who finished the season with a respectable 42-40 record, defied the odds and leapfrogged teams with far worse records.

The Detroit Pistons, who owned the league-worst 14-68 record, and the Washington Wizards, with a 14% chance of winning the top pick, were left in disbelief as the Hawks' name was called first. The Pistons, despite having the worst record in the league for two consecutive seasons, were awarded the No. 5 pick, while the Wizards fell to the No. 2 spot.

Hawks general manager Landry Fields was visibly overjoyed when his team's name was announced, likely still processing the team's improbable victory. The Hawks now have the coveted opportunity to select the player they believe to be the best overall prospect in the draft.

While last year's draft featured the exceptional Victor Wembanyama, this year's draft class does not have a clear consensus top pick. French small forward Zaccharie Risacher, center Alexandre Sarr, and UConn standout center Donovan Clingan are among the leading candidates.

The top 10 draft order now stands as follows:

1. Atlanta Hawks

2. Washington Wizards

3. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn Nets)

4. San Antonio Spurs

5. Detroit Pistons

6. Charlotte Hornets

7. Portland Trail Blazers

8. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors)

9. Memphis Grizzlies

10. Utah Jazz

The 2024 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on June 20, 2024, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Atlanta Hawks will have the honor of making the first selection, a decision that will undoubtedly shape the future of their franchise.