10. Golden State Warriors (14.0% odds for No. 1, 52.1% for the top 4)
Coming off a “gap-year”, the Golden State Warriors have title aspirations for next season regardless of how the lottery shakes out. I could easily see them drafting based on fit/who can contribute right away instead of long-term upside.
The main question is whether they use this pick (along with the 2021 Timberwolves first-rounder) to go big-game hunting for another star on the trade market.
9. Atlanta Hawks (12.5% odds for No. 1, 48.1% for the top 4)
In Atlanta, everything revolves around Trae Young, and they already have a ready-made cast of young role players surrounding him. It’s reasonable to project the Hawks as a playoff team starting next year, given their aspirations in free agency (enough cap space for at least one max contract) and the state of the Eastern Conference.
This figures to be their last chance to draft this highly, so do they go with the best player available or the cleanest fit with Young?