8. New York Knicks (9.0% odds for No. 1, 37.2% for the top 4)
The New York Knicks did a very-Knicksy thing to begin the offseason by inking Tom Thibodeau, a win-now coach, to a five-year contract. To put it one way, you don’t bring in Thibs to see a lengthy rebuild through.
Will the Knicks see this pick, along with their two-most intriguing young players in R.J. Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, as trade chips to vault their way back into the playoff picture?
7. Phoenix Suns (3.0% odds for No. 1, 13.9% for the top 4)
The talk of the Bubble, Phoenix has at long last zeroed in on an identity after years of toiling away in the depths of the lottery. The Rubio/Booker/Bridges/Johnson/Ayton lineup was stellar before and after the re-start, and they seem set on being at least respectable in the stacked Western Conference next season.
Getting another promising young piece would boost the upside of this group moving forward and potentially help this team make the playoffs next season.