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NBA Draft 2017: Lakers, Suns, and Nets all vying for lottery position

By Keith Rivas

Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the second half of a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the second half of a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) talks to an official during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center. Boston won 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) talks to an official during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center. Boston won 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Brookyln Nets

Final Stretch Prediction: 3-6 | Final Record Prediction: 19-63

Brooklyn isn’t having a good season by any measure, and they’re going to be paying the price. Because of previous deals made involving the Celtics, the Nets won’t get their first round pick this year.

Instead, the Celtics will reap the benefits of whatever record the Nets end up having.

The Lakers hope that the Nets don’t end up with the top overall pick, although they’ll have to make whatever position they get work. It’s not really up to them, in the end.

In their final nine games, which start Tuesday, the Nets could go 3-9 and finish just shy of 20 wins. They play both Philadelphia and Chicago twice while also playing Orlando, Detroit, Atlanta, and Boston.

The Celtics could end up with the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the top draft pick this summer — that’s bad news for the conference if they were thinking LeBron James and the Cavaliers weren’t going to be pushed out as soon as they are.

However, if Brooklyn somehow gets determined, they could go on a tear to close things off.

Wouldn’t make much sense, based on the rest of their season, but hey, it could happen.

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