NBA Draft Lottery winners and losers as Timberwolves get No 1 pick ahead of Warriors

Minnesota Timberwolves won Thursday's NBA Draft Lottery 2020 which was conducted at the league's office in Secaucus, New Jersey. Entering the draft as last season's third-worst team, the Timberwolves will have the first pick at this year's draft, which is slated for Friday, October 25.

As the three teams with the worst record from the previous season, Minessota had the same 14% chance of winning the first pick as the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. While the Warriors landed the No. 2 pick, the Cavs fell outside the top three, getting a No. 5 pick instead. Here's a look at the winners and losers from the NBA Draft Lottery 2020.

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Loser: Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs entered the draft hoping for a top-three pick, if not No. 1. They instead landed the No. 5 pick, which means the most sought after talents will slip right through their fingers. A possibility of a potent trade is also seemingly out of the window, with the No. 5 pick likely to attract fewer suitors. The Cavs won the NBA Draft Lottery in 2014, where they picked current Warriors star, Andrew Wiggins.

Winner: Golden State Warriors

The six-time NBA champions endured a dismal 2019-20 season, albeit for understandable reasons. A year after playing the NBA Finals, the Warriors finished as the worst team last season, registering a poor 15-50 record. Injuries to key men like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson depleted the roster, while the hole left by the departures of Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston meant head coach Steve Kerr had very little options on the bench. D'Angelo Russell was also traded to Minnesota in February.  

The Warriors, still very much a championship side, will have a chance to rebuild in the offseason, with a No. 2 draft pick likely to help their cause. While talented youngsters like Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball are always a possibility, the Warriors will likely use their pick as a makeweight to bring in an established star to the franchise. 

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Loser: Detroit Pistons

The Pistons entered this year's draft lottery with the fifth-best odds and a 42% chance of winning a top-four spot. Instead, the Pistons failed to land even in the top five, falling to No. 7. The Pistons' loss was Charlotte Hornets' gain, who made the biggest jump this year, rising from a No. 8 pick in the pre-lottery odds to snatch a No. 3 overall selection. 

Winner: Minnesota Timberwolves

Winning the draft lottery only the second time in franchise history, the Timberwolves have a real shot at assembling a top side ahead of the upcoming season. Having traded Andrew Wiggins for D'Angelo Russell earlier this year, and with 2015 No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns already on their roster, the Timberwolves could potentially forge a formidable trio this offseason. LaMelo Ball is the current favourite to be the No. 1 pick. However, Minnesota will also be monitoring Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman.

Other takeaways from NBA Draft Lottery 2020

Boston Celtics will enter NBA Draft 2020 with three first-round picks (14th pick from Memphis, their own No. 26 pick and the No. 30 pick from Milwaukee). San Antonio Spurs entered the draft lottery for the first time since 1997, where they drafted Tim Duncan as the No. 1 overall pick. The Spurs landed the No. 11 pick.

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2020 NBA Draft Lottery Results

1. Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Golden State Warriors
3. Charlotte Hornets
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Detroit Pistons
8. New York Knicks
9. Washington Wizards
10. Phoenix Suns
11. San Antonio Spurs
12. Sacramento Kings
13. New Orleans Pelicans
14. Boston Celtics
15. Orlando Magic
16. Portland Trail Blazers
17. Minnesota Timberwolves
18. Dallas Mavericks
19. Brooklyn Nets
20. Miami Heat
21. Philadelphia 76ers
22. Denver Nuggets
23. Utah Jazz
24. Milwaukee Bucks
25. OKC Thunder
26. Boston Celtics
27. New York Knicks
28. Los Angeles Lakers
29. Toronto Raptors
30. Boston Celtics
    
     
31. Dallas Mavericks
32. Charlotte Hornets
33. Minnesota Timberwolves
34. Philadelphia 76ers
35. Sacramento Kings
36. Philadelphia 76ers
37. Washington Wizard
38. New York Knicks
39. New Orleans Pelicans 
40. Memphis Grizzlies
41. San Antonio Spurs
42. New Orleans Pelicans
43. Sacramento Kings
44. Chicago
45. Orlando Magic
46. Portland Trail Blazers
47. Boston Celtics 
48. Golden State Warriors
49. Philadelphia 76ers
50. Atlanta Hawks 
51. Golden State Warriors 
52. Sacramento Kings 
53. OKC Thunder
54. Indiana Pacers
55. Brooklyn Nets 
56. Charlotte Hornets 
57. LA Clippers
58. Philadelphia 76ers 
59. Toronto Raptors
60. New Orleans Pelicans 

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(Image credits: Warrior, Timberwolves Twitter)