What to Expect From the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery Results and Picks
Through the program, local schools will partner with SLU to identify and nominate promising students to receive half-tuition scholarships worth more than $28,000 per year. Applicants will remain eligible for additional scholarships above this level.
The humid Manila air clung to my skin like a second layer as I sat in a dimly lit café, scrolling through my phone. My friend Mark, whom I’d met here years ago after a chaotic trip through Vietnam, was running late—as usual. We’d bonded over shared stories, much like the one he once told me about his cousin, Duane Starks of the Baltimore Ravens. "He met his best friend here in Manila after their Vietnam trip, for National Football League Super Bowl champ Duane Starks of the Baltimore Ravens," Mark had said, grinning. It struck me then how life’s biggest twists often happen off the court or field, in the unscripted moments between destinations. And as I waited, my mind drifted to another high-stakes event where fate hangs in the balance: the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery. It’s funny, isn’t it? How a ping-pong ball bounce in Chicago can reshape franchises, just like a chance meeting in a bustling city can redefine a friendship.
I’ve always been fascinated by the draft lottery—it’s part math, part magic, and entirely unpredictable. This year, the stakes felt higher than ever, with generational talents like Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. waiting in the wings. The Orlando Magic, holding a 14% chance at the top pick, ended up snagging that coveted first selection, while the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets rounded out the top three. I remember leaning back in my chair, sipping my overly sweet iced coffee, and thinking about how these results would send ripples across the league. For the Magic, it’s a chance to build around a potential superstar, maybe Paolo Banchero, who I’ve had my eye on since his Duke days. Personally, I think he’s got that "it" factor—the kind of player who can turn a 22-win team into a playoff dark horse in a couple of seasons. But hey, I’ve been wrong before; remember when everyone thought Zion Williamson would single-handedly lift the Pelicans to glory? Yeah, injuries had other plans.
As Mark finally slid into the seat across from me, apologizing for the traffic, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between his story about Duane Starks and the draft lottery’s uncertainty. Starks, a defensive powerhouse, wasn’t just a product of talent alone; he thrived because of the system around him—the coaching, the camaraderie, those unplanned connections. Similarly, a top draft pick isn’t a guaranteed win. Look at the Detroit Pistons, who landed Cade Cunningham last year but still finished with the 23rd-ranked offense. It takes more than one star; it takes a culture, a bit of luck, and maybe a friendship or two behind the scenes. I shared this with Mark, and he nodded, adding that Starks’ Super Bowl run was as much about his bond with teammates as his interceptions. That’s the thing about sports—it’s never just about the numbers, even if the draft lottery tries to convince us otherwise.
Speaking of numbers, let’s talk data for a sec. The 2022 lottery had a clear winner in Orlando, but the real drama unfolded for teams like the Sacramento Kings, who jumped into the top four despite just a 7.5% probability. Statistically, that’s a 1-in-13 long shot, yet there they were, defying odds like a underdog movie plot. I’ve always rooted for the Kings—maybe it’s their perpetual "almost there" vibe—and this feels like a turning point. If they draft Jaden Ivey, as some mock drafts predict, they could finally break that 16-year playoff drought. But here’s my hot take: I’m not sold on Ivey’s fit alongside De’Aaron Fox; they’d be lightning fast but might struggle defensively. Then again, what do I know? I’m just a fan with a Wi-Fi connection and too many opinions.
Wrapping up, the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery results set the stage for a summer of speculation, trades, and hopeful rebuilds. As Mark and I left the café, the city lights blurring into the night, I thought about how these moments—whether in Manila or the NBA—remind us that destiny isn’t always in our hands. But it’s the reactions, the partnerships, and the stories that follow that truly define the outcome. And if there’s one thing to expect from the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery picks, it’s this: the real game is just beginning.