Shoot me now, please. The Sixers may be only 1.5 games ahead of the Lakers for the #1 slot after tonight. Lakers trending down and Sixers trending up.
A Phoenix win tonight does help the Nets pick, but I will be truly devastated if the Lakers end up tanking successfully -- again. Remember, they are the only team in last year's draft to move UP in draft position on draft night. It's small solace that they passed on Porzingus (though they probably would have got him by default had they remained in the 4 position).
Lakers will begin next year with Russell, Randle and Simmons and in 2-3 years they'll have a contender again.