2022 NBA Draft Lottery: 3 results Timberwolves should be rooting for

The NBA Lottery is now just hours away. For NBA Lottery teams, fans have no doubt spun the Tankathon Sim Lottery simulator to reassure themselves that their team can in fact have a chance at the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. But what about the non-lottery teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves. Do T-Wolves fans have any reason to be concerned about the NBA lottery?

Well, the answer to that question is yes.

The NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled for 7:00 pm CT and is the make-or-break moment of at least one NBA franchise who is blessed with the top overall pick.  While the Minnesota Timberwolves will not be impacted directly by the way the lottery balls drop, they do face an indirect impact. The Timberwolves have two Northwest Division teams who are involved in the NBA Lottery.

So while I’m not lobbying to boo or troll either team, a bit of quiet wishing would not be such a bad idea.

First:  Oklahoma City Thunder to fall out of a Top-5 pick

Right now, the Oklahoma City Thunder holds a 48.1 percent chance at a Top-4 draft pick and a 12.5 percent chance at the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. The natural draft order of the Thunder right now is to pick fourth, and based upon how other teams select, the Thunder could still land a Tier 2 player at that spot.

But outside of the Top-5, the pickings get a bit slimmer. Bad for the Thunder is good for the Timberwolves.

Second: Portland Trail Blazers to stay out of a Top-5 pick

Right now, the Portland Trail Blazers hold a 37.2 percent chance at a Top-4 draft pick and a nine percent chance at the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. The natural draft order of the Trail Blazers is to pick sixth, and based upon how other teams select, they would be hard-pressed to land a Tier 2 player there.

As long as the Trail Blazers remain outside of the Top-5, the pickings will be slim. Like the Thunder, bad for the Trail Blazers is good for the Timberwolves.

Third: Houston Rockets to win first overall pick

Okay, so why root for the Houston Rockets to win the first overall pick? Well, two reasons. First, they are the worst team in the NBA and for good reason, The Houston Rockets have been picked clean. So any infusion of talent for the 2022-23 season won’t move their needle much.

But more than that, the Rockets’ shopping list aligns with the needs of both the Thunder and Trail Blazers. So by choosing ahead of both teams, the Rockets lessen the chances of either subsequent team landing a solid player.

There will be plenty of time to analyze the NBA Draft for the Minnesota Timberwolves.