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2017 NBA Draft Lottery: 5 scenarios that could impact the Pacers

By Hunter Kuffel

Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Celtics have the best chance to win the NBA Draft Lottery
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Scenario #1: The Celtics get the first pick

The Boston Celtics, via the Brooklyn Nets, have the best odds of winning the NBA Draft Lottery and securing the first overall pick. If those odds play out tonight, you can bet your bottom dollar the Paul George and Jimmy Butler trade rumor mills will kick back into a higher gear than we’ve ever seen. Even our boy Paul Pierce won’t be able to keep up.

It’s not very likely that Danny Ainge would include the first pick (or a stick of gum for that matter) in a potential Paul George deal, especially because George could bolt somewhere else after playing out the last year of his contract. However, the Celtics are on the clock to to decide if they want to go all in before Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley (and Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder) are due for big raises. They might decide they don’t want to wait for Jaylen Brown‘s or Markelle Fultz’s prime, and that’s where the Pacers could come in.

If the Celtics strike it big tonight, Kevin Pritchard will certainly be calling and trying to get his hands on that top pick. Such a feat would be highly unlikely, but crazier things have happened in the NBA, some even this season.

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