Net gain: The Brooklyn Pick movin' on up for Cavaliers
Don't look now, fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the subject talked about more than perhaps any other this season -- The Brooklyn Pick (and it's being capitalized because those of us here at Amico Hoops have written those three words together so many times, it's akin to one word) -- is becoming potentially more and more valuable, almost with each passing day.
The Nets' 123-120 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night, combined with the Atlanta Hawks defeating the Phoenix Suns, 113-112, and the Sacramento Kings knocking off the New York Knicks, 102-99, has vaulted The Brooklyn Pick all the way up to No. 4 in terms of the NBA draft lottery.
As the graphic below -- courtesy of tankathon.com -- shows, The Brooklyn Pick entering play Monday night stands a 29.6-percent chance of moving into the top 3 and a 9.0-percent chance of being the top selection.
It doesn't get any easier for Brooklyn, either -- the Nets play at Golden State on Tuesday night and then at Charlotte on Thursday night.
The Cavaliers acquired The Brooklyn Pick, along with Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and a second-round choice of Miami in exchange for Kyrie Irving on Aug. 22.
Cleveland (36-26) will wrap up a five-game homestand against the Detroit Pistons tonight at Quicken Loans Arena before embarking on a six-game road trip.
