Tankathon Reverse Standings: Pistons Close to Securing Top Odds with Rockets, Spurs in Tow

The end of the 2022-23 NBA season is in sight. For some, that means the postseason is nigh. For others, it brings the relief that can only come with a sub-20-win season.

With just a few games left on the schedule, teams are close to locking in their 2023 NBA Draft odds. Here are the current reverse standings, as well as a Tankathon spin to see where prospects could land:

1. Detroit Pistons, 16-58

Now 2.5 games ahead of the next team with just eight games remaining on the schedule, the Detroit Pistons are close to locking in the top overall odds for the 2023 NBA Draft.

It would take a monumental stretch of wins for another team, most likely the Rockets, to regain the top odds. And Detroit simply doesn’t have the talent to contend for wins currently.

It’s been a tough season for Detroit, who lost star Cade Cunningham to injury early on. But securing the top odds, landing them no lower than fifth and giving them a 14 percent chance at No. 1 and Victor Wembanyama, likely feels worth it for the front office and fans alike.

2. Houston Rockets, 18-57

The Rockets held the league’s worst record for a long stretch, but saw a recent stretch of wins that had them dethroned for the top odds.

The internal development from Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and others has been great, but the front office likely doesn’t want to cede any draft positioning at this point.

Houston will in the least be locked into the top three, and only needs to fend off the San Antonio Spurs for the second-best 2023 odds.

3. San Antonio Spurs, 19-56

Now 5.5 games ahead of the Charlotte following the Hornets’ back-to-back wins over Dallas, the Spurs are all but locked into top-three 2023 Draft odds.

They’re just one full game back from Houston, and for the most part are rolling out a lesser product. They face a tough late-season slate and could finish winless in their remaining seven games (Portland being the outlier).

There’s a chance they’ll contend for the second-best odds. Likely the only thing they’re left looking at this regular season.

4. Charlotte Hornets, 25-51

5. Orlando Magic, 32-43

6. Portland Trail Blazers, 32-42

7. Washington Wizards, 33-42

8. Indiana Pacers, 33-42

9. Utah Jazz, 35-39

10. Dallas Mavericks, 36-39

11. Chicago Bulls, 36-38

T12. Oklahoma City Thunder, 37-38

T12. Toronto Raptors, 37-38

T12. Los Angeles Lakers, 37-38

T12. Atlanta Hawks, 37-38

Tankathon Spin — March 27, 2023

1. Dallas Mavericks: Victor Wembanyama, Metropolitans 92

2. Detroit Pistons: Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite

3. Orlando Magic: Brandon Miller, Alabama

4. Charlotte Hornets: Amen Thompson, G League Ignite

5. Houston Rockets: Jarace Walker, Houston

6. San Antonio Spurs: Cam Whitmore, Villanova

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Ausar Thompson, G League Ignite

8. Indiana Pacers: Keyonte George, Baylor

9. Washington Wizards: Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas

10. Utah Jazz: Anthony Black, Arkansas

11. Orlando Magic (from Chicago): Cason Wallace, Kentucky

12. New Orleans Pelicans (from Los Angeles): Jett Howard, Michigan

13. Oklahoma City Thunder: Gradey Dick, Kansas

14. Toronto Raptors: GG Jackson, South Carolina

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