How the NBA's 'Coin Flip' Solidified Oklahoma City's Draft Position

The NBA drew at random to resolve lottery tiebreakers on Monday afternoon, and Oklahoma City was on the losing-end. Both the Thunder and the Chicago Bulls finished the season with a 40-42 record, sneaking into the play-in conference and losing the second of two elimination games.

After the NBA’s selection process, it was announced that the Bulls won the tiebreaker, locking in the 11th-best odds for the draft lottery. Consequentially, Oklahoma City is now penciled in at No. 12 on the draft board. There’s still a chance for both teams to miraculously jump into the top four, with Chicago now having a slight edge.

The Chicago Bulls have won the tiebreaker over the OKC Thunder.

Thunder will head into the lotto with the 12th-best odds.
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) April 17, 2023

Oklahoma City now holds an 8% chance at a top-four selection and a 1.7% chance at the No. 1 overall pick. Chicago, who jumped the Thunder on Monday, locked in an 8.5% chance at a top-four selection and a 1.8% chance at the No. 1 pick. The difference in odds is certainly minuscule.

If the Thunder does indeed land where anticipated, there's certainly a chance for more good fortune. Over the last ten years in Oklahoma City, Sam Presti has made the most of the No. 12 selection.

First, in 2013, the Thunder snagged Steven Adams in the backend of the lottery with the 12th pick. Adams has had an impressive NBA career, spending the bulk of it as a fan favorite in Oklahoma City. Then, just last summer, the Thunder struck gold at No. 12 with current rising star Jalen Williams.

The Thunder have a 85.2% chance at ending with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft

Their history there: pic.twitter.com/ucAzEWtVzo
— TF (@ThunderFocus) April 17, 2023

This could very well be the last time Oklahoma City's own pick ends up in the lottery for a long time. The Thunder have plenty of draft capital accumulated to move up if that's the desired direction.

The NBA draft lottery is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16.

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