As the 23-24 regular season draws to a close, multiple teams are also trying to plan for their future. The Clippers, Thunder, Nuggets and Timberwolves will compete for the final top four picks, and the Suns, Kings, Mavericks and Pelicans in the West will try to hit the top six in the West to ensure that they do not fall into the play-offsThey are also struggling, with striker Wiggins taking a break from the court due to personal family matters and not giving a specific time for his return, but management remains optimistic about his return to the team at the end of the season.
As for the Eastern Conference, the top eight have a clear advantage, while the Hawks, Bulls, Nets and Raptors are vying for the final playoff spot, but a sudden change has caused Toronto to bid farewell to the season early. Raptors player Scottie Barnes suffered a fracture of his third metacarpal in his left hand and has no timetable for his return, but the usual absence depends on the severity of the fracture and will not require surgery for about four weeks, compared to eight weeks. Later, Raptors reporter Josh Lewenberg also said that the team's management is inclined to let Barnes be reimbursed directly for the season, considering that there are six weeks left in the regular season, and they are trying to attack this year's high first-round pick. Combined with the league's current record, the Raptors only need one more loss to finish 6th from the bottom, which is enough for them to operate in the offseason.
As for their decision like this, it is entirely up to the San Antonio Spurs. In the previous deal between the two sides regarding Poeltl, the Raptors management gave the Spurs this summer's first-round pick, but clearly marked the scope of protection as the top 6 picks, which means that as long as the Raptors can get the top 6 picks, then they can take it for themselves. It's just that this operation has no impact on the Spurs, as of now, general manager Wright is competing with the Wizards and Pistons for the top pick, combined with Wembanyama's average of 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, as well as the 2024 draft **, draft quality, maybe trading first-round picks, strengthening the immediate combat power is also a good choice. Then all the pressure is on Raptors general manager Ujiri, and their blind and bold operation may not be satisfactory.
After all, the lottery is all a matter of probability, and the league's sixth-worst record can only show that the probability of the team getting the sixth pick is relatively higher, but there are also gutter incidents, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have won the top pick for two consecutive years. In terms of current standings, the Raptors' 22-38 is the main contender with the Rockets' 26-34 and the Memphis Grizzlies' 20-41. Considering that the Rockets have a good talent on the roster, they may not be so important about the future of the team or even draft picks, but the Memphis Grizzlies are different, their main player is injured, and the pillar of the interior Adams has also been traded to Houston, they urgently need to supplement the interior lineup, as a small ball market, bad social atmosphere, it may be difficult to make it favored by superstars, the only way to complete the reinforcement is to trade, therefore, the value of the first-round pick is self-evident.
It is undeniable that the Grizzlies will hurry up to plan the future of the team for a period of time after that, once they show their determination to swing badly, then the Raptors' wishful thinking may be in vain, and it is possible to end the journey with the league's 7th lowest record, then it is undoubtedly cheaper for the San Antonio Spurs, the No. 3 and No. 7 picks are enough to help the team strengthen, maybe after a season of running-in, they are expected to rise next season, and Wembanyama will also complete the evolution again.