With the 2013 draft lottery less than two weeks away, no division has less invested in the outcome of the ping-pong balls than the Atlantic — the Celtics, Nets, and Knicks are already locked into their first-round picks, having made the playoffs, while the Sixers and Raptors, at 11th and 12th in the lottery standings, each have less than a 3% chance of jumping into the top three. The Raps have likely already resigned themselves to giving up their pick, since it will be sent to the Thunder unless it lands in the top three.
Here are a few more Wednesday notes out of the Atlantic:
- Discussions between the Nets and Phil Jackson didn't get far, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com, who describes the conversations as "very limited" (Twitter link). Jackson simply wasn't interested in the role the Nets presented, says Shelburne.
- No decisions were announced on Tuesday, but Bryan Colangelo met with the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment brass to discuss the team and Colangelo's future, as Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun writes. Resolution on whether or not the Raptors will pick up Colangelo's 2013/14 option is expected soon.
- Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald breaks down the Celtics' roster position by position, noting that the makeup of next season's team will depend in large part on what happens with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.