All eyes will be on the Jazz/Grizzlies and Lakers/Rockets games on Wednesday night, as Utah and L.A. battle for a playoff spot, but another less glamorous race has gone down to the wire as well. The Bobcats and Magic are tied for the NBA's worst record at 20-61, and will each play their 82nd game on Wednesday night. Charlotte has the easier matchup on paper, hosting the Cavs, but many of the Heat's key players are unlikely to see much or any playing time against the Magic in Miami.
If both teams lose (or win), they would each receive about a 22.5% chance at the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery. If one loses and the other wins, the loser would have a 25% chance at the top pick, while the winner would have 19.9% odds.
As we keep on eye on the NBA's reverse standings, here are a few other Tuesday notes related to the draft:
- Michigan prospects Glenn Robinson III and Tim Hardaway Jr. are moving closer to turning pro, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times (via Twitter).
- ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reports (via Twitter) that Myck Kabongo of Texas has signed with Rich Paul's Klutch Sports Group, which also represents LeBron James, among other NBAers.
Earlier updates:
- Oregon State's Eric Moreland declared for the draft last month, but didn't hire an agent, which allowed him to withdraw his name before today's NCAA deadline. According to the school, he has done just that, and will return to Oregon State for his junior season.
- Isaiah Sykes of Central Florida has also withdrawn his name from draft consideration in advance of today's deadline, as first reported by Paul Tenorio of the Orlando Sentinel. The junior guard later confirmed the news himself on Twitter.
- Emiliano Carchia of Sportando passes along a Spanish report indicating that international prospect Alex Abrines is expected to declare for this year's draft. The young Spaniard is ranked second among 1993-born international prospects by Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com, and had been projected as a potential first-rounder for 2014 by Givony.
- If the Bobcats are able to land the first overall pick this June, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer likes Nerlens Noel as a fit for the team.