NBA settles draft tiebreakers, including Cavs, Jazz, Knicks

The NBA settled a handful of draft order questions on Monday, breaking ties among teams with identical records ahead of the lottery.

According to an official release, the league conducted random drawings to determine positioning, with the results carrying some real implications depending on protections and prior trades.

Let’s run through what matters.

The Jazz won their tiebreaker with the Kings, landing at No. 4 while Sacramento sits at No. 5. That is significant. Utah’s pick is guaranteed to fall in the top eight, which means its obligation to the Thunder is wiped out.

The Pelicans edged the Mavericks for No. 7, giving them one extra lottery combination. It is a small edge, though in lottery terms, every bit counts. That pick is also tied up in conditions. It will go to the Hawks if it is more favorable than Milwaukee’s, or to the Bucks if not.

Further down the board, the Suns came out on top of a three-team tie with the 76ers and Magic, settling in at No. 16. That pick is headed to the Grizzlies. Philadelphia’s selection goes to Oklahoma City, while Orlando’s will be sent to the Charlotte Hornets.

A couple of other notes. The Raptors landed ahead of Atlanta at No. 19, while the Rockets finished in front of the Cavaliers at No. 22. Cleveland will pick 23rd, with that selection owed to Atlanta. The Knicks also won their tiebreaker over the Los Angeles Lakers for No. 24.

One wrinkle to keep in mind. While these results set the first-round order, the second round flips for tied teams. So the club that picks later in the first round will move ahead in the second.

There is also still some movement to come. For lottery teams with identical records, second-round positioning will not be finalized until the lottery itself plays out.

In other words, the board is taking shape, but it is not fully set just yet.