Tonight is the day the Utah Jazz and their fans have all been waiting for, dating all the way back to last October: the NBA Draft lottery. The Jazz could wind up with prized prospect Cooper Flagg if things go their way, but they should have no regrets even if they don't.
The Jazz did everything they could to get their hands on Cooper Flagg, and even so, their odds are far from overwhelming tonight. There's a very strong chance they don't end up with him, but no one in the NBA has a strong chance thanks to the revised lottery odds.
It's why everyone will be on pins and needles, as whichever team gets Flagg could change their franchise's fortunes for over a decade. There doesn't really need to be much elaboration on why. If that team's not the Jazz, as heartbreaking as it is, the team should not feel guilty for going the tanking route this season.
Tanking is not fun to watch in real time, but there's always an upside: the bad teams get their hands on their next franchise player in the making. Even oif constantly losing can make the season feel so long. that's better than being a team that regularly makes the playoffs but has no hope of going on a real, substantial playoff run.
In the Jazz's case, this season was a better alternative to the last two seasons, where not knowing where they were going shot them in the foot in the end, as they didn't make the playoffs or get a high lottery pick for their troubles.
To further emphasize the point, this draft class is loaded with multiple players who may not project to be the same player Flagg is, but could be the franchise player the Jazz have lacked for the last few years. Flagg is the target, but no one's losing that much sleep if Utah ends up with Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey.
All in all, if there was a time to tank, it was this season. The Jazz might not get the golden goose tonight, but that doesn't mean they chose wrong. It just means lady luck didn't shine their way.
It will still be frustrating if the worst scenario becomes a reality
By securing the league's worst record, the Jazz ensured that, at worst, they will wind up with the fifth overall pick in the draft. That's still a high lottery pick and there are multiple intriguing talents in this class. However, to have that be the end game after going through their worst year as a franchise would be such a gut punch.
This was all new territory for the Jazz, as they've rarely been a team that's tanked. They put Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson all on the bench to ensure they secured the best odds possible. It would be such a shame if all of that went to getting the No. 5 pick.
Would all hope be lost? No. At worst, the Jazz just do the same thing next year and hope for a better result. Plus, getting the fifth pick opens up some options to trade for some stars if they think that's what's best.
No matter how the lottery shakes out, the Jazz should be proud of where they chose to go this season. Even if the Jazz wind up with the No. 5 pick, that's better than, say, being the Philadelphia 76ers, aka one of the worst teams in the NBA who may not even get a high lottery pick after what they went through,
Yes, tonight could go wrong, but it's very valid to suggest that things could be worse if they do.