Atlanta Hawks: 5 most compelling games of the 2017-18 season

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images /

1. Dec. 4 vs. Brooklyn Nets

The best way for the Atlanta Hawks to improve their chances going forward may be to lose as many games as possible during the regular season.

The team with the worst record in the league has a 25 percent chance of securing the top pick in the NBA Draft and is guaranteed a top-four selection.

With several highly touted prospects set to enter the league, including Michael Porter, Marvin Bagley III and Mohamed Bamba among the prized players available, Atlanta may need to lose in order to secure the best talent available.

The home contest against Brooklyn in early December is part of a home-and-home series against the Nets — a pair of games that may ultimately swing the draft lottery odds into the favor of one of the organizations.

Next: The biggest winners and losers of 2017 NBA free agency

No team looks to actively throw away a season, but if neither one has managed to secure enough wins to even consider playoff contention, these outcome of these meetings may go a long way on draft lottery night.