Winners and losers of the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery

Winner: Los Angeles Lakers

The cries of “rigged!” died down when the Los Angeles Lakers‘ jump into the top four ended right then and there at No. 4, but make no mistake: This is a massive victory for a franchise that’s largely been a s**t-show since January.

The trade rumors, team dysfunction, poor leadership from an aging LeBron James, accusations of tampering, missing the playoffs, Magic Johnson‘s abrupt departure, the botched head coaching search — all of these embarrassments have leant themselves to the growing perception that Los Angeles lucked into landing the King and has no idea how to put a contender around him.

All that cap space means nothing if no one wants to join the most overrated organization in the NBA. Kawhi Leonard feels more likely to re-sign in Canada or join the other L.A. team rather than join LeBron. Kevin Durant will either re-up with the defending champs or head for the Big Apple. Jimmy Butler will probably be locked up by the Philadelphia 76ers. Maybe Klay Thompson is a possibility, but he’s said for years he wants to remain with the Golden State Warriors.

Landing a star free agent this summer suddenly feels less likely, which means the trade market for Anthony Davis remains their best avenue. Now, the Lakers have the No. 4 pick in the draft to offer, alongside youngsters like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart (most of whom disappointed this year, but whatever).

The Pelicans may try to hang onto the Brow, but when that inevitably fails and they’re forced to field offers, the Lakers will have one of the better packages available. And then, suddenly a tandem of LeBron and AD becomes a lot more enticing to prospective free agents.

Loser: Cleveland Cavaliers

All this time, we thought Nick Gilbert was the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ lucky charm in the NBA Draft Lottery. As it turns out, it was actually former general manager David Griffin, who represented the Pelicans as their senior vice president of basketball operations this year.

It’s hard to paint the Cavs as complete losers. No one outside of Ohio really wanted to see Zion Williamson have to carry the same cross LeBron James once struggled with, and they’ve won the first overall pick three times in the last nine years.

Wasting one of those top picks on Anthony Bennett would’ve made the Cavs feel like undeserving winners had they moved up to No. 1 this year. They won a title in 2016, and they got LeBron James at No. 1 back in 2003 too. They’ve had more than their share of lottery joy.

Even so, dropping from 14 percent odds at Zion to No. 4 is a disappointment. The Cavs can turn their attention to guys like R.J. Barrett and Jarrett Culver at positions of need on the wing, but once again, they needed a franchise-altering bailout. Not getting one is obviously a letdown.