Pistons Help Raptors Solidify Top Pick in 2nd Round

The Toronto Raptors will now have the first pick in the second round thanks to a loss Sunday by the Detroit Pistons

Apr 14, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick (1) brings the ball up the / Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit did it.

A loss by the Detroit Pistons on Sunday has allowed the Toronto Raptors to clinch the No. 31 pick in the NBA Draft this summer. Detroit managed to finish the season with the worst record in the NBA and will now convey the first pick in the second round to Toronto this summer.

The Raptors acquired the pick from New York as part of the OG Anunoby trade that saw the organization add Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett in exchange for Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn.

Toronto will now open the second day of the NBA Draft on Friday, June 28. The league opted to expand the draft into a two-day format earlier this year with the first night scheduled for Thursday, June 27.

The Raptors will also have a first-round pick from Indiana slotted to be somewhere between picks No. 16 and 19 depending on how the Western Conference play-in picture shakes out. Indiana's victory Sunday allowed the Pacers to avoid the play-in tournament in the East.

As for their own first-round pick, Toronto finished the year with the sixth-worst record in the league and will have a 45.8% chance to keep its own pick. Toronto has a 37.2% chance to move into the top four and an 8.6% chance to stay at No. 6.

Toronto owes its first-round pick top-six protected to the San Antonio Spurs as compensation for last year's trade deadline deal for Jakob Poeltl.

The NBA Draft lottery is scheduled for May 12, 2024.