METAIRIE, La. (AP) - Pelicans general manager Dell Demps is scheduled to attend the NBA draft lottery in New York on Tuesday night, when New Orleans hopes to beat long odds and land a top-three draft choice.
Currently, New Orleans is not expected to have a 2014 first-round pick. It was traded, albeit conditionally, to Philadelphia as part of a 2013 deal sending guard Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans.
The deal stipulated that the Pelicans would retain their first-round choice if it fell in the top five. Because the Pelicans won more games than nine other clubs, their only chance at top-five pick is by winning one of the top three spots in the lottery.
Officials say the lottery’s setup gives New Orleans just less than a 4 percent chance at a top-three pick.
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