Raptors win top pick in NBA's draft lottery

The Raptors (27-55) jumped four spots in the Ping-Pong ball lottery.
SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) -- The Toronto Raptors beat the odds to win the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery.
Figuring out what to do with it will be the first major decision for new general manager Bryan Colangelo.
"Right now we've got a month to go and we'll see what comes our way and see what we can dig up," Colangelo said Tuesday, minutes after the Raptors (27-55) jumped four spots in the Ping-Pong ball lottery.
The Raptors chances of landing the top pick for the first time were only 8.8 percent.
"For us to have this kind of luck is a symbol of a reversal of fortune going forward," said Colangelo, who was hired in February, a day after the former executive of the year left a similar position with the Phoenix Suns. "We have our work cut out. This will help."
There doesn't seem to be a definitive No. 1 pick for the June 28 draft to be held in New York.
Considered top candidates
Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison, Texas center LaMarcus Aldridge and LSU forward Tyrus Thomas -- all underclassmen -- are considered top candidates.
Under the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, this is the first year high school players won't be eligible for the draft.
The Raptors have some nice pieces to build on with All-Star Chris Bosh, Charlie Villanueva and Joey Graham. And they have salary cap room.
"We go into this draft not only holding the No. 1 pick but with the cap flexibility to take on a pretty large contract," Colangelo said. "So the combination of those two is pretty powerful. Hopefully, we can manipulate it the right way and make some good decisions. I think at this point we're in a no-lose situation."
Colangelo has good record
Colangelo has a proven track record. He was voted the NBA's 2005 executive of the year for retooling the Suns, who won a league-high 62 games. He left Phoenix after not getting a contract extension.
Toronto fired general manager Rob Babcock on Jan. 26.
There were a couple of notable losers in the lottery, the New York Knicks and the Portland Trail Blazers, the league's two worst teams.
Portland (21-61) slipped all the way to fourth despite having a 25 percent chance of winning the top pick.
Trail Blazers President Steve Patterson believes his team will still get a good player.
"You may find a player with as big an impact at No. 4 or even No. 6 as you may at No. 1," Patterson said.
New Orleans guard Chris Paul was the fourth pick in last year's draft and he won the rookie of the year award.
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