Knicks Complete the Sweep! Plus, the Wizards Get the First Pick, and Will Wemby Be Suspended?

May 11, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The NBA Draft Lottery delivered a final, almost nostalgic outcome for the current system: the worst teams won. The Washington Wizards secured the first overall pick, the Utah Jazz landed at number two, and the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls moved up to three and four respectively. For a league that has spent years tweaking lottery odds to discourage tanking, the results felt like a reward for patience. As Zach Lowe noted, the system worked exactly as designed—it just took a few years for the randomness to settle. The biggest winner of the night, however, might have been the LA Clippers, who landed the fifth pick from the Indiana Pacers in a trade that had been a coin flip. The relief in the room was palpable, and the irony was not lost on anyone: the Clippers’ representative wore a suit made by the late Jerry West’s tailor as a good luck charm.

The Wemby Elbow and the Wolves-Spurs Series

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What you'll learn

1 (00:33) **Episode Preview & Lottery Room Tease** - Zach Lowe previews a loaded episode covering the NBA lottery results, the Wolves-Spurs series drama, and the Knicks’ sweep of the Sixers.
2 (02:55) **Wembanyama's Elbow & Suspension Debate** - Zach and John Krasinski analyze Victor Wembanyama’s flagrant-2 elbow on Naz Reid, debating the likelihood and fairness of a potential suspension for Game 5.
3 (12:36) **Wolves-Spurs Series Analysis & Adjustments** - The conversation shifts to the state of the 2-2 series, focusing on Anthony Edwards' heroic performance, Minnesota's offensive adjustments, and the Spurs' reliance on a composed Wembanyama.
4 (28:58) **Lottery Recap: The Biggest Winner** - Zach and draft expert Jonathan Gavoni break down the lottery results, declaring the Clippers the biggest winner of the night after securing the #5 pick.
5 (31:54) **The New Lottery System & OKC's Dilemma** - The discussion moves to the NBA's proposed "3-2-1" lottery system and the possibility of the Oklahoma City Thunder trading a massive package to move into the top four.
6 (41:56) **Wizards at #1 & The Top of the Draft** - The analysts examine the Wizards' decision at number one and debate the merits of A.J. DeBanza vs. Darren Peterson as the top prospect.
7 (48:58) **Memphis, Chicago & The Trade Landscape** - The focus shifts to the Grizzlies at #3 and the Bulls at #4, exploring the implications for their respective franchises.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Zach Lowe Fred Katz

Show Notes

Zach is joined by Jon Krawczynski to discuss the T-Wolves-Spurs series and what will come of Wemby's elbow to Naz Reid. Next, Jonathan Givony joins to discuss the NBA draft lottery results. Finally, Fred Katz joins to discuss the Knicks sweeping the 76ers and who is the better matchup for them in the ECF.

(0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show!
(02:17) Jon Krawczynski joins!
(04:27) Past elbowing comparisons
(08:48) Should Wemby be suspended?
(12:31) Ayo's catch
(14:00) What adjustments can Minnesota make?
(30:30) Jonathan Givony joins!
(34:17) Lottery's biggest winners
(43:27) Peterson going no. 1?
(01:00:43) Lottery's impact on Giannis and Brown trades
(01:12:31) Fred Katz joins!
(01:14:49) Knicks sweep Philly
(01:28:19) OG's injury status
(01:37:58) ECF potential matchups

Host: Zach Lowe
Guest: Jon Krawczynski, Fred Katz, Jonathan Givony
Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil
Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli

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