Among the 14 players drafted in the 2021 lottery last July, 10 represent teams that did not reach the NBA playoffs. Among the four lotto picks whose clubs are still participating, only two – No. 4 selection Scottie Barnes and seventh choice Jonathan Kuminga – have logged more than 20 total minutes since the 16-team tournament began April 16.
Then there are the New Orleans Pelicans, who do not have a ’21 lottery pick on their roster, yet are lapping the field when it comes to vital playoff contributions delivered by first-year pros. A second-rounder taken No.