Utah Jazz: Ping pong balls can change NBA franchises

Tuesday night is the NBA draft lottery and the bounce of a few ping pong balls will have long-term ramifications on NBA franchises trying to compete against teams like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks with elite-level players. A good case study is presented by TwinCities.com which looks at the lotto of 1992 where the Minnesota Timberwolves lost out on Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning, leaving the still-struggling franchise with Christian Laettner.

The Washington Post alerts NBA teams to what they should have learned watching this year's NBA playoffs

There are a lot of mock drafts available with a search, but this one by Draft Express is as good as any other.

Teams send all kinds of different representatives to the event in hopes of getting some good luck. Cleveland Caviliers owner Dan Gilbert is sending his 14-year-old son.

Meanwhile the Sacramento Kings are sending the town's mayor and former NBA point guard Kevin Johnson to the event. The Jazz sent general manager Kevin O'Connor.

The odds for the lottery are presented here.