The NBA’s competitive landscape hung in the balance during a potential lottery apocalypse on Monday night. The Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs found themselves as the last two teams standing for the rights to Cooper Flagg on the TV broadcast.

Baylor product VJ Edgecombe, who made an impression at the 2024 Olympics, edges out Harper’s Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey on points at No. 3, and the decision seems to hinge on that pair — either Edgecombe or Bailey claims 8 of 10 No. 3 slots and all 10 at No. 4.

The Chicago Bulls, like Atlanta, are nowhere near close enough to meaningful contention to justify moving a back-end-of-the-lottery pick for a role player. Instead, they should be taking as many bites at the draft apple as possible to see who jells with a budding core that includes Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Coby White.