Here comes another conspiracy theory, lol. Since 2003 though, I've noticed that the NBA has consistently awarded the top overall pick to the franchise with the most "compelling" story line, particularly if a hometown product was the best player available I.e. in 2003, the top pick went to the Cavs, which was used to select Cleveland's (Akron's) favorite son, LeBron James; in 2008, the Bulls and Derrick Rose; in 2010 the Wiz and John Wall. If the hometown angle couldn't be worked, other, similarly powerful themes were used:

"Woe Are We; Our Superstar Bolted Town"
1.) The Magic getting the no.1 pick in 2004 (Dwight Howard), after T-Mac made it clear he wanted out.

2.) The Cavs getting the no.1 pick in 2011 (Kyrie Irving), after LeBron bolted.

3.) The Clippers getting the no.1 pick in 2009 (Blake Griffin), after Elton Brand bolted.

4.) The Raptors getting the no.1 pick in 2006 (Andrea Bargnani) after Vince Carter quit on them in 2005.

"The Karma Pick: Good Things, Happen To Good People"
1.) Abe Pollin, one of the stewards of the NBA, widely credited for helping modernize it and for his activity with social causes in the D.C. area, dies during the 2009-2010 season. The franchise is also still dealing with the Gilbert Arenas-Javaris Crittenton fallout. They get the no.1 pick in the 2010 draft.

2.) New Orleans' economy is in a fragile state and Chris Paul demands a trade from the city entering the 2010-2011 season. The Hornets end up with the top pick in 2011.

3.) Portland is dealing with the fallout of the "JailBlazers" persona and manage to completely gut the team. Paul Allen is also known for being one of the most spend-happy owners in the league, indulging a fanbase that is widely regarded as one of the best in the NBA. The Blazers get the top 2007 pick and select Greg Oden.

Do I think that the draft is rigged from top to bottom? No. I do believe, however, that the NBA does make sure that the top few picks of the lottery are distributed in a fashion that helps them exploit a given theme that fans are sympathetic to, to then maximize coverage/profits by covering it ad nasuem during the season. He isn't much of a source but David Kahn pointed this out (with tongue in cheek) before the 2011 draft, which I think lends some credit to the theory.

Anyway, if there is some truth in this, what team do you think has the most compelling story line this season? And if the Knicks were to blow things up and acquire a lottery pick in so doing, could we build a narrative that would warrant the no.1 pick?

Just to answer my question, I definitely think the Celtics get the top pick this year if all things remain equal. I think the reasons should be pretty obvious. The Raptors are a close 2nd, with Andrew Wiggins, a Canadian product available. I rank them second to get the top pick though because I doubt Wiggins goes no.1, which would allow the NBA to exploit both storylines e.g. "Canada brings home a native son" and "one of the two most historic franchises, builds a new era". And for the record, I don't think the Knicks can build a storyline to usurp these two, more powerful ones. If we suck in 2015 though, I think that bad boy is all ours.