The Phoenix Suns finished with the worst record during the regular season, and it helped them win the 2018 draft lottery on Tuesday.
It's the first time in franchise history where the Suns will pick first overall, unless a trade happens. They had a one-in-four chance at picking first, while the 29th-place Memphis Grizzlies (.199 odds), fell down to fourth.
Phoenix finished just 21-61 on the season, which was their worst record since the franchise's inaugural 1968-69 campaign. That year, the Suns went just 16-66, but this year's squad certainly didn't fare much better.
The consensus first overall pick is 19-year-old Deandre Ayton of Nassau, Bahamas. The 7-foot-1 center played at Arizona State and averaged 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
The Suns haven't made the playoffs since the 2009-10 season, when they reached the Western Conference Finals before being dispatched by the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. The Suns have had just one winning season ever since (48 in 2013-14).
That being said, there is a good foundation of young players in place. Shooting guard Devin Booker averaged 24.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while 2017 fourth overall pick Josh Jackson averaged 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest.
Phoenix will now draft another hopeful franchise-changing player, and it would be surprising if they passed on Ayton - given the need for an impact player at the front of the court. We can't entirely rule out a trade, as the Boston Celtics moved down from first to third while allowing the Philadelphia 76ers to take Markelle Fultz with the top selection a year ago.
The Suns have never won an NBA Championship, and it's been a long time since this franchise had something to be excited about. With another early pick joining the likes of Booker and Jackson in The Desert, Phoenix will have something to get excited about again.