The NBA officially finalized lottery positioning after today’s tiebreakers, and the Atlanta Hawks are walking away in a very strong spot thanks to last year’s draft-night deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Because of that trade — which sent Derik Queen to New Orleans — Atlanta controls the most favorable pick between the Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks, both of whom landed in the lottery.

Here’s how the odds shake out:

Atlanta Hawks Lottery Odds

– Pelicans: 29.3% chance at a top-four pick, 6.8% at No. 1 overall
– Bucks: 13.9% chance at a top-four pick, 3.0% at No. 1 overall
– Combined (Hawks): 43.2% chance at a top-four pick, 9.8% at No. 1 overall

For much of the regular season, it looked like Atlanta might sneak into the lottery with the best odds at the No. 1 pick while still competing for the postseason — a rare sweet spot that ultimately didn’t materialize. Still, landing with the sixth-best odds at both a top-four pick and the No. 1 selection is a massive win given how the season played out.

In a loaded draft class, a little luck could go a long way. The Hawks are in position to potentially add a franchise-altering talent to a young core that already pushed its way into a top-six seed in the East.

Atlanta also owns the No. 23 overall pick via the Cleveland Cavaliers, giving them another opportunity to add depth or package assets for something bigger.

The lottery itself is set for May 10th in Chicago — and for the Hawks, it could end up being one of the most important nights in franchise history.

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(Photo by Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire)