What happened: Zach Lowe grouped Miami and Portland with Utah and New Orleans in his annual confusion draft. Atlanta, Detroit and Dallas were also included among the early selections.

Why it matters: The exercise centers on teams with unsettled rotations and unclear direction entering the 2026-27 preseason. Sorting those questions early frames how opening-night roles take shape.

What to watch: Preseason practices and exhibition games will show how those rotations settle.