The NBA draft lottery Thursday was bad for the Hawks on two fronts.

First, they wound up empty-handed as the No. 8 pick went to the Milwaukee Bucks as compensation for the Glenn Robinson trade (given the Hawks' slim chances to get a top-three pick, that was pretty much expected.)

But second, and most importantly, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons won the No. 1 and No. 2 picks, respectively. Now two Central Division rivals will definitely be improved next season.