The NBA Draft Lottery III

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: May 18th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Watching TV, Holden, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Time: 4:58 PM)~~~

"See! The NBA Lottery Draft is one of the most-watched events in sports this year, and it's all due to Ulysses being in the upcoming NBA Draft."

One of the many guests in the living room is talking about how much attention The NBA Draft Lottery is getting. It's about to start, and I'm watching from the kitchen table. Ellie is talking with some of the Moms that have come.

It's mostly women here today, but some Dads of my deceased teammates are here to support me. The ones talking about the TV with enthusiasm are some of the players' younger siblings.

It's nice having them all here, and I'm impressed that Ellie kept me from finding any of this out. I'm usually pretty good at seeing these things come. But not this year, and I don't know why.

"Ulysses... Even if you're not scared or nervous, I am... It's all really just hitting me now..."

Hannah sits close to me and whispers into my ear as the NBA Draft Lottery Starts. It'll be primarily commercials until the top 14 come around. The commercials will slow down when the top 15 get here and get more interesting.

"What exactly is hitting you now?"

I'll be honest. I find this funny compared to her worried reaction. And she sees my amused face and smacks my shoulder gently.

"The fact that we'll be moving to an entirely new state and our lives together will change very fast. I know you're not scared or nervous... Not even worried... But there is a part of me that always thought I'd have you to myself... But now I have to share you with the world..."

So that's what this is about.

She's scared that she's going to lose me. The Ulysses she knows and loves will change or be taken from her. I love this part about her.

Her being able to tell me these things without fearing my reactions shows how great our relationship is. I wrap my arm around her and bring her in for a kiss. Our lips lock, and I feel the stress leave her body the longer we kiss.

An audible smack is heard as we part, and I watch as her eyes slowly open to looking into mine.

"I'll never be afraid when it comes to basketball or performing it in front of others. But I'll tell you something I've never said to anyone, Hannah..."

She leans in closer as I do.

"I'm scared of the media too... Just like you... And that fear will never make me change from who I am... I don't want to be anyone else other than me..."

That's the first time I've told her something I'm afraid of. And that's a big step for any relationship. Sharing fears invokes trust, and we're in that part of our relationship where we can share our fears without risking that trust.

Her head tilts cutely as she begins to tear up, and this is because I just showed her how much I trust her by telling her my fear of the media. It's not an irrational fear. It's not one that'll affect my play. But one that keeps me on my toes.

We kiss again, and this time it's a bit more intense. Ellie has to cough loudly to get our attention, and we pull away and open our eyes to see people staring at us. Hannah blushes with a smile and covers her face in embarrassment.

"Alright, enough sucking faces, you too."

Ellie makes her way over, lifts us both out of our seats, and takes us to the couch, where everyone is starting to gather to watch the NBA Draft Lottery.

~~~(POV: Ellie)~~~

~~~(Date: May 18th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Watching TV, Holden, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Time: 5:45 PM)~~~

"The 14th Pick in the 2026 NBA Draft goes to... The Oklahoma City Thunder!"

The top 14 picks have started, and we're all watching with an intense aura. The only one that seems relaxed is Ulysses. Hannah is gripping his large hands with both of hers. This is a moment that we've been waiting for all year.

And it's finally here.

Ulysses will be finding out who has the number one pick and, by default, find out who is drafting him. The best odds go to the New York Knicks and The Pacers and Lakers behind them.

Stephen A. Smith has been shown praying that the Knicks finally get their overdue debt of an all-time great and generational player. People are tweeting at Ulysses even right now. They're showing it on the screen.

"The 13th Pick in the 2026 NBA Draft goes to... The Memphis Grizzlies!"

They're showing reactions from fans all over after a pick is announced too. There are some pretty good ones.