Just how good will Victor Wembanyama be in the NBA?
USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama who many are dubbing the best prospect since LeBron James.
Sports Seriously, USA TODAY
There are 30 NBA teams, and 30 NBA teams would love to draft France’s Victor Wembanyama in the June draft.
And given his all-purpose skillset for his size at 7-3, Wembanyama is a fit for any team.
But there are only 14 teams in the draft lottery, which takes place Tuesday on ESPN, and only one of them will get the winning combination of ping pong balls.
Let’s take a look of some of the lottery teams and where the best landing spot is for Wembanyama, the 19-year-old considered one of the best prospects to enter the draft.
NBA draft lottery 2023: How to watch, how it works, who will be No. 1?
7. San Antonio (14% chance of winning the No. 1 pick)
Wouldn’t it be something if the Spurs landed Wembanyama and accelerated their rebuild with another potential generational star, like they did with Tim Duncan in 1997. The Spurs have a track record, under Coach Gregg Popovich, of drafting, developing and maximizing international players, including Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
6. Indiana (6.8% chance of winning the No. 1 pick)
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has one of the great minds in the league. Erudite with appreciation for the Grateful Dead, Carlisle has coached Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic. Imagine what he might able to do with Wembanyama in his offense.
5. New Orleans (.5% chance of winning the No. 1 pick)
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll in New Orleans and make Wembanyama feel at home. Get him a meal at Antoine’s. Pair him next to a healthy Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Make the Pelicans a force. Alas, the Pelicans have the worst odds. But they can dream, can’t they?
4. Detroit (14% chance of winning the No. 1 pick)
The Pistons didn’t make the strides they wanted, and Cade Cunningham’s injury impeded progress. There are some pieces to work with, specifically Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. With Wembanyama, the Pistons can envision a drastic improvement.
3. Houston (14% chance of winning the No. 1 pick)
The Rockets need help, and, like the Pistons, they have young talent that could someday form the nucleus of a good team with Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr. and Tari Eason. Ime Udoka is Houston’s new coach, and while he has work to do with the team, Wembanyama makes it easier.
2. Orlando (9% chance of winning the No. 1 pick)
The Magic are intriguing with their young, improving team: Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr. and Markelle Fultz. The Magic were 34-48 this season under second-year coach Jamahl Mosley, a 12-win improvement over 2021-22. Wembanyama makes the Magic something more than just the No. 8 seed.
1. Portland (10.5% chance of winning the No. 1 pick)
Damian Lillard, 32, has been loyal to the Trail Blazers and wants to win there. It would be wonderful for Lillard to get the kind of help that makes Portland a competitor in the West. As much as any draft pick of the past three decades, Wembanyama, it appears, can help make that happen soon.
