NBA teams that are most likely to take Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 draft

The most hyped prospect that is coming very soon to the NBA is already shaking the league even though he hasn’t played a single game yet. As they say, it’s tanking season for lottery teams that wish to be granted the first overall pick next season. Straight from the country of France, the 18-year-old unicorn, Victor Wembanyama will want teams dying for him. All of the mock drafts are already selecting Wembanyama at first with Scoot Henderson as the second pick.

There’s no denying that the French stud, Victor Wembanyama, is one of the most anticipated players to play in the NBA. He is such a very good generational talent that some are even saying that if Wembanyama was in the same draft class as LeBron James, LBJ would definitely go number 2. While it sounds a bit dramatic and exaggerated, let’s find out which team has the best chances of getting Wembanyama this off-season.

Related: NBA: Why every team wants the French superstar Victor Wembanyama?

Houston Rockets

Even with a young and talented roster, the Houston Rockets are looking awful as they are currently the worst team in the NBA, record-wise. Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Kevin Porter Jr., and Alperen Sengun are stars in the making but the team is nowhere near that of a contender type of squad.

Houston Rockets 2022
Photo Courtesy of thedreamshake.com

If the Rockets continue losing, they have a great chance of becoming a lottery team and an equal chance with other lottery teams to take the number one pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Will Victor Wembanyama turn this franchise around?


Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton may be a good point guard, even All-Star worthy, plus they have a good Rookie in Bennedict Mathurin, the Indiana Pacers are still one or two superstars away to become a championship contender. Add that to the veteran presence of Buddy Hield, Myles Turner, and T.J. McConnell, the Pacers could end up becoming one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference once again.

tyrese haliburton
Photo Courtesy of Bleacher Report

The Pacers for sure have at least three first-round picks with one of them becoming a protected lottery pick from the Cavaliers. The other two are their own pick and a protected top-12 pick from the Celtics.

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Utah Jazz

Let’s tank they say. It’s going to be fun they say.

Jazz GM made an overhaul of the team by trading away their two superstars, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell. They were supposed to be a losing team this season but the Utah Jazz is doing otherwise. Although they are winning, they’re not going anywhere with the squad they have in a very loaded Western Conference.

The attempt to rebuild Salt Lake City’s favorite team may be a great move considering how they are looking to be better than when Gobert and Mitchell were playing for them. To be fair, both of these All-Stars are also playing very well for their new teams (Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves). The rebuild mode’s outcome could be what Danny Ainge was hoping for, just not the process he thought the Jazz would go through. Plus, they have 3 first-round picks in 2023 which is great for a team starting all over again.


Oklahoma City Thunder

GM Sam Presti has flipped Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and others to a hefty amount of draft picks in the coming years. After the Westbrook era ended, OKC has been living on the dumpster, just waiting in the dark to select the best rookies every year. Since then, Presti has managed to draft Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, and the 2022 2nd overall pick, Chet Holmgren.

Currently, Chet Holmgren injured his right foot which led him to miss the entire 2022-2023 season. While this may be a bad spell for the team, this could be a good time to develop their other players and tank for Wembanyama. Imagine the towering duo of Holmgren and Wembanyama in the paint with Giddey and Gilgeous-Alexander manning the perimeter, well that would be scary. On defense, they’re decent with Wembanyama and Holmgren good at blocking shots. On offense, it’s game over! Try guarding two 7-footers who move like point guards and can shoot the ball from behind the arc.

Related: NBA: OKC Chet Holmgren Proves Why He’s The No. 2 Pick

San Antonio Spurs

Back in 1997, the San Antonio Spurs tanked so hard that they went 20-62 in that season. Little do we know, it was a great opportunity for them to take Tim Duncan as the first overall pick and the rest was history.

Popovich
Photo Courtesy of expressnews.com

Now, the Spurs are at the worst times of their franchise after going to the playoffs for 22 consecutive seasons (the longest streak in the league). Similar to OKC, the Spurs have a lot of great young talent but none has emerged as a superstar-caliber player yet. Based on their current roster, the Spurs could end up getting about 30 wins this season. Impressive for a young core, but not good enough to make it to even the Play-in tournament. They also have a lot of first-round picks and if the basketball Gods are in favor of the Spurs, they could be having another Tim Duncan in their hands to lead their franchise to the promised land in the coming years. Also, Wembanyama could develop very well under the hands of one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, Gregg Popovich.


Which team do you think Victor Wembanyama is getting drafted to? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.

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Sources: Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, NBA

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