The Spurs have won the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
San Antonio claimed the No. 1 overall pick in Tuesday night’s draft lottery, putting the club in position to select Wembanyama, a 7’5″ French phenom who is widely considered the top NBA prospect since LeBron James.
The top 14 slots for the 2023 draft have officially been set. The lottery order is as follows:
- San Antonio Spurs
- Charlotte Hornets
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Houston Rockets
- Detroit Pistons
- Orlando Magic
- Indiana Pacers
- Washington Wizards
- Utah Jazz
- Dallas Mavericks
- Orlando Magic (from Bulls)
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Toronto Raptors
- New Orleans Pelicans
It’s the third time in franchise history that the Spurs have won a draft lottery and earned the right to add a generational big man to their roster. San Antonio drafted David Robinson with the No. 1 overall pick in 1987 and Tim Duncan with the top pick in 1997.
The Spurs entered the night third in the lottery standings, but had a 14.0% chance at the No. 1 pick, the same odds as Detroit and Houston, the top two teams in the lottery standings.
The Pistons are the biggest loser of the night, slipping all the way out of the top four after finishing the season with the NBA’s worst record at 17-65. It also wasn’t an ideal outcome for the Rockets, who slipped from second to fourth in a draft widely considered to have a consensus top three prospects.
The Hornets, who had a 12.5% chance at the No. 1 pick and a 48.1% chance to end up in the top four, move up two spots to No. 2 and will likely decide between G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama wing Brandon Miller, who are viewed as the next-best prospects behind Wembanyama.
Henderson was once considered a lock for the No. 2 spot, but had an up-and-down year in the G League while Miller had a big freshman season for the Crimson Tide.
At No. 3, the Trail Blazers also moved up two spots and are the night’s other big winner — they’ll be in position to draft either Henderson or Miller, whichever one the Hornets pass on. Of course, Portland badly wants to build a roster around Damian Lillard that’s capable of contending sooner rather than later, so it’s possible the team will listen to offers for its lottery pick, but the price would presumably be extremely high.
Outside of the top five, the remaining lottery picks remain unchanged from the pre-lottery order. That means the Mavericks will keep their first-round pick, which would have been sent to the Knicks if it had slipped out of the top 10. Dallas will instead owe New York its 2024 first-rounder with top-10 protection.
The Bulls, meanwhile, would have hung onto their lottery pick if it had moved into the top four, but it will be sent to the Magic since it fell outside of its protected range. That pick was the last asset that Chicago owed to Orlando as part of the 2021 Nikola Vucevic trade.
Tuesday’s lottery results also shook up the order of the second round. Because San Antonio will be picking ahead of Houston in the first round, the Rockets’ second-round pick has moved up from No. 33 to No. 32, which means it will be sent to the Pacers instead of the Celtics.
That’s great news for the Pacers, who move up 18 spots from No. 50 as a result of that lottery outcome and a convoluted set of trade criteria involving multiple second-rounders. Rather than getting Houston’s pick, Boston will receive Portland’s second-rounder at No. 35, while the Thunder – who had been in position to get No. 35, will instead pick at No. 50.
Rockets suck at everything
Well the Rockets could get really lucky and win the James Harden sweepstakes!
ha ha that is not lucky
If we’re being honest, Pistons were the most unlucky here falling all the way to 5th.
I see Houston looking to move up for Scoot. If they fail at moving to 3/2 who both have PGs and may be open to trade then it will be a horrible collection of moves in the FA getting Harden and trading all good assets to appease his ego.
Time for silver to punish them
I guess Popovich is going to keep coaching for a while longer
With much respect for Pop, isn’t it ironic that he can coach his way to the #1 pick in the draft and KEEP his job…while others who consistently make the playoffs have been falling under the axe this season?
glad they won, one of the most likable teams out there
Truth. Does anyone hate the Spurs?
Kawhi Leonard
I wasn’t a fan of those Duncan Parker Ginobili teams but mostly just because they won all the time.
I do…not pop of course. But the spurs yes…
Will Portland draft Scoot or trade for someone else to help Lillard now?
Will scoot be there at 3?
He’ll be there unless the Hornets trade back. They already have LaMelo. They’ll probably take Brandon Miller.
The Hornets absolutely should select Miller with their pick. He fits what they need more, and it wouldn’t be as if they were reaching to draft for need.
With #3 I don’t think they get a shot a Scoot…
as far as the lottery, I’m not surprised that the Spurs won the lottery. Each time the Spurs have won the draft lottery they’re just happened to be a game-changing center that was the universal accepted number one overall pick. I am not saying the NBA draft lottery was rigged like the any children last week but I’m just not surprised that was hoping it would have been the Hornets. North Carolina is a hot bed for basketball believe it or not at least college basketball with the Tar Heels and Blue Devils and remember back in the mid-90s when the original Hornets were good and we’re making the playoffs and want to Playoff round over Boston that city was absolutely crazy for that team so I got a feeling they ever get back to the playoffs and actually to compete to win a series or two those fans will pack that Arena just like they did in the mid-90s
Ouch Detroit. Becoming a forgotten franchise
Detroit vs every oft
Forgotten? They have a great young core who will only get better. They didn’t need a number one pick.
They are literally on one of the worst steaks in franchise history. They are dead last in wins past 5 years. None of their young pieces are #1 type stars. They are miles away from being competitive. This was a major setback
Cunningham is #1 material.
If he’s your BEST player, you’re gonna be represented at the Draft Lottery EVERY year
Sounds like you remember a lot about a team you’ve forgotten about lol
You’ve never heard of a Google search? Took me 1 minute to get those stats. You should try it.
You’re literally still talking about them lmao
It’s a joke honestly. I knew Wemby would wind up in the Texas market. I assumed Houston because the market is huge. Didn’t think Detroit would fall all the way to 5 though.
Texas had the biggest chance out of all the states to be honest
Lol every rubbish team needs a #1 pick
Yeah they did. Any team could use a Wemby type talent. Besides, I could probably pick 20 other players under age 30 before I picked 1 Detroit player. They need as much high end talent as possible.
20 players under 30? That’s like saying you can pee in a pool from the diving board and get most of it in the pool. Considering Detroit has the vast majority of its team under the age of 25 and closer to 23 could you pick 20 under 23 before a Piston?
Best place for his development.
Nope.pop isnt there anymore
Pops is still in San Antonio as is Tim Duncan. One of the greatest coaches and one of the greatest big men. It’s a great place for him.
Tim is not. He left the assistant role.
Tanking works
Definitely suspect
CP3 or FVV is heading to SA
Called it!!!
Such a talented and hyped up prospect, some calling the best since LeBron James, ofcourse the NBA would make sure he ends up at a good franchise. Small market, great head coach, reputation of being great with foreign players and big men. Pop just got selected into the hall of fame and this is his reward and will keep him in the league a few more season and set his franchise up for the future.
After that Hornets, they should take Scoot. Scoot and LaMelo would be an insane backcourt, very entertaining and suit that up and down, all offence style. Not sure now involved Micheal Jordan still is with the franchise but he would take Scoot. Love his story and play style.
Thirdly Portland is a big surprise. Will they take Brandon Miller the third best prospect or will they trade the pick for a win now player. Miller would suit their needs and play style if they do keep the pick.
Sucks for Detroit and Houston but supports the NBA’s anti tanking agenda.
“ofcourse the NBA would make sure he ends up at a good franchise”
I find it fascinating people think basketball is fixed and still watch it.
In this particular case I’d say it’s fixed but overall I wouldn’t say the nba is fixed
Wowwww Detroit and Houston getting boned hard here. Spurs tank and get a generational big man yet again.
Portland has to be thinking trade at 3 if the pick is Scoot. Maybe you make a deal with the Magic for 6 and 11?
Fultz is an expiring deal. Cole Anthony doesn’t look like a starter. Not a bad back up tho. And Jalen Suggs might be a reserve player at best or bust given where he was drafted.
Scoot, Franz, and Paolo would be a very nice core.
Portland needs wings. Idk what they see in Nassir Little. But Whitmore, Amen, or Asur will be there at 6. Taylor Hendricks or Grady Dick at 11. They could also reach for an upside guy like Lively.
Ummm Portland would never trade the 3rd pick for 6 and 11. If they trade there pick it’s going to be for some established NBA talent. Not more draft picks.
They don’t have much in the way of contracts to trade for an established NBA talent.
History repeats itself. Good for the Spurs.
I’m sure it was just totally random
Ralph Sampson part 2
Huh? What does Homer Sampson have to do with basketball. Maybe if he’s a guest voice (he probably will be)
Ralph Sampson is a old NBA player in Houston. Do some research instead of posting crap
Nah, Wemby’s the real deal. At worst he’s a 7’5″ Durant.
I’m lost here
The fix is in and the Pistons got screwed! Screw you NBA you suck
If you follow a sport that you truly believe is fixed I think that says more about you than it does the league.
I’m in agony. Feels like they sent a message to tankers
The Spurs tanked as well.
They’re pretty bad. Top three bad. Even with this pick they’re still lottery material.
Come On Blazers, it’s time to blow it up. Keep the #3 and you’ll get a player who can have an impact soon (Brandon Miller or Amen Thompson). Give Lillard an actual chance to get a ring while he’s still good. Trade him, get a haul… you should be able to get some decent young players plus more draft picks. Rebuild the team around Sharpe, Simons and the guy you get at #3. I submit that you might not get back to the playoffs right away, but you’re more likely to eventually contend for a title without Lillard by blowing it up now than you are by keeping him and trying to cobble something together for a few years while his skills decline.
SAS is now officially the luckiest team in lottery history; or there’s something to the conspiracy theories.
RIGGED
Hornets..we will give 3 future firsts plus vassel or kj for the second pick
Lottery protected perhaps.
The lottery is a joke. The Pistons had the worst record and should draft first. Drafting 10th? Seems pretty rigged. And no, not a Pistons fan.
It’s called probability odds. Didn’t you learn that in school?
Pistons are 5th not 10th.Anf more importantly no they shouldn’t draft first, that’s the rule
Ummm Dallas is drafting 10th
Popovic swan song …….
After the Kawhi debacle. He deserves some luck (help?). Happy for him.
Rockets lose out on a PG and a SF. Both can and will start next yr. Not a fan of Miller situation. But that’s for another day.
Can’t see Hornets passing on Miller. He’s a great fit there. And can start right away. MJ finally hit a HR in the draft …….
Portland should take Henderson. But only way they have a Real chance at a Finals appearance. In the Dame era. Is by trading that pick. Or they can try and trade for the 2nd pick. I just can’t see Hornets giving it up.
Will Dame be traded now ??
Scoot Henderson and Simons is a nice backcourt moving forward. Plus what they get for Dame. Can make them a top team for yrs.
Rockets have big a decision to make. Hendricks should be the pick here. But he plays same position as Smith. Even Sengun is really more a PF. Amen Thompson could be the pick here.
Detroit would love to see Hendricks still available ….. Thompson is also a great pick for them.
I consider this lottery deep with NBA talent. I expect we’ll see some players emerge from here.
Magic with two picks. Should do well ??
Mavs keep their pick. We’ll see if they do this right. If Kyrie walks. They can always sign KP. Who has a player option…… haha hihi
Think about it. Spurs have drafted three Future HOF centers from draft …….
Tim is considered a PF and played so for the majority of his career.
You are right. I hate it when people say Duncan is a center. So what he played center 3 years at the end of his career. I only know what I see are how most of the people on this website
Duncan has never been a PF. Just like KG has never been a PF. Both are true centers that played the 4. Both were in the most of their careers. Look up their gm logs since you don’t understand them. Twin towers doesn’t mean one guy is a PF. It’s like saying Ky is a PG. Or Luka or Harden. All three are are combo guards. Are more scorers than they are facilitators.
I guess you think KAT is a PF too now. Can Duncan guard Dirk a true 4. Can Duncan guard Bam a true 4. Do I need to keep going. Playing a position means you can guard that position. Spurs went big to force you to make adjustments. Just like Warriors go small to force you to make adjustments. You must think Dre and Looney are Centers too. GM schemes doesn’t dictate positions. They are schemes to force you out if you comfort. Like plays in football.
School is out …..
Magic need to trade the 6 and 11 picks plus whatever else for Lavine, Lillard, or another proven superstar. This draft thins out quick after the top 3.
Lol no it doesn’t, the Thompson twins are legit 2 way prospects, and I think Taylor Hendricks will be one of the top 3 players of this draft.
Rockets need to stop crying. I hear Houston media is crying cause Spurs got the pick. Did you Udoka face …… especially when he landed at 4. Hilarious
Amen Thompson is a serious talent. I see big time potential as a 2way star. They should be celebrating. Centers are easy to find today. It’s a team game. Rockets will be fine …..