• The lottery, or the order of selection, of the 2023 NBA draft will be known on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.
  • French basketball player Victor Wembanyama, announced as the future number 1 choice of this 2023 vintage, should therefore already know his team for next season.
  • 20 Minutes takes a look at the best options and those to avoid for the biggest prospect in world basketball.

"Ten days before I know my future team. It's really crazy," Victor Wembanyama posted on social media on May 6. The wait will end in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday for the young 19-year-old French basketball player, announced as the future number 1 of the draft, since we will know the order of the lottery – broadcast live on beIN SPORTS from 2 am – and therefore the NBA franchise in which he has a very good chance of playing next season.

It is no longer the last team of the regular season that necessarily wins the first pick, and the probability of winning it is now divided between the last three teams, Detroit, Houston and San Antonio with a 14% chance, and a sliding percentage for the other eleven lowest-ranked teams. As we are nice at 20 Minutes, we have prepared for the phenomenon frenchie a small selection of franchises where to go with eyes closed, and others where he could cross his fingers to get a trade barely selected. All this against the advice of beIN SPORTS' NBA consultant, Chris Singelton.


Most likely: Detroit Pistons

With a 14% chance of getting the first pick, the Pistons are among the top three on the starting line. Not necessarily the worst destination for Wembanyama, who would join two other young talents, Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, horned by the experienced Bojan Bogdanovic. The former rival franchise of the Bulls at the turn of the 90s, crowned twice at that time with its Bad Boys Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman (1989 and 1990), smells of sweat and history. She proved in 2004 that she had the win in her genes, if everything goes well. There is still a major inadequacy regarding the identity of the new coach, after the withdrawal of Dwane Casey.

Chris Singelton's opinion: "The Pistons would be the worst of the worst, it's the franchise in the most distraught state, in terms of management and how to approach things."

The Plan to Avoid: Houston Rockets

The former franchise of Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming is a shadow of its former self. A certain culture of losing has taken hold in Houston, which has won just 17, 20 and 22 games over the past three seasons. Its best players, Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and Alperen Sengun, are young and undisciplined, "indifferent to defense and win," according to the scathing comment in an article on the NBA.com site devoted to "Wemby's" options. The whole lacks marrow and the work is immense for the new coach Ime Udoka. It would be better not to start on such a wobbly basis.

Chris Singelton's opinion: "Detroit, Orlando and Washington are for me the teams least well placed to play some concrete things, which is the playoffs. The Magic and Pistons still have some young talent, but that's not what wins you games. Regarding Houston, the current state of affairs is not very good, they have just changed coaches. But it's a franchise that won titles not long ago, and I think a team like Houston can recover pretty quickly. See also what gives the rumor of a return of James Harden. "

The big odds: Chicago Bulls

Very little chance of seeing Victor Wembanyama land in the Windy City (1.7%), but imagine the mouth of our Frenchie with the cap of Michael Jordan's historic team screwed on his head. He would land on an already competitive team since the Bulls were eliminated from the play-in by Miami this season, and could take them to the next level. Being babysat by the Montenegrin (but French-speaking) Nikola Vucevic, nothing better to enter the big league. But beware of the poisse, the last first pick of the draft dates back to 2008 with Derrick Rose, whose career was plagued by injuries after his MVP award in 2011.

Chris Singelton's opinion: "More than the Bulls, I think the Blazers (Portland) are the team best equipped to build something and win games. Especially with Damian Lilliard, it can be a team that becomes a competitor again very quickly. There is a good squad but Victor would easily get playing time. »


The destination that makes you fantasize: San Antonio Spurs

What if Victor Wembanyama postponed the retirement of Gregg Popovich, the winningest coach in league history? This possibility is in any case on the table since Spurs are one of the teams with the highest probability (14%) to welcome the French giant. With the bonus of perpetuating the tradition of the "Big Men" since the Texas team had drafted David Robinson in 1987 and Tim Duncan ten years later, to build the hegemony that we know, with 22 consecutive participations in the play-offs and five championship titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). Spurs, who have not participated in the finals since 2019, are now in full reconstruction. But who wouldn't be excited to see "Wemby" following in Tony Parker's footsteps with the same mentor as the absolute reference for French players in the NBA?

Chris Singelton's opinion: "To be coached by Popovich, one of the greatest coaches in history, wouldn't be bad at all. The franchise is well structured, even if it is not a big market. There are positives and negatives, but whichever team selects Victor will be on TV, so it would be a great opportunity to revive the franchise. But we must not forget that when Parker arrived, there was already a hell of a squad. And even if they take the first of the draft, it will take time for the team to improve. Afterwards, we know that it is a team that will build, and a good franchise for Victor, well coached, with players like Tim Duncan who have remained close. »

The Miraculous Pick: Dallas Mavericks

What if "Wemby" landed directly in a franchise where he could play for the title in his first year? This option is called Dallas, where he would form a shock tandem with Luka Doncic, or even a 5-star trio with Kyrie Irving if the point guard, at the end of his contract, decided to stay. The probability is minimal (3%) but it exists. Frequent followers remember, for example, that in 1993, the Orlando Magic hit the jackpot despite a 1.5% chance of being drawn. At the time, the No. 1 pick was Chris Webber. The Magic did not keep him, preferring to send him to the Warriors in exchange for Anfernee Hardaway and three future first rounds. Not sure he would make the same decision this time.

Chris Singelton's opinion: "In my opinion, Dallas is not the right team to play the leading roles. As we can see this year, the team is not yet well structured. They have two players who individually are among the biggest talents, but that doesn't make a team. After that it wouldn't be the worst place either. »

  • Basketball
  • Victor Wembanyama
  • NBA
  • Draft
  • Chicago Bulls
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Sport