The NBA season hasn’t even started, and the Victor Wembanyama-Scoot Henderson 2023 sweepstakes is the hot topic.
The top two projected picks in June’s draft played again Thursday with Wembanyama of the Metropolitans 92 with 36 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. But Ignite’s Henderson left the game after just five minutes of play due to a minor knee issue in the second of their two-game exhibition series in Henderson, Nevada.
The Metropolitans won 112-106 two days later Wembanyama’s 37 pointsseven 3-pointers and four blocks and Henderson’s 28 points, nine assists and five rebounds in Ignite’s 122-115 victory Tuesday.
With so much hype surrounding this game – over 100 scouts in attendance, game televised by ESPN2 – it’s impossible not to look forward to the upcoming draft and think about which teams will be able to select Wembanyama and Henderson, both aged only 18 years old.
At his height (he’s ranked between 7-2 and 7-5 depending on where you look) and with his wingspan (7-9), Wembanyama is a shot blocker capable of protecting the paint, defending shooters on the perimeter and collect defensive rebounds. Offensively, he’s a mobile pick-and-roll player who slides to the basket for easy dunks.
Henderson, a 6-2 guard, is an explosive runner and jumper. He’s effective in the open court with or without the ball – he can carry it to the rim himself or catch alley-oop passes from his teammates. He also uses defense (steals, rebounds) to create offense in transition.
The NBA implemented a lottery reform bill in 2019 to try to reduce tanking, or as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said at the time: “Lottery reform was important because there was a perception in many of our communities that the best route to rebuilding their teams was to run. down.”
The three highest seeds each have a 14% chance of getting the top pick, compared to 25% for the team with the worst record, 19.9% for the team with the second-worst record, and 15.6 % for the team with third worst. record in the lottery system used from 2005 to 2018. However, the three worst teams ranked 1-2-3 in the draft lottery also have a 27.4% chance of landing one of the top two picks.
“I know a lot of our NBA teams are salivating at the idea that potentially through our lottery they could have it, so they should all still be competing really hard next season,” Silver said Thursday.
Here’s a look at the teams that might be able to draft Wembanyama or Henderson:
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder stockpiled draft picks like a doomsday prepper who stocks non-perishable goods. They have 19 first-round picks over the next few seasons, but only one in the 2023 draft. The Thunder are rebuilding, No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren will likely miss the season due to injury, and the general manager’s desire of OKC’s Sam Presti, having multiple chances to recruit stars is no secret. The Thunder are not a playoff team in the deep West and should be in the mix for the No. 1 pick.
San Antonio Spurs
Coach Gregg Popovich said this season, “No one here should go to Vegas with the idea of betting on us to win the championship.” » San Antonio’s streak of 23 consecutive playoff appearances ended in 2020, and it has now been three straight seasons without a playoff appearance. The Spurs traded Dejounte Murray in the offseason after trading Derrick White midseason in 2021-22 and could be headed for a painful rebuild.
Magic of Orlando
Another team gathering talent and trying to rebuild in a winning direction, the Magic should be better than last season’s 22-60 record. But playing in a tough Eastern Conference, the Magic are not a playoff team, even with the addition of No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft, Paolo Banchero.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets are improving but are not yet good enough for a playoff spot in the West because they are giving a lot of minutes to their promising young talent. Houston can be competitive throughout the season, but it will also lose enough games to possibly have a chance at one of the top two picks.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers only won 25 games last season, traded Malcolm Brogdon during the offseason and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Myles Turner and Buddy Hield were moved before the trade deadline. Indiana needs all the young talent it can get.
Utah Jazz
Since the end of 2021-22, the Jazz have traded Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanovic. Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson might not be on the team by the end of this season. There is no doubt about the direction the Jazz are heading and the sooner they recruit young talent, the sooner they change direction.
Other teams
Teams like Charlotte, Detroit, Sacramento, Washington, New York and Portland may not be playoff bound, but they have enough talent to win games and stay out of the mix for the top two picks. Obviously, circumstances, like injuries, slow starts, etc., could change that.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt
