“Ten days before knowing my future team. It’s really a crazy thing, ”posted Victor Wembanyama on May 6 on social networks. The wait will end overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday for the young 19-year-old French basketball player, announced as the future number 1 in the draft, since we will know the order of the lottery – broadcast live on beIN SPORTS at from 2 a.m. – 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 choice, and the probability of winning it is now distributed between the last three teams, Detroit, Houston and San Antonio with a 14% chance, and a declining percentage for the other eleven lowest-ranked teams. How nice we are 20 minuteswe prepared for the phenomenon frenounced a small selection of franchises to go to with his eyes closed, and others where he could cross his fingers to get a trade barely selected. All confronted with the opinion of beIN SPORTS’ NBA consultant, Chris Singelton.
Most Likely: Detroit Pistons
With a 14% chance of drawing 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, coaxed by the experienced Bojan Bogdanovic. The former franchise rival of the Bulls at the turn of the 90s, crowned twice at that time with his bad boys Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman (1989 and 1990), smells of sweat and history. She proved in 2004 that she had winning in her genes, as long as everything worked out well. There is still considerable uncertainty regarding the identity of the new coach, after the withdrawal of Dwane Casey.
Chris Singelton’s review: “The Pistons would be the worst of the worst, it’s the franchise in the most disastrous state, in terms of management and how to approach things.”
The plan to avoid: Houston Rockets
Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming’s old franchise is a shadow of its former self. A certain culture of lose moved to Houston, which has won just 17, 20 and 22 games over the past three seasons. Its best elements, Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr and Alperen Sengun, are young and unruly, “indifferent to defense and victory”, according to the scathing commentary of an article on NBA.com devoted to the options of “Wemby. “The whole lacks marrow and the job is huge for the new coach Ime Udoka. It would be better not to start on such a shaky base.
Chris Singelton’s review: “Detroit, Orlando and Washington are for me the teams least well placed to play some concrete things, ie the play-offs. The Magic and the Pistons still have some young talent, but that’s not what wins you games. Concerning Houston, the current state of things is not very good, they have just changed trainer. But it’s a franchise that was titled not long ago, and I think a team like Houston can recover pretty quickly. To see also what gives the rumor of a return of James Harden ”.
Big odds: Chicago Bulls
Very little chance of seeing Victor Wembanyama land in the Windy City (1.7%), but imagine the face of our Frenchie with the cap of Michael Jordan’s historic team screwed on his head. He would land in an already competitive team since the Bulls were eliminated from the play-in by Miami this season, and could make them pass a big milestone. Being pampered by the Montenegrin (but French-speaking) Nikola Vucevic, nothing better to enter the big leagues. But beware, the last first draft pick dates back to 2008 with Derrick Rose, whose career was plagued by injuries after his MVP title in 2011.
Chris Singelton’s review: “More than the Bulls, I find that the Blazers (Portland) are the best equipped team to build something and win games. Especially with Damian Lilliard, it can be a team that becomes competitive again very quickly. There is a good squad but Victor would easily have playing time.
The dream destination: San Antonio Spurs
What if Victor Wembanyama postpones the retirement of Gregg Popovich, the coach with the most wins in the history of the League? This possibility is in any case on the table since Spurs are one of the teams with the highest probability (14%) of hosting 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 we know, with 22 consecutive appearances in the play-offs and five championship titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). The Spurs, who have not participated in the final stages since 2019, are now in full reconstruction. But who wouldn’t hype the idea of seeing “Wemby” walk in the footsteps of Tony Parker with the same mentor as the absolute reference of French players in the NBA?
Chris Singelton’s review: “Being coached by Popovich, one of the greatest coaches in history, wouldn’t be bad at all. The franchise is well structured, even if it’s not a big market. There are positives and negatives, but whichever team picks 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 lot. And even if they take first in 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 leader, at the end of the contract, decided to stay. The probability is minimal (3%) but it exists. Regular followers remember, for example, that in 1993, the Orlando Magic won the jackpot despite a 1.5% chance of being drawn. At the time, the number 1 choice was called Chris Webber. The Magic did not retain 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 review: “I don’t think Dallas is the right team to play the top roles. We can see it 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. »