Six NBA teams with plenty at stake in 2023 draft
The Spurs are on the clock, but there’s no suspense surrounding the No. 1 overall pick with generational talent Victor Wembanyama destined for San Antonio.
Wembanyama headlines Thursday’s 2023 NBA draft. However, there is uncertainly following the consensus top choice. What will the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers do at the top of the draft? Will Orlando make magic happen with its two lottery selections? Could the Los Angeles Lakers trade the No. 17 pick?
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All 30 clubs have some decisions to make. USA TODAY Sports explores NBA teams with much at stake ahead of the draft:
The Spurs won the Wembanyama sweepstakes when the draft lottery pingpong balls fell their way just over a month ago. San Antonio will undoubtedly select the crown jewel of the draft No. 1 overall Thursday night.
What’s at stake for the Spurs? The Spurs have owned the No. 1 pick three times in franchise history. The previous two times the Spurs selected a generational big man in David Robinson (No. 1 overall in 1987) and Tim Duncan (No. 1 overall in 1997). The 7-foot-2 Wembanyama has the talent, and hype, to be the next San Antonio all-time great big man.
Wembanyama will become the face of the Spurs franchise the instant he’s drafted. A microscope is set to be on the Frenchman his entire career. Will Wembanyama deliver championships to San Antonio like the Hall of Fame big men that preceded him?
Charlotte Hornets
Michael Jordan is in the midst of selling his majority ownership stake. But before the multibillion-dollar transaction is complete, the Hornets have a prime opportunity to onboard young talent to a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. Charlotte has five picks in the top 41, including two first-rounders (No. 2 and No. 27).
The Hornets lost out on the Wembanyama lottery, but the No. 2 overall selection isn’t a terrible consolation prize. With Wembanyama on his way to San Antonio, the…
