However, some destinations are better than others. Though Wembanyama will likely change the direction of whatever team selects him in the 2023 NBA draft, some teams would achieve success much faster due to their rosters or assets.
Here are teams that would be the best fits. (Of course, they’d have to be lucky enough to get the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft lottery in May.)
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder (15-21) may play its way out of the top selection if Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (30.8 ppg, 5.8 apg) continues to play so well. OKC has 17 first-round picks through the 2029 NBA Draft, plenty of ammunition should it lose the Wembanyama sweepstakes.
Thunder GM Sam Presti has done a fantastic job acquiring assets and collecting young talent, but he has yet to deal his draft haul for a big splash. If the Thunder miss out on Wembanyama, Presti will surely make a Godfather-like offer for the pick.
Oklahoma City already has its future backcourt in the 6-foot-6 Gilgeous-Alexander and 6-foot-8 Josh Giddey. Including 7-foot-2 Chet Holmgren, OKC has young core with incredible length and versatility. The addition of Wembanyama could immediately position the Thunder for a playoff run.
Similar to Wembanyama, Holmgren — the second pick in last year’s draft — has the skills of a guard. With Holmgren and Wembanyama in the Thunder’s lineup, they could form a duo with a skillset unlike any other in league history.
Orlando Magic
Could lightning strike twice for Orlando? The Magic selected F Paolo Banchero first overall after winning last season’s lottery, and it appears Orlando has hit the jackpot. The 20-year-old is putting up All-Star numbers for the Magic (13-24), averaging 20.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
While Banchero is the lead man, the rest of Orlando’s young core is also exciting. Franz Wagner, a 6-foot-10 forward, averages 19.9 points. He, Banchero and Wembanyama would make up one of the league’s longest, top-scoring front courts.
Youngsters Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter and Bol Bol have shown promise as supporting cast members. Another intriguing piece is Jonathan Isaac, a 6-foot-10 defensive-minded forward who has missed the last two seasons due to an ACL injury.
Adding Wembanyama to this core could make Orlando a playoff team immediately, with the potential of becoming one of the East’s top teams.
New Orleans Pelicans
Wembanyama’s best landing spot is the current third seed in the Western Conference. Despite their record, the Pelicans have a realistic chance of landing him. New Orleans (23-13) owns the unprotected rights to the Lakers’ 2023 first-round pick as a result of the 2019 trade that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles (15-21).
The Pelicans already have one former generational prospect in 22-year-old Zion Williamson (26 ppg.), who is already one of the best players in the NBA. Pairing him with Wembanyama would form one of the more unguardable duos in league history.
If the Pelicans land Wembanyama, they could slide Jonas Valančiūnas (13.5, 9.3 rpg) to the bench, which would only add to the impressive depth they’ve collected.
The Davis trade has the potential to be the most fascinating trade in NBA history to revisit once everything plays out. Although the Lakers won a championship as a result of the trade, New Orleans could become an instant dynasty with Wembanyama.
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