San Antonio Spurs Hit Draft Lottery, Victor Wembanyama Projected #1 Pick

Great Tank War for Wembanyama

The NBA attempted to deter tanking by flattening the odds for the #1 pick so the top three teams would only have a 14% chance to hit the lottery. The fourth-worst team had a 12.5% chance, while the fifth-worst team had a 10.5% chance.

Three teams seemingly outright tanked in the 2022-23 season for the right to draft the coveted Wembanyama. The Detroit Pistons (17-65), San Antonio Spurs (22-60), and Houston Rockets (22-60) posted the worst records in the NBA this season, putting themselves in the best position to win the lottery.

Bettors faded the listless trio since the start of the season. The Spurs were 33-49 against the spread as the second-worst betting team in the NBA. The were 33-45-4 ATS as the third-worst betting team, and the Pistons were 34-44-4 ATS as the fifth-worst betting squad.

Two other teams seemingly soft-tanked or pivoted to tanking later in the season, including Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers.

The Hornets (27-55) were earlier in the season. They finished this difficult season with the fourth-worst record but were awarded the #2 pick in the lottery.

The Trail Blazers (33-49) were on the playoff bubble for most of the season, yet ended with a 2-15 stretch. They were awarded the #3 pick in the lottery with the fifth-worst record.

Even though the Pistons finished the season with the NBA s worst record and won only 17 games, they only secured the #5 pick overall. The 22-win Rockets were awarded the #4 pick.

Pops Final Mission: Develop Wembanyama

The Spurs secured the #1 pick two other times in the lottery era. Both of their selections became future Hall of Fame members.

The Spurs selected center David Robinson from Navy in the 1997 NBA Draft. Robinson played his entire 14-year career with the Spurs. He was named to 10 NBA All-Star teams, won the NBA MVP in 1995, and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1992. He led the Spurs to two NBA championships in the 1998-99 and 2002-03 seasons.

The Spurs struck gold with Duncan in 1997. Duncan played his entire career in San Antonio, which spanned 19 season, and won the 1998 NBA Rookie of the Year. The two-time MVP was named to 15 NBA All-Star Teams. Duncan was a part of five championship teams and he won the NBA Finals MVP in 1999, 2003, and 2005.

Popovich is the longest-tenured coach in the NBA and has been the Spurs head coach since the start of the 1996-97 season. He dismissed retirement rumors for the last couple of years. Even though Popovich might be in the twilight of his coaching career, the former graduate of the Air Force Academy is aware that his final mission is the development of Wembanyama.

Popovich will teach the young Wembanyama how to be a professional, show him what it takes to win a championship, and provide a how-to on becoming a leader on and off the court.

We re surrounded by amazing people that try to be of service and help others and build things that are great, added Holt.

The Spurs also have several complimentary role players, including shooting guard Devin Vassell and small forward Keldon Johnson,  to assist in Wembanyama s development and transition to the NBA during his rookie season.