NBA: Wembanyama, the first choice

“A player destined to become a great player, no matter where he falls, it will be the right one.” Victor Wembanyama is not worried about the franchise that will inherit the No. 1 choice of the NBA draft. In less than a week, the Franco-Congolese giant (2.21m) will know his future team in the biggest basketball league in the world.

Who will be the lucky one ? Since his emergence a few months ago, the Boulogne-Levallois prodigy has panicked American recruiters. Some franchises even considered skipping the end of the regular season to secure the first draft pick and secure the signing of Wemby.

Best scorer (21.5 pts on average), rebounder (9.9) and blocker (3.1) in the French championship and presented as one of the greatest talents in world basketball for several years, Victor Wembanyama will know more about his probable future destination on May 16 after the draw between the 14 teams not qualified this season for the NBA play-offs.

The order of choice of franchises for the draft will then be known before the big day. Detroit, San Antonio and Houston, which have the worst record this season, have the highest probability of getting the first choice (14% each).

The Spurs to follow in the footsteps of TP

It is already a long time when San Antonio dominated the League, monopolizing 4 rings of champion under the leadership of Tony Parker. Stuck at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Spurs and their legendary coach Gregg Popovitch would welcome a new “French” romance. A team in reconstruction and a franchise accustomed to developing foreign players, enough to seduce Victor Wembanyama.

Bobcats for MJ Legacy

What better way to start than joining the franchise of the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan. The Charlotte owner knows his team needs inside talent when the All-Star LaMelo Ball must today take all the responsibilities at the risk of diluting his talent as a leader. 14th East, the former formation of Nicolas Batum however, has little chance of hitting the jackpot.

The Pacers for a shock duo

In Indiana, the star of the moment is called Tyrese Haliburton. A 23-year-old outstanding passer (10.4 assists on average this year) who dreams of having with him a player capable of receiving his offerings. Because despite great outings, the Pacers have never been able to extricate themselves from the bottom of the regular season (35-47).

To the Rockets to be the star

Since the departure of James Harden two years ago, Houston is looking for a figurehead. Bad student of the Western Conference, the Texan franchise has always enjoyed the giants of the game. No one has forgotten the passages of Ralph Sampson in the 80s or more recently from the Chinese Yao Ming.

After a disaster season (22 wins, 60 losses), the Rockets have formalized their new coach: Making Udoka arrives from Boston to replace Stephen Silas. A demanding coach, renowned for his ability to galvanize his troops, he completed his first season as head coach by leading the Celtics to the championship final last year, ultimately losing to Golden State (4-2).

At the Mavs for a transfer of power

The “Wembamania” which has taken hold of the United States for several months is a furious reminder of the country’s craze for another European talent a few years ago. The Slovenian Luka Doncic shines in Dallas but is still looking for a companion and a duet with the Frenchman would be a monumental attraction for the NBA.