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2023 NBA Draft: 8 teams competing for Victor Wembanyama

By Peter O'Keefe

ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne's French player Victor Wembanyama trains prior to the Euroleague basketball match between ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and Zalgiris Kaunas at the Astroballe arena in Villeurbanne, near Lyon, on October 1, 2021. (Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP) (Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP via Getty Images)
ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne's French player Victor Wembanyama trains prior to the Euroleague basketball match between ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and Zalgiris Kaunas at the Astroballe arena in Villeurbanne, near Lyon, on October 1, 2021. (Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP) (Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP via Getty Images) /
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2023 NBA Draft: 8 teams competing for Victor Wembanyama:
HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 14: Head Coach Stephen Silas talks to Jalen Green #0 of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center on November 14, 2021 in Houston, Texas, 2023 NBA Draft: 8 teams competing for Victor Wembanyama:. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) /

Four Western Conference teams could be set to make a play at Wembanyama, all of whom could view him as the final piece in talented young rosters.

2023 NBA Draft: 8 teams competing for Victor Wembanyama: Houston Rockets

The Rockets were fortunate enough to have Jabari Smith slip to them at number three in last month’s draft. With him, Jalen Green, and the likes of Alperun Sengun, Josh Christopher, and Usman Garuba, Houston have stockpiled an array of young talent in the wake of the James Harden era.

The passing of the torch was evident even before the draft, with big man Christian Wood traded to the Dallas Mavericks after averaging 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds across the 2021-22 season.

Houston finished the season with the league’s worst record at 20-62. Even with the addition of Smith, this team isn’t about to take a significant jump. Nor should they want to. Acquiring a potential superstar in Wembanyama could finalize the Rockets’ rebuild, allowing them to focus their full attention on winning games and returning to playoff action.

2023 NBA Draft: 8 teams competing for Victor Wembanyama: Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City is stacked with young talent and a haul of future draft assets. It’s left many wondering how long it will be until the franchise begins to prioritize winning again.

The Thunder could theoretically make a play for any player in the league, including their former MVP in Kevin Durant. It does, however, seem like general manager Sam Presti wants to finish this through the drafting method.

Securing Wembanyama could be the final step in Presti’s grand plan. They already have their future backcourt in place with Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while they’ll hope they can form a scary frontcourt duo with Wembanyama and their number two overall pick Chet Holmgren.

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