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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:
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 05: Franz Wagner #22 and Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic celebrate against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Amway Center on November 05, 2021 in Orlando, Florida, 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2023 NBA Draft: 8 teams competing for Victor Wembanyama: Orlando Magic

The Magic love their long, athletic wings/forwards, with Wembanyama potentially lining up as the best of the bunch. They just added Paolo Banchero with the first overall pick, a year removed from selecting two top ten picks in Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner.

Because of their depth of talent, Orlando is primed to take a jump up the standings after a disappointing 22-60 season. But perhaps they’ll be better off by having another down season to heighten their chances of another number one pick.

2023 NBA Draft: 8 teams competing for Victor Wembanyama: Indiana Pacers

Another team whose offseason may signal a path towards rebuilding, the Pacers have never held the number one overall pick. Indiana recently traded Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics, having parted ways with Domantas Sabonis earlier in the year.

Their biggest roadblock may be the evolution of the player they got back for Sabonis – Tyrese Haliburton. Ready to explode with greater responsibilities heading into his third season, the 22-year-old projects as a winning player capable of making teammates better.

Combined with Myles Turner and Chris Duarte, Indiana may find themselves too good to get into this conversation. But if you ever wanted to break the franchise drought of not having the first selection in the draft, next year might be the perfect time to do it.

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