Draft lottery
General manager Brian Wright called it “an incredible day” for the franchise and the fans.
Charlotte will pick second, Portland moved up to third, and Houston fell to fourth.
“This draft is a deep, talented one,” Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said. “We know picks one through six there’s always gems to be found, but to move up into the top three is really exciting.”
As for getting the No. 1 pick in a year like this?
“People talk about generational talents and you only think on-court skill, but it’s bigger than that,” Wright said. “Peter talked about his ability to be a great teammate, his ability to think the game, unique challenges. You see him doing things that you wouldn’t have even guessed someone could do — his approach, his professionalism. I think when you use the word generational talent, it extends beyond just your ability to put the ball in the basket. And he’s unique in so many ways.”
The Spurs were 22-60 this season, tied for the second-worst record in the
NBA. Popovich and the Spurs have had incredible success with international players in the past — most notably, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, who owns the French team that Wembanyama played for last season.
Wembanyama finished his regular season with Boulogne-Levallois of France’s top pro league earlier Tuesday, his 22-point effort good enough for him to clinch the league’s scoring title. It was shortly past 2 a.m. Wednesday in Paris when the lottery results were revealed, and Wembanyama was gathered with family and friends for a celebration.
“Can’t really describe it,” Wembanyama said in his interview with ESPN, adding “it’s a really special moment.”
Detroit had the worst record in the NBA and was one of the three teams with the best odds of winning. The Pistons wound up falling all the way to fifth, the worst of their possible outcomes.
The rest of the lottery order: Orlando will pick sixth, Indiana seventh, Washington eighth, Utah ninth, Dallas 10th, Orlando (from Chicago as part of an earlier trade) 11th, Oklahoma City 12th, Toronto 13th, and New Orleans 14th.