of boston celtics (20-5) leads the Eastern Conference, Phoenix Suns (16-8) currently have the best record in the Western Conference. This season, all eyes will be on the worst teams in the NBA. Road draft classes entering the league in Juneled by Victor Wenbanyama, a talent of the generation.
The NBA season is still long and a lot can happen, but there is already a 14% chance of getting it through the young team rebuilding process, injuries, or the offloading of franchise talent this summer. There are some teams that are well positioned.
As the battle for bottom begins, Yahoo Sports looks at seven teams who could land at Wembanyama next June and how they started the season.
(Records up to December 5 games. tankason.)
Current record: 5-20
Odds for 1st pick: 14%
Magic is rebuild mode.They picked the former Duke forward with the #1 pick in the 2022 draft. Paolo BancheroAdded a point guard two years ago Jalen Suggs No. 5 pick and No. 8 wing Franz Wagner.
The Magic may not have won many games, but they’re a fun team to watch with a 7-foot-2 starting lineup. Bolbol6-11 Mo Wagner, 6-10 Banchero, 6-10 Franz Wagner, 6-4 Markelle FultzAdding a 7-4 Wembanyama to this young team is a dream scenario. The size and length are unmatched at the Eastern Conference.
The Magic are 1-10 in their last 11 games and currently have six players without injuries: Suggs (ankle), Gary Harris (hamstring), middle horse pail (knee), Mo Bamba (back), Wendell Carter Jr. (leg), Jonathan Isaac (knees).
Current record: 6-19
Odds for 1st pick: 14%
Pistons are rebuilding around 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham adding a talented guard to play alongside him in the backcourt in the 2022 Draft No. 5 pick, Jaden IvyUnfortunately, Cunningham was absent. Shin injury, may have surgery this season.
Head coach Dwayne Casey said, “It’s up to the medical group and Cade and what’s best for his health.” support him 100%
The Pistons are 3-7 in their last 10 games, winning just three in November. If Cunningham decides to have surgery and miss the rest of the season, the Pistons could remain in a good spot to acquire Wenbanyama. The Pistons have not made it through the first round of the playoffs since the 2007-08 season, and he has only made it to the playoffs twice in the last decade.
Current record: 6-18
Odds for 1st pick: 14%
The Spurs made some offseason moves to put themselves in a good position to acquire Wenbanyama.The organization went into rebuilding mode when they traded the All-Star Guard Dejounte Murray To Atlanta Hawks and add Jeremy SochanMalachi Branham and Blake Wesley, are just 19 in the 2022 draft.
The young Spurs started the season well with a 5-2 record, but have since cooled off. San Antonio has won just one in his last 12 games, and the injury-ridden Spurs head Greg Popovich, even without his coach. a person recovering from a minor medical procedureSochan (quad), Wesley (knee), Doug McDermott (ankle), Romeo Langford (ankle), Jacob Poeltl (knee) and Josh Richardson (Ankle) are all out for the Spurs now.
The Spurs have always been known as an organization that does a great job developing young talent, and Hall of Famer Popovich’s coach and guide Wenbanyama’s entry into the league is worth spending a grueling season leading up to the 2023 draft. be.
Current record: 7-17
Odds for 1st pick: 11.5%
This is the Rockets’ third season rebuild after the trade Russell Westbrook December 2020 and James Harden Unlike the injury-plagued Spurs and Thunder, the Rockets are missing just one winger, Jeshaun Tate.
The Rockets have a lot of young talent Jalen Green When Kevin Porter Jr. Lead your team in scoring.Houston lacks rookie frontcourt size and experience Jabari Smith Jr. and 2nd year center alperen armyThe Rockets hope to add Wenbanyama to this young core next season, potentially turning the franchise around.
Current record: 7-17
Odds for 1st pick: 11.5%
The Hornets are a dark horse contending for the bottom and still don’t have a star point guard. lamelo ballWho On November 16, he stepped on a fan’s foot and reinjured his ankle. Gordon HaywardHe averaged 15.9 points and 3.6 assists last season. shoulder fracture.
500 for the first time since 2015-16 and looked to be rounding a corner. The Hornets started the season with a string of injuries and are currently missing five players: Ball (ankle), Hayward (shoulder), Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle), Mark Williams (ankle), Cody Martin (knees).
Current record: 11-13
Odds for 1st pick: 3.8%
General Manager Sam Presti knew what he was doing when he executed 14 trades in the 2019-20 season, offloaded star players and picked up 38 draft picks over the next seven years. wasIn the last two drafts, Thunder has added Josh Guiddy, Alexei Poksevski, Treman, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Chet HolmgrenJalen Williams, Jalyn Williams To construct Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Le Dort.
The Thunder were looking forward to turning a corner with a combined 46 wins over the past two seasons, but second pick Holmgren brought bad news in the offseason. He suffered a season-ending leg injury during a pro-am game in Seattle. OKC fans are forced to persevere for another year in hopes of snatching another talented prospect predicted at the top of the draft.
Wembanyama and Holmgren went head to head at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in July 2021. Homgren and Team USA took the win, but Wenbanyama was the best prospect on the court, finishing with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 blocks. Adding Poksevsky would be the final piece in Thunder’s rebuilding puzzle.
honorable mention
Current record: 15-8
Odds of 1st Nomination (via) lakers): 7.5%
The Pelicans are in a unique situation this season, and it doesn’t matter what their record is or whether they make the playoffs. Pelicans fans will be keeping an eye on the Los Angeles Lakers’ record heading into the draft, thanks to the Anthony Davis trade, which sent the Lakers pick to New Orleans. The Lakers started the season as one of the worst teams in the league, but have gone on to win 8 of 10 games. If the draft lottery were today, he had a 7.5% chance of getting Wenbanyama for the Pelicans. According to TankasonThe more games the Lakers lose, the closer the Pelicans are to adding the ridiculously skilled Wenbanyama alongside their 2019 No. 1 pick. Zion Williamson.
