2023 NBA Draft Lottery Odds: Feeling Lucky on Which Team Will Land Victor Wembanyama?
The most anticipated NBA Draft lottery since 2003 is this Tuesday (May 16).
Twenty years ago, 18-year-old LeBron James was the most publicized prospect in league history and the Cleveland Cavaliers were fortunate to come away with the No. 1 overall pick.
Heralded to the hilt from his first NBA game, James surpassed expectations in historic fashion – how does the all-time leading scorer in league history sound?
So experts got that one correct.
Now, two decades later, the most hyped, next “generational talent” is 7-foot-4 Frenchman Victor Wembanyama.
The 19-year-old Wembanyama has an 8-foot wingspan and can shoot like a point guard.
He’s played professionally in France since he was 15 and has wowed scouts every year since.
Here’s everything you need to know about the wunderkind Wemby.
He’s the biggest lock to go first overall since LeBron and the ridiculous odds on the prodigious prodigy reflect that: Wembanyama is -20000 – per FanDuel, one of our favorite gambling sites out there along with BetMGM, DraftKings, and many more.
To put that figure into a mind-boggling prop-betting perspective, that means you’d have to bet $100 to win … fifty cents. That’s right. And a grand to win five bucks.
Mathematically, it’s 99.50% percent he’s going No. 1.
What’s absolutely not certain though, is where he’ll be playing next season. This is what will have the 14 NBA franchises in the lottery stroking their talismans Tuesday night (8 ET, ESPN).
Here are the teams, their current FD odds, and each team’s chances of holding the NBA rights equivalent of a winning Powerball ticket.
Remember, since 2019, the three worst teams from this past season – the Pistons, Rockets and Spurs – have an equal shot at winning the grand prize.
It just depends on how the ping-pong balls bounce. Here’s a comprehensive primer on this year’s Draft.
2023 NBA Draft Lottery: Team to Draw No. 1 Overall Pick
Detroit Pistons +550 (14%)
Houston Rockets +550 (14%)
San Antonio Spurs +550 (14%)
Charlotte Hornets +650 (12.5%)
Portland Trail Blazers +800 (10.5%)
Orlando Magic +900 (9%)
Indiana Pacers +1200 (6.8%)
Washington Wizards +1200 (6.7%)
Utah Jazz +1700 (4.5%)
Dallas Mavericks +2700 (3%)
Chicago Bulls +4400 (3%)
Oklahoma City Thunder +4400 (1.7%)
Toronto Raptors +7900 (1%)
New Orleans Pelicans +10000 (0.5%)
One thing about these odds that makes little sense, is that, with the same probability, the Mavericks are +2700 while the Bulls are at +4400.
Hmm. Weird. Odd, even.
Anyway, my hunch is that it’s going to be Houston that wins the Wembanyama sweepstakes and not just because Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has pleaded for fans to “Pray for Victor.”
Even if you’re not religious, this kid is so goddamn good, it might convince you to convert and become a believer.
