2023 NBA draft predictions

The NBA draft lottery is complete. With Victor Wembanyama in the upcoming draft, teams were more desperate than ever for that illustrious number-one pick. With this draft class considered to be one of high quality, here are the predictions of the draft order from one to three.

Pick 1: San Antonio Spurs

Fans were extremely surprised when the Spurs landed the first overall pick. With them being the second-worst team in the league, they had a 14% chance at the gold. When fans saw that they got the first pick, many were quick to throw the scripted card out as in the past they have landed top prospects with a low chance at the number one pick.

With that aside, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that they will pick Victor Wembanyama. The seven-foot-four power forward from the French league looks NBA-ready at only 19. He has been hyped up by the media as much as great talents like LeBron James and Zion Williamson, this can often be a detriment as it creates a lot of pressure on a young player.

He has no holes in his game apart from physicality, he is for sure a future star. He can score at all three levels and defends the interior like an NBA veteran, he is also scarily quick on his feet on the perimeter defensive side. With a bit of bulking up, he could be a problem for the league.

Victor Wembanyama during the Betclic Elite Playoffs match (Image: Getty Images)

Pick 2: Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte have developed a great young core in the past few years with players such as LaMelo Ball and PJ Washington. Although they already have Ball at the point guard position, they will most likely draft Scoot Henderson at the two spot.

The six-foot-two guard from the G-League is an athletic freak. With a six foot nine wingspan and great speed and jumping ability, he has little flaws physically. He is an elite-level slasher and playmaker with respectable perimeter defence and is an amazingly fun player to watch. The only hole in his game would be his shooting as he shot below average in college. We have seen young players come in recent years and have success without a great shot such as Ja Morant and Jaden Ivey so Henderson will most likely cope fine without it.

Fans may question the Hornets drafting two point guards in quick succession but Henderson is too good to pass up on. Along with this, Ball can play at the shooting guard and small forward positions and still be productive.

Current G-League player Scoot Henderson (Image: Getty Images)

Pick 3: Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers are a team that has failed to build a team around their star man Damian Lillard. They will most likely be going full rebuild and trading him this off-season and building around youngster Afernee Simons. With this in mind, the Blazers will most likely draft small forward Brandon Miller from Alabama University.

The six-foot-nine forward is very athletic with good length and is a sniper from three-point and mid-range. He would be the perfect piece alongside Simons as he is a great defender and shooter but can also handle the ball if needs to.

He has all the workings of a future all-defensive team member as he averaged a steal and a block per game in college, this will only improve with experience.

The draft is often unpredictable, and any of these players could rise or fall and make this story age like milk. We will only know when Adam Silver reads the names on draft day.