With the primary decide, the “Wemby Draft” went in keeping with plan. We’ll see if Victor Wembanyama’s profession follows swimsuit. Wembanyama, the large Frenchman, shook Adam Silver’s hand in a darkish inexperienced swimsuit and formally joined the San Antonio Spurs. The course of was drawn out by the NBA to attain most airtime for ESPN, with the Spurs requiring the total 5 minutes for the decide.
Then the clock began on the true drama, with Michael Jordan making his remaining decide as Hornets proprietor at No. 2. Here have been the top-4 picks from Thursday’s draft:
1. SPURS: VICTOR WEMBANYAMA
Previous Team: Metropolitans 92 (France)
Age: 19
Height: 7-4
Weight: 209 kilos
The Frenchman is taken into account a expertise with out rival due to his mixture of top, athleticism and ability. His presence locations the Spurs again on the nationwide map after 4 years with out a playoff look. It additionally in all probability extends the profession of Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich. The expertise and uniqueness is simple, however the huge questions concern Wembanyama’s rail-thin physique: can he deal with the grown males of the NBA? And, can he keep wholesome? Don’t count on miracles within the first yr.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Kevin Durant
2. HORNETS: BRANDON MILLER
Previous Team: Alabama
Age: 20
Height: 6-9
Weight: 205
The Hornets reportedly mulled guard Scoot Henderson with this decide however in the end met with the higher positional slot in Miller. Henderson would’ve been redundant in a backcourt with LaMelo Ball. Miller is a prototypical 3-and-D wing who arrives with baggage: he was on the scene of the deadly capturing of a 23-year-old lady and the gun used within the homicide was retrieved from Miller’s automobile, in keeping with police testimony. Miller hasn’t been charged with a criminal offense.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Paul George.
3. TRAIL BLAZERS: SCOOT HENDERSON
Previous Team: G League Ignite
Age: 19
Height: 6-2
Weight: 196
The Blazers are at a crossroads with Dame Lillard nonetheless on the roster and a gaggle of kids as his supporting solid. They’re nowhere near rivalry, which was why the Blazers have been reportedly mulling gives for Lillard. We’ll see in the event that they’ll have interaction extra critically after drafting Henderson, an athletic and fierce competitor who must work on his jumper.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: Russell Westbrook
4. ROCKETS: AMEN THOMPSON
Previous Team: Overtime Elite
Age: 20
Height: 6-5
Weight: 209
The Rockets are younger and wanting to take the following step with new coach Ime Udoka, and far of their course shall be decided in free company (James Harden is considering a Rockets reunion). Thompson is extra of a facilitator and playmaker than his twin brother, Ausar, the fifth decide in Thursday’s draft. Amen is actually athletic and quick. A priority is Thompson’s capturing, or lack thereof. Frankly, his kind appears to be like damaged. Also, it’s robust to evaluate Thompson in opposition to the opposite prospects as a result of his degree of competitors at Overtime Elite in Atlanta — the place he performed largely in opposition to highschool gamers — lacks perspective within the NBA.
UPSIDE NBA COMP: John Wall
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Source: www.bostonherald.com