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USA Today Sports Media Group
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Charles Curtis

Ranking all 14 NBA lottery teams by best fit for Victor Wembanyama

As of writing this, we are one day away from finding out who wins the NBA lottery and the chance to draft Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 unicorn from France who could be the next big superstar.

We’re all in awe of what Wemby can do, whether it’s posting up guards nearly two feet shorter, putting back his own stepback three … with a dunk, or palming a basketball with two fingers.

But with the lottery looming, here’s a question for NBA fans: Who would you like to see Wembanyama join? Who would be the best fit?

We ranked all 14 lottery teams to find the answer:

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14
Chicago Bulls

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

This franchise feels like it’s perpetually in disarray. They haven’t been out of the first round since 2015. They’ve got roster problems that need addressing. Throwing Vic into the mix might be rough for Wembanyama.

13
Charlotte Hornets

(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Is it kind of ridiculous to think that, although he and LaMelo Ball would be so fun to pair up, landing him here would be a bad thing? I’m just imagining Michael Jordan getting in his face a lot, telling him to beef up or whatever.

12
Washington Wizards

John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Kristaps Porzingis AND Victor Wembanyama? On the same team? My God. Maybe I should rethink this one.

11
Utah Jazz

Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

He and Lauri Markkanen together would actually be kind of interesting.

10
Houston Rockets

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

This is me being protective of Vic. Things are a mess in Houston, and the hope is that Ime Udoka will help focus the young core there.

But I would rather see him in a better locker room despite the fact that a Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun and Wembanyama core would be terrifying.

9
Indiana Pacers

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Who cares of Myles Turner is still there and stretches the floor too? With him, Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton, this would be a top-five must-watch team with Vic.

8
New Orleans Pelicans

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Zion and Wemby, now that would be a combo … as long as the two of them stay healthy. Welp.

7
Toronto Raptors

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

We’ve reached the, “how fun would it be to have all these dudes with wingspan clogging up the lanes?” level. The offense would certainly be better!

6
Dallas Mavericks

(AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Luka and Wemby. DROOL.

5
Oklahoma City Thunder

(AP Photo/Jeff Swinger, File)

Am I ranking them this high so I can speak him and Chet Holmgren together into existence? MAYBE. But also: Shai, Dort, Josh Giddey … this team would be so fun to watch.

4
Portland Trail Blazers

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Let’s try to get Dame to contend again!

3
San Antonio Spurs

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Want to see Wembanyama be the best he can be? Pair him with Coach Pop and see what happens. I’m actually intrigued by the core here, too, with Devin Vassell, Jaremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson.

2
Detroit Pistons

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

I’m almost all in here. The core would be Cade Cunningham, Jane Ivey, Jalen Duran and Wembanyama. Let’s gooooo!

1
Orlando Magic

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Paolo Banchero. Jonathan Isaac. Wendell Carter. Franz Wagner. Victor Wembanyama. WOW. And, oh yeah, put Bol Bol in the mix.

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