Detroit, Charlotte & Houston Are The Leading Contenders To Land Transcendent Basketball Star Victor Wembanyama

The 2023 NBA Draft is only about six months away now.

It’s set for June 22, and one NBA franchise will be irrevocably changed for the better on that date.

Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-5 French superstar who is the presumed No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, will land with one team on that June day.

As of now, the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and Houston Rockets all have a 14% chance at the No. 1 pick, per Tankathan.com.

The Spurs are next at 12.5% followed by the Washington Wizards (9.8), Orlando Magic (9.7) and the L.A. Lakers (7.5). The problem for the Lakers is the New Orleans Pelicans own their pick.

One NBA agent who was recently in France to see Wembanyama play for his Metropolitans club believes he is on track for all-time greatness.

“If he’s not hurt, he’ll be the greatest player ever,” said the agent, who has multiple clients playing overseas and in the NBA.

Some basketball folks are comparing Wembanyama to 7-2 Bol Bol of the Magic, who is averaging 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in his fourth NBA season, but the agent says that comparison is flawed.

In his one-and-done season at Oregon in his age-19 year, Bol averaged 21 points and 9.6 rebounds before becoming the 44th pick in 2019.

Wembanyama, who turns 19 Jan. 4, is averaging 22.7 points and 9.0 rebounds “in one of the best, most athletic leagues in the world,” the agent said.

“He’s the best player in the league and the level of players he’s playing against are the best players in the Pac-12, the best college players, borderline NBA guys — and he’s dominating,” the agent added. “Dominating.

“And Bol Bol [at 19], he wasn’t even dominating the Pac-12. Wembanyama’s physicality, I think people underestimate because he’s so thin. He’s a physically strong dude…

“When everything opens in the NBA, he’s going to be unstoppable, totally unstoppable.”

LeBron James sat courtside earlier this season to watch Wembanyama play against Scoot Henderson, the projected No. 2 pick, and G League Ignite in Las Vegas.

“He’s more like an alien, he’s for sure a generational talent,” said James.

Wembanyama has also drawn comparisons to Nets star Kevin Durant, but he is 7-5, not the 7-foot that Durant likely is.

“It’s a much better comparison,” the agent said. “He’ll be the best rim protector in the NBA from day one. And then offensively he’ll be an efficient, unstoppable force from day one.”

Said Wembanyama: “My goal is to be like something you’ve never seen.”

On June 23, one NBA team will call him their own.