Draft Rumors: Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, Hornets, Mavs

Spurs

GM Brian Wright suggested that French center Victor Wembanyama can change the course of a franchise. The Spurs are expected to select Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick.

“People talk about generational talent, and they only think on-court skill, but it’s bigger than that,” Wright said, via Jamal Collier of ESPN. “His ability to be a great teammate, his ability to think the game, unique challenges, you see him doing things that you wouldn’t even have guessed someone could do. His approach, his professionalism. When you use the word generational talent, it extends beyond your ability to put the ball in the basket. And he’s unique in so many ways.”

• Prior to the NBA Draft lottery, Wembanyama told those close to him that he wanted to play for the Spurs, per Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
• For the record, Wembyanama was officially named LNB MVP on Wednesday, becoming the youngest player (19) to earn the honor in the history of France’s top league.
• Yes, the Spurs are likely to pursue some offseason moves to assist Wembenyama in his introduction to the NBA. Sources told Hoops Wire that San Antonio would like to bring in a veteran center and power forward, for starters. 

Hornets

The Hornets already have an All-Star caliber point guard in LaMelo Ball, but they could still consider G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson at No. 2. The other option is expected to be Alabama forward Brandon Miller.

Should the Hornets go with Henderson, it likely means the end of Terry Rozier in Charlotte. It’s hard to envision Charlotte keeping three capable ball-handlers.

Then again, you never know.

“We are getting a little bit more advanced in putting this team together. I think three years ago or even two, three years ago I would have said that without question that we are going to take the best available player, and that’s been our position the last three or four years when we are trying to accumulate talent,” GM Mitch Kupchak said, via Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer. “And I don’t think we are where we need to be from a talent level, but we’ve got a lot more talent now than we did two or three years ago. So, I think we can be a little bit picky and take into consideration not only the overall talent, but the position.”

Mavericks

Given that the Mavericks intend to re-sign star guard Kyrie Irving in free agency, they appear highly likely to look add veterans to the roster and rebound from a lost season.

Basically, with Irving (presumably) and fellow star Luka Doncic, the Mavs aren’t expected to want to keep their No. 10 overall pick. That’s a tough way to get immediate help. 

So the Mavs are expected to shop the pick, or at least float whoever the select with it, in trade talks, sources told Hoops Wire.

Rival executives are expecting as much, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

“Dallas avoided disaster by landing its top-10 protected pick at the No. 10 spot, and the Mavericks are certainly expected to explore the market for that selection in hopes of adding to their All-Star backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the latter of which will become an unrestricted free agent this summer,” Fischer wrote.