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NBA Draft 2023: Analyzing top 8 teams for protected No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama

By Tristan Freeman

Oct 4, 2022; Henderson, NV, USA; Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 forward Victor Wembanyama (1) smiles after the game against the NBA G League Ignite at The Dollar Loan Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2022; Henderson, NV, USA; Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 forward Victor Wembanyama (1) smiles after the game against the NBA G League Ignite at The Dollar Loan Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Draft Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Draft Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Indiana Pacers – 6.8% chance of landing No. 1 pick in NBA Draft

The rebuilding effort for the Pacers continues after a 35-47 season, though there were some bright spots. The Domantis Sabonis-Tyrese Haliburton trade midseason worked for both sides, as the Indiana starting guard averaged 20.7 ppg and 10.4 apg in 56 games. What’s also helped is the successful 2022 NBA Draft moves, with lottery pick Bennedict Mathurin (16.7 ppg) and second-round pick Andrew Nembhard each having successful rookie campaigns.

But the frontcourt is something that Indiana is looking to improve on after shipping Sabonis out. Center Myles Turner averaged 18.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg and is a solid starter who could pair with Wembayama. He’s also been a longtime trade candidate too so the franchise could finally put the trigger to trade him if they saw fit.

Another big selling point for this team is head coach Rick Carlisle, who won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks. After things ran their course there, the coach was hired by Indiana. This roster has lots of good 2nd and 3rd options but none at No. 1, which would change with Wembanyama’s arrival.

Among the teams in the top half of the NBA Draft lottery, Haliburton is arguably the best starting point guard of the group and would help with the rookie’s transition. And Indiana also has the best coach in the group as well. If Wembanyama were to end up here, the Pacers could make a large jump sooner than later.

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