Spurs lottery odds for No. 1 pick after Victor Wembanyama season-ending injury
The Spurs received bad news coming out of the All-Star break. We break down what it means for their NBA Draft Lottery odds.
The San Antonio Spurs received devastating news on Thursday as superstar Victor Wembanyama is out for the rest of the season due to a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The team has shut him down after testing during All-Star weekend and they’ll figure out next steps Thursday night when they host the Phoenix Suns.
The Spurs entered the second half of the season in 12th place, sitting 3.5 games back of the Golden State Warriors for the final spot in the play-in tournament. On the other side of the standings, their record is tenth worst in the league. That would give them a 3.0% chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery.
Our last mock draft had the Spurs taking Texas G Trey Johnson, but the injury to Wembanyama potentially puts them in a position to land a true difference-maker. Someone like Ace Bailey or Asa Newell would be natural fits following the team’s trade for De’Aaron Fox.
Here is the current list of teams ahead of the Spurs in the lottery picture. They have virtually no chance of catching the Wizards, and realistically, even the Raptors at No. 5 would be a tough one. Nonetheless, the loss of Wembanyama likely guarantees them at least a top ten spot in the lottery.
- Washington Wizards: 9-45
- New Orleans Pelicans: 13-42
- Utah Jazz: 13-41
- Charlotte Hornets: 14-39
- Toronto Raptors: 17-38
- Brooklyn Nets: 20-34
- Philadelphia 76ers: 20-34
- Chicago Bulls: 22-33
- Portland Trail Blazers: 23-32
- San Antonio Spurs: 23-29