2023 NBA Draft odds: Victor Wembanyama is virtual lock to be No. 1 pick

After months of anticipation, it’s finally official: the San Antonio Spurs will have the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

And they’ll be taking Victor Wembanyama.

The second part of that isn’t technically official, though it might as well be with all the hype around the 19-year-old French superstar.

In the wake of Tuesday’s NBA Draft lottery, Wembanyama is dealing as the -20000 favorite to be the first overall pick at FanDuel – and even that might be underselling it.

Scoot Henderson (+2500) and Brandon Miller (+12000), widely expected to join Wembanyama as future top-three picks, are the only other players dealing at shorter than 200/1 to hear their name called first in this year’s draft, which will take place on June 22.

Odds to be No. 1 pick in 2023 NBA Draft

Wembanyama favored to be No. 1 pick in 2023 NBA Draft

It’s been an open secret in the NBA for months, if not years, that Wembanyama would be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

And that feels as certain as ever in the weeks leading up to June’s rookie draft.

Standing at 7-foot-4 with a nearly 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama’s combination of size and skill is simply unlike anything we’ve ever seen in the history of the league.

His terrific length and shot-blocking instincts tease future Defensive Player of the Year potential, while his smooth shooting stroke and tight handle are absurd for a player of his size.

As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said before Tuesday’s lottery reveal, Wembanyama – who became the youngest MVP winner in the history of France’s LNB on Wednesday – is perhaps the most anticipated prospect in NBA history, and executives around the league believe he could be the best player in the league on both ends by his third season.

It seems that Wembanyama is destined to go No. 1 overall, regardless of what may happen between now and late June.

A day before Tuesday’s lottery, NBA reporter Sean Highkin noted that even if Wembanyama sustained a “multiple-season injury before the draft,” he would still be the first pick and sign a max deal on his second contract, sight unseen.

As a result, the much more interesting market from a betting perspective is who will be selected with the No. 2 pick, with Henderson (-160) dealing as an early favorite over Brandon Miller (+110).

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The order is flipped for the No. 3 pick, where Miller (+125) holds the slight edge over Henderson (+150).

While Henderson was considered the better prospect entering this past season, Miller’s stellar play at Alabama helped elevate his stock in the eyes of draftniks, even as troubles off the court complicated his otherwise stellar resume.

Miller would also be a better stylistic fit for the Hornets, who hold the No. 2 pick and already have a budding star guard in LaMelo Ball.

That could also prompt Charlotte to move the second pick to a team looking to trade up for Henderson, who profiles as a top pick in most drafts.