The much-anticipated — even that feels like an understatement — 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is over, and the San Antonio Spurs won it all thanks to some ping pong ball luck.
So it would be obvious who the biggest winner of the night was: The team that will presumably take Victor Wembanyama (called perhaps “the greatest prospect in the history of team sports” by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, which felt hyperbolic). But there were other things that happened as the 2023 draft order was announced.
So let’s run through some of the winners and losers — yes, including the Spurs — of the night. And check out our latest instant NBA mock draft after the lottery.
Save 20% at Nike this week
Winners: San Antonio Spurs
Obviously. Winning the rights to draft Victor Wembanyama first overall means the Spurs have to lead this list.
Winner: Damian Lillard
His Blazers ended up with the No. 3 pick, which means Dame gets to play with — maybe — Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller or one of the Thompson twins. Either way, it means Lillard will have some serious help next season.
Winners: Dallas Mavericks
It could have been a disaster for the Mavs if their pick was outside the top 10 and went to the Knicks. But they stayed put and now can use the pick to take a player who can help immediately or trade it.
Losers: Detroit Pistons
To lose out on the first overall pick as one of the teams with the highest odds is one thing. To then plummet to No. 5 overall? A lot worse. That said, there’s talent to be had at that spot, but it might not be one of the bigger non-Wemby names. Ugh.
Losers: Houston Rockets
Similar to the Pistons, and they ended up at No. 4. They could still end up with a quality player there, but top three would have been nice (and Wemby, nicer, although Alperen Sengun is GOOD).
