How Does Victor Wembanyama Fit with the Hornets?
Our first prospect profile is on Victor Wembanyama, who needs no introduction. Wembanyama is like if the Space Jam scene of Michael Jordan dunking from half court came to life. Wembanyama is also like if a Monstar was a human being. He is the most hyped prospect since LeBron James, and he has the potential to walk into an NBA franchise and completely transform it on both ends of the floor.
Victor Wembanyama - Forward/Center, Metropolitans (Betclic Elite, French pro league)
2022-23 stats: 21.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 3.1 blocks, 0.8 steals,
47% field goal, 29% 3 point (5 attempts/game), 82% free throw
Strengths:
Everything in these strengths and weakness sections will be looked at through a Hornets-specific lens.
Wembanyama's biggest strength is the versatility that he brings on the defensive end. Traditionally, when franchises draft 19-year-old prospects, the hope is that their defensive ability develops over time. Wembanyama is already a game-wrecker on the defensive end.
His wingspan was measured at eight feet in February, and he is adept at using every inch of it. Wembanyama can alter shots at the rim as both the primary defender and a help defender. His instincts are unteachable and even if he gambles and makes a mistake, that eight-foot wingspan can correct it in a heartbeat.
His instincts and wingspan give him the versatility to guard smaller perimeter players and skilled big men. In Metropolitans exhibition game against G-League Ignite, Wembanyama fought through a screen guarding potential lottery pick Scoot Henderson and blocked his jump shot 20 feet from the rim. Wembanyama isn't the quickest and could get blown by when guarding a smaller, quicker guard, but his long arms can disrupt an offensive player if he gets beat.
Charlotte gave up 52.7 points per game in the paint in 2022-23, good for 23rd in the league. On top of that, Charlotte gave up the fifth most shots within five feet in the league. Mark Williams is a solid paint defender, but if you pair him with a potential all-world defender like Wembanyama, Charlotte will boast one of the most fearsome front lines in the league.
On the offensive end, Wembanyama can score from just about anywhere. At this point, I'm sure you've seen the highlights.
He can pick up his dribble at the three-point line, euro-step into the paint, and finish at the rim.
He can shoot long-range jumpers over anyone because of his incredibly high release point.
He can finish lobs at the dunker spot.
He can shoot one-footed floaters from 27 feet.
You name it, he can do it. Pairing him with an elite point guard like LaMelo Ball will only open up Wembanyama's game.
Wembanyama can shoot, but his shooting prowess is a tad overrated at this point. He is below-average from above the arc on an above-average number of attempts for his league. He shoots 23% from the left wing, 26% from the top of the key, and 33% from the right wing. His plus free throw shooting and solid form show promise, but his overall shooting ability isn't as great as people think.
We saw LaMelo and Mark Williams develop a nice chemistry on pick and rolls before LaMelo's injury, and Wembanyama can slide into that role nicely and even improve on what Williams did. For his size, Wembanyama is a crafty interior finisher and has the ability to turn the rare bad pass from LaMelo into a bucket.
Lastly, Wembanyama does have the ability to create shots for himself with the ball in his hand. Charlotte's offense had moments last season where it looked stuck in the mud. Charlotte had the worst offensive rating in the league in 2022-23. They were 29th in effective field goal percentage. This team needs some juice, and Wembanyama can bring it. He's a skilled ball-handler and can create shots for himself in isolation situations. Truly, the world has never seen someone with this size that is able to dribble, drive, and shoot quite like him.
The thought of a potential starting lineup of Lamelo-Hayward-Bridges-Wembanyama-Williams oozes potential and could quickly become a contender in the East.
Weaknesses:
These are harder to come by, but drafting Wembanyama does leave Charlotte with a few questions.
As stated earlier, Wembanyama can shoot, but his outside touch is a little overstated. There becomes a fit question on offense when he shares the floor with Mark Williams as both of them will do their primary work in the painted area.
On defense, they both are plus rim protectors, and having one of them guard the perimeter full-time will limit the impact they can bring to a team. I don't doubt Wembanyama's ability to do that, but again, you want him closer to the rim to alter shots in the paint, which is redundant to what Mark Williams does.
The other issue becomes PJ Washington. Free agency happens after the draft and one would think that Washington's role becomes squeezed if Wembanyama enters the fold. Washington would be an incredible sixth man, and honestly, his fit next to Wembanyama on both ends is perfect.
If he re-signs, does Charlotte have to make a choice between Washington and Williams long-term, or does one of them accept a bench role? Those are champagne problems that Charlotte would be elated to have, but the question is worth bringing up.
The only other long-term question I have about Wembanyama is his durability. The NBA has rarely ever seen anyone like him. His potential impact is sky-high, but the risk is there too. Clips have gone around of him getting bullied by big men in the post in the Euroleague, and you have to wonder how he'll fare in the post against NBA big men. Nightly matchups with Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Steven Adams, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and other behemoths will take a toll on Wembanyama's body. If he has the Giannis-like transformation into a chiseled, Greek-god-like figure, that question goes away.
For right now, Wembanyama is a stringy, Gumby-like 19-year-old with a ceiling higher than anyone who has ever touched a basketball. A couple of trips to Bojangles and Cookout may be the key to unlocking that potential. If Wembanayama puts on some muscle to bang with the big boys, look out.
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