Predicting the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery Results

There is no way possible to have any idea of what will happen at the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery tonight, but we're going to predict it anyways because why not?

Here is what my crystal ball is telling me along with my projected picks for the top five selections.

1. Houston Rockets

Projected pick: C Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92)

The Rockets already have a few interesting pieces in Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Sr., and Alperen Sengun. You add Wembanyama into the mix and all of a sudden, the Rockets may have the brightest future of any team in the Western Conference.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Projected pick: G Scoot Henderson (G-League Ignite)

This could be Brandon Miller but the Spurs have to love the idea of Henderson in the backcourt with Devin Vassell. Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan are going to be a big part of his rebuild, so it makes more sense to go with the explosive guard here.

3. Charlotte Hornets

Projected pick: F Brandon Miller (Alabama)

Charlotte needs a natural scorer and Miller is exactly that. LaMelo Ball can fill up the basket in bunches but he's not necessarily someone that is going to go off for 30+ on any given night. Miller can do that. Plus, they need a long-term solution to replace Gordon Hayward on the wing.

4. Detroit Pistons

Projected pick: F Jerace Walker (Houston)

The Pistons are the unlucky ones here as they fall out of the top three and are now forced to draft need over best player available. Walker is still a good get here for the Pistons but it will certainly sting not getting Wemby or the other two that came off the board.

5. Portland Trail Blazers

Projected pick: G Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite)

Damian Lillard isn't going to be in Portland forever and they need to get ahead of his eventual departure (free agency/retirement) before it happens and they have nothing to build around. Thompson may not be the centerpiece of what the Blazers do moving forward but he will be a building block.

The rest of the lottery order:

6. Orlando Magic

7. Washington Wizards

8. Indiana Pacers

9. Utah Jazz

10. Dallas Mavericks

11. Oklahoma City Thunder

12. Chicago Bulls

13. Toronto Raptors

14. New Orleans Pelicans

The lottery is set to take place at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.

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