At the moment, the basketball world is abuzz with excitement. Yet, much of that excitement has little to do with players who are currently in the NBA.
Instead, that buzz is centered around two elite prospects. With Victor Wembenyama and Scoot Henderson having just squared off, fans are thinking about the 2023 draft a little early.
Front offices are too – don’t be surprised if the race to the bottom is unusually (un)competitive this season. Some teams know they’ll be in the mix for a top pick. The San Antonio Spurs and the Utah Jazz are in year one of their rebuilding processes.
Meanwhile, teams like the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, and the Detroit Pistons could surpass expectations – or not.
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Meanwhile, teams like the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks are on the cusp. They could determine that they’d be best to compete in 2022-23 and let the chips fall. Alternatively, either could decide that tanking for one of the top prospects is their best way forward.
Here’s a deal that has the two sides making opposite decisions.