Tankathon Standings: Spurs, Pistons in Search of Top 2023 NBA Draft Odds

As we near the home stretch of the season, the league’s worst will turn on the burners in the race for Victor Wembanyama.

As we near the home stretch of the season, the league’s worst will turn on the burners in the race for the No. 1 pick and French phenom Victor Wembanyama.

Year after year, the teams near the bottom resort to developmental lineups post-All-Star break, which often isn’t the best product but does secure better draft odds. We’ll undoubtedly see even more teams join the fight for draft odds as more playoff spots are secured.

Here are the current reverse standings, as well as a Tankathon spin to see where prospects could land:

1. Houston Rockets, 15-49

As state a few weeks ago, the Rockets don’t look like they’ll be putting their premier players on the sidelines and opting for developmental lineups anytime soon, meaning their league-worst record could be in jeopardy.

And sure enough, in the very next edition they’ve already had one team tie them and another find themselves just a half-game back.

Houston has struggled this year, no doubt about it, but if they’re not dedicated to the top odds, they’ll be passed by a few teams. And it could potentially make a long and grueling season a little less worth it.

2. Detroit Pistons, 15-49

Now-tied for the bottom record in the league, Detroit is likely ready to move over to next season.

They lost star Cade Cunningham for the entire season, and their added win-now assets were rendered useless. They’ve spent all season developing their 2022 draftees in Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, but now look to the 2023 class to add some much-needed backup.

3. San Antonio Spurs, 16-49

My odds-on favorite to land both the top odds and, inexplicably, Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs lost to the Rockets by double digits just a few nights ago.

They, too, have lost their premier players to injury. And are in desperate need of a lead prospect to thrust them out of their rebuilding stage.

While they’ll likely have their sights set on Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson or Amen Thompson wouldn’t be bad consolation prizes for San Antonio.

4. Charlotte Hornets,

5. Orlando Magic

T6. Chicago Bulls

T6. Indiana Pacers

T8.  Portland Trail Blazers

T8. Oklahoma City Thunder

T8. Washington Wizards

T11. Los Angeles Lakers

T11. Utah Jazz

13. New Orleans Pelicans

14. Toronto Raptors

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Tankathon Spin — March 7, 2023

1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, Metropolitans 92

2. Chicago Bulls: Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite

3. Indiana Pacers: Brandon Miller, Alabama

4. Charlotte Hornets: Amen Thompson, G League Ignite

5. Detroit Pistons: Jarace Walker, Houston

6. Houston Rockets: Cam Whitmore, Villanova

7. Orlando Magic: Ausar Thompson, G League Ignite

8. Washington Wizards: Keyonte George, Baylor

9. Portland Trail Blazers: Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas

10. Oklahoma City Thunder: Anthony Black, Arkansas

11. Utah Jazz: Cason Wallace, Kentucky

12. New Orleans Pelicans (via Lakers): Jett Howard, Michigan

13. Los Angeles Lakers (via Pelicans): Gradey Dick, Kansas

14. Toronto Raptors: GG Jackson, South Carolina

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