NBA Draft Lottery results: Spurs land No. 1 pick; outlook for Pistons, Rockets

By James L. Edwards III, Kelly Iko, Alex Schiffer and Jason Quick

The San Antonio Spurs won Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery, locking up the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. Here’s what you need to know:

• San Antonio had a 14 percent chance at landing the No. 1 pick after finishing the regular season with a 22-60 record.
• The Detroit Pistons, who were tied with a league-best 14 percent chance at landing the top selection, fell to the No. 5 pick.
• Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 prospect who plays for the Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A in France, is expected to be the No. 1 pick.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

What it means for the Spurs

Coach Gregg Popovich gets his third generational big man in his time in San Antonio. Wembamyama joins a young Spurs core that has Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and others to maybe keep Pop on the bench for a few more years. Pop is no stranger to highly touted international players as Wembamyama joins fellow Frenchman Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Patty Mills, etc. as the latest international player to suit up in the black and silver. — Schiffer

Where could the Pistons turn?

There couldn’t have been more of a gut punch for the Pistons. Detroit had the worst record and ends up dropping as far as it can go. The organization believes there are good players who can help them at No. 5, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pistons trade the pick in order to take the next step in the East next season — Edwards III

Might the Rockets move their pick too?

Wow. There has to be a great deal of disappointment for Houston, especially after enduring the season — or seasons — that the Rockets have, to end up drafting outside of the top three. There are still some interesting names to consider here — the Thompson twins, Whitmore and even the likes of Taylor Hendricks or Walker — but I expect the Rockets to be extremely open to trading this pick. — Iko

What will Portland do at No. 3?

With the Trail Blazers missing out on the top pick, look for them to trade No. 3. That much was made clear by franchise star Damian Lillard on April 9, when in his exit interview he essentially said he didn’t have the patience to draft a young player. “I’m just not interested in that,” Lillard said in April. “That’s not a secret. I want a chance to go for it. And if the route is to (draft youth), then that’s not my route.”

Lillard turns 33 in July and wants the Blazers to acquire veteran talent to vault them into contention. Will the No. 3 pick be enticing enough for teams to give up star power? — Quick

Full 2023 NBA Draft Lottery results

1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Charlotte Hornets
3. Portland Trail Blazers
4. Houston Rockets
5. Detroit Pistons
6. Orlando Magic
7. Indiana Pacers
8. Washington Wizards
9. Utah Jazz
10. Dallas Mavericks
11. Orlando Magic
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
13. Toronto Raptors
14. New Orleans…