Hornets or Trail Blazers for Alabama’s Brandon Miller?

1 year ago 39

Sports

Updated: May. 16, 2023, 7:42 p.m.
Published: May. 16, 2023, 7:39 p.m.

Alabama forward Brandon Miller holds the championship trophy

The San Antonio Spurs won the Victor Wembanyama Sweepstakes on Tuesday night, otherwise known at the NBA Draft Lottery.

The ping-pong balls came up in San Antonio’s favor, giving the Spurs the opportunity to select the 7-foot-3 star of the French pro league with the first pick in the NBA Draft on June 22.

San Antonio had a 14 percent chance to landing the first pick, tied with the Detroit Pistons and the Houston Rockets for the best opportunity to win the lottery.

While Wembanyama appears a virtual lock to be the No. 1 choice, Scott Henderson of the NBA G League’s Ignite team and Alabama forward Brandon Miller are considered the strongest possibilities to go No. 2, a selection held by the Charlotte Hornets after the lottery.

And if Miller doesn’t go at No. 2 to the Hornets, then the No. 3 pick went to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

Only one Alabama player has been selected in the top three in an NBA Draft. Antonio McDyess launched his 16-year NBA career as the second player picked in the 1996 draft. McDyess was chosen by the Los Angeles Clippers, a team he ever played for. The Clippers traded McDyess and Randy Woods to the Denver Nuggets for Brent Barry and Rodney Rogers on draft night.

McDyess averaged 13.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in his final season at Alabama. Miller averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for the Crimson Tide in the 2022-23 campaign.

The Pistons had the NBA’s worst record during the 2022-23 season at 17-65, but they ended up with the No. 5 pick.

The selection order of the lottery picks as determined on Tuesday night goes:

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