NBA Mock Draft 9.0: What if Blazers win the No. 1 pick; Rockets take big risk at No. 4

In our latest NBA Mock Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers win the No. 1 pick and the Houston Rockets take a big risk at No. 4. 

As we inch closer and closer to the 2023 NBA Draft, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. However, much of them won’t be chronicled until we get some clarity on how the top of the draft will look in terms of selection order. And we’re less than a month away from the NBA Draft Lottery which will give us that clarity.

The Portland Trail Blazers earn the No. 1 pick in our NBA Draft Lottery simulation

Until then, we continue our NBA Mock Draft series in which we use Tankathon’s draft lottery simulator to feed us new options. In this week’s simulator, the Portland Trail Blazers jumped to the No. 1 pick, the Washington Wizards moved up to No. 2, the Detroit Pistons fell down a few spots, and so did the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.

Let’s explore our latest NBA Mock Draft in which the Blazers are gifted a generational talent.

1. Portland Trail Blazers – Victor Wembanyama, C, France

It would be interesting to see what the Portland Trail Blazers would do roster-wise if they did earn the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. First off, you would assume that this would reenergize Damian Lillard. The Blazers winning the No. 1 pick would likely end all potential Lillard trade talks.

From all indications, Victor Wembanyama is going to be a player that will make a huge impact from the first day he steps onto an NBA court. And Lillard might be the perfect star pairing next to Victor’s uniqueness in the frontcourt.

After that, would the Blazers still want to bring back Jerami Grant on big money? Would they be open to signing and trading him instead? Would they be open to trading some of their other young pieces for another established star? Winning the No. 1 pick is the exact break that the Blazers need. Maybe it happens?