As they finish their season with the second-worst record in the NBA at 22-60, the San Antonio Spurs now look forward to their place in the 2023 NBA Draft. With hopes of winning the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, the Spurs find themselves in a three-way tie with Houston and Detroit for the best odds at the No. 1 pick. 

Although the top pick is ideal, San Antonio has been guaranteed at least a 52 percent chance at a top-four pick in the 2023 Draft. While fan hopes of receiving the No. 1 pick have skyrocketed, the odds of the Spurs receiving the grand prize in the draft are not entirely the best.

Since the Spurs’ fate relies on the lucky bounce of a couple of pinballs, it is important to understand what the Spurs can do if they do not receive the number one pick. With 2023 being an extremely top-heavy draft class, it is not hard to see a future where San Antonio finds its franchise player outside of Wembanyama.

While the drafting of the 7-foot-2 Frenchman would serve as a franchise-altering pick, the Spurs’ odds are, again, simply not the best. However, due to a 52 percent chance at a top-four pick, a multitude of other incoming players would definitely suffice for the storied organization. In a future where the Spurs fail to win the first pick in the draft, incoming rookies such as G-League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson and Alabama’s Brandon Miller could serve the organization just as well as Wembanyama.

Losing star guard Dejounte Murray last off-season, the Spurs find themselves desperate for a primary ball handler. Though attempts have been made to put two guards at the point, it is clear that San Antonio needs a star point guard to lead their offense. G-League star Henderson can be just that, as well as more for the organization. Averaging a solid 17 points, five rebounds and six assists in the G-League, the guard is more than capable of playing at the NBA level. A big name that is simply overshadowed by the elite seven-footer, Henderson possesses the capability to be a franchise-altering point guard for the San Antonio Spurs.

The same can be said about Alabama star forward Brandon Miller. Averaging 18 points a game with a 3-point percentage of 38, the 6-foot-9 power forward would fit perfectly alongside the Spurs’ stellar small forward, Keldon Johnson. His three-point shooting, along with his outstanding athletic capability, make him an elite prospect in this year’s draft. Although he has had his troubles off the court, it is nothing the San Antonio organization cannot fix.

As Spurs fans around the city of San Antonio hope to win the Wembanyama sweepstakes, it is important to know that the franchise has multiple options if they fail to land the number one pick. Though a future with the seven-footer in San Antonio is ultimately ideal, it is not the franchise’s only option. Whether it be the drafting of star guard Scoot Henderson or elite forward Brandon Miller, the future of the San Antonio Spurs definitely looks bright.