How many games is Victor Wembanyama worth to the Spurs’ total winnings?

The rebuilding of the San Antonio Spurs took several big steps in the right direction on Tuesday night, thanks to another successful NBA ping pong party.

Twenty-six years after nabbing the No. 1 overall pick and the opportunity to draft Hall of Famer and five-time world champion Tim Duncan, the Spurs won the 2023 lottery, meaning they’ll no doubt be French phenom Victor Wembanyama’s newest mainstay in village.

How much slam dunk is he to become number 1? It’s as high as -20000 [$20,000 wins $100] to be selected first in next month’s NBA Draft.

19-year-old Wembanyama stands 7-foot-3 with an 8-foot wingspan. He runs across the floor like a deer and possesses otherworldly skills for someone his size – he handles the ball like a guard, shoots it like a wing and finishes with authority like an old-school center.

We know the young phenom is a foregone conclusion to be first choice, but what impact will he have on betting in the upcoming season?

“I think he’s worth about 5.5 wins,” Westgate SuperBook vice president of risk management Jeff Sherman told FOX Sports. “The Spurs were so low to their floor, so it’s easier for a guy like him to make a big impact.”

San Antonio’s median regular season win total was O/U 23.5 heading into last season, so a total of just under 30 makes sense for 2023-24.

“Thirty wins seems a bit high [in terms of booking bets]Sherman said. ‘But it’s close. The Spurs left their better players down the stretch, and I’m sure they’ll spend money to add some experienced leadership.

“Maybe we’ll open 29.5.”

It’s easy to compare the hype surrounding Wembanyama to the LeBron James freight train in the early 2000s. The two are clearly very different players with different skills, but the betting similarities are eerily similar.

Armed with a 23.5 win total, the Cleveland Cavaliers finished a meager 17-65 in 2002-03 and drafted LeBron with the first overall pick that summer. The Cavs exceeded expectations the following season, finishing 35-47 and flying “Over” the Las Vegas total which was set at…

…you guessed it, 29.5.

“The Spurs have shown they are capable without Wembanyama,” FOX Bet sports trader Tieme Wesselink said via email. “They have built quite a young core over the last few years and will be looking to improve their roster through free agency and trades.

“Wembanyama plays adult basketball in France, and he also played in the Olympics. He will need to gain weight and muscle, but the Spurs [could win 10 more games] with him in the herd.”

With Wembanaya’s talent and head coach Gregg Popovich’s wizardry, I don’t necessarily dislike a sprinkle on San Antonio to reach 30 wins next season. There will inevitably be growing pains, though, and we’ll soon see how Wembanaya copes with screen after screen after screen in the modern NBA.

We’ll also see endless highlights from the next big star in the league, and I already know wise guys who want to bet the Spurs in the right spots next season as three-dollar or higher underdogs on the moneyline.

But that’s about as far as I’m willing to go.

See also  Fernando Alonso is still on Aston Martin's radar with Honda Partnership

Expectations for Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio?

Chandler Parsons joins Colin Cowherd to discuss their expectations for Victor Wembanyama with the San Antonio Spurs.

There are at least 12 teams in the West that have a higher net worth than San Antonio by October, so it’s hard to imagine the Spurs winning the 40 games they need to make the playoffs.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved that Wembanyama told ESPN “he’s trying to get a ring ASAP” right after the lottery. That’s the kind of thing newbies should say and think. But I refuse to put any money into San Antonio. Bet on the Spurs to win the Southwest Division, Western Conference or the Larry O’Brien Trophy?

No thanks.

The traces [+35000 at FanDuel Sportsbook] won’t win an NBA championship next year, but help is definitely on the way.

Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and NESN. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. He will probably choose against your favorite team. Follow him on Twitter @sprout.

RELATED: Spurs are confident that Victor Wembanyama will revive the franchise

Get more from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites for information on games, news and more