Let the tanking begin.
After Victor Wembanyama's performance during Tuesday's high-profile showdown with fellow top prospect Scoot Henderson, one general manager believes teams will be striving for the top pick in the 2023 NBA draft like never before.
"Victor distorts basketball reality," the GM said, per Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony of ESPN. "The tank/trade market will really shift after that showing. It feels like last night will start a race to the bottom like we've never seen."
While Tuesday's exhibition was between France's Metropolitans 92 and the G League Ignite, it was billed as a clash between the potential top two picks in the next draft.
Henderson led his team to a victory with 28 points, nine assists and five rebounds, showing off his skill set as a foundational guard who could be the face of a franchise for years to come, but it was the 7'4" Wembanyama who dazzled with 37 points, five blocks and seven threes.