Victor Wembanyama 2023 NBA Draft profile: Can Mavs land best prospect since LeBron?

The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is one day away and the biggest question leading to Tuesday night is who is going to land the number one pick?

The first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft is the most valuable draft pick in recent history.

But why?

Victor Wembanyama 2023 NBA Draft profile: Can the Mavericks land the best draft prospect since LeBron James?

French prospect Victor Wembanyama is why. The 7'5 center is arguably the best draft prospect of all time and is a lock to go first in the draft. He is unlike anyone the NBA has ever seen, and Dallas needs a game-changing player on their team like Wembanyama.

Wembanyama averaged 21.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.1 blocks per game this season for Metropolitans 92. He is dominant and has the chance to be an all-time great center.

Center is arguably Dallas' biggest hole, and Wembanyama would fill it immediately. But landing the first overall pick is easier said than done.

Dallas has a 3 percent chance of landing the first pick and the lottery has not been kind to them. They've never moved up in the lottery and they've dropped seven times. That is awful odds and some awful luck, but could this year be different? Could Dallas get lucky at the perfect time?

If Dallas happens to land the number one overall pick on Tuesday night, they would have the opportunity to draft a franchise-altering piece in Wembanyama and pair a star big man with Luka Doncic. They could be one of the best duos of all time, and Dallas would have two franchise cornerstones to build around.

Here's a look at Wembanyama's strengths, weaknesses, and how he'd fit on the Mavericks.

Victor Wembanyama's strengths

Victor Wembanyama is one of the most dynamic prospects of all time and has a diverse skillset. Here are two of his biggest strengths observed from a breakdown of his film.

1. Rim protection

Wembanyama's size and frame alone make an excellent rim protector, but there's much more to his defense than his eight-foot wingspan and his height.

When he's guarding the ball, he isn't easily backed down and is nearly impossible to shoot over. Even if he leaves his feet on a pump fake, he typically bounces right back up and gets the block on the shot. He also has quick feet and can switch in the pick and roll.

Players can't shoot over Wembanyama outside either. He blocks shots that no one else can make due to his massive wingspan. He recovers quickly and has the chance to be one of the best rim protectors that the league has ever seen.

2. Offensive versatility

Do you need Wembanyama to knock down four threes in a game? He can do it. Do you need him to finish with four dunks and be a mismatch in the pick-and-roll? He can do that as well.

Wembanyama is a versatile offensive weapon that can do anything on that end. His jumper is impossible to block, and his release point is as high as anyone in the league. He shot 28.3 percent from three, but his mechanics are excellent and his shooting should continue to improve in the NBA.

Wembanyama barely has to jump to catch alley-oops, and teams will need to think before switching a guard onto him in the pick-and-roll. He sets sturdy screens, and he has a soft touch around the basket.

He is also a good scorer in the post, but he likely won't be able to dominate down low right away. Wemby doesn't have the sturdiest frame and he isn't the type of player that will be able to back down big centers in year one. He has a solid fadeaway and his shooting touch and size allow him to shoot over anyone.

Victor Wembanyama's weaknesses

Victor Wembanyama has a strong all-around game but still has some weaknesses. Here's a look at two of his biggest.

1. Strength

Strength is a typical weakness mentioned when talking about Wembanyama, but it's something that needs to be addressed. Players with his type of frame are usually fairly injury-prone, and Wembanyama will need to do everything he can keep his body healthy and strong.

He won't be able to back down beefy centers in the NBA and could get bodied on defense. This doesn't mean that he will get dominated down low as he is an excellent shot blocker, but he could struggle with preventing players from getting to the paint.

The 7'5 big man should be fine if he adds healthy muscle and takes care of his body, but the team that drafts Wembanyama should definitely do everything they can to keep their prized big man on the floor.

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2. Shot selection

Wembanyama's shot selection will likely improve once he gets to the NBA as he will have much better talent around him, but it is still something that he can work on as he makes the jump from the LNB Pro A to the league.

He often settled for moving threes and pull-up mid-range shots, which he made often but also missed often. These shots are low-percentage but are likely due to him being the best player on his team by a large margin. Wembanyama carried a heavy offensive load.

He may have to alter his playstyle a little once he gets into the league, but this weakness probably won't be an issue for him once he's in the NBA.

How does Victor Wembanyama fit on the Dallas Mavericks?

Landing Victor Wembanyama would be a dream come true for Dallas. He would fit perfectly next to Luka Doncic as he rebounds at a high level and protects the rim, unlike anyone Doncic has ever played with.

Wembanyama would fit fantastically in Dallas' defense as he can switch in the pick and roll, he blocks everything, and Dallas could rely on him to anchor their defense.

The 7'5 big man can also stretch the floor and would be stellar in the pick and pop. Having one of the smartest players in the league in Doncic by his side would make the Mavericks must-watch television every game. They would be one of the most exciting duos ever and could compete for championships for years to come.

Wembanyama's vision and playmaking would also be utilized in Dallas as there would be shooters around him. If the opposition double-teams him, he could pass out of it to a shooter on the perimeter.

The fit is seamless.

Stay tuned to see where Dallas lands in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday night at 7:30 CT on ESPN. The lottery will determine if Dallas gets to keep their pick or not, and if they'll have a chance to jump all the way up to the first pick to draft Wembanyama. It is a pivotal night for the team, and fans won't want to miss it.