Three NBA teams with the brightest futures

Certainly, the Magic have an argument for the best future among all NBA teams. 

San Antonio Spurs 

Thursday night at approximately 8:05 EST, San Antonio will become home to the 7-foot-5 French phenom Victor Wembanyama. The 19-year-old can move like Kevin Durant – only he stands half-a-foot taller – and has the potential to put the Spurs on top of the NBA world.

In 33 games with the Metropolitans 92, a French club, during the 2022-23 season, Wembanyama averaged 21.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. His future is as bright as any player in basketball. 

The Spurs roster is replete with other young and talented players developing under head coach Gregg Popovich, one of the greatest coaches of all time. A few names of note include Jeremy Sochan (20 years old), Keldon Johnson (23 years old) and Devin Vassell (22 years old). 

During his rookie season, Sochan surprised many people by showcasing an all-around game. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 11 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 45.3 percent from the field. 

Johnson really started to figure it out in his fourth season, averaging over 20 points (22) for the first time in his career on a true shooting percentage of 55.1. Vassell also continues improving year-over-year, posting the best season of his young NBA career in 2022-23.

Oklahoma City Thunder

As successful as the 2022-23 campaign was for the Thunder, its future looks even brighter. Oklahoma City won 40 games and made in the play-in tournament during the just-completed season, all without the 2022 second overall pick Chet Holmgren.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as a superstar, averaging 31.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 2022-23 and being named first-team All-NBA. He is only 24 years old and still has even more room for development. If SGA can find a consistent jump shot from beyond the arc, he could be one of the best players in the NBA. 

This roster has numerous young and developing complementary pieces to go alongside their franchise player in Josh Giddy (20 years old), Jalen Williams (22 years old) and Lugentz Dort (24 years old). Williams looked great during his rookie season while Giddy and Dort continue to improve. 

Additionally, while Oklahoma City has only one first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft ( No. 12), the Thunder have 33 total picks over the next eight drafts.

The only question Oklahoma City may have to ask down the road is whether or not Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddy fit together in a backcourt.

Overall, Oklahoma City is a franchise loaded with assets and one that seems destined for future success.