Rockets' Jabari Smith takes note of Wembanyama's blatant disrespect on Lottery day

Putting it lightly, it wasn't a best-case scenario outcome for the Houston Rockets at the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. To add injury to insult, it was a best-case scenario outcome for arguably their biggest rival, the San Antonio Spurs.

In the end, the Rockets moved two spots down and will be selecting No. 4 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Houston was jumped by the Portland Trail Blazers (who went from 5th to 3rd) and the Charlotte Hornets (who went from 4th to 2nd). The story of the night, however, was the Spurs who jumped two spots (from 3rd to 1st) to the top.

As the rest of the league celebrated the Spurs getting lucky once again in the NBA Draft Lottery, this time earning the right to select what quite possibly may end up being the generational of all generational talents, the Rockets were again left playing the "what if" game.

Victor Wembanyama's first viral moment in the NBA?

But what may end up stinging deeper than missing out on the opportunity to draft Wembanyama is the fact that he gave off the impression that he didn't want to be a Rocket in the first place. In what may end up being his first off-the-court viral moment of his NBA career, Wembanyama made it pretty clear how he felt about Houston falling down the lottery as they were announced as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Jabari Smith, the Rockets' No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, took note and spoke for the rest of Rockets' nation.

While this could've simply been an innocent tongue-and-cheek move on the part of Wembanyama, and perhaps somewhat of an inside joke, it's certainly something that will be on the minds of the Rockets' young players and the team's fan base the next time they meet.

It could be the spark of a renewed rivalry between the Spurs and Rockets. Let's be honest, the rivalry is always taken to another level when both teams are good. That hasn't been the case in the past few seasons. That is expected to change, and hopefully soon.

The Rockets are expected to be active and aggressive this offseason. And while they missed out on Wembanyama, they should still be able to land a really good player with the No. 4 pick. The Rockets also have the 20th overall selection (via LA Clippers) in the 2023 NBA Draft. And the Spurs, well there's no question that Wembanyama is going to completely change the trajectory of their franchise.

The next time the Spurs and Rockets play, it will be electric. Even more so if the Rockets are able to pull off a splash move during free agency this summer. And, make no mistake, this isn't the last we've heard of this "shot" at the Rockets from one of the NBA's new face, Victor Wembanyama.