Movement in Lottery, Updated Information on No. 2, & Projections & Analysis for 32 Picks in NBA Mock Draft 2023
Movement in Lottery, Updated Information on No. 2, & Projections & Analysis for 32 Picks in NBA Mock Draft 2023
NEW YORK — The NBA Draft is set to begin in a matter of hours (8 p.m. ET Thursday, ABC/ESPN), and the first and second rounds are beginning to take shape following the NBA Draft Combine, agency pro days, team workouts and interviews, and the final info from draft week. NBA Mock Draft 2023
Victor Wembanyama, who stands at 7 feet, 4 inches, is expected to go first overall, but where the draft order will fall is anyone’s guess. As of Thursday morning, reports indicated that Scoot Henderson was among the Hornets’ top targets.
The draft’s course could be drastically altered by numerous deals beginning with the Trail Blazers’ No. 3 choice. Since the 2024 and 2025 drafts are expected to include fewer “one-and-done” players, several teams may be hoping to get in on the action this year.
Yahoo Sports has updated their mock draft for Thursday night to include the most recent information and trade rumours. All 58 selections have been thoroughly predicted and analysed below.
Update for Thursday:
The Magic have drafted Anthony Black sixth overall.
The Mavericks knock Cam Whitmore down to 10th place.
The lottery doesn’t include Dereck Lively II.
The Wizards select Bilal Coulibaly in the top 10 overall.
At number fourteen in the draft, the Pelicans select Jordan Hawkins.
Following the deal, the Nuggets select Amari Bailey with the No. 29 pick and Trayce Jackson-Davis with the No. 31 pick.
Latest on Wednesday:
The Jazz have been rumoured to be interested in trading for Anthony Black, who is currently ranked No. 6.
On Thursday night, all eyes will be on Dereck Lively II’s projected draft range.
We aren’t ready to move Cam Whitmore down our board just yet, but he may go as low as No. 9 to the Jazz or No. 10 to the Mavericks.
Gradey Dick worked out with the Indiana Pacers (ranked #7) at the last minute.
ESPN reports that the Nuggets traded up into the top 40 in the first round by acquiring picks Nos. 29 and 32 from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the No. 40 overall pick.
Tuesday’s latest:
In the first round, Julian Phillips will go in at pick number 29.
Moving to Brooklyn at the 22nd spot is Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The Warriors have selected Nick Smith Jr. in the 19th round.
G.G. Jackson is eliminated in the first round.
Please take note that the Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers have lost their 2023 second-round draft picks as a result of tampering and other free agency rule violations.
- Wembanyama, Victor, centre, San Antonio Spurs
7 feet tall and 209 pounds with the Metropolitans 92 of France.
Wembanyama is the most exciting NBA prospect since LeBron James, and he had a great season in his final year in France, where he played until June 15.
The Mets 92, spearheaded by the 7-foot-4 centre, advanced to the LNB Pro A Finals for the first time ever, when they were swept 3-0 by Monaco.
Wembanyama earned the league’s most valuable player (MVP) after averaging a career-high 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game in the regular season. He was the youngest player in league history to win the MVP award.
Wembanyama was reportedly not going to participate in Summer League, but after the team’s loss to Monaco, Chima Moneke asked if he played and Wembanyama responded, “A little bit.”
He helps the Spurs by providing excellent rim protection with his 8-foot wingspan and by consistently making an impact on the game from a variety of positions. When Wembanyama arrives in San Antonio, he will be under Tim Duncan’s tutelage, and his every on-court appearance will be closely watched.
- Scoot Henderson, point guard, Charlotte Hornets
Weight: 196; Height: 6-2 | G League Ignite
Even though many people think Brandon Miller would be a better match for the Hornets, it’s hard to pass up on Henderson at No. 2 because of what he could become in the NBA.
The front office apparently still can’t make up its mind, as they invited both players back for another session during this week.
Nonetheless, Henderson is ahead of the curve compared to the vast majority of his draft class. The 6-2 guard has spent the past two seasons in the G League, where he has competed against NBA talent under NBA rules and space.
Although Henderson’s outside shooting still needs work, the Hornets should be encouraged by the time he spent in the pre-draft process working with one of the best shooters in NBA history, Steph Curry.
- Brandon Miller, Guard/Forward, Portland Trail Blazers
Weight: 205 | Height: 6’9″ | School: Alabama | Freshman
Miller had a productive session in Portland and performed well in drills. Miller can bolster his perimeter trio of Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Henderson if the Hornets select him at No. 2.
- Amen Thompson, guard with the Houston Rockets
Height/Weight: 202 lb., 6’7″ | Overtime All-Star
Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith Jr. are all relatively young contributors for the Rockets, and new head coach Ime Udoka is also in his early 30s. Up at No. 4, Houston can have their pick.
The Rockets can either draft the best player available, move down in the draft order, or trade for a veteran.
Thompson represents the latter if they decide to keep the pick. As a primary ball-handler, he makes excellent reads and is one of the most athletic guards in the game. Although he has some work to do on his jump shot, Thompson is the best choice at No. 4 due to his stature and potential as an NBA point guard.
- Ausar Thompson, G, Detroit Pistons
Overtime Elite | 6-7 feet tall, 209 pounds
Ausar Thompson is the more natural wing player and more proficient shooter of the two. Like his sibling, he is an outstanding defender who can cover a variety of positions. He’s a force in the open court and a master of the post.
His ability to cut off the ball and quickly arrive at his defensive assignments is maybe his most underappreciated skill.
- Anthony Black, point guard, Orlando Magic
Height/Weight: 196/67 | Freshman Year | Arkansas | 6-7
Black has significant potential as a two-way guard due to his exceptional court vision and defensive awareness, particularly as a key ball-handler. Black has the potential to be one of the most effective guards from this strong draft class.
The Magic can take a chance on Black and his potential as an NBA guard because they have numerous picks in this year’s talented draft.
- Forward Jarace Walker of the Indiana Pacers
Height/Weight: 6’8″, 248; Year/College: F; Hometown: Houston
Walker is the most NBA-ready forward in the draft class, and he can start right away alongside Myles Turner due to his defensive versatility.
Gradey Dick worked out for the Pacers last week, and the team has many draft picks, so it’s possible they’ll go in a different direction. Walker is an important addition due to his stature, durability, and overall effect.
- Bilal Coulibaly, Forward/Center, Washington Wizards
6-2, 220 lbs. | Paris Saint-Germain (France)’s Metropolitans
In addition to being one of the most developed players from the beginning of his French season with the Mets 92, Coulibaly is also one of the youngest players in this draft class, turning 19 in July.
The 6’6″ guard, who only averaged 5 ppg and 3 rpg during the regular season, went off during the LNB Pro A playoffs.
The Wizards may want to take Coulibaly off the board early and help him improve his game, as his 7-foot-2 wingspan is impressive but he still has a ways to go before he sees significant playing time.
- Taylor Hendricks, guard/forward, Utah Jazz
Stats: 6’9″, 210 lbs., Freshman, UCF
Many teams are seeking young prospects with positional flexibility, and Hendricks meets that criteria. Given his potential as a 3-and-D player and his size on the wing, the Jazz should pick Hendricks if he is still available.
Because of his offensive versatility and his ability to defend smaller players in the paint with his length, he can be slotted into a variety of lineups and rotations.
- Guard Cam Whitmore of the Dallas Mavericks
Weight: 235 | Height: 6’8″ | Year in School: ’19 | Alma mater: Villanova
There have been rumblings that Whitmore’s medical evaluation at the NBA Draft Combine has caused him to fall on draft boards, but he looked fantastic in a pre-draft workout with Carmelo Anthony late last week in New York.
Whitmore is a versatile guard who is both physically capable and has a quick first step off the wing.
- Gradey Dick (of the Orlando Magic)
205 pounds | 6’8″ tall | Kansas | Freshman
Dick is a talented offensive wing who possesses a wide range of skills that are desirable in an NBA perimeter player.
He has a high basketball IQ and is always attempting to advance the ball up the floor after a miss, in addition to his consistent shooting (40.3% from 3-point range).
The Magic still have problems with their outside shooting, as evidenced by their 25th-place finish in 3-point percentage. Along with Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and Jalen Suggs, Dick is ready to make an immediate impact.
- Kobe Bufkin, point guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
Weight: 195 | Height: 6-4 | Year in School: Sophomore | Michigan
After impressing at team exercises, Bufkin’s stock has risen to the top of draft lists. Bufkin spent time in the gym with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander before the draft, and he appeared to be at ease going up against the player who made the All-NBA first team this past season.
It’s possible that after Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, the Thunder would like to get another guard to lead the secondary unit.
- Point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, Toronto Raptors
Weight: 215 | Height: 6’6″ | School: Indiana | Freshman
Hood-Schifino has the ability to defend the perimeter and modify shots off the dribble thanks to his 6-10 wingspan and his ability to play bigger than his 6-6 frame. He’s one of the league’s top guards in the pick-and-roll and made clutch plays when the season was on the line.
Hood-Schifino has a chance to play himself into the lottery if he has good pre-draft workouts. Many quality guards are anticipated in the lottery and mid-first round.
- Jordan Hawkins, point guard, New Orleans Pelicans
Weight: 195; Height: 6’5″; Year in School: 2nd
Hawkins has consistently shown himself to be one of the best pure shooters in this draft class, and his performance has been reflected in his team’s practises.
The shooting guard’s off-ball movement was crucial to UConn’s title run, and he attracts the attention of two defenders at once. Hawkins may provide instant 3-point shooting value for the Pelicans’ seasoned backcourt.
Post-lottery
15 – Dereck Lively II, C, Atlanta Hawks
Weight: 215 | Height: 7’2″ | University of Duke: Freshman
At Klutch Sports’ pro day, Lively demonstrated his improved drive and 3-point shooting. During his lone year at Duke, Lively played an average of just 20 minutes per game, averaging 5.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks.
- Keyonte George, Utah Jazz point guard
6-4, 185; Freshman; Baylor; Baylor Bears
George received rave reviews for his performance at the NBA Draft Combine’s pro day in Chicago, as well as high marks for his contributions in team meetings and practises.
George should be able to contribute excellent shot-making to this Jazz team’s reconstruction after a high ankle sprain slowed him down late in the season.
- Cason Wallace, G, Los Angeles Lakers
I am a 6-4, 185-pound freshman from Kentucky.
Wallace, who will have little trouble protecting both 1 and 2 guards in the NBA, is the finest on-ball defender in this recruiting class.
His scoring opportunities were limited by Sahvir Wheeler’s presence during his lone year at Kentucky, but if the draft has taught NBA teams anything, it’s that Kentucky guards are more effective in the NBA than they were in college.
When going up against bigger guards, Wallace uses his quickness to his advantage and hits excellent shots from long range.
- Guard Nick Smith Jr. of the Miami Heat.
Weight: 185 | Height: 6’5″ | School: Arkansas | Freshman
Smith’s season at Arkansas was rocky, as he missed significant time due to a minor knee ailment. The offensive flashes he displayed with his floater in the lane and his shot-making abilities, especially in the SEC tournament, were encouraging signs for a successful NBA point guard career.
His season stats aren’t great, since he has a -1 BPM (box plus/minus). It would be foolish to pass on him in the second half of the first round if he were to enter the college season as one of the greatest rookie guards in the country.
Smith Jr. may be a terrific addition to an experienced squad that reached the NBA Finals this year, and the Heat are one of the finest clubs at developing young players.
- Noah Clowney, Forward, Golden State Warriors
Weight: 210 | Height: 6’10” | School: Alabama | Freshman
During his lone year at Alabama, Clowney displayed flashes of his inside-outside game, making him one of the more versatile young bigs in this recruiting class. Clowney finished the season with better pick-and-pop decision making, allowing him to average 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds in 25 minutes.
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper, forward with the Houston Rockets
Weight: 230 | Height: 6’8″ | School: Junior | Team: Marquette
After the NBA Draft Combine, Prosper’s stock skyrocketed, and he ended up working out for at least 16 different clubs.
He’s a youthful, versatile wing who makes good use of his 7-foot-1 wingspan and plays well off the ball, two traits that NBA teams covet.
Prosper is good defensively off the switch, and despite being Marquette’s fourth option, he shot the ball well at the combine and appeared at ease in the pick-and-pop.
- Guard Jett Howard of the Brooklyn Nets
Stats: 6 feet 8 inches tall, 215 pounds, Freshman, Michigan
Howard is a big, skilled passer on the wing who is also one of the finest three-point shooters in this freshman class.
The youngest Howard son, Juwan Howard III, averaged 17.9 points per 40 minutes and is a deadly shooter from deep.
As a complementing weapon for IMG Academy alongside Jarace Walker and Keyonte George, Howard has won at every level and knows how to play with other elite players.
- Forward/center Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Weight: 225 | Height: 6-7 | Year in School: Senior | UCLA
Jaquez was the gritty anchor for a strong UCLA Bruins club. They know exactly what they’re getting if they choose Jaquez.
He’s a diligent worker who can fit in with any secondary unit and make an immediate offensive impact. He’s big, strong, and versatile, able to play either in the post or out on the wing.
- Trail Blazers guard/forward Leonard Miller
Stats: 6’10” tall, 215 lbs., G League Ignite
Miller, who plays the wing position well thanks to his size and length, averaged 22.8 points and 13.6 rebounds per 40 minutes in the G League last season.
In the 24 games Miller appeared in this season, he displayed growth and flashed the kind of fluidity and athleticism on the perimeter that NBA teams covet in their young prospects.
- Kris Murray, Forward, Sacramento Kings
Weight: 220 | Height: 6’8″ | School: Junior | Iowa
Kings fans would agree that Murray is a top prospect because of his ability to play both guard positions. wish that Murray could play alongside his twin brother Keegan, whom the Kings selected fourth overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.
To a Kings squad that made the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, Murray, one of the older and more established players in this drafting class, immediately adds 3-point shooting and defensive versatility.
- Brandin Podziemski, guard, Memphis Grizzlies (reported trade to Boston)
Weight: 205 | Height: 6’5″ | School: Santa Clara | Sophomore
Podziemski played minimal minutes at Illinois before transferring to Santa Clara, where he had a breakout year as a sophomore. One of the most remarkable guards at the NBA Draft Combine, the 6’5″ shooting guard averaged 22.1 points and 4.1 assists per 40 minutes.
- Pacers guard/forward Maxwell Lewis
Weight: 209 pounds | Height: 6-7 inches | Freshman Year: Pepperdine
The Waves only managed to win nine games this year, and NBA scouts had a hard time evaluating Lewis’ potential.
Lewis has bulked up by 13 pounds during his draft preparation and is now more aggressive defensively, using his long stature to deflect passes and alter shoots.
Lewis is a top option at shooting guard in the first round and will provide stability in the perimeter offence.
- G Ben Sheppard, Charlotte Hornets
Weight: 190 | Height: 6’6″ | Year in School: Sr. | Alma Mater: Belmont
After the NBA Draft Combine, Sheppard was one of the players that benefited the most. When in possession of the ball, he routinely made good shots, smart moves, and sound judgements.
Last year for Belmont, Sheppard put up 18.8 points per game, 5.2 boards a game, and shot 41.5% from deep.
- Utah Jazz point guard Rayan Rupert
Weight: 192; Height: 6-7; Team: New Zealand Breakers
Even while Rupert’s offensive output isn’t particularly eye-catching, the 19-year-old’s fluidity, raw talent, and 7-foot-3 wingspan make him an interesting first-round possibility.
With numerous first-round picks at their disposal, the Jazz might choose to build on Rupert’s existing defensive potential, which includes disrupting every player in the backcourt and forcing turnovers.
- Nuggets acquire G Amari Bailey from the Pacers in a rumoured deal
Weight: 185 | Height: 6’5″ | Freshman Year | UCLA
Bailey aided himself at the NBA Draft Combine by demonstrating his value to NBA teams as a facilitator in addition to an off-ball offensive threat. Although he needs to polish on his outside jump shot, his consistent effort and quickness in transition have made him a valuable asset to teams.
- Dariq Whitehead, Los Angeles Clippers guard.
Weight: 220 | Height: 6’8″ | University of Duke: Freshman
After Whitehead’s foot was injured in preseason at Duke, he had to have surgery again. The two-way guard still has a lot of potential as an NBA playmaker, and teams in the second half of the first round might be ready to take a chance on him because of his stature and the fact that he was one of the most effective high school players.
A Rematch
- Guard/forward Brice Sensabaugh, Detroit Pistons
Stats: 6 feet tall, 235 pounds; Freshman year; Ohio State
If the Pistons select a point guard at No. 5, they will use this pick to get a shooter who can play the 4 spot on the court.
Sensabuagh is a dominant wing who is very strong around the basket. In addition to his inside shooting prowess, he had a solid percentage from beyond the arc (40.5%).
- Reportedly traded from Indiana to Denver for forward Trayce Jackson-Davis
Height/Weight: 6’9″/245″ | Year in School: Sr. | School: Indiana
Jackson-Davis has shown NBA scouts that he can drive, pass, and defend at a high level throughout his four years at Indiana, where he has also worked to improve his handle.
He and Hood-Schifino were reliable in the pick-and-roll down the stretch, and he’s a smooth player with good footwork and above-average quickness for a forward.
On Sunday, February 27, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) seeks to pass while Minnesota forward Eric Curry (1) defends. Bruce Kluckhohn/Associated Press
