Winners and Losers of the 2023 NBA Draft: Gradey Dick Steals the show; Foundation Pieces for Rockets, Thunder, & Mavericks
Winners and Losers of the 2023 NBA Draft: Gradey Dick Steals the show; Foundation Pieces for Rockets, Thunder, & Mavericks
Either it is Rockets, Thunder, & Mavericks, the new stars are going to contribute a lot in future of these teams. Analysts have spent years to understand the science behind this game and its drafts.
Many NBA experts have indicated that you need to look at least five years into the future to make an informed decision about a draft. Since I am not a scholar, but rather, J.S.G. (Just Some Guy), I must politely decline: “Cram it, Socrates.”
The following is an attempt at a rough draft of history, a thumbnail sketch of who fared well and who may not have been all that thrilled at the 2023 NBA Draft.
(On draft night, optimism is at an all-time high, therefore there will be more winners than losers.) It’s only fitting that we start at the very top:
San Antonio Spurs, the victor.
A very astute observation, indeed. Even though San Antonio won the draft lottery, they didn’t actually get Victor Wembanyama until Thursday in Brooklyn.
Drafting a 7-foot-4 demigod who has been compared favourably to NBA greats like LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is probably a good idea.
Everything about the French phenom’s transition to San Antonio, from his tearful post-draft interview to his first blush impression of new boss Gregg Popovich — “He’s not intimidating yet, but I’m sure he’s going to get intimidating when I see him in real life” — seems as perfect as his place among Hall of Fame big men like David Robinson and Tim Duncan, both of whom were also selected first overall. And with regards to perfect energy…
Victor Wembanyama’s Workout Plan for Maximum Strength and Endurance
Put your fears of harm to rest, chickenshits. I believe the young man has a strategy for adding muscle to that frame. (Whether or not that beef is barbacoa or carne guisada is still up in the air.)
Amen & Ausar Thompson
It’s a tie, but the winner is the twins. Amen Thompson, a member of the Overtime Elite, was selected by the Rockets in the fourth round of the NBA draft. His twin brother, Ausar Thompson, was selected by the Pistons in the fifth round.
At No. 9, Utah selected UCF forward Taylor Hendricks, who was immediately joined in his post-pick interview by his twin brother, redshirt freshman guard Tyler Hendricks. Then, with the 23rd pick, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Iowa forward Kris Murray, whose twin brother Keegan Murray had been selected fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings the previous year.
To have a fertilised ovum divide and develop into two infants who share genetic information is not a guaranteed ticket to the NBA, believe me. However, after the first round of this year, I can no longer claim that.
The Talent Evaluation Method Used by Troy Weaver
Together, we’ll learn the fate of the top two picks by Detroit in this year’s draft: forward Ausar Thompson at No. 5 and point guard Marcus Sasser of Houston at No. 25. On Thursday, though, it became clear that the Pistons’ general manager has the ability to convey a nuanced concept in a clear and elegant fashion.
Weaver said, “You can say that, but when you see something different, you see something elite, you know it,” in response to a question about whether or not the lack of a proven track record for the Overtime Elite programme made him hesitant to draft Thompson over other prospects. Halle Berry is attractive in any setting, from the temple to the supermarket. When you see something really remarkable, I think you can figure it out.
Yes, on the one hand. Good comparison, Troy. I appreciate it. On the other hand, I truly hope that Ausar’s cinematic analysis of “Catwoman” doesn’t feature many dissections of Halle’s performance. It seems like that would have the opposite effect.
FAIL: The Poor Fashion Taste of Dick Grade
Eek, Gradey. Gradey, my sweet and brilliant friend. Dick, like his style icon Dorothy, has long since left Kansas. The Toronto Raptors picked him with the thirteenth overall pick on Thursday, and he is already on his way there.
In her analysis of the NBA draft for Yahoo Sports, Krysten Peek gushed over the 6-foot-8 swingman’s fit with the Raptors, praising his ability to “make the right read in the lane.”
While that may be true on the court, he made a questionable read on Thursday that had him out here looking like B.J. resembles an Anthony Michael Hall character from the ’80s from “The Righteous Gemstones.” Having the appearance of “an ‘SNL’ sketch.”
Having the appearance of “Rik Smits as a genie,” “raw meat,” or “Bobby The Brain” Heenan. As if he were “hosting the 76th Annual Hunger Games.” The point is made.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Dick told CNN’s Omar Jimenez. Since I would only ever wear this costume once, I figured I might as well make an entrance in it.
One can only hope that Dick assured his loved ones that this would be a “once in a lifetime” experience for them to witness him wearing this.
All this being said…
GRAND PRIX: Confidence, by Gradey Dick’s
If you’re a guy who doesn’t bat an eye at showing up for the biggest night of your life in a bright red figure-skating outfit with shoulder pads straight out of the 1970s, I have to believe you’ll have no problem taking massive shots in huge moments.
Perhaps this shouldn’t be shocking; for someone like Dick, who seems to have been forged in the embers of the TikTok content game, doubt is a luxury you can’t afford.
Last season, the Raptors were 28th in the NBA in both 3-point field goal percentage as a team and 3-point field goal percentage as a team. (His colour scheme perfectly matched Toronto’s; perhaps fate intervened, or at least the coat’s reflecting sheen from the limelight.)
Bilal Coulibaly, the victor
Wembanyama’s colleague on Metropolitans 92 of France’s LNB Pro A was widely predicted at the beginning of the season to be a contender for consideration in next year’s draft.
But as the season progressed, he started to get more playing time and really start to come into his own, displaying the kind of length (6’6″ with a 7’2″ wingspan, the result of a growth spurt of a foot over a couple of years), athleticism, and defensive activity that makes scouts drool. (“Baby Giannis” has been thrown around.)
The Wizards traded two future second-round picks to the Indiana Pacers for Coulibaly, who had risen from the 2024 discussion to the seventh overall pick in 2023 thanks to his physical characteristics, increased output in the French playoffs, and projectable upside at just 18 years old.
One of Coulibaly’s biggest supporters, Big Vic, was ecstatic about the decision:
Of course, a stratospheric rise does not guarantee a bright future; a player as young and undeveloped as Coulibaly still has a ways to go before he can repay Washington for its risky gamble and the faith it placed in him after seeing him play just sparingly at the senior level in France.
However, given his rapid ascent and progress thus far, it could be unwise to wager against him. To the opposite extreme…
Cam Whitmore, the LOSER
Our own Krysten Peek mocked Whitmore to go seventh overall back in October. She had the freshman from Villanova ranked seventh after the draw. Just over two and a half weeks ago, Whitmore was starting at wing for a Pistons team that had a glaring need for his size, quickness, and energy.
Whitmore had the dubious honour of being this year’s “slider,” the highly hyped talent whose stock suddenly plummeted for no apparent reason.
Peek reported “rumblings” on Thursday “that Whitmore is slipping on draft boards due to his medical evaluation that took place at the NBA Draft Combine.” This rumour has been circulating all draft week as a possible explanation for his drop.
The elite prospect had a broken leg in high school and missed time early in his lone college season after thumb surgery, but insisted Thursday night that there was nothing of particular concern in his medical records, so the fall to No. 20 was a surprise to everyone.
“No, I promise you there’s not,” he swore to the press. “I don’t know. What went wrong, I can’t say. But other than that, I’m OK. This is my own physical being. They are entitled to their own views if they think otherwise. But ultimately, this is my body.
As ESPN draft analyst Adrian Wojnarowski noted, Cam Whitmore’s fall may have been due to factors other than his health. According to Woj, several NBA “teams and front offices describe a combination of some poor workouts, some not great interviews with teams over the last month, as part of the reason Cam Whitmore has dropped.”
Whatever the case may be, Whitmore was picked up by the Rockets, who had previously considered him at No. 4 in the draft, proving once again that what happens on the dance floor is far more important than how you got there.
Ultimately, it doesn’t bother me, Whitmore said. “I am aware that I am not like other people, but I see this as merely another step on my path. ‘Tis the hour to get to it.
Raw Materials for the Rockets
Houston now has one of the most athletic and dynamic young groups in the entire league with the addition of Whitmore and Amen Thompson to the roster that already contains recent draftees like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen engün, Tari Eason, Usman garuba, and Kevin Porter Jr.
“I think Houston got a lot of players that have great potential, and I think [we] have a scary future,” Thompson said on Thursday.
For the Rockets to break out of their three-year funk in which they’ve posted the NBA’s worst record, new head coach Ime Udoka must put in place the kind of system and structure that can transform all that athleticism into consistent professional basketball, something that predecessor Stephen Silas was unable to do. (A seasoned point guard would be useful.)
OKC Thunder took first place.
Trading the final two years and $33 million of Davis Bertans’ contract to the Mavericks, Oklahoma City was able to move up to No. 10 in the first round and select Kentucky’s Cason Wallace, giving the Thunder yet another athletic, hard-charging, long-limbed, super-competitive perimeter player to add to a rotation that was already brimming with them.
With the addition of Wallace, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Josh Giddey, and Luguentz Dort have formed one of the NBA’s most formidable and adaptable perimeter corps, with each player able to handle the ball, initiate the offence, create for teammates, attack the basket, shoot with confidence, and defend multiple positions with their hair on fire.
Add 2022 No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren to that, and Oklahoma City will still have a tonne of cap room and a gazillion draft picks in the future. Sam Presti and company are cooking up something in Bricktown, and the trading that took place on Thursday only made things more interesting.
GRAND PRIZE: Dallas Mavericks
The inverse side of the transaction was also not a terrible business move. The Mavericks can use the $12.2 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception this summer to sign another experienced helper for their rotation if they cut Bertans’ deal and drop below the luxury tax threshold.
Dallas created a $17 million traded player exception by sending him to OKC without recouping any salary, and then used that exception to acquire veteran centre Richaun Holmes from the Kings.
Holmes had fallen out of the Kings’ rotation, but he’s still a quality big man who should play up in a pick-and-roll-heavy offence led by elite playmakers like Luka Doni and (potentially) Kyrie Irving.
By trading down to No. 24, the Mavericks were able to select rising Marquette forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper, the kind of big defensive wing they sorely missed after trading away Dorian Finney-Smith in the Irving deal, and Duke centre Dereck Lively II, who will partner with Holmes in a revamped centre rotation aimed at rim-running, board-crashing, and shot-blocking.
Getting rid of long-term commitments, bolstering the rotation by acquiring three guys and creating a path for a fourth, and keeping the door open for Irving’s return? Fairly effective work for Dallas’s administrative section.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THESE GUYS: Sacramento Kings
Colby Jones, a senior wing from Xavier, and Jalen Slawson, a forward from Furman, were the second-round picks for the Kings, but we should keep a watch on how general manager Monte McNair’s manoeuvring sets the stage for the future.
By sending Holmes and the 24th overall pick to Dallas, the Kings may free up almost $30 million in salary cap space for the upcoming season. Do they try to find a high-priced player on the trade market to bolster the current roster?
Do they make a major play in free agency for a forward to pair with Domantas Sabonis? Do they stay the course and prioritise internal matters, such as trying to re-sign free agent Harrison Barnes or attempting to renegotiate and extend Sabonis’ contract?
The team just finished its greatest season in 17 years and made the playoffs for the first time, so it will be interesting to see what direction McNair and company choose now that they have the financial resources to do it.
Crushed Celtics Fans at the Draft Are Doomed to Lose
Following the shocking three-team trade that sent longtime linchpin and spiritual standard-bearer Marcus Smart to Memphis for Kristaps Porzingis, the Boston Celtics found themselves with the 25th overall pick, prompting fans to begin researching every available prospect from the middle to the end of the first round. Then, Brad Stevens started channelling his inner Bill Belichick.
For the 31st pick and several second-rounders in the future, Detroit received the 25th selection. Then, No. 31 headed to Charlotte to trade numbers 34 and 39. Then, in exchange for 38 and a future second, number 34 was sent to Sacramento, number 35 to Chicago, and so on.
At No. 38, Boston selected Arkansas forward Jordan Walsh, a long-legged, high-motor wing who seemed eager to get to work:
After the late night roller coaster that was the Smart trade and the subsequent tradebacks, I can’t say I blame Celtics fans for still feeling a little dizzy.
DISADVANTAGE:
Those Who Thought The Damian Lillard Saga Would Finally End
The Trail Blazers didn’t find the win-now superstar trade despite all the hubbub around Zion Williamson and other prospects.
They did the logical thing by selecting Scoot Henderson, a point guard for the electric G League Ignite, with the third overall pick, and then adding forwards Kris Murray and Rayan Rupert later in the night.
So the other shoe is now only a centimetre or so from the floor:
The longest running game of chicken in NBA history marches on. Next week will bring more confrontations, so stay tuned!
Utah Jazz, the victor
The Jazz were unable to trade up with their three first-round picks, despite their apparent willingness in doing so, thus instead they selected three players that could contribute right away.
And in Baylor’s Keyonte George and Ohio State’s Brice Sensabaugh, Utah adds a pair of bucket-getters on the perimeter whose ability to create and knock down shots should fit nicely into head coach Will Hardy’s free-flowing offence, while UCF forward Hendricks could be a perfect floor-spacing and defending 4 to fit between stellar second-year centre Walker Kessler and All-Star big wing Lauri Markkanen.
Almost everyone thought the Jazz would be bad last year, but their unexpected offence helped them stay in the playoff hunt for most of the year.
The reinforcements the team received on Thursday further bolstered that, giving them the length and athleticism they needed to make a run at the playoffs sooner than many expected.
DISADVANTAGE: Those Who Have Had Enough of Heat Culture
Rappers beware: Miami selected UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. with the 18th selection. Jaquez Jr.’s favourite player is Jimmy Butler, and you can guarantee that Butler’s influence on Jaquez Jr.’s game was a major topic of discussion during his interview.
“UCLA’s Coach Mick Cronin, he established a benchmark. Jaquez told reporters on Thursday, “When I get to the Miami Heat, I don’t see anything changing from the standard he set during my four years there.
They’ve built a culture, and it’s your responsibility, as a member of their programme or organisation, to help it thrive and grow. That’s what I’m most excited about: carrying on that tradition.
Also, he should be able to compete with the next dozen undrafted pitbulls Pat Riley and company locate so that he can get some playing time. Greetings, Jaime! On Monday, we’ll return to full pads.
