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The NBA never stops. With the Finals still fresh in mind, it's now time for the 2023 NBA Draft. Teams lagging in the competition hope to select players that can turn their fortunes around.
While there are 30 NBA teams, the 2023 draft will feature only 58 picks. The Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers forfeited second-round picks due to tampering violations. Therefore, draft hopefuls have fewer chances to hear their names called.
However, it would be shocking if these prospects went past the first round. If they bring their game to the pros, they have what it takes to become All-Stars or All-NBA players. Here is the mock draft for round one of the 2023 NBA Draft that will take place Thursday, June 22, 2023.
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1. San Antonio Spurs – Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92, France)
There's David Robinson in 1987 and Tim Duncan ten years later. Will history repeat itself when the Spurs select the highly-touted prospect from France? Gregg Popovich has molded Robinson and Duncan into NBA champions and Hall of Famers. Meanwhile, Wembanyama adds a sweet shooting touch and dribbling ability to his big-man attributes. The Spurs' renaissance beckons if he lives up to the hype.
2. Charlotte Hornets – Brandon Miller (Alabama)
The Hornets can select Miller or Scoot Henderson with the second overall pick. However, picking the forward from Alabama makes more sense because of LaMelo Ball. His court vision will benefit a knock-down shooter like Miller. Developing playmaking abilities will also make the 6'9" freshman an all-around player.
3. Portland Trail Blazers – Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite)
While Damian Lillard still reigns supreme in Portland, they will need someone who will eventually take over from him. Enter Scoot Henderson, whose speed can boost the middling franchise. Having him will take the playmaking duties of Lillard. Anfernee Simmons can also slide to shooting guard, his natural position, with Henderson on board.
4. Houston Rockets – Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite)
The Rockets have players who are great individually. However, they need someone like Amen Thompson to galvanize their squad. His playmaking abilities will provide better scoring opportunities for Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. Extending his shooting range and improving his free-throw shooting must be his primary concerns.
5. Detroit Pistons – Jarace Walker (Houston)
The Pistons can go several ways with this pick. However, Walker is the best fit because he can knock down jumpers and provide toughness on defense. His skill set complements what Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham can offer.
6. Orlando Magic – Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite)
Ausar gets drafted two spots after his twin brother, Amen. He's more of a wing player, while his wingspan allows him to become a lock-down perimeter defender. The Magic will benefit from his defensive prowess, given that they have several scorers already. Improving his shooting touch could make him a reliable two-way player.
7. Indiana Pacers – Cam Whitmore (Villanova)
While Whitmore doesn't demand the ball, he finds ways to score and contribute to his squad. He has the hops to finish above the rim and the explosiveness to compile a highlight reel. He will be a perfect addition to a team building around Tyrese Haliburton.
8. Washington Wizards – Anthony Black (Arkansas)
The Wizards are lucky if Black makes it this far in the 2023 NBA Draft. If he does, taking him should be a no-brainer for Washington. He could relieve some pressure off Bradley Beal on defense. Meanwhile, his point guard instincts can elevate Beal and Kristaps Porzingis' performances. While his speed makes him a tough cover, he must work on his shooting consistency.
9. Utah Jazz – Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida)
The Jazz already have scorers in Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and Jordan Clarkson. However, they lost their bite in the paint after losing Rudy Gobert. Hendricks can fill that void because he can cover multiple positions, especially players bigger than him. He will also be an ideal pick-and-roll guy who can knock down three-pointers when given the green light to shoot.
10. Dallas Mavericks – Gradey Dick (Kansas)
The Mavericks don't need another ball-dominant player because they already have one in Luka Doncic. What they need are role players who feed off him. With the defense heavily focused on Doncic, Dick can find an open spot and knock down jumpers. He made 40.3 percent of his three-point attempts for the Jayhawks, making him the perfect recipient for kick-outs off double teams.
11. Orlando Magic (from Chicago Bulls) – Cason Wallace (Kentucky)
The Magic have two lottery picks in this year's draft, thanks to the Nikola Vucevic trade. They can pick Kentucky's Cason Wallace here since they've taken a wing player in Thompson at number six. Orlando will have difficulty stopping anyone with a guard rotation featuring Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, and Cole Anthony. That's where Wallace's size and defensive tenacity will come in handy for the Magic.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Kobe Bufkin (Michigan)
The Thunder ranked 21st in assists and 22nd in blocks per game last season. Chet Holmgren's return after a one-year recovery period should address the latter category. As for assists, Bufkin is their man. He and Josh Giddey will deliver dimes for a team on the rise.
13. Toronto Raptors – Keyonte George (Baylor)
There's a chance that Fred VanVleet won't exercise his player option with the Toronto Raptors. Whether he returns or not, the Raptors could use more help in the backcourt, and George fits the bill. He's hard to stop when he gets hot, which could help Toronto's 24th-ranked offense. He also has underrated passing skills, making him capable of handling playmaking duties.
14. New Orleans Pelicans – Kris Murray (Iowa)
Zion Williamson is an all-world player if healthy. Unfortunately, he only suited up in 29 games in 2022-23. Murray may have a different game style than Williamson, but his scoring ability can help fill the void Williamson creates every time he doesn't suit up. His versatility allows him to adjust his role if he spends minutes alongside Brandon Ingram.
15. Atlanta Hawks – Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana)
The Hawks ranked 26th in points allowed (118.1 per game) in the 2022-23 regular season. Scoring isn't their problem because of Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Clint Capela. However, they need much help on defense which is Hood-Schifino's forte. While he is good at attacking the basket, locking down opponents will be his calling card.
16. Utah Jazz (from Minnesota Timberwolves) – Leonard Miller (G League Ignite)
Danny Ainge is at it again. He hoarded the picks that helped the Boston Celtics' resurgence. He is stockpiling ammunition to turn the Jazz into serious contenders again this time. Utah got this pick as part of the Rudy Gobert trade, and it's best to use it for Miller. He can be a double-double machine with a tremendous upside for the Jazz.
17. Los Angeles Lakers – Jordan Hawkins (Connecticut)
The Lakers could turn from Western Conference finalists to another rebuilding phase. D'Angelo Russell and Dennis Schröder might play elsewhere, and LeBron James could retire from playing. If that's the case, the Lakers need more scorers, and Hawkins is a fantastic spot-up shooter, making him another kick-out option for Anthony Davis. Hawkins also brings the juice on defense, which helps in a talent-laden Eastern Conference.
18. Miami Heat – Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers)
The Heat thrive in finding talent that other teams did not want or did not scout. Miami will add a 6'6" guard/forward with a 7'3" wingspan and find a role for him. Rupert has much room for growth, given that he will turn 19 during draft day. They can turn him from a relative unknown to a solid contributor, as they did with Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin.
19. Golden State Warriors – Trey Alexander (Creighton)
While he is already a two-way player, his transition from wing player to playmaker makes him a good fit for Golden State. If they are to make the most of the Steph Curry-Klay Thompson partnership, having a facilitator like Alexander will help them focus on scoring. He can also take on the tougher backcourt matchup on defense to sustain Curry's energy.
20. Houston Rockets (via Los Angeles Clippers) – Dereck Lively II (Duke)
Rim protection is a concern for Houston. Alperen Sengun emerged as a scorer rather than as an intimidator down low. Lively did well in protecting the basket last season. His offense will follow, but there isn't much need for it with Green and Kevin Porter Jr. leading the way.
21. Brooklyn Nets (from Phoenix Suns) – Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State)
Sensabaugh worked his way to become a one-and-done prospect. He averaged 16.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in his only season for the Buckeyes. His big frame will help Brooklyn's rebounding deficiencies. His 40.5 percent three-point shooting makes him valuable in creating better floor spacing.
22. Brooklyn Nets – G.G. Jackson (South Carolina)
Jackson is a versatile forward who can cover several bases for the Nets. He can create off the dribble and crash the boards. However, he has raw talent that will undergo refinement, given that he is only 18. His shooting, especially at the free throw line, needs improvement.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (from New York Knicks) – Dariq Whitehead (Duke)
Whitehead was once a top-five recruit that could be a one-and-done talent. Unfortunately, injuries led him to play inconsistently. He finished his first year at Duke with averages of 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. While the Blazers will take a gamble on him, they should monitor his foot injury to ensure that it heals properly.
24. Sacramento Kings – Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana)
In an age wherein big men shoot three-pointers, Jackson-Davis's game is a throwback to how giants dominate the paint. He is a great passing big man who crashes the boards hard and scores near the paint. He could take over from Domantas Sabonis when he takes a breather.
25. Memphis Grizzlies – Brandin Podziemski (Santa Clara)
The jury is still out on Ja Morant's impending suspension. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies might not bring Dillon Brooks back. Podziemski is an excellent addition to Memphis' backcourt because of his playmaking and scoring abilities. He finished his sophomore year in Santa Clara, averaging 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
26. Indiana Pacers (from Cleveland Cavaliers) – Colby Jones (Xavier)
Jones isn't flashy but can get the job done. He is a stat filler who can contribute in any way. Jones can have a silent game that fans won't notice but will profoundly affect every game.
27. Charlotte Hornets (from Denver via New York and Oklahoma City) – Bilal Coulibaly (France)
He got some attention while playing alongside Wembanyama. But his improvement in shooting should give a struggling team a boost. His wingspan also makes him a good wing defender with further development.
28. Utah Jazz (from Philadelphia 76ers via Brooklyn) – Noah Clowney (Alabama)
The Jazz must fill their squad with role players since they have several scorers. He can concentrate on hustle, rebounding, and defense while Markkanen and Clarkson deliver the points. His shooting needs improvement, but he can knock down some shots.
29. Indiana Pacers (from Brooklyn) – Ricky Council IV
Council is a take-charge guy. He has the clutch gene that enables him to convert essential baskets. He can relieve some pressure off Haliburton scoring-wise.
30. Los Angeles Clippers (from Milwaukee Bucks via Houston) – Olivier Maxence-Prosper (Marquette)
His performance during the NBA Combine will be enough to elevate him into the first round. This athletic forward plays with great energy, especially when he finishes above the rim during transition plays. His scoring ability will keep the Clippers competitive even if Kawhi Leonard misses games.
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