2023 NBA Final Mock Draft (First Round Projections)

Daniel Leonard (@danieldleonard7) provides his take on the 2023 NBA Draft with a revised mock draft that covers the first round. More in depth analysis of non lottery picks.

The NBA Finals are over and now that Denver has claimed its first championship in nearly half a decade, all eyes in the NBA shift to the draft! Today, Rotoballers, I will be doing a revised NBA mock draft. This will be a modified version of my latest mock draft,  with new rumors and news being revealed it has changed some of my selections. To reiterate this mock draft is going to be based on overall team fit, projected draft range, and my opinion on the best landing spot. I will consider each prospect's strengths, weaknesses, and needs of each team.

Some players might've boosted or tanked their draft stock according to my mock but do not take it too seriously. I'm only using the information that was provided to me and just taking an educated guess of where I think each player will land. For each player, I will have a player comparison to give you guys a better understanding of their play style. I will only be giving a brief description for each pick.

Let's hop straight into this mock draft. If you have any questions or concerns ask me on Twitter @danieldleonard7 for any answers!

1) San Antonio Spurs - F/C Victor Wembanyama, Metropolitans 92

Standing at 7'2 with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama is a generational prospect and will look to carry the torch that Tim Duncan and David Robinson once held. The Spurs will get a chance to repeat history and start another dynasty with another dominant big man. He can handle the ball like a guard, shoot consistently, and finish over most defenders. Wemby is very agile and can step out and guard perimeter players, and he can also protect the rim very well. If Wembanyama lives up to the hype, he could be the face of the NBA for years to come.

Comp: Porzingis with guard skills 

2) Charlotte Hornets -  G/F Brandon Miller, Alabama

With new rumors coming out that Charlotte is leaning towards picking Brandon Miller, that's exactly who I have them selecting. Miller is special on the offensive side of the ball, he has displayed that he is a certified three-level scorer. He has a smooth handle that allows him to get to his spots easily. Miller can get his shot off against any defense and is a threat as soon as he crosses half-court because of his incredible range. With Miller's unique skillset, the Hornets hope to boast a top offense next year and possibly contend.

Comp: less athletic Paul George

3) Portland Trailblazers - F Taylor Hendricks, UCF

With Charlotte selecting Brandon Miller, I have Portland selecting the versatile forward Taylor Hendricks. I don't see a reason why Portland would select Scoot Henderson with an already crowded backcourt. That's why Hendricks would be the best fit, Hendricks is a forward who can consistently shoot the ball off the catch and dribble. Hendricks can also defend the perimeter and protect the rim very well. Hendricks would be the best overall fit to pair with Damian Lillard, while also giving Portland the best chance to compete.

Comp: Jerami Grant

4) Houston Rockets - G Scoot Henderson, G-League Ignite

Houston simply cannot pass up on a dynamic player like Henderson, even with his questionable fit. Getting Scoot would also make the Rockets future murky with James Harden, but it would be a long-term answer for the Rockets at the point guard position. Scoot would bring a combination of great court vision, a quick first step, and very solid shot-creation skills. Scoot would bring much-needed playmaking to the Rockets, who ranked dead last in the NBA last year in assists. If this pick pans out to its full potential, the Rockets will have one of the best young cores in the league.

Comp: Young Derrick Rose 

5) Detroit Pistons - F Cam Whitmore, Villanova

With this pick, Detriot gets an athletic 6'7 forward who can defend at a high level. He has the defensive versatility to guard 1-3 positions consistently. Though he is not much of a shot creator, he has shown flashes of three-point shooting and a consistent midrange. He has also shown the explosiveness needed to finish at the rim at a high rate. He will be the perfect complement to Cade Cunnigham and Jaden Ivey because he could possibly develop into a high-level 3 and D forward.

Comp: An offensive-minded Lu Dort

6) Orlando Magic - G/F Amen Thompson, OTE

Amen Thomposn is a generational athlete, his athleticism is off the charts. Orlando is getting a very talented ball-handler and playmaker with this pick. He has really good point guard skills, his vision and reads are second to none in this draft. Orlando will also bolster their defense with this pick. Thompson is an amazing on-ball defender, who moves his feet very well and defends at a really high level. with this pick, Orlando will get another talented and tall ball handler.

Comp: Taller John Wall

7) Indiana Pacers - F/C Jarace Walker, Houston

I think Jarace Walker will be the perfect pick for the Pacers, he will help create a great defensive frontcourt with Myles Turner. He had 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 2022, showing his defensive dominance. He is a great defender and has the potential to protect the rim. He has shown flashes of being a very good playmaker at the next level, he thrives in short-roll playmaking, which also bodes well for the Pacers offense. Walker has the potential to be a valuable glue guy for the Pacers for the foreseeable future.

Comp: Prime Paul Millsap

8) Washington Wizards - G/F Ausar Thompson, OTE

The wizards are desperately in need of playmaking and perimeter defense, and Ausar checks both of these boxes. He has good enough vision to distribute the ball at a high level and is very patient. He has shown flashes of being a primary playmaker but is probably best suited as a secondary playmaker. He is a great perimeter defender and overall athlete, just like his brother. Ausar will ignite this Wizards team to their true potential, and hopefully, they will make some noise in the East next year.

Comp: Skinny Scottie Barnes

9) Utah Jazz - G/F Anthony Black, Arkansas

The Utah Jazz are in dire need of a natural point guard, Talen Horton-Tucker and Colin Sexton just aren't good enough distributors. Anthony Black is a natural passer, he has great vision and is a great decision-maker most of the time. Black is also a great perimeter defender, he uses his hands to get a lot of steals and moves his feet very well. He can naturally guard 1-3 positions because of his speed and size. Black has a very funky playstyle, just like Giddey, but he makes it very effective. He will bring much-needed playmaking and defense to the Jazz, who already have capable scorers and shooters.

Comp: Athletic Josh Giddey

10) Dallas Mavericks - G Cason Wallace, Kentucky

The Mavericks are coming off a very disappointing season, and one of the main reasons why is because of their defense. That's why I have the Mavericks selecting Kentucky guard Cason Wallace, he is an elite perimeter defender. He can guard any guard who is put in front of him, he uses his hands and feet very well. He is also a good playmaker, he is always looking to make the right plays consistently. I feel like his versatility to play on and off the ball would pair really well with Luka and Kyrie if he returns to the team. Wallace is a great team player who is willing to do anything for his team. The Mavericks desperately need more guys like this on their team next season.

Comp: Marcus Smart

11) Orlando Magic - G Keyonte George, Baylor

The Magic have an abundance of high-level forwards, but they need a guard who can score as well. Some may argue that Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs were drafted for that exact reason, and I won't push back on that, but I think Keyonte George can better suit this Magic team. George is a dynamic athlete, a good shot creator, and has real NBA range already. The Magic could definitely use his scoring punch off the bench, and he could make guys like Paolo and Franz's jobs easier because of how good he already is on the offensive end.

Comp: Eric Gordon

12) Oklahoma City Thunder - C Derrick Lively, Duke 

The Thunder desperately lacked size and interior defense last year. These two things would've been aided had the promising prospect Chet Holmgren played, but he was unfortunately out due to injury. Now that he is gearing up to play next year, I would prefer he plays the power forward position rather than the center position next year. Lively would really help Chet and the Thunder next year with his elite shot-blocking, athleticism, and size. He has the potential to be a future all-defensive player in his career with the tools he has showcased in college. The Thunder would be able to throw out an elite frontcourt duo similar to Cleveland's Evan Mobley and Jarret Allen next year if they decided to pick Lively. Lively was a late-round prospect in my previous mock, but I think his fit and need for this Thunder team is more than enough to have him in the lottery.

Comp: Tyson Chandler

13) Toronto Raptors - G/F Bilal Coulibaly, Metropolitans 92

Toronto gets a high-potential prospect who has skyrocketed up the draft boards. This 18-year-old forward has a 7'3 wingspan and is a disruptive defender who routinely takes tough defensive assignments. He truly is an explosive athlete with great tools, he also causes havoc while driving to the rim or running in transition. He needs to develop more of a consistent offensive game but has flashed enough things to where you believe he can in the near future. Originally I did not have Bilal in the lottery but his recent performances and draft hype convinced me that he soon will be a lottery pick.

Comp: Young OG Anunoby

14) New Orleans Pelicans - G/F Gradey Dick, Kansas

Gradey Dick is possibly the best shooter in the draft, he has a very fundamental and consistent jump shot. He can shoot off the dribble, on the move, and can convert catch-and-shoot opportunities. He has the size and instincts to at least be a competent defender at the next level. He will bring shooting gravity to a Pelicans team that desperately needs it, they ranked 24th in three-pointers made per game last year. Gradey's draft stock didn't drop in my opinion, I just feel like teams are going to prioritize other needs over him.

Comp: Cam Johnson 

First Round 15-22

15. Atlanta - G Kobe Bufkin, Michigan

Atlanta seemed to be missing the scoring punch and consistency that they had in years past. Kobe Bufkin is a guard who can create his own shot and shoot the ball really well. Even though his assists don't show it, Bufkin is a really good facilitator and can make good reads consistently. He was really efficient last year at Michigan from all three levels of the court. He is a great ballhandler and has the capabilities to play the point guard or shooting guard position.

He has the defensive tools and instincts to guard 1-3 positions, which will help him fit with the Hawks. Bufkin is a 6'4 guard with a 6'8 wingspan, which helps him cause chaos on the perimeter for opposing players. He can also play off the ball when needed, which helps him while sharing minutes with either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray.

Comp: Taller Mike Conley

16. Utah - F Leonard Miller, G-League Ignite 

Miller's hustle and relentless motor make him an obvious first-round pick. He has a raw offensive game but showed great slashing success last year. Miller was very efficient finishing around the basket last year, and in transition, he runs the floor very well. Miller also flashed some playmaking that could be valuable at the next level if utilized correctly.

Miller is surprisingly a very fluid mover at 6'10 on the perimeter and can guard 1–5 positions consistently because of it. Miller has a 7'2 wingspan that he uses to disrupt shots around the rim and get deflections. He is a great offensive and defensive rebounder as well. I think he can easily emulate the role that Jarred Vanderbilt held while playing with the Jazz. I did not have Miller this high in my previous mock, but he is gaining buzz because of his potential and intangibles right now. I also think he fits more teams than I initially thought he did.

Comp: Jarred Vanderbilt

17. Los Angeles Lakers - G Jordan Hawkins, UConn

The Lakers have two of the best slashing players in the NBA today. With that being said, they need space to consistently get downhill and convert at the rim. Jordan Hawkins does exactly that, he is probably the best off-ball mover in this draft. He can shoot the ball under any circumstance, and he is a very efficient shooter from everywhere on the court as well.

He is probably the best spot-up shooter in the draft, he excels at knocking down standstill jumpers. Though it's not a strong point of his, Hawkins is a good defender. Hawkins is laterally quick enough to stay in front of offensive players and contains them. The Lakers overall weren't a consistent shooting team, so adding arguably the best shooter in the draft should help everyone on this team.

Comp: Richard Hamilton

18. Miami - G/F Jett Howard, Michigan

Other than Butler and Herro, the Miami Heat lack players who can create shots for themselves consistently. Jett Howard is a talented scorer and shooter who can help maximize the Heat's offense. At 6'8, Howard has a very nice and high release that he can get off against most players at any time. He brings a good pull-up jumper to the Heat as well, he has a multitude of shot versatility, which makes him a gifted scorer.

Howard has a very tight handle, which is why he is able to create his own shots so often. Howard has also shown he can be a secondary playmaker, he has good enough court vision to get others involved. Howard could be an amazing spark for the Heat's bench in a similar way to Herro's rookie year.

Comp: Kevin Huerter

19. Golden State - G/F Maxwell Lewis, Pepperdine

Maxwell Lewis has all the tools and more to be a 3 and D forward in the NBA. He has a great mix of shooting and size that most players in this draft aren't able to provide. The Warriors could be losing Donte DiVincenzo to free agency, so they need someone to replace his production from last year.

He has shown flashes of shot-creation tools, he is an underrated scorer in terms of this draft. He will be a great off-ball playmaker, which fits the Warriors system very well. He is also a good defender right now because of his length and instincts, and he will be able to be a great plug-and-play option for the Warriors next year.

Comp: Devin Vassell 

20. Rockets - G/F Dariq Whitehead, Duke 

Even though Dariq Whitehead had a freshman season riddled with nagging injuries, he is still one of the top prospects in this class. He has legit scoring upside and can consistently create his own shot, no matter the circumstance. Dariq is also a great shooter off the catch, and he has definitely improved his stroke over the last few years.

He is also an underrated defender and can defend at a high level due to his strong frame; he can become a 3 and D wing if developed right. He has also shown he can be a playmaker in a system, especially out of the pick and roll. Dariq is a great prospect who just wasn't able to show all of his skills due to injuries, and now he will hopefully get that chance in Houston. Previously Dariq was a second-round guy for me, but his talent is just too overwhelming for me to let injures override it.

Comp: Lance Stephenson

21. Brooklyn - G Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana

Brooklyn's lack of ball handlers and shot creators was put on full display during the 2023 playoffs. Having Spencer Dinwiddie as their only comment ball handler is a problem, which is why I have them selecting guard Jalen Hood-Schifino. Jalen has great positional size and is a very talented playmaker. He runs the pick-and-roll very well and can score and facilitate out of it.

Jalen has also shown he can consistently knock down mid-range shots and be an effective pull-up shooter. Jalen is a good defender because of his great positional size. He is a good on-ball defender and can stay in front of perimeter players when asked to. Jalen would be an amazing fit with the Nets and could help Dinwiddie with ball-handling duties.

Comp: Spencer Dinwidde 

22. Brooklyn - F/C Noah Clowney, Alabama

Brooklyn needs more versatile big men to aid their talented star, Nic Claxton. Noah Clowney has shown that he can stretch the floor consistently. Clowney doesn't try to create his own shot often but can finish around the rim through contact because of his athleticism. He has yet to even turn 19 and has intrigued scouts with his overwhelming potential.

Clowney has great positional size and has flashed some defensive tools. He showed defensive versatility last year at Alabama, which has scouts confident in his defense translating to the NBA. Clowney can either be a backup to Claxton or share minutes with him on the floor next season.

Comp: Bobby Portis

First round 23-30

23. Portland - F GG Jackson, South Carolina

Jackson is a very talented scorer and can score in a multitude of ways. At 6'9, Jackson has the size and strength to get to the basket and finish very well. Jackson is a great outside shooter with great confidence as well. He has a quick release and true NBA range as well.

His shot-making and creation have intrigued a lot of scouts, and he could mold into a top-scoring option later on in his career. Jackson is a very fluid mover for his size, and this allows him to defend multiple positions. He moves well laterally and can block shots because of his size. Portland could use another talented wing who can play off the ball with Lillard as they continue to remodel their team.

Comp: Rui Hachimura

24. Sacramento - G/F Kris Murray, Iowa

Sacramento would be an absolute dream for forward Kris Murray. Not because his sibling is on the team, but because he fits exactly what they are looking for. He's a prospect who can shoot efficiently, facilitate really well for his position, and defend multiple positions. Kris is a very good shooter because of his high release, he really thrives in pick-and-pop situations.

He is also a really efficient player around the rim and a great cutter to the rim. He brings some defensive versatility that they would love to have as well, and he rebounds well too. Kris would be another piece in the Kings high-powered offense, and he can come in and contribute right away.

Comp: Left-handed Keegan Murray 

25. Memphis - F Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State

Memphis overall was not a good shooting team, and that led to a stagnant half-court offense. With this pick, the Grizzlies get a 3-level scorer right away and a player who can spot up very well. He will be able to provide spacing, and he is really a good shooter off the dribble as well. His great shot versatility and great footwork make him a gifted shooter.

He also has great positional size, where he can play 1-3 positions. Is an extremely strong player, which helps him defend on the perimeter and finish through contact at the rim. Underrated playmaker, not too good, but he can hit cutters often and on time.

Comp: Cam Thomas 

26. Indiana - G/F Julian Strawther, Gonzaga

Julian will provide a good offensive spark with his exceptional shooting. His shooting opens up his playmaking and finishing as well because of how efficient he is. He has a very quick release but needs to develop his left hand to be able to attack closeouts more. Strawther is a good finisher but is not overly athletic, so sometimes he can't finish through contact.

He is an active defender and is really a pest on defense. He will be a great rotational piece off the bench for the Pacers. Strawther will be another good young prospect that the Pacers could possibly turn into a late-round gem.

Comp: Bogdan Bogdanovic 

27. Charlotte - G Nick Smith, Arkansas

Smith is a crafty guard who has the potential to be one of the best scorers in this class. He has a tight handle and can get to his spots. Smith is a very good shooter, he has great range when shooting off the catch. Smith probably has the best floater in the whole draft and has elite touch around the rim.

Smith has also shown he can handle some playmaking duties, he has good vision. He has a small frame but is quick and uses it to his advantage. He could come in and get backup point guard and shooting guard minutes right away due to his overwhelming talent.

Comp: Jordan Poole 

28. Utah - F/C James Nnaji, FC Barcelona Básquet

The Jazz desperately need more size and defense at the center position. Kelly Olynyk is a great stretch big, but he simply doesn't provide the defense needed to win championships. James Nnaji has the best physical tools out of everyone in this class due to his size and strength. James is an athletic freak, this was displayed last year in Barcelona when he averaged almost 2 blocks per 36 minutes.

He can come in, provide much-needed interior defense, and be a serious lob threat for the Jazz. He is still really raw on offense, but offensive production won't be expected from him in the NBA. His size and athleticism really bring something the Jazz don't have. With some development, Nnaji could possibly be starting in a couple of years for the Jazz.

Comp: DeAndre Jordan

29. Indiana - G/F Rayan Rupert, New Zealand Breakers 

Once again, I have the Pacers taking talented defensive wing Rayan Rupert. He has the size and all the defensive tools to be one of the best perimeter defenders once he steps into the league. Rupert uses his 7'3 wingspan to be disruptive and get deflections. He has amazing anticipation and instincts on defense as well.

He still has a raw offensive game, but there were signs of development last season that was encouraging. He has shown he can be a capable slasher, he uses length and finesse in the lane to finish through traffic. Jumpshot needs work, but the mechanics are good right now.

Comp: Mattise Thybulle 

30. Los Angeles Clippers - G Colby Jones, Xavier

With Eric Gordon only getting older, the Clippers could start looking for his replacement early. Colby Jones is a really solid guard who can shoot, defend, and facilitate really well. He isn't overwhelmingly good at these things, but he does them really well. A really efficient scorer at all three levels and does not force shots often either.

Jones plays at a really steady pace and does not allow opponents to speed him up. He's a really good glue guy for his team and does a lot of dirty work on the perimeter. He could come in and bring some much-needed youth to a veteran-heavy Clippers team, and he could possibly be contributing by the end of the year.

Comp: Malcolm Brogdon

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