2023 NBA Mock Draft V.3
The No Ceilings crew put together their third Mock Draft for the 2023 NBA Draft.
For some NBA fans, this is a fantastic time of the year. The fans of the top teams in both conferences are getting excited about their stars featuring during All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City next month, and they’re getting excited about the slowly solidifying playoff picture and where their teams sit in the standings.
For many other NBA fans, though, this time of the year can be pretty upsetting. The teams near the bottom might be duking it out in the tanking races, while fans of slightly-better teams are faced with the daunting decision of cheering for the team to make a backdoor play-in push or hoping that they get lucky on Lottery Night. For those fans (and for the draft obsessives who love watching prospect film even when their favorite NBA squads are actually decent for once), this one’s for you.
Earlier this week, we shared V.3 of our BIG Board, covering the Top 60 prospects on our collective draft board. That wasn’t enough for us, though. We simply had to reconvene in our (virtual) War Room to make our own picks for a Mock Draft V.3 as well.
As we did with Mock Draft V.2, we selected and wrote full write-ups for the first 30 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, we had to make an even bigger splash with our first Mock Draft of 2023. This time, we went through all 58 picks (with picks #54 and #59 forfeited this year), trying to find the best matches for players and teams for all of the draft night selections.
The stretch run of the NBA season is approaching sooner than you might think, with all of the teams now past the halfway mark for games played. Whether your team is in desperate need of a primary scorer, trying to take a chance on snaring a second star, or just looking for a role player with potential late in the first or second round, they will have plenty of options to choose from in this talented draft class—just as we did when we were putting together this Mock Draft for all of you.
Enjoy, No Ceilings family!
* NBA Draft order is from 1/15
1. HOUSTON ROCKETS - Victor Wembanyama | Center | Metropolitans 92
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
21.4 PTS | 9.4 REB | 2.0 AST | 0.9 STL | 3.2 BLK
47.9 FG% | 29.5 3P% | 81.1 FT%
Nathan Grubel: Any other selection here would certainly come as a shock to everyone who pays even a small amount of attention to the NBA Draft. If this pick were to be made by the Houston Rockets, there’s no other homework to be done. Victor Wembanyama is a generational prospect the likes of which we’ve never seen before. A 7’4” shooting, ball-handling center who projects as one of the best possession starters and enders across the entire league? Houston desperately needs an anchor to take pressure off Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. Wembanyama could fit with any combination of players (including Alperen Sengun) and would put the Rockets much further along in its rebuilding plan.
2. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Scoot Henderson | Guard | G League Ignite
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
19.8 PTS | 4.7 REB | 6.1 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.3 BLK
46.2 FG% | 34.1 3P% | 74.1 FT%
Stephen Gillaspie: Surprised, aren’t you? One of the biggest conversations that come up every draft cycle is BPA vs. team need. Charlotte’s best player is a point guard, but Charlotte is also in dire need of an injection of talent. Scoot often gets tabbed as the number one pick in any other draft, so we’re not overthinking this one. Scoot is a heck of a defender—something that Charlotte needs. He applies significant pressure on the rim, has improved a lot as a shooter, and can help shoulder the load for LaMelo Ball. With there being so many holes on this team, the Hornets keep it simple but smart.
3. DETROIT PISTONS: Brandon Miller | Wing | Alabama
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
20.1 PTS | 8.3 REB | 1.8 AST | 0.7 STL | 0.8 BLK
46.7 FG% | 46.2 3P% | 83.9 FT%
Corey Tulaba: With the Pistons now on the clock and Vic and Scoot off the board, the 2023 NBA Draft can officially begin. There have been few prospects less divisive than Alabama wing Brandon Miller throughout the draft cycle, but the combination of skill, production, positional size, and untapped upside make the freshman a near-perfect fit for what the Pistons are building. One of the most (if not THE most) dynamic shooters in the draft, Miller fits like a glove slotted alongside the creation ability of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. However, Miller himself is also a capable ball-handler and passer who has more to his game as a creator than he’s been able to show at the college level. A dribble, pass, shoot, and defend wing at 6’9” that also happens to fit perfectly with Detroit’s young core? Call it in.
4. SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Amen Thompson | Wing | Overtime Elite
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
16.6 PTS | 5.9 REB | 5.7 AST | 2.3 STL | 0.9 BLK
55.3 FG% | 27.3 3P% | 66.7 FT%
Paige Otto: The San Antonio Spurs are currently in a full-scale rebuild (as we know), as they have been far away from the Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli, years for quite some time. Just last year, the Spurs cashed on Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, and Blake Wesley in the 2022 NBA Draft. So, in addition to Johnson and Vassell, there is hope for Spurs fans! There is plenty of upside with this young roster the Spurs have accumulated; however, the only thing that is missing is a main lead guard that possesses pure playmaking ability, versatility, and scoring touch. Enter Amen Thompson. Thompson offers top-shelf athleticism, elite size for a main ball-handler at 6’7”, versatility, playmaking, and a growth opportunity for the Spurs. In comparison to Dejounte Murray, I can see Amen having a similar rise to “stardom” that Murray gradually did—but I think it will develop faster due to the young core he will have around him. Amen’s shot is getting better and it looks like he is working on it, but there looks to be no real improvement being made, which is a real concern. San Antonio’s player development staff is one of the best in the NBA, and I would be more than thrilled to see what they could do to turn Amen’s shot around. A roster with Wesley, Thompson, Johnson, Branham, Vassell, and Sochan for the future is more than intriguing. This group is a great foundation to develop, and their growth is one challenge the Spurs certainly won’t shy away from.
5. ORLANDO MAGIC - Ausar Thompson | Wing | Overtime Elite
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
16.7 PTS | 7.1 REB | 5.3 AST | 2.4 STL | 1.3 BLK
50.0 FG% | 35.6 3P% | 66.7 FT%
Albert Ghim: The Orlando Magic have a lot going on. The first thing you have to talk about with this team is the dynamic duo of Franz and Paolo; those two are the pillars of the future. The issue from here is how to build around those two. I know the Magic have a ton of guards and really no idea what to do with them. In my mind, it wouldn’t be insane if Cole, Markelle, and R.J. are all on different teams next season. I still think it’s way too early to give up on Jalen Suggs, so where does that leave them? I think adding a dynamic playmaking wing like Ausar makes a lot of sense. I know he’s not a great shooter yet, but he’s taken BIG steps in the right direction this season. The shot looks much cleaner and it’s going in more; those are good signs. He’s also an elite athlete with great passing instincts. The most important quality he has is his ability to play off the ball. He’s a really good cutter that is used to playing next to another superstar: his brother. I think betting on the shooting upside, athleticism, passing, and size of Ausar to work next to Orlando’s core of young guys is a good one to make.
6. WASHINGTON WIZARDS - Nick Smith | Guard | Arkansas
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
12.8 PTS | 1.8 REB | 1.8 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.2 BLK
38.9 FG% | 30.0 3P% | 84.2 FT%
Tyler Rucker: The Washington Wizards continue to add talent to their roster but another potential star could be just what the team needs. Arkansas freshman Nick Smith Jr. came into the season as a potential Top 5 pick. After finally making his anticipated debut, Smith showcased the flashes of why he could be one of the first guards off the board. Reports have suggested that Smith will make a return in February to the Razorbacks. For now, the Washington Wizards add another dangerous offensive Wizard in the backcourt.
7. ORLANDO MAGIC (via Chicago) - Cam Whitmore | Wing | Villanova
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
13.1 PTS | 5.0 REB | 0.8 AST | 1.5 STL | 0.2 BLK
48.0 FG% | 36.0 3P% | 73.1 FT%
Nick Agar-Johnson: The Orlando Magic snagged some guard depth and shooting upside with their first pick in this mock draft, Ausar Thompson. With their second pick, they opt for BPA/higher upside over possible fit concerns and add another bully-ball forward to their stable with Villanova’s Cam Whitmore. Although Whitmore missed some time early and has been slow to ramp up, he has shown (especially in FIBA U19’s this past summer) that he can be an absolute athletic force that defenses could barely stay in front of throughout that competition. Whitmore gives Orlando flexibility with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero; adding Whitmore’s rim pressure and playmaking to the mix opens up some more jumbo lineups for Orlando with Franz as the nominal 2-guard alongside Paolo, Wendell Carter Jr., and Whitmore, while also opening up the possibility of Paolo spending more time as a small-ball 5 with Whitmore and Wagner filling out the frontcourt.
8. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (via Lakers) - Jett Howard | Wing | Michigan
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
15.5 PTS | 2.9 REB | 2.6 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.8 BLK
45.1 FG% | 40.2 3P% | 78.2 FT%
Nathan Grubel: If Jett Howard were to be available when the New Orleans Pelicans were selecting, this could be one of the quickest call-ins on draft night. The Pelicans have length and defensive versatility everywhere, a legitimate one-two punch in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, and veteran leadership in CJ McCollum. Add in another wing who can serve as a secondary creator and perimeter shot-maker like Howard, and you’re just cooking with too much gas. The rich would keep getting richer if Howard could share the court with the aforementioned stars plus guys like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones.
9. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - Keyonte George | Guard | Baylor
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
17.7 PTS | 4.8 REB | 3.4 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.2 BLK
40.0 FG% | 36.2 3P% | 81.1 FT%
Stephen Gillaspie: The tremendous leap in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game has been so much fun this year, and one of the biggest takeaways from it is that SGA is at his best when surrounded by shooters. Since the beginning of December, George has been a 37% shooter from deep. On top of the scoring that we’ve been waiting to see coming into form, Keyonte has shown to be a very good ball mover and defender. With the number of playmakers on this team, George will be accentuated in all of his strengths while not being asked to do too much outside of them. The Thunder will have a ton of cap and assets to add a PF later.
10. TORONTO RAPTORS - Jarace Walker | Forward | Houston
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
10.1 PTS | 6.3 REB | 1.8 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.9 BLK
48.1 FG% | 36.4 3P% | 71.0 FT%
Corey Tulaba: To the surprise of almost nobody, the Toronto Raptors head to the podium to select the 6’8” manchild with a 7’2” wingspan and a fun toolbox of basketball skills. With a Fred VanVleet free agency looming one may argue that looking for a guard is the move here; however, we’re still drafting BPA here in the Top 10 as we believe that Walker’s versatile offensive package (wait till an NBA team uses him as a screener and DHO hub) blended with game-altering defensive potential at multiple positions could return Top 5 value. Toronto will desperately need to find shooting elsewhere, but the thought of a young defensive core of Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Jarace Walker, and Christian Koloko…(insert Morgan Freeman meme), good luck.
11. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS - Gregory “GG” Jackson | Forward | South Carolina
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
15.1 PTS | 6.6 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.8 BLK
38.7 FG% | 30.9 3P% | 62.7 FT%
Paige Otto: The Trail Blazers have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this year, as Portland came into the year with a little bit of the unknown hanging over them heading into the season. However, the Blazers have been a great watch so far and are currently 10th in the Western Conference, due to the dynamic backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant’s versatility, and Shaedon Sharpe’s eye-popping offensive skill set being displayed on any given night. Add on another piece to this core, and the Blazers are really cooking. South Carolina’s GG Jackson, who will only be 18 on draft night, is the epitome of what the modern NBA is looking for and a key piece that the Blazers could definitely use. Jackson has the ability to score at all three levels, the versatility to guard multiple positions, and the skillset to be an elite shot-creator and playmaker in the NBA. With Jackson still being barely 18 years old and possessing the skill set that he does at 6’9”, he will only continue to grow as an all-around player year after year. However, seeing how he develops throughout his first few years in the league will be crucial in projecting how high of a ceiling GG Jackson truly can have as an NBA player—which, in my opinion, could be higher than one might think.
12. ATLANTA HAWKS - Maxwell Lewis | Wing | Pepperdine
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
19.6 PTS | 5.8 REB | 2.7 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.8 BLK
52.1 FG% | 41.2 3P% | 83.3 FT%
Albert Ghim: Maxwell Lewis is a Rolls Royce of a prospect. The class, fluidity, and shooting on Lewis just remind me of a super fancy car. After seeing him warm up and play live, it’s clear to me that Lewis is the type of prospect you want to buy in on now before he absolutely explodes. At this point in the season, Lewis’s shooting splits are 52/41/83; that’s pretty damn impressive. Not only are the numbers pretty but how he’s putting up these numbers is pretty as well. Lewis is such a fluid athlete who somehow looks just as fluid with the ball in his hands as he does without it. I’m not saying he has the world’s best handle but just aesthetically it looks great when he’s moving with the ball and he’s getting the type of space he needs to get his shot off, even against tougher, more athletic defenders. The Hawks are another team that has a lot going on and honestly may look like a completely different team by the time the draft rolls around. Regardless of what the roster looks like, adding a smooth wing like Lewis at this point in the draft is always a good idea.
13. UTAH JAZZ (via MIN) - Cason Wallace | Guard | Kentucky
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
11.3 PTS | 3.4 REB | 3.7 AST | 2.0 STL | 0.3 BLK
47.2 FG% | 41.8 3P% | 57.1 FT%
Tyler Rucker: The Utah Jazz are shocking the world with their play throughout the 2022-23 NBA season. With a plethora of draft capital in the upcoming draft, the Jazz will be a team that can add a number of pieces to the puzzle rapidly. There’s a world in which Cason Wallace blossoms into a heck of a player at the next level. He’s shown some flashes of brilliance during his freshman year at Kentucky. Wallace has demonstrated that the outside shot is developing nicely and his feel for the game has been strong. The defensive upside is what will make Wallace a candidate to go earlier than some might expect, as he’s got lethal hands when it comes to the point of attack. For now, Utah adds a gritty floor general who projects to be one of the “safer” picks in the lottery.
14. UTAH JAZZ - Anthony Black | Guard | Arkansas
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
12.5 PTS | 5.3 REB | 3.8 AST | 1.6 STL | 0.6 BLK
45.9 FG% | 32.1 3P% | 70.5 FT%
Nick Agar-Johnson: The Utah Jazz opt to further solidify their guard depth with the last pick in the lottery, adding Arkansas guard Anthony Black. Black has struggled in some recent games, but he is a dynamic force when it comes to putting pressure on the rim. His defensive chops should not be underrated either, especially in the context of this year’s Jazz squad; after being one of the top defensive teams in the league for most of the last decade, Utah is currently fourth in Offensive Rating and 26th in Defensive Rating, per basketball-reference. Black will have time to develop his shot slowly and focus on defense with the rest of the Jazz pouring in points; with the team covering for his weak points on offense, his playmaking game and burgeoning defense will have a chance to shine through.
15. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - Gradey Dick | Wing | Kansas
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
14.7 PTS | 5.3 REB | 1.8 AST | 1.7 STL | 0.2 BLK
45.7 FG% | 45.3 3P% | 80.4 FT%
Nathan Grubel: Speaking of the rich getting richer, Gradey Dick on the Golden State Warriors would just be absurd. How much shooting does one team need? The limit does not exist. Dick paired with any combination of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and/or Jordan Poole brings PREMIUM spacing to a team that operates off supreme shooting gravity already in the form of Curry and Thompson. Not only can Dick shoot the cover off the ball, but he’s also been a timely cutter and strong finisher around the basket. Factor in his legit frame, size, length, and competitive nature, and there’s a real argument to be made he has some upside defensively as well. This would be a hell of a pick for Golden State if it were to happen.
16. PHOENIX SUNS - Jalen Hood-Schifino | Guard | Indiana
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
13.4 PTS | 4.4 REB | 4.5 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.0 BLK
45.2 FG% | 44.0 3P% | 66.7 FT%
Stephen Gillaspie: Hood-Schifino has had a mercurial draft cycle so far, largely due to some documented back issues. If you look at his play on the court, however, JHS is the type of lead guard NBA teams value greatly. The backcourt of Devin Booker and Chris Paul seems like it’s on the decline, so adding a running mate for Book that has high upside looks to be the move. A 40%-plus shooter from deep, JHS can function playing off of the ball while also having the capability to head up a unit when he becomes acclimated to the speed of the NBA. Having him 16 may be too low for Jalen by the next mock, so Phoenix is thrilled to land him here.
17. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS - Terquavion Smith | Guard | NC State
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
19.1 PTS | 3.6 REB | 4.7 AST | 1.8 STL | 0.5 BLK
39.2 FG% | 33.9 3P% | 69.2 FT%
Corey Tulaba: June will be an interesting time for the other Los Angeles team: one which could be a celebration of meeting the lofty expectations that were set for them upon acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, or one of despair after another murky season in which their stars fail to play a meaningful amount of games and subsequently fizzle out in the playoffs leading to major changes. Under either scenario, taking a swing on the potential of NC State’s Terquavion Smith is the move. Under the first scenario, the Clips are selecting a player capable of performing as a modern-day Jordan Poole; a walking heat check from any range on the court that could create on the ball or create gravity off of it. If it is the latter scenario, Smith provides upside as a dynamic creator that can call his own number or make plays for his teammates (a big area of improvement for the dynamic guard this year). Smith still has ways to go physically and with his efficiency, but the strides he’s made as a sophomore mixed with his athleticism and shot-making are worth the shot at any spot outside of the lottery.
18. MIAMI HEAT - Dariq Whitehead | Wing | Duke
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
8.1 PTS | 2.4 REB | 1.1 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.2 BLK
37.2 FG% | 33.3 3P% | 92.3 FT%
Paige Otto: Coming into the college basketball season, Dariq Whitehead was widely projected to be Duke’s best NBA Draft prospect. Turns out, it hasn’t happened the way we expected. Sidelined with a lower-body injury that kept Whitehead out of Duke’s lineup for the first four games, Whitehead is still looking to find his footing along with the Blue Devils team as a whole. With this being a key factor, Whitehead’s high school tape is something I keep going back to in comparison to his year so far at Duke. Some of the main tools in Whitehead’s bag that was on full display in high school were his shot creation, three-point shooting, above-the-rim finishing, playmaking, craftiness in shot selection, and the ability to guard multiple positions—the epitome of a modern-day NBA level wing. The Miami Heat mostly need size and versatility but why not throw in more shooting ability at the 18th pick? Being 6’8”’ and possessing the array of skills Whitehead has, he can make an immediate impact in Miami. Whether that be by spacing the floor more, offering more versatility at the four spot in particular, providing a scoring punch, and self-creation looks, Whitehead would be a valuable pickup in the mid-first round for the Heat. The Heat are still a hard team to get a grasp on, but so is Whitehead at this point in time—which is why with time, I think Dariq Whitehead will figure it out and provide a great ROI wherever he does end up getting drafted.
19. INDIANA PACERS - Kris Murray | Forward | Iowa
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
21.2 PTS | 9.0 REB | 1.6 AST | 0.7 STL | 1.3 BLK
51.6 FG% | 37.0 3P% | 75.9 FT%
Albert Ghim: The Pacers have been a lot of fun this season. Tyrese Haliburton is spearheading a young group of guys that are playing well and may find themselves playing in the playoffs this summer. Next to the dynamic Haliburton, they have a nice cast of shooters and young guards that have contributed in a big way. There are some rumors of the Pacers looking to move on from Chris Duarte which could leave a nice little spot for Kris Murray to fill. Murray is an excellent shooter with a sweet lefty stroke. His shooting splits are currently 51/37/76. He’s got good size for a wing, average athleticism, and the ability to play off a ball-dominant player. He’s seen much more of the ball this season after his brother left for the league and that’s only helped his stock. Although he’s not as good as Keegan on the ball, he’s shown enough juice to show NBA front offices that he’s not gonna be dribbling the ball off of his foot every time he has it.
20. NEW YORK KNICKS - Noah Clowney | Forward | Alabama
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
9.5 PTS | 8.2 REB | 0.9 AST | 0.5 STL | 1.2 BLK
50.0 FG% | 29.1 3P% | 57.9 FT%
Tyler Rucker: START SPREADING THE NEWS. Sorry Knicks fans, I just had to get the juices flowing. New York is going to have an interesting decision for the 2023 class. The Knicks have done a good job over the years of adding some intriguing pieces in the backcourt. While there could be some movement when it comes to the future of this roster, let’s give them a nice frontcourt piece to develop. Insert Alabama freshman Noah Clowney. The 6’10” freshman has started to heat up with his intriguing two-way tools for the Crimson Tide. Clowney could be a player that returns and explodes up draft boards, or he could be a heck of a get for a team like the Knicks here at 20.
21. SACRAMENTO KINGS - Julian Phillips | Wing | Tennessee
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
10.3 PTS | 5.6 REB | 1.6 AST | 0.7 STL | 0.8 BLK
42.1 FG% | 26.7 3P% | 81.3 FT%
Nick Agar-Johnson: The biggest need for the Kings right now might be at backup center, but the bench wing rotation could also really use an upgrade. Enter Tennessee’s Julian Phillips: an excellent defender, advanced stats darling, and great athlete at 6’8” who is essentially a jump shot away from being in the lottery conversation. There are encouraging signs with the jumper, but Phillips is worth taking for the Kings even without the shot ever coming along. He is a solid, consistent player who fills gaps on both ends of the floor, but every once in a while he shows flashes of being something much more than that. His defense gives him a pretty solid floor, and the upside with Phillips makes him an excellent candidate to be a “wait, how did he fall that far?” player in the future.
22. NEW YORK KNICKS (via DAL) - Brice Sensabaugh | Wing | Ohio State
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
17.0 PTS | 5.6 REB | 1.1 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.5 BLK
49.5 FG% | 45.8 3P% | 81.4 FT%
Nathan Grubel: The New York Knicks have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA of late, and yet still could use another premium scoring option on the wing. Enter Brice Sensabaugh, who has racked up one of the best efficiency marks of any player in college basketball from the outside, let alone in his freshman class. Sensabaugh’s touch is elite, and he’s not just doing it off self-created pull-up shots—post fades, catch-and-shoot looks, transition finishes, and even some movement shooting ability have all been on display in spades during his short time at Ohio State. Sensabaugh’s offensive upside and rebounding would fit well alongside Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle.
23. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (via NOLA) - Colby Jones | Guard | Xavier
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
14.0 PTS | 5.2 REB | 5.3 AST | 1.3 STL | 0.8 BLK
48.9 FG% | 40.0 3P% | 75.4 FT%
Stephen Gillaspie: Once you get past around the 20th prospect on my board, you really have to look at immediate impact players. That’s exactly what Colby Jones is. While being a player with only 21% usage, Colby is a 14/5/5 player while also being a defensive menace. He is very efficient–boasting shooting splits of 51/44/75—which is exactly the type of player you want to have playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Jones is one of the safer bets in terms of having a long NBA career, which makes him very valuable—especially to a team with expectations.
24. BROOKLYN NETS (via PHI) - Marcus Sasser | Guard | Houston
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
16.9 PTS | 2.8 REB | 3.1 AST | 1.8 STL | 0.2 BLK
42.4 FG% | 36.6 3P% | 81.7 FT%
Corey Tulaba: The Brooklyn Nets seem to be firing on all cylinders as of late; however, this franchise has been known for a considerable amount of nonsense over the last few seasons. Marcus Sasser does not do nonsense. Sasser may very well be the best player in college basketball: an electric shot-creator that can play on or off the ball, grind on defense, and play right away seems like an ideal fit at a position with a lot of age and uncertainty going forward. Questions about Sasser’s age and positional size are justified, but at this point of the draft, I’d bet on Sasser’s winning brand of basketball translating to the next level.
25. INDIANA PACERS (via CLE) - Jaylen Clark | Wing | UCLA
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
14.2 PTS | 6.8 REB | 1.9 AST | 2.6 STL | 0.2 BLK
51.7 FG% | 35.6 3P% | 70.2 FT%
Paige Otto: Jaylen Clark has been on a tear in his junior season so far. One of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft class, Clark is the type of player that you can count on to give you 110% day in and day out. Not only is he a defensive menace, but he also contributes in multiple ways on the stat sheet that any NBA team would be intrigued by some of the all-around performances he’s had this season. Currently, Clark is averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 2.6 steals on 52/36/70 shooting splits—a significant jump from his 51/26/54 splits last year. Clark will only continue to improve as he gets older and stronger on the offensive end, and I believe he can eventually provide the same level of defensive punch in the NBA. The Pacers adding Clark to their already solid young core of guards like Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Andrew Nembhard would be a cheat code. Each guard provides a different elite skill than the other, and having four different players in the same position that do that is very exciting from a developmental aspect. Due to Clark’s electrifying impact on the defensive side of the ball, I wouldn’t be surprised if Clark received big minutes at the start of his professional career. Leaving the draft with Kris Murray and Jaylen Clark is one heck of a steal for the Pacers: an excellent shooter and a defensive mastermind, in addition to them being primary off-ball players, should have Pacers Nation screaming from the rooftops to the Draft Gods.
26. HOUSTON ROCKETS (via MIL) - Kel’el Ware | Center | Oregon
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
8.1 PTS | 4.6 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.4 STL | 1.6 BLK
43.6 FG% | 28.9 3P% | 72.7 FT%
Albert Ghim: I’m sure Houston fans are going to come for my head for this pick and to be totally honest, I wouldn’t blame them. This is a strange pick and would probably be an unpopular pick considering we have the Rockets taking Victor Wemmbanyama with the first pick in the draft. With all that being said, I don’t think it’s crazy for the Rockets to take a bet on a guy like Ware at this point in the draft. The 2022-2023 Houston Rockets are not good. This team has been really tough to watch, so with that in mind, adding a high-upside big like Ware who could potentially block shots, rim run, and maybe hit threes for you one day is an intriguing option. Ware is extremely raw and needs to work out some effort issues, but he has a ton of talent and ability. Having a third center with Ware’s skillset and upside could actually be the right move here.
27. UTAH JAZZ (via BRK) - Kyle Filipowski | Forward | Duke
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
14.9 PTS | 9.3 REB | 1.3 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.8 BLK
42.4 FG% | 25.8 3P% | 78.2 FT%
Tyler Rucker: The hope is that Kyle Filipowski and Lauri Markkanen decide to film the sequel to “Step Brothers.” Okay, let’s get serious here for a moment. As stated earlier, Utah is going to have some serious draft capital to dance with in the 2023 class. Lauri Markkanen looks outstanding. Walker Kessler has been possessed. Does that mean the Jazz wouldn’t look frontcourt here? Absolutely not. Good executives build depth throughout the draft. After adding a couple of earlier assets to the backcourt earlier in the first round, Utah adds some frontcourt depth with Filipowski who has the skills and offensive upside to be a strong rotation piece early on.
28. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (via DEN) - Dillon Mitchell | Forward | Texas
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
6.4 PTS | 5.0 REB | 0.4 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.2 BLK
60.0 FG% | N/A 3P% | 48.0 FT%
Nick Agar-Johnson: Dillon Mitchell has fallen quite a distance in the eyes of many as someone who was close to a consensus Top 10 player before the season started. His limited offensive game is certainly the primary driver of those concerns, but not enough so that he falls past Charlotte at #28. Mitchell is an exceptional fit for the Hornets—he’s an uber-athletic 6’8” forward who will put in the work on defense and be perfectly fine with being little more than an alley-oop threat on offense. Mitchell’s non-existent jump shot is a red flag in the long term, but Charlotte and LaMelo Ball can also make him a contributor on offense much more easily than a team without a lob-happy point guard. For now, the defense in Charlotte is sorely in need of an upgrade, and Mitchell can provide that with a few ridiculous alley-oops on the side.
29. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - Baba Miller | Forward | Florida State
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
4.0 PTS | 5.0 REB | 0.0 AST | 0.0 STL | 0.5 BLK
50.0 FG% | 0.0 3P% | 0.0 FT%
Nathan Grubel: This is a massive swing that the Memphis Grizzlies would be in a luxury position to make. Young talent is oozing from Memphis’s roster, so why not continue to add to that foundation with a prospect like Baba Miller? The 6’11” forward moves like a guard, possesses improving ball skills, and is as much of a threat to pull up from deep in transition as he is to finish a lob or dump-off around the basket. Miller still has a lot to prove given that his collegiate debut only took place a week ago—he’s still figuring out how to impact the game defensively from the start of a possession to its conclusion, not to mention consistently making plays within a half-court offense. But in this part of the draft, there may not be a better bet to make than on a player who exemplifies what the modern NBA is all about.
30. INDIANA PACERS (via BOS) - DaRon Holmes II | Center | Dayton
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
18.4 PTS | 7.7 REB | 1.7 AST | 0.7 STL | 1.9 BLK
60.8 FG% | 33.3 3P% | 66.9 FT%
Stephen Gillaspie: Indiana is in a pretty sweet spot right now in terms of timeline. They have an All-Star player in Tyrese Haliburton. They nailed the draft last year by bringing in Bennedict Mathurin. Things seem to be going well with Rick Carlisle and the guard rotation. The tricky thing is—you guessed it—the Myles Turner situation. Between his public comments about his value and the report that he declined a contract extension, it’s just a little all over the place. Indiana could get a haul for him and add Holmes to their rotation in the draft. His productivity on offense has been off the charts while being a promising rim deterrent. Holmes, who is currently leading the NCAA in dunks, shows the propensity to be a play finisher with the potential to extend his shot. Should Indy look to move off Tuner, Holmes II could be a key piece for them and their future.
SECOND ROUND
31. INDIANA PACERS (via HOU): Dereck Lively II | Center | Duke
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
3.9 PTS | 3.3 REB | 0.9 AST | 0.7 STL | 1.8 BLK
60.0 FG% | 0.0 3P% | 53.3 FT%
32. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (via CHA): Taylor Hendricks | Forward | UCF
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
14.4 PTS | 6.9 REB | 1.6 AST | 0.7 STL | 1.7 BLK
47.4 FG% | 39.0 3P% | 81.1 FT%
33. DETROIT PISTONS: Andre Jackson Jr. | Wing | UConn
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
6.3 PTS | 6.1 REB | 4.6 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.7 BLK
50.0 FG% | 35.6 3P% | 66.7 FT%
34. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Nikola Đurišić | Wing | Mega Basket
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
11.5 PTS | 2.4 REB | 3.1 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.1 BLK
38.3 FG% | 15.0 3P% | 68.4 FT%
35. ORLANDO MAGIC: Jordan Hawkins | Guard | UConn
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
15.4 PTS | 3.6 REB | 1.5 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.5 BLK
39.9 FG% | 39.2 3P% | 84.4 FT%
36. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (via WAS): Rayan Rupert | Wing | NZ Breakers
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
6.7 PTS | 2.3 REB | 0.9 AST | 0.7 STL | 0.2 BLK
36.7 FG% | 28.2 3P% | 81.0 FT%
37. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (via NOLA): Azuolas Tubelis | Forward | Arizona
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
20.4 PTS | 9.0 REB | 2.1 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.9 BLK
57.4 FG% | 47.4 3P% | 78.9 FT%
38. TORONTO RAPTORS: Arthur Kaluma | Forward | Creighton
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
12.3 PTS | 6.2 REB | 1.4 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.6 BLK
42.7 FG% | 31.9 3P% | 68.1 FT%
39. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Coleman Hawkins | Forward | Illinois
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
9.7 PTS | 6.1 REB | 3.3 AST | 0.9 STL | 1.1 BLK
44.5 FG% | 32.9 3P% | 64.5 FT%
40. BOSTON CELTICS (via POR): Julian Strawther | Wing | Gonzaga
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
13.8 PTS | 7.3 REB | 1.0 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.3 BLK
47.2 FG% | 40.9 3P% | 75.0 FT%
41. DENVER NUGGETS (via OKC): Jalen Wilson | Wing | Kansas
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
20.8 PTS | 8.9 REB | 2.6 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.6 BLK
41.0 FG% | 32.8 3P% | 77.8 FT%
42. ATLANTA HAWKS: Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Wing | UCLA
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
16.7 PTS | 7.1 REB | 2.5 AST | 1.7 STL | 0.9 BLK
51.0 FG% | 31.4 3P% | 74.5 FT%
43. PHOENIX SUNS: Trevon Brazile | Forward | Arkansas
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
11.8 PTS | 6.0 REB | 1.0 AST | 1.0 STL | 1.2 BLK
48.1 FG% | 37.9 3P% | 67.7 FT%
44. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (via MIN): Adem Bona | Center | UCLA
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
8.5 PTS | 5.1 REB | 1.0 AST | 0.6 STL | 1.5 BLK
65.2 FG% | N/A 3P% | 66.7 FT%
45. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (via UTA): Trayce Jackson-Davis | Center | Indiana
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
17.4 PTS | 9.9 REB | 3.4 AST | 0.6 STL | 2.9 BLK
58.9 FG% | N/A 3P% | 68.4 FT%
46. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (via GSW): Sidy Cissoko | Wing | G League Ignite
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
10.2 PTS | 2.5 REB | 2.7 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.8 BLK
43.6 FG% | 33.0 3P% | 69.0 FT%
47. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: Leonard Miller | Forward | G League Ignite
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
15.1 PTS | 8.4 REB | 1.2 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.5 BLK
52.1 FG% | 26.2 3P% | 76.2 FT%
48. DENVER NUGGETS (via MIA): Mike Miles Jr. | Guard | TCU
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
19.4 PTS | 2.9 REB | 3.4 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.3 BLK
53.2 FG% | 29.1 3P% | 72.0 FT%
49. SACRAMENTO KINGS (via IND): Terrence Shannon Jr. | Wing | Illinois
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
17.7 PTS | 6.0 REB | 3.1 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.5 BLK
44.6FG% | 32.3 3P% | 77.4 FT%
50. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (via NYK): Olivier-Maxence Prosper | Forward | Marquette
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
14.4 PTS | 4.9 REB | 0.6 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.2 BLK
56.4 FG% | 33.9 3P% | 75.9 FT%
51. BOSTON CELTICS (via DAL): Emoni Bates | Wing | Eastern Michigan
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
20.2 PTS | 5.4 REB | 1.2 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.3 BLK
43.3 FG% | 35.0 3P% | 76.7 FT%
52. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Kevin McCullar | Guard | Kansas
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
10.4 PTS | 7.3 REB | 2.2 AST | 2.6 STL | 0.6 BLK
42.6 FG% | 32.1 3P% | 75.7 FT%
53. ATLANTA HAWKS (via NOLA): Reece Beekman | Guard | Virginia
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
9.9 PTS | 3.4 REB | 5.0 AST | 1.6 STL | 0.5 BLK
43.3 FG% | 47.5 3P% | 81.8 FT%
54. FORFEITED (Philadelphia 76ers)
55. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (via CLE): Jordan Walsh | Wing | Arkansas
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
7.2 PTS | 3.7 REB | 1.1 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.5 BLK
45.0 FG% | 26.2 3P% | 72.4 FT%
56. MILWAUKEE BUCKS: James Nnaji | Center | FC Barcelona
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
3.6 PTS | 2.1 REB | 0.4 AST | 0.1 STL | 0.6 BLK
63.5 FG% | N/A 3P% | 53.8 FT%
57. BROOKLYN NETS: Donovan Clingan | Center | UConn
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
8.6 PTS | 6.0 REB | 0.4 AST | 0.6 STL | 2.2 BLK
69.1 FG% | 0.0 3P% | 54.3 FT%
58. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Brandin Podziemski | Guard | Santa Clara
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
18.6 PTS | 8.3 REB | 2.2 AST | 2.1 STL | 0.4 BLK
45.9 FG% | 39.2 3P% | 79.5 FT%
59. FORFEITED (Chicago Bulls via DEN)
60. BOSTON CELTICS: Keshon Gilbert | Guard | UNLV
Stats (as of 1/19/23):
12.4 PTS | 4.1 REB | 3.8 AST | 2.2 STL | 0.1 BLK
46.5 FG% | 40.0 3P% | 72.6 FT%
it's a dick poole party