2023 NBA Mock Draft V.5
The No Ceilings crew put together V.5 of their Mock Draft for the 2023 NBA Draft cycle.
The lead-up to the 2023 NBA Draft has started to heat up, as it’s officially draft season. With March Madness rapidly approaching, and with the end of many professional league seasons around the world drawing to a close, the draft frenzy is really starting to kick into gear.
We here at No Ceilings, of course, are always in a draft frenzy. After dropping V.5 of our BIG Board yesterday, we simply had to come back for seconds by dropping V.5 of our Mock Draft.
There were plenty of debates in the No Ceilings war room as we put this one together—just as there will be plenty of debates in NBA front offices over the next three months as they try to prepare for June 23rd. Until that magical, life-changing day arrives, we will continue to provide plenty of fuel to stoke the draft fires in your hearts. Whether you’ve been enraptured by the 2023 draft prospects for months now, or whether you’re just starting your draft season today, this one’s for you.
Enjoy, No Ceilings family!
1. Detroit Pistons - Victor Wembanyama | Center | Metropolitans 92
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
22.0 PTS | 9.6 REB | 2.2 AST | 0.8 STL | 3.2 BLK
47.3 FG% | 29.5 3P% | 80.8 FT%
Nathan Grubel: There is zero debate in terms of who goes first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. The lottery is a tank to the bottom for Victor Wembanyama, and right now the Detroit Pistons, by record, are primed to call his name to start the party off on June 23rd. If Wembanyama were to be selected by the Pistons, he would give this young core another dynamic shot maker, with unteachable size, length, and coordination on both ends. He still needs to improve as a playmaker and screener, but these are small potatoes when talking about a 7’4” perimeter shot creator with a budding post game and rim protection and deterrence ability for days. A core of Wembanyama, Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren would contend for titles for the next decade with the right pieces in place along with good health.
2. Houston Rockets - Scoot Henderson | Guard | G League Ignite
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
17.6 PTS | 5.1 REB | 6.4 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.4 BLK
44.3 FG% | 32.4 3P% | 75.0 FT%
Tyler Rucker: Alabama freshman wing Brandon Miller has continued his impressive play throughout the year. That’s resulted in some wondering if Miller could be in play for the second overall selection. Although that conversation will be a popular narrative over the next couple of months, the Houston Rockets would be wise to jump all over a potential franchise floor general. Scoot Henderson has been sensational throughout the 2022-23 season with the G League Ignite. He’s shown improvements across the board and just recently turned 19 years old. With two years of G League experience under his belt, Scoot will be ready to hit the ground running at the next level. Henderson would slide in alongside Jalen Green to give the Rockets a dangerous backcourt to grow with moving forward. Plenty will try to make this a debate, and that’s the beauty of draft season, but Scoot Henderson should be the name here.
3. San Antonio Spurs - Brandon Miller | Wing | Alabama
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
19.6 PTS | 8.3 REB | 2.1 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.9 BLK
45.1 FG% | 40.1 3P% | 85.6 FT%
Tyler Metcalf: Brandon Miller has proven essentially from start to finish this season that he is the best prospect in all of college basketball. Miller is a lethal shooter who regularly punishes any defensive lapses. After a shaky start with his two-point scoring, Miller has been one of the most effective three-level scorers in the country. By adding a bit more strength as his body continues to mature, Miller could possess a terrifyingly versatile scoring repertoire. Miller has also proven that he’s an adept passer. The ball rarely sticks with him, and he takes pride in setting up his teammates for easy scores. Miller feels like the franchise cornerstone that the Spurs have been searching for the last few years, and his two-way impact should perfectly complement the other pieces on the team.
4. Charlotte Hornets - Jarace Walker | Forward | Houston
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
11.1 PTS | 6.6 REB | 1.7 AST | 1.0 STL | 1.0 BLK
47.1 FG% | 34.4 3P% | 61.4 FT%
Nick Agar-Johnson: The Charlotte Hornets are in desperate need of defensive help, and they are in desperate need of more playmaking to take some of the pressure off LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier. Enter Jarace Walker, who would instantly upgrade the Charlotte defense while filling in tons of gaps for their offense. The biggest knock on his game on that side of the ball is his ability to put up points like some other prospects in this range of the draft; however, he would have every chance to take advantage of his excellent cutting skills with Charlotte’s other offensive players occupying most of the defensive attention. Walker has also shown a lot more as a creator and offensive force as the season has gone along in Houston, and he will be able to slowly grow his offensive game while dominating on defense for the Hornets.
5. Orlando Magic - Ausar Thompson | Wing | Overtime Elite
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
16.3 PTS | 7.1 REB | 6.1 AST | 2.4 STL | 1.1 BLK
48.1 FG% | 29.8 3P% | 66.1 FT%
Stephen Gillaspie: What is a better formula for improving your team’s future success than drafting an MVP? That’s exactly what Orlando is doing here by taking Ausar Thompson. On top of league MVP, Ausar was named Finals MVP, averaging 17 PPG and 10 RPG. His defense–along with his crazy athleticism– has been what has separated him from the rest of the competition he’s faced as one of the faces for the second-year league. He averaged 16/7/6 and over two steals per contest during the regular season and then went on to log 21/5/4 and two steals during the playoffs. Adding an athletic wing defender to a roster that sports Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., and Markell Fultz seems like a smart play–even with the concerns about how Ausar will impact the spacing on the court.
6. Indiana Pacers - Cam Whitmore | Wing | Villanova
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
12.5 PTS | 5.3 REB | 0.7 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.4 BLK
47.5 FG% | 35.0 3P% | 72.1 FT%
Paige Otto: Cam Whitmore has really shown the NBA Draft community that he is absolutely worth a Top 8 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Whitmore has displayed his one-of-a-kind first step, smooth shooting stroke, three-level scoring ability, and above-the-rim athleticism even more often to close out Villanova’s season on a high note. With Whitmore, the Indiana Pacers gain an explosive, athletic, and powerful wing that will most likely start right away for them. Combined with Mathurin, Nembhard, and Halliburton, Whitmore adds that over-the-edge athleticism the Pacers could really use–especially in the open court. Can you picture it now? Halliburton throwing no-look passes, alley-oops, jump passes, etc., to Cam Whitmore? That would be a thing of beauty for Pacers fans.
7. Orlando Magic (via Bulls) - Jett Howard | Wing | Michigan
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
14.2 PTS | 2.8 REB | 2.0 AST | 0.4 STL | 0.7 BLK
41.4 FG% | 36.8 3P% | 80.0 FT%
Albert Ghim: Recency bias is dangerous. I have never claimed that Jett Howard is a perfect prospect, but I did claim that he was a highly talented and skilled prospect. I haven’t moved an inch from when I dropped my feature on Howard when I claimed that he was a Top 5 talent in this draft class. I still believe that to be true, and I think a big reason why he fell off toward the end of the season was the ankle injury that kept him out for a couple of games. For the Orlando Magic, grabbing a guy like Howard at this pick in the draft is great value, in my opinion. Howard will be a guy that can play next to their jumbo wings in Franz Wagner, and Paolo Banchero because of his shooting ability, off-ball movement, and underrated passing. I’m sure they won’t rely on him to start games from the jump, and as a 6’8” shooter off the bench with the potential to do more with the ball in his hands, the Magic have to be excited if he ends up being their pick. The defense and rebounding have to improve, but I believe in him, and I believe in the basketball lineage.
8. Portland Trail Blazers - Amen Thompson | Wing | Overtime Elite
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
16.4 PTS | 5.9 REB | 5.9 AST | 2.3 STL | 0.9 BLK
56.6 FG% | 25.0 3P% | 65.6 FT%
Maxwell Baumbach: Amen Thompson falling to Portland would be a dream scenario for Blazers fans. While he may trail his brother’s progress as a shooter, Amen is the better athlete. He’s a more fluid mover, a more creative passer, and he’s a better finisher at the rim. Portland would provide a stellar fit, too—if surrounded by shooters like Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, and Damian Lillard, the driving lanes would be wide open for Amen Thompson. Not only would it hide his weakness as a shooter, but it would accentuate his ability to spray the ball out to the perimeter on drives. His ability to stay in front of smaller guards could eventually enable him to take tougher defensive assignments, too, covering for the flaws of his fellow backcourt partners. While his leaping ability creates highlights as a finisher on offense, it also helps him act as a weakside rim protector, a sneaky bonus value for a guard. With Amen Thompson, the Blazers are getting a good fit, but they’re also getting one of the highest-ceiling players in the draft to join their exciting young core.
9. Washington Wizards - Anthony Black | Guard | Arkansas
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
12.8 PTS | 5.1 REB | 4.2 AST | 2.0 STL | 0.6 BLK
46.5 FG% | 31.0 3P% | 69.6 FT%
Corey Tulaba: The NBA may have embraced small ball over the last decade, but over the last few seasons, we’ve seen the positional landscape upsize across the board as the league continues to blur positional labels. In that sense, there may not be a more modern NBA guard than Anthony Black. At 6’7” with connective tissue DNA, Black is a seamless fit next to Bradley Beal in the backcourt, having thrived next to a similar archetypical player in Nick Smith when he has been on the floor this season. Black can defend up and down the positional spectrum, has some of the best passing feel in the class, and has been a rim-pressure monster as a freshman at Arkansas. Questions about his shooting at the next level are sure to arise, and for good reason; at this point of the draft, though, Black’s tantalizing tools are too hard to pass up.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder - Taylor Hendricks | Forward | UCF
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
15.3 PTS | 6.9 REB | 1.4 AST | 0.9 STL | 1.8 BLK
47.5 FG% | 39.9 3P% | 78.5 FT%
Nathan Grubel: There are a few prospects in this class who may not have the highest ceilings, but do present great floors and fit into lineup constructions across the board. Taylor Hendricks is one of those prospects, and he would fit neatly into what the Thunder is currently building. A spot-up shot maker, capable cutter and transition finisher, and weakside rim protector/space defender, Hendricks can cover up some holes defensively in terms of supporting the backcourt while also taking nothing away from the squad’s ability to make shots. If he can improve his handle and become a more dynamic live-dribble passer, he could grow into something much more than what his current upside projects. Playing next to such talented ball handlers and playmakers could help accentuate that growth in a lively offensive system.
11. Toronto Raptors - Keyonte George | Guard | Baylor
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
15.8 PTS | 4.2 REB | 2.8 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.2 BLK
38.7 FG% | 34.9 3P% | 79.7 FT%
Tyler Rucker: The Toronto Raptors are going to find themselves in a potentially great position when it comes to this draft range. If Toronto does want to add a potential asset in their backcourt, they could be in a great position with how the board could shape up. The Raptors have been active in adding players with versatility on the defensive side of the ball over the years. With veteran guard Fred VanVleet looking to hit the free agent market this summer, Toronto could look to add an offensive-minded guard. Baylor freshman Keyonte George has been impressive throughout the year, showing his upside as a volume bucket-getter as well as some outstanding growth as a playmaker. While Toronto could look at players such as Cason Wallace (Kentucky) and Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana) here as well, Keyonte’s offensive spark gets the edge here for now.
12. Utah Jazz - Cason Wallace | Guard | Kentucky
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
11.6 PTS | 3.5 REB | 4.2 AST | 2.0 STL | 0.5 BLK
44.1 FG% | 34.7 3P% | 76.2 FT%
Tyler Metcalf: Cason Wallace doesn’t typically light up the box score, but he constantly contributes to every facet of the game. Wallace is arguably the best perimeter defender in this class as he can lock down opposing point guards, effectively rotate and scramble off the ball, and could even scale up to defend wings in the future. Offensively, Wallace has been a bit more passive than would be ideal, but Kentucky’s offense runs so much smoother when he’s at the helm than when he’s not. As the Jazz pivot from the Gobert/Mitchell era, Wallace is an ideal low-maintenance point guard who will do his job at an exceptionally high level and make those around him better.
13. New Orleans Pelicans (via Lakers) - Jalen Hood-Schifino | Guard | Indiana
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
13.5 PTS | 4.1 REB | 3.7 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.2 BLK
42.2 FG% | 34.7 3P% | 77.6 FT%
Nick Agar-Johnson: After taking Dyson Daniels last year, the New Orleans Pelicans further shore up their guard depth by taking Jalen Hood-Schifino. JHS offers excellent playmaking for his size and has shown real growth as a shooter since high school; he was shooting 41.8% from long-range prior to a cold spell in February. On the defensive end, JHS is an absolute menace, and he will fit in right away with Daniels and Jose Alvarado to form a menacing defensive backcourt. JHS also has the size to move up and down the lineup depending on team needs; pairing him with Daniels would allow the Pelicans to bolster their iffy defense while also adding another top-tier offensive playmaker to the lineup.
14. Los Angeles Lakers (via Pelicans) - Brice Sensabaugh | Wing | Ohio State
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
16.3 PTS | 5.4 REB | 1.2 AST | 0.5 STL | 0.4 BLK
48.0 FG% | 40.5 3P% | 83.0 FT%
Stephen Gillaspie: Do the Lakers play rookies? Do rookies see the light of day (or the court) on LeBron James led teams? Isn’t the way to build a team that features LeBron is to just have 3-and-D players? I can hear the questions already. Look, Brice isn’t a defensive stalwart, but he is one of the best players in this class at getting into his spots. With questions surrounding how easily he gets separation, the best way to combat that is to have Sensabaugh play with one of the best scorers and passers of all time. With the gravity of LeBron James and the attention Anthony Davis draws from opposing teams, Brice can be trusted to hit open and contested jumpers. Defensively, he has work to do, but the Lakers have AD and Vanderbilt in the front court to help clean up some of the mistakes that Brice could present. That scoring will be a welcome addition.
15. Utah Jazz (via Timberwolves) - Gradey Dick | Wing | Kansas
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
14.1 PTS | 4.9 REB | 1.6 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.3 BLK
44.1 FG% | 39.9 3P% | 85.1 FT%
Paige Otto: Is Gradey Dick way more than just a shooter? I think he is. However, I think the Utah Jazz are a great fit for Dick player development-wise. A lot of people counted the Jazz out in terms of competing this season, as they were just an immediate “Tank for Victor Wembanyama” team. However, the Jazz have proven the haters wrong. Yes, they’ve kinda mellowed out a bit (the West is pretty packed) and currently sit at #12 in the West, but they are far from a non-competitive team. They have a young core of first-time All-Star Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Walker Kessler, and Ochai Agbaji; with the addition of Gradey Dick, they have a lot to be excited about. Dick obviously adds his shooting touch, floor spacing ability, and size for the Jazz. He also has shown some nice flashes of playmaking and cutting ability during the season that have been intriguing. Overall, the Jazz are adding a great piece to their young core, and I think Dick could blossom in Utah.
16. Golden State Warriors - Colby Jones | Guard | Xavier
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
15.2 PTS | 5.4 REB | 4.3 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.5 BLK
51.9 FG% | 38.2 3P% | 67.0 FT%
Albert Ghim: I hate this pick so much because Colby Jones got taken one pick ahead of the Knicks by the Golden State Warriors. History says that’s usually a bad sign for the Knicks; see: Stephen Curry. If this happens, Jones will be a phenomenal pick for the Warriors. Considering the swings they've taken in recent years with the picks of James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody, picking Jones here could be considered a safer pick. Jones is going to walk into the league with an NBA-ready physique, will bring versatility on both ends of the floor, and has a giant desire to win. Jones is one of those guys that always makes the right plays, is always in the right spot on the floor, and only cares about winning basketball games. Although Jones may be seen as a low-risk pick, that doesn’t mean he has a low ceiling. I think there’s a ton of upside to his game, and if he can continue to tighten his handle, work on his mid-range shooting, and draw more fouls at the rim, he could one day be a guy discussed in the All-Star conversation.
17. New York Knicks (via Mavericks) - Maxwell Lewis | Wing | Pepperdine
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
17.1 PTS | 5.7 REB | 2.8 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.8 BLK
46.8 FG% | 34.8 3P% | 78.7 FT%
Maxwell Baumbach: While Max Lewis may be falling down boards after a late-season shooting slump, he’s still an intriguing wing prospect. The 6’7” Pepperdine product is long and moves like an NBA starter. Despite his 3PT% falling off in total, Lewis made 44.1% of his catch-and-shoot threes on the season—an exciting mark and positive indicator for his ability to scale back into a smaller role at the next level. Defensively, Lewis can fade in terms of off-ball attentiveness, but his physical tools are stellar, and he had positive flashes throughout the season. Lastly, Lewis’s year-to-year improvement cannot be overlooked. As a freshman, Lewis struggled mightily with turnovers and frequently suffered from tunnel vision. His giant leap in terms of playmaking and shot selection is telling of his work ethic and propensity to get better. With limited experience later in his high school career due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a run with the ill-fated Chameleon BX program, Lewis still has a large developmental runway before him. The Knicks get size, shooting, athleticism, and heaps of upside with Max Lewis.
18. Atlanta Hawks - Gregory “GG” Jackson | Forward | South Carolina
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
15.4 PTS | 5.9 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.8 BLK
38.4 FG% | 32.4 3P% | 67.7 FT%
Corey Tulaba: There may not be a more boom/bust prospect than GG Jackson in the 2023 NBA Draft. At pick #18, Atlanta can opt to swing for the fences because if GG hits, he provides home run value at this point of the draft. That’s a strategy Atlanta has shown a willingness to use. They have taken up and down college prospects over recent years, having selected both AJ Griffin and Jalen Johnson in the previous two drafts. The reason for gambling on GG is quite simple, as Jackson has age on his side and has the kind of size and shot-making flashes that make your mouth water when it’s clicking. The question is: can he offer an NBA team anything on the court when it isn’t clicking? At this point of the draft, Atlanta will take their chances on figuring that out.
19. Houston Rockets (via Clippers) - Dereck Lively II | Center | Duke
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
5.4 PTS | 5.0 REB | 1.1 AST | 0.5 STL | 2.3 BLK
65.8 FG% | 15.4 3P% | 60.0 FT%
Nathan Grubel: With the opportunity to make another pick in the Top 20 of the draft, the Houston Rockets should look to build depth around talent and value. Dereck Lively was the top overall recruit coming out of high school last season, and after a rough start due to injuries as well as needing to come up to speed and integrate with his new teammates, he’s begun to flourish–particularly defensively. As one of the top rim protectors in the country by block percentage, Lively’s size, length, leaping ability, and mobility have anchored this team on the backend for well over a month, but it’s not just the defense that’s taken form. Lively’s short-roll playmaking has kept the ball moving on offense, and he presents a challenge for opposing defenders depending on how they want to cover a roller perfectly capable of finishing close shots or lobs. Lively is firmly back in the mix as a first-round prospect.
20. Miami Heat - Nick Smith Jr. | Guard | Arkansas
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
14.0 PTS | 1.8 REB | 2.0 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.1 BLK
39.1 FG% | 34.4 3P% | 73.9 FT%
Tyler Rucker: Now, I know what every single person reading this pick just said. “WOAH. 20th?!” There’s always a wildcard or a player who slips through the cracks in every NBA draft class. After a vicious war room of debate from our ENTIRE No Ceilings crew, Arkansas freshman Nick Smith Jr. finds himself going here to Miami. Nick Smith Jr. came into the year as a preseason Top 5 projected selection. He’s been in and out of the lineup throughout the year with a knee injury. When he’s on the court, Smith has shown some exciting flashes, but there’s also been a lack of consistency. The numbers look great on paper, but the versatility on the offensive side of the ball has been lackluster. Over his last six games, NSJ is averaging 19.5 points per game with shooting splits of 41.0/41.7/66.7. Some team in the lottery could still be smitten with the idea of Smith’s shooting and touch. Smith would find himself landing in a sensational position here by ending up with the Miami Heat.
21. Brooklyn Nets (via Suns) - Jordan Hawkins | Guard | UConn
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
15.9 PTS | 3.9 REB | 1.4 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.6 BLK
40.4 FG% | 37.3 3P% | 88.0 FT%
Tyler Metcalf: Getting the best off-ball shooter in this class in the 20s is highway robbery. Hawkins shot only 36.8% from three, but that number is a gross misrepresentation of his ability due to the difficulty of his shot attempts. Hawkins constantly flies off screens and runs marathons away from the ball to free himself up. He hits movement threes, attacks closeouts, and can score in the mid-range. To make matters better, Hawkins is a stellar on-ball defender. He has great footwork, competes at a high level, and isn’t afraid of physicality. Hawkins should be a seamless replacement for Seth Curry, assuming he moves on, and he would thrive playing off players like Mikal Bridges and Spencer Dinwiddie.
22. Brooklyn Nets - Kris Murray | Forward | Iowa
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
20.4 PTS | 7.9 REB | 2.0 AST | 1.0 STL | 1.2 BLK
48.4 FG% | 33.9 3P% | 73.7 FT%
Nick Agar-Johnson: The Brooklyn Nets opt for a steady presence with their second straight first round selection here as they grab Kris Murray. Murray’s three-point percentage has fallen off a bit in recent weeks, but the Hawkeyes forward has a sweet stroke from distance and can score at all three levels. On the defensive end, he is a bit underrated in terms of his playmaking ability on that end of the floor. Murray provides a dependable 3-and-D option who should be able to work his way into the rotation in Year One as a floor-spacer who can make good decisions with the ball in his hands.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via Knicks) - Rayan Rupert | Wing | New Zealand Breakers
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
7.0 PTS | 2.5 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.2 BLK
36.9 FG% | 31.2 3P% | 73.8 FT%
Stephen Gillaspie: With the changes the Blazers have made in their front office, we have noticed a shift in the type of players Portland has prioritized. The drafting of Shaedon Sharpe and Jabari Walker, the trades for Jerami Grant, Cam Reddish, and Matisse Thybulle: they all point to a desire to bring in long, athletic players. Rayan Rupert is a raw, french wing that spent the past year in New Zealand. Listed at 6’6” with a speculated wingspan of 7'3”, Rupert gives the Trail Blazers a defender that can cover a lot of ground while matching up against a wide range of player types. What Rupert gives offensively is a player that can move decently enough off the ball, while also having some juice with the ball. The shot will have to come around, but we’ve seen the patience that Portland has had with Sharpe this year and even Anfernee Simons in years past.
24. Memphis Grizzlies - Kobe Bufkin | Guard | Michigan
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
13.7 PTS | 4.4 REB | 2.8 AST | 1.3 STL | 0.7 BLK
47.7 FG% | 34.8 3P% | 84.1 FT%
Paige Otto: Kobe Bufkin has started to come into first round conversations since January, and man, there's a good reason for that. Bufkin has the length, defensive grit/feel, playmaking touch, and three-level scoring ability that will have the Grizzlies incredibly excited about being able to get him at the #24 overall pick. Not only has Bufkin drastically improved from his freshman season to his sophomore season production (3 to 13.7 points) and shooting-wise (22% to 35% three-point range), but he’s also gained some size that has helped him be considered as a potential draft prospect even coming into the season (Shoutout Metcalf). The tough and gritty playstyle of the Grizzlies meshes so well with Bufkin; I love the idea of him, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, Tyus Jones, Dillon Brooks, etc., sharing a court together. The Grizzlies do have a lot of their recent draft picks “stashed away” as of now, but I do think Bufkin has a high chance of earning valuable minutes for them based on the fact that he has so much to offer on both ends of the floor. The Memphis Grizzlies get an absolute steal here.
25. Sacramento Kings - Sidy Cissoko | Wing | G League Ignite
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
11.3 PTS | 2.7 REB | 3.1 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.9 BLK
43.2 FG% | 32.9 3P% | 66.7 FT%
Albert Ghim: I'm happy for the Sacramento Kings. I have no affiliation with the team, but it’s cool to see them finally winning games consistently, and they’re doing it with some really fun guys. As a guy who loved Malik Monk coming into the draft, I’m really happy for him and how well he’s fit in with that roster. As the team looks to light the beam every night, I think adding some defense to their squad will help. Cissoko is an athletic wing who plays with great energy on both ends of the floor and tons of savvy. He’s especially fun in transition and does a great job of slashing to the rim. He’s also a really good passer that should be able to show that off playing with Sacramento’s second unit. His shooting needs work, but it’s not bad at all; he’s currently shooting 32.6% from three on 3.7 attempts per game. I think Cissoko could be a guy that contributes in Year One because of his size, defense, and passing ability.
26. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers) - Dariq Whitehead | Wing | Duke
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
8.1 PTS | 2.4 REB | 1.0 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.2 BLK
40.8 FG% | 41.1 3P% | 88.5 FT%
Maxwell Baumbach: The Pacers take a big upside swing here on Dariq Whitehead. One of the highest-rated players in his high school class, Whitehead has had an up-and-down season for Duke. A pre-season and mid-season injury could be to blame. He hasn’t shown the same explosiveness as he did in high school. As a result, he’s struggled inside the arc, hitting only 40.4% of his twos on the season, and a meager 37.5% of them during conference play. Still, he’s been able to hit threes at a high clip, sitting at 41.1% on the year. Given the above-the-rim finishing and mid-range prowess he showed in high school, there’s a chance that a healthy Whitehead could evolve into a three-level scorer. He hasn’t shown much as a defender, playmaker, or rebounder, so for now, his scoring needs to be there. It’s a gamble, but if Whitehead hits, he would give the Pacers another exciting young wing who would further bolster their offense.
27. Utah Jazz (via 76ers) - Julian Strawther | Wing | Gonzaga
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
15.1 PTS | 5.9 REB | 1.3 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.4 BLK
48.3 FG% | 42.6 3P% | 78.1 FT%
Corey Tulaba: The goal in this draft for the Jazz? Get. Good. Basketball. Players. The Jazz add another to their 2023 haul by adding the Zags sharpshooting forward. While a trio of Cason Wallace, Gradey Dick, and Julian Strawther isn’t as sexy as walking away with a high-flying highlight reel type of upside swing, nabbing three guys who fit the modern NBA game by providing even more shooting and basketball IQ to an already fun Utah offense makes a ton of sense.
28. Charlotte Hornets (via Nuggets) - Marcus Sasser | Guard | Houston
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
17.1 PTS | 2.8 REB | 3.2 AST | 1.7 STL | 0.2 BLK
43.9 FG% | 38.3 3P% | 84.0 FT%
Nathan Grubel: I will keep saying this until I’m blue in the face: the Charlotte Hornets just need GOOD, RELIABLE BASKETBALL PLAYERS! And for my money, at this point in the draft, there are few better selections than Marcus Sasser. Pick-and-roll playmaking, pull-up shooting, and hellish point-of-attack defense define his game as a supporting guard who can come in as a spot starter or support a team’s second unit off the bench. And if there’s some firepower needed next to LaMelo Ball, he can coexist playing off a bigger initiator due to his movement shooting capabilities. I wouldn’t even rule out some fun pick-and-roll sets with Ball acting as the screener. Adding an offensive threat like Sasser could be a major boon for the Hornets on draft night.
29. Indiana Pacers (via Celtics) - James Nnaji | Center | FC Barcelona
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
3.9 PTS | 2.1 REB | 0.3 AST | 0.1 STL | 0.5 BLK
68.4 FG% | N/A 3P% | 52.5 FT%
Tyler Rucker: The Indiana Pacers have a plethora of draft picks. Most likely, Indiana will be active with looking to move some of those selections while also looking for some stash candidates. While James Nnaji won’t wow any with his production, he’s one of the youngest prospects in this class and is oozing with upside. Nnaji should be a name that has plenty of favorites in NBA front offices when it comes to his impressive physical frame and awesome upside. Indiana gave Myles Turner an extension and has Isaiah Jackson waiting in the wings, but Nnaji’s upside cannot be overlooked at this point of the draft.
30. Los Angeles Clippers (via Bucks) - Trayce Jackson-Davis | Center | Indiana
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
20.8 PTS | 10.9 REB | 4.1 AST | 0.9 STL | 2.7 BLK
57.8 FG% | N/A 3P% | 68.6 FT%
Tyler Metcalf: Trayce Jackson-Davis has fascinating offensive upside, which is absurd given his refusal to take a jumper. Jackson-Davis is a wildly explosive athlete, making him an above-the-rim finisher on lobs, drives, and putbacks. Besides the handle and footwork, Jackson-Davis’s biggest improvement has come with his passing. He does a great job of creating for others from all three levels of the court, reads the defense at a high level, and is unselfish with the ball. Whether he’s working off of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard or creating for them, Jackson-Davis would only raise the offensive ceiling of the Clippers. Jackson-Davis’s explosiveness isn’t only limited to his offense, though. He is a highlight machine with his rim protection and does a quality job of defending on-ball. Jackson-Davis struggles to consistently defend the pick-and-roll and handoffs, but his athleticism allows him to recover more often than not.
SECOND ROUND
31. Detroit Pistons - Terquavion Smith | Guard | NC State
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
17.5 PTS | 3.6 REB | 4.2 AST | 1.5 STL | 0.4 BLK
37.7 FG% | 33.8 3P% | 69.6 FT%
32. Indiana Pacers (via Rockets) - Julian Phillips | Wing | Tennessee
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
9.0 PTS | 5.0 REB | 1.5 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.6 BLK
41.8 FG% | 25.6 3P% | 82.8 FT%
33. San Antonio Spurs - Adem Bona | Center | UCLA
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
7.8 PTS | 5.4 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.6 STL | 1.7 BLK
66.9 FG% | N/A 3P% | 58.8 FT%
34. Charlotte Hornets - Noah Clowney | Forward | Alabama
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
10.1 PTS | 8.0 REB | 0.9 AST | 0.5 STL | 1.0 BLK
49.6 FG% | 28.2 3P% | 64.4 FT%
35. Orlando Magic - Kyle Filipowski | Forward | Duke
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
15.4 PTS | 9.0 REB | 1.6 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.8 BLK
44.6 FG% | 29.7 3P% | 77.4 FT%
36. Sacramento Kings (via Pacers) - Leonard Miller | Forward | G League Ignite
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
16.7 PTS | 10.0 REB | 1.4 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.7 BLK
53.3 FG% | 29.5 3P% | 79.7 FT%
37. Washington Wizards (via Bulls) - Mike Miles Jr. | Guard | TCU
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
17.3 PTS | 2.8 REB | 2.6 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.2 BLK
49.7 FG% | 35.4 3P% | 72.8 FT%
38. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Wizards) - Bilal Coulibaly | Wing | Metropolitans 92
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
12.5 PTS | 4.4 REB | 1.5 AST | 1.6 STL | 0.7 BLK
53.8 FG% | 35.4 3P% | 71.8 FT%
39. Boston Celtics (via Trail Blazers) - Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Wing | UCLA
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
17.3 PTS | 8.1 REB | 2.3 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.6 BLK
47.4 FG% | 31.3 3P% | 77.3 FT%
40. Denver Nuggets (via Thunder) - Tucker DeVries | Wing | Drake
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
19.0 PTS | 5.6 REB | 1.8 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.2 BLK
45.7 FG% | 38.7 3P% | 83.8 FT%
41. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors) - Jalen Wilson | Wing | Kansas
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
20.1 PTS | 8.4 REB | 2.3 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.5 BLK
42.5 FG% | 33.8 3P% | 79.6 FT%
42. Charlotte Hornets (via Jazz) - Kevin McCullar | Guard | Kansas
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
10.7 PTS | 7.1 REB | 2.3 AST | 2.0 STL | 0.7 BLK
43.5 FG% | 29.5 3P% | 76.6 FT%
43. New Orleans Pelicans - Trey Alexander | Guard | Creighton
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
13.6 PTS | 4.2 REB | 2.6 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.5 BLK
45.3 FG% | 44.0 3P% | 81.3 FT%
44. Los Angeles Lakers - Azuolas Tubelis | Forward | Arizona
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
19.8 PTS | 9.3 REB | 2.0 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.7 BLK
57.5 FG% | 30.0 3P% | 76.4 FT%
45. Memphis Grizzlies (via Timberwolves) - Brandin Podziemski | Guard | Santa Clara
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
19.9 PTS | 8.8 REB | 3.5 AST | 1.8 STL | 0.5 BLK
48.3 FG% | 43.6 3P% | 77.3 FT%
46. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks) - Arthur Kaluma | Forward | Creighton
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
11.9 PTS | 5.9 REB | 1.6 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.5 BLK
41.7 FG% | 32.2 3P% | 72.1 FT%
47. Charlotte Hornets (via Mavericks) - Jaylen Clark | Wing | UCLA
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
13.0 PTS | 6.0 REB | 1.9 AST | 2.6 STL | 0.3 BLK
48.1 FG% | 32.9 3P% | 69.8 FT%
48. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Warriors) - DaRon Holmes II | Center | Dayton
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
18.4 PTS | 8.1 REB | 1.7 AST | 0.7 STL | 1.9 BLK
59.0 FG% | 31.6 3P% | 66.9 FT%
49. Los Angeles Clippers - Kel’el Ware | Center | Oregon
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
6.6 PTS | 3.9 REB | 0.5 AST | 0.3 STL | 1.3 BLK
45.9 FG% | 28.0 3P% | 71.2 FT%
50. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Heat) - Andre Jackson Jr. | Wing | UConn
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
6.6 PTS | 6.3 REB | 4.2 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.6 BLK
40.7 FG% | 26.7 3P% | 65.2 FT%
51. Phoenix Suns - Ricky Council IV | Wing | Arkansas
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
15.9 PTS | 3.4 REB | 2.3 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.2 BLK
44.5 FG% | 27.2 3P% | 77.4 FT%
52. Brooklyn Nets - Nikola Durisic | Wing | Mega Basket
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
12.0 PTS | 3.0 REB | 3.5 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.1 BLK
39.2 FG% | 17.1 3P% | 68.8 FT%
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Knicks) - Isaiah Wong | Guard | Miami
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
16.2 PTS | 4.3 REB | 3.4 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.4 BLK
45.3 FG% | 37.8 3P% | 83.6 FT%
54. Sacramento Kings - Reece Beekman | Guard | Virginia
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
9.4 PTS | 3.0 REB | 5.3 AST | 1.8 STL | 0.5 BLK
40.3 FG% | 35.5 3P% | 78.8 FT%
55. Memphis Grizzlies - Zach Edey | Center | Purdue
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
22.3 PTS | 12.8 REB | 1.5 AST | 0.2 STL | 2.1 BLK
60.6 FG% | N/A 3P% | 73.6 FT%
56. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers) - Mark Mitchell | Wing | Duke
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
9.1 PTS | 4.4 REB | 1.2 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.5 BLK
47.4 FG% | 36.5 3P% | 76.3 FT%
57. Philadelphia 76ers (FORFEITED)
58. Washington Wizards (via Celtics) - Tyrese Proctor | Guard | Duke
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
9.3 PTS | 3.1 REB | 3.2 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.1 BLK
38.1 FG% | 32.4 3P% | 86.6 FT%
59. Chicago Bulls (via Nuggets) (FORFEITED)
60. Milwaukee Bucks - Nae’Qwan Tomlin | Forward | Kansas State
STATS (as of 3/13/23):
10.2 PTS | 6.0 REB | 1.2 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.8 BLK
48.6 FG% | 28.6 3P% | 75.0 FT%
Good job guys! Was definitely SHOCKED to see NSJ that low, but when I made a mock a few weeks back Keyonte fell, so yes it happens.
hilarious you nailed my 3 fav prospects for the grizzlies in this mock,i doubt bufkin and podz stay in their range but you can dream!