2023 NBA Mock Draft V.7.2 (Part Two)
2023 NBA Mock Draft V.7.2 (Part Two)
The No Ceilings crew installs the second round of Mock Draft V.7.
If you missed our last mock draft update (V.7) that we published the day after the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery, here’s your chance to get caught up with even more content!
The first round of this mock draft was put together live on air on the No Ceilings YouTube channel (original video below), but we felt that wasn’t enough for our fans who are looking to dig deeper into what could happen later on in the draft.
As we published last year, this is a second version of our updated mock draft with a FULL second round, including explanations on every selection made. Think of it as bonus content for our dedicated fans and as a big THANK YOU from the entire No Ceilings family for joining us on a memorable lottery night!
Let’s not waste any more time, and let’s DIVE DEEP into the 2023 NBA Draft.
#31. Detroit Pistons - Jordan Walsh | Wing | Arkansas
7.1 PTS | 3.9 REB | 0.9 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.5 BLK
43.3 FG% | 27.8 3P% | 71.2 FT%
Nathan: Even though the Detroit Pistons didn’t have lottery luck to secure a selection above the fifth pick, that doesn’t mean that the organization can’t still walk away with a couple of players who can bolster the depth and help build toward the future. Jordan Walsh is one of those talents who may not be ready to contribute just yet at a high level offensively, but projects as a slasher who can attack the basket and move the ball off a live dribble. Towards the end of the college season, Walsh was stepping into spot-up jumpers with confidence and has shown good instincts during the NBA Draft Combine of getting to the basket and drawing contact for opportunities at the charity stripe. One of the most impactful defenders in this entire class, Walsh’s physical tools and competitiveness on that end help to form one of the most intriguing two-way bets available at this point in the draft. Detroit fans would love to have someone like Walsh to build with for the long haul.
#32. Indiana Pacers (via HOU) - Bobi Klintman | Forward | Wake Forest
5.3 PTS | 4.5 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.5 STL | 0.6 BLK
40.7 FG% | 36.8 3P% | 74.3 FT%
Corey: Bobi Klintman may have had a quiet season at Wake Forest, but there is still loads of intrigue here. At 6’10”, Klintman brings loads of size, feel, and versatility to the table. He’s able to hold his own in space against smaller players thanks to his fluidity and mobility, and his instincts allow him to function as a weakside rim protector. Having knocked down 36.8% of his threes on moderate volume this past season, he can space the floor on offense. There’s some untapped playmaking in him, too—Klintman averaged 5.1 APG to 2.9 TOV while orchestrating offense for the Swedish U20 squad this past summer. He’s a bit of a swing given his modest college production, but he’s the type of bet worth taking—a smart, big player who can defend and space the floor. Given how small the Pacers often played last season, he could fill a need even if he only reaches a modest outcome.
#33. San Antonio Spurs - Dariq Whitehead | Forward | Duke
8.3 PTS | 2.4 REB | 1.0 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.2 BLK
42.1 FG% | 42.9 3P% | 79.3 FT%
Maxwell: Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way—Whitehead struggled at Duke. He couldn’t convert at the rim (43.8% in the halfcourt, per Synergy), his 1.0-to-1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio was frustrating, and he had some rough moments on the defensive end. However, when you contextualize his season, there’s room for optimism. Whitehead played through a bad foot injury, which he just underwent a second surgery to fix. That explains away some of the rim issues and defensive warts. Previously, he’d displayed strong straight-line burst and one-foot leaping ability. The other thing is that Whitehead still had a tremendous shooting season. He hit 44.8% of his catch-and-shoot threes, 37.5% of his threes off the dribble, and 41.9% of his pull-up twos, per Synergy, which are all excellent marks. If nothing else, he can clearly shoot the ball. Should the rest of his game round back into form and if he returns to health, this is a downright steal for the Spurs. He gives them a shooter with tantalizing upside to pair with Victor Wembanyama.
#34. Charlotte Hornets - Adem Bona | Center | UCLA
7.7 PTS | 5.3 REB | 0.7 AST | 0.6 STL | 1.7 BLK
67.5 FG% | N/A 3P% | 57.3 FT%
Paige: Adem Bona has one of the best motors out of any prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft Class. Bona, a 6’10” 235-pound freshman big man out of UCLA, has developed his game in so many ways this season. He was exquisite as a rim-finisher; shooting 72.4 FG% at the rim per Synergy (94th percentile), improved his timing on blocks as a weak side rim protector and positioning on rotations, ran the floor with purpose looking for more offensive opportunities, and improved in his reads as a roll-man in the pick-and-roll. Now, Bona still has a lot of offensive juice to be tapped into and there is still a question if he’ll ever be able to extend his range outside of the blocks, but his touch around the rim looks really promising. Bona has the athleticism, fluidity, defensive mechanics, and raw potential to help the Hornets in their rebuild. Plus, he makes for another incredible option for LaMelo Ball in transition and in the pick-and-roll. The frontcourt of Adem Bona and Mark Williams, two versatile rim-finishing bigs, isn’t so bad either.
#35. Boston Celtics (via POR) - Sidy Cissoko | Wing | G League Ignite
11.6 PTS | 2.8 REB | 3.1 AST | 1.1 STL | 1.0 BLK
43.6 FG% | 31.4 3P% | 64.3 FT%
Nathan: If Sidy Cissoko falls this far on draft night, Boston Celtics fans would be jumping up and down in excitement as this would be one heck of a steal in the second round. Cissoko has high-level talent as a jumbo wing who can make plays off the bounce, score at the rim, and defend multiple positions. His transition game is some of the best in the class, and he has made strides toward becoming a more complete scorer. Despite that being one of the knocks on his game from a consistency standpoint, he still put up good percentages in the G-League and shows that with some mechanical adjustments, the shot should come around given evidence of touch and overall creativity on the offensive end. Cissoko would provide meaningful wing depth for a Celtics team that should want to add further to its identity.
#36. Orlando Magic - Nick Smith Jr. | Guard | Arkansas
12.5 PTS | 1.6 REB | 1.7 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.1 BLK
37.6 FG% | 33.8 3P% | 74.0 FT%
Maxwell: The Orlando Magic end Nick Smith Jr.’s slide here. After battling through injury to poor results, NSJ’s stock has taken a hit. He rarely pressured the rim and his floater had a down season. Still, there’s a lot to like. He’s long for a guard, and when he grows into his frame, he should be able to contain the opposing player more consistently. Smith is also a polished shotmaker off the dribble from mid-range and beyond. His ability to throw absolute darts at warp speed out of his live dribble shined at times on a poorly-spaced floor. On an NBA court with more spacing around him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see his playmaking back cooking again. The Magic need shooting at the guard spot, and a high-upside prospect with a strong pre-college track record like Nick Smith Jr. becomes impossible to pass up at this point.
#37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via WAS) - Noah Clowney | Forward | Alabama
9.8 PTS | 7.9 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.6 STL | 1.3 BLK
48.6 FG% | 28.3 3P% | 64.9 FT%
Maxwell: Noah Clowney is the productive, ball of clay type of prospect the Thunder have shown a propensity for drafting in recent years. The 6’10” prospect won’t turn 19 until after draft night, but he was still valuable for a fantastic Alabama squad this past season, averaging 9.8 PPG and 7.9 RPG. Clowney’s motor runs hot, whether it’s to block a shot in transition defense or a rim run going the other way. Though he only canned 28.3% of his triples, his shooting stroke is gorgeous for a young player his size, and that could be a real tool for him in the future. He’s athletic and limber with the potential to guard multiple positions. It may take Noah Clowney some time to find his footing, but he’s a great second round bet for an Oklahoma City squad that still needs to round out their front court.
#38. Sacramento Kings (via IND) - DaRon Holmes II | Center | Dayton
18.4 PTS | 8.1 REB | 1.7 AST | 0.7 STL | 1.9 BLK
59.0 FG% | 31.6 3P% | 66.9 FT%
Nathan: Sacramento Kings fans endured a hard-fought series loss to the Golden State Warriors because of a few reasons, but one of them was a lack of frontcourt depth, athleticism, and rebounding talent from the center position behind Domantas Sabonis. DaRon Holmes would help in that regard, as the Dayton product is capable of playing an up-and-down game while also offering versatility scoring away from the basket, finishing easy plays, and crashing the glass on both ends. While some are concerned about how he moves and operates defensively, Holmes rates out very well amongst a number of metrics and could be a real value play for a team that needs support on the interior.
#39. Charlotte Hornets (via UTA) - Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Wing | UCLA
17.8 PTS | 8.2 REB | 2.4 AST | 1.5 STL | 0.6 BLK
48.1 FG% | 31.7 3P% | 77.0 FT%
Corey: For a Hornets team that has struggled to defend and also had multiple players deal with off-the-court issues in recent years, Jaime Jaquez makes sense. He’s a hustler, diving for loose balls and mucking things up on the defensive end with his strength and athleticism. His 2.8 STL% and 2.2 BLK% don’t come with the stat-chasing caveat that such high marks generally do—he’s fundamentally sound and processes the game exceptionally well for a player his age. Offensively, he’ll hunt mismatches, punishing smaller players inside and making bigs dance on the perimeter. His jumper has never been consistent, but he has gorgeous touch inside the arc. For the Hornets, Jaquez will bring a positive force to their culture, a competitiveness to their defense, and a selflessness to their offense.
#40. Denver Nuggets (via DAL) - Olivier-Maxence Prosper | Forward | Marquette
12.5 PTS | 4.7 REB | 0.7 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.1 BLK
51.2 FG% | 33.9 3P% | 73.5 FT%
Maxwell: The Denver Nuggets have found a winning formula in surrounding Nikola Jokic with high-effort, athletic defenders who can cut and space the floor. OMP fits that bill. He’s big, he’s long, he’s athletic, and his effort levels never fade. Though he was a shade under 34% from three this season, he’s increased his volume and number of attempts every year. There’s been a consistent, demonstrable level of improvement from him every season. Given his bounce, speed, and face-up polish, there’s a high ceiling for Prosper if he continues to put in the work, and all indications are that he will. A defensive force with a low-maintenance but efficient offensive profile, he would give the Nuggets another big wing in their arsenal. If the shot can sniff average at the NBA level, it’s easy to imagine him hanging in a playoff setting, which matters significantly for a franchise in Denver’s position.
#41. Charlotte Hornets (via OKC) - Julian Phillips | Forward | Tennessee
8.3 PTS | 4.7 REB | 1.4 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.5 BLK
41.1 FG% | 23.9 3P% | 82.2 FT%
Paige: The Charlotte Hornets add another defensive-minded puzzle piece with Julian Phillips into their 27,000-piece rebuild puzzle. There are 27,000 pieces because the Hornets had the 27th-worst defense in the NBA this year—a little exaggeration, but that’s the point. They need help wherever they can get it! Phillips is a long, lanky, and versatile 6’8” wing out of Tennessee that just straight-up knows how to play defense, to put it bluntly. He has quick hands, a long wingspan to disrupt passing lanes, active feet, and great instincts when it comes to where he needs to be in rotations and how to guard multiple players in various ways based on their game. Phillips also has great athleticism, which he displayed at the NBA Draft Combine (43” inch Max Vertical, 36” No-Step Vertical), is an excellent slasher to the rim, and has a lot of speed for his size. His shot still needs to come around in terms of being an efficient and reliable scoring threat on the perimeter, but he’ll fit in nicely as a role player for them given the skillset he already possesses. The trio of Adem Bona, Julian Phillips, and Brandon Miller is a heck of a draft haul for Charlotte.
#42. Washington Wizards (via CHI) - Trey Alexander | Guard | Creighton
13.6 PTS | 4.2 REB | 2.6 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.5 BLK
44.7 FG% | 41.0 3P% | 82.4 FT%
Nathan: Washington is in a fascinating position in terms of continuing to tread water in the Eastern Conference, or swinging the other direction looking to rebuild and cash in on some of the veteran assets on the roster. No matter which way the Wizards go, this type of selection is one that allows the team to compete from either side of the coin. Trey Alexander is a crafty secondary guard who can handle the ball in pick-and-roll sets, create his own shot off the bounce, and offer spot-up shooting away from the ball as well as solid positional defense. A guard who operates at his own pace, Alexander could provide stability off the bench or as a spot starter, and eventually grow into someone who plays starter’s minutes regardless of where he starts or finishes games.
#43. Portland Trail Blazers (via ATL) - Andre Jackson Jr. | Wing | UConn
6.7 PTS | 6.2 REB | 4.7 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.5 BLK
43.2 FG% | 28.1 3P% | 64.6 FT%
Maxwell: Andre Jackson is all activity, all the time. He’s a defensive playmaker, using his long limbs and explosive burst to swat shots, nab steals, and deflect passes. His high level of passing feel, paired with his creativity, makes him a great playmaker, too, tallying 4.7 APG to only 2.0 TOV this past season. It’s hard to find wings who can be as disruptive on defense and as potent on the go as Andre Jackson. There will always be the issue of his shot, as he’s a sub-30% three-point shooter through three college seasons. Teams may ignore him early on, but even so, his strong first step should enable him to get downhill consistently. For a Blazers squad in need of players who can defend down the line-up to cover for their scoring-oriented guards, Jackson brings a lot to the table.
#44. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR) - Jaylen Clark | Wing | UCLA
13.0 PTS | 6.0 REB | 1.9 AST | 2.6 STL | 0.3 BLK
48.1 FG% | 32.9 3P% | 69.8 FT%
Maxwell: Jaylen Clark is a ball-hawk. He averaged an outrageous 2.6 SPG for the UCLA Bruins this past season, an absurd number for a high-major player. He reads opposing offenses well, and his timing and quickness allow him to dart into passing lanes and handle them effectively. His offense is a work in progress, but he greatly increased his three-point volume (3.1 per 100 possessions to 5.1 per 100 possessions) while also seeing a 7% increase in efficiency. He’s a potent slasher who finishes at the basket and he’s a savvy passer who keeps his head up when he drives. While an injury may eat into how much he can play as a rookie, he’s still an intriguing target in this range. If his shot can get up to speed, he could make for a frightening defensive partner alongside Victor Wembanyama and Jeremy Sochan. That would give the Spurs one of the nastiest young defensive cores in the league.
#45. Memphis Grizzlies (via MIN) - Amari Bailey | Guard | UCLA
11.2 PTS | 3.8 REB | 2.2 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.3 BLK
49.5 FG% | 38.9 3P% | 69.8 FT%
Nathan: A player who has helped himself greatly at the combine, Amari Bailey provides great value as a second round selection. Highly touted as a recruit out of high school, Bailey struggled to adapt to the college game early on yet found his stride in February and March with UCLA. This week, Bailey played in the combine scrimmages and answered some questions regarding his ability to score, shoot consistently, and make plays for others. As a 6’5” guard who has continued to improve as a primary decision-maker with upside as an off-ball shooter, Bailey could grow within the Memphis Grizzlies’ organization and turn out to be an important piece off the bench within a few years.
#46. Atlanta Hawks (via NOLA) - Kevin McCullar | Guard | Kansas
10.7 PTS | 7.0 REB | 2.4 AST | 2.0 STL | 0.7 BLK
44.4 FG% | 29.6 3P% | 76.1 FT%
Corey: As the Hawks continue to build around Trae Young, they’ll need as many plus-defenders around him as possible. That’s what Kevin McCullar projects to be. At 6’6”, McCullar has a strong frame that helps him guard up paired with light feet that enable him to contain smaller players. He’s great off the ball, too, with tremendous instincts and the tools to get where he needs to in order to make plays. A 3.7 STL% and 2.6 BLK% in a high major conference are excellent statistics for a versatile defender with his size. Offensively, he’s struggled to find consistently from beyond the arch (29.8% over four seasons). Still, he’s a willing shooter, a good ball-handler, and a clever passer. His frame may enable him to carve out a role even without the shot as a facilitator, cutter, screener, and short-roll operator. For the Hawks, he would bring a defensive punch and a selfless offensive approach that pairs well with their core pieces.
#47. Los Angeles Lakers - Zach Edey | Center | Purdue
22.3 PTS | 12.9 REB | 1.5 AST | 0.2 STL | 2.1 BLK
60.7 FG% | N/A 3P% | 73.4 FT%
Maxwell: Zach Edey isn’t the trendiest big man. He’s giant, he struggles in space, and he’s not a floor spacer. Still, he was ridiculously productive at Purdue, scoring 22.3 PPG along with 12.9 RPG and 2.1 BPG. What’s more, Edey played an absurd amount for a player his size—31.7 MPG. In a more short-burst type of role where he’s able to expend more energy, his fitness levels indicate he may be able to offer more when he was to guard on the perimeter. There’s a place for him as a weaponized role player who comes in, feasts on the glass, and gets easy buckets while hanging in drop coverage on the other end. Heck, as zone coverage continues to be utilized more often, he may even be able to hide there for stretches. Edey isn’t simply a novelty—he’s a hyper-productive, in-shape big dude who can pass the ball and dominate on the interior. There’s a path for him to parlay his productivity in an NBA role.
#48. Los Angeles Clippers - Isaiah Wong | Guard | Miami
16.2 PTS | 4.3 REB | 3.2 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.4 BLK
44.5 FG% | 38.4 3P% | 84.5 FT%
Paige: Isaiah Wong has started to climb draft boards since the end of the college basketball season, and rightly so. I’ve been a fan of Wong throughout the cycle but didn’t essentially see this rise out of the 6’4” junior guard out of Miami. Wong is a shifty yet poised guard that is wired to not only score but make his teammates better as well. Wong’s movement patterns just scream “NBA-level guard” to me. He’s so fluid with his handle, getting to his spots, and in the timing of his passes. The skill set that Wong brings to the table would be an awesome complimentary piece to help set up the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Yes, Russel Westbrook is still a Clipper but who knows where he’ll land in the offseason? Norman Powell still has the juice and Bones Hyland is more of a secondary creator, so having Wong as a backup point guard option for the Clippers would make sense. Wong also thrives in transition and has a lot to work with off-the-bounce in terms of creating his own shot. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the Miami guard.
#49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via GSW) - Jalen Wilson | Forward | Kansas
20.1 PTS | 8.3 REB | 2.2 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.5 BLK
43.0 FG% | 33.7 3P% | 79.9 FT%
Maxwell: After winning a national title as a junior, Jalen Wilson filled the leading role at Kansas this season with positive results. He was one of the most productive players in the country, showing more assertiveness as a deep threat (3.1 3PA per game to 5.8 per game this year) while also improving his percentage (26.3% to 33.7%) on a much tougher shot diet. He’s always been a great rebounder for his position, too, getting after it on the glass with his leaping ability and competitive spirit. Defensively, he doesn’t make a lot of plays, but he’s long and limber enough that he won’t be a hunting target. His ability to cut and find open shooters in the corners bodes well for his translation back into a lower usage role at the NBA level. If his shot sticks, Jalen Wilson could be a wing with size who knows how to move the ball and competes hard every night, which is a nice grab in this range.
#50. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA) - Terquavion Smith | Guard | NC State
17.9 PTS | 3.6 REB | 4.1 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.4 BLK
38.0 FG% | 33.6 3P% | 70.1 FT%
Paige: Although not your typical long, tall, and versatile wing pick from Sam Presti, Terquavion Smith offers a lot of offensive depth for the Thunder. The 6’4” 165-pound guard has a diverse shot arsenal, NBA range, the ability to create his own shot, can handle the ball as both a primary/secondary guard, and he can play off-ball and still get a bucket. Smith is on the skinny side and he’ll have to gain some weight in order to keep up with what a full NBA season entails especially on the defensive side, but with what everything else Smith offers he can help roughly any NBA team given that the league is so offensively driven. Smith possesses a ton of twitch and speed that will help him at the next level along with his tough shot-making ability as well. His feel for when to shoot/not to shoot is questionable at times along with his decision-making as his numbers from the field aren’t the best, but overall Smith garners tremendous value for the Thunder as a late second-round pick. Smith’s mix of explosiveness, shooting ability, playmaking flashes, and the ability to learn from SGA would be more than ideal for Terquavion’s development.
#51. Brooklyn Nets - D’Moi Hodge | Guard | Missouri
14.7 PTS | 3.9 REB | 1.6 AST | 2.6 STL | 0.5 BLK
47.7 FG% | 40.0 3P% | 73.4 FT%
Paige: D’Moi Hodge is awesome. Despite being on the older side (25 in December), Hodge still holds incredible value as a 3-and-D prospect. He might even be the most underrated 3-and-D guy in this draft class, and for the Nets to get someone like Hodge this late in the second round might be the steal of the draft. Hodge shot 40% on 7.1 3PA this season for Missouri while having 91 total steals on the season, which ranked first overall in the SEC and fourth overall in the entire NCAA. Mixing Hodge’s NBA-ready overall game and his ability to contribute anywhere he is needed will fit in very nicely off the bench with the rising star qualities of Mikal Bridges, the shooting ability of Cam Johnson and Seth Curry, and the wired scoring mind of Cam Thomas to name a few.
#52. Phoenix Suns - Ben Sheppard | Wing | Belmont
18.8 PTS | 5.2 REB | 2.9 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.2 BLK
47.5 FG% | 41.5 3P% | 68.4 FT%
Nathan: Perhaps no player had a better Day Two at the combine than Ben Sheppard, who lit it up scoring from all over the floor while also playing sound positional defense. Sheppard moves like a combo guard on the floor, capable of running off screens and working off multiple actions to get the ball and either create downhill or stop and pop for an easy jumper. Sheppard’s pacing, poise, and underrated athletic ability at good size for an off-guard should make him an attractive option for any contending team looking to bolster its depth with perimeter shooting, and I couldn’t think of a better fit than the Phoenix Suns.
#53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via NYK) - Ricky Council IV | Wing | Arkansas
16.1 PTS | 3.6 REB | 2.3 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.3 BLK
43.3 FG% | 27.0 3P% | 79.4 FT%
Corey: Ricky Council IV is a strong, athletic dude who immediately passes the “he will look like he belongs on an NBA floor from a physicality standpoint” test. His vertical pop makes him a nasty, above-the-rim finisher, whether it’s in transition or halfcourt traffic. Council has added playmaking polish in each of the last two seasons. First, he added to his handle and attacking footwork. Then this year, he became more of a heads-up passer, particularly in the interior. His defensive production has been more solid than great, but he has good tools and can get after it when he’s locked in. His three-point percentage has dropped each college season, and his across-the-body mechanics off the catch need to be retooled, but his smooth pull-up jumper and high free throw marks indicate that it’s workable. Council’s athleticism, competitive fire, toughness, and tertiary creation skills could help bolster the wing depth for the Timberwolves.
#54. Sacramento Kings - Toumani Camara | Forward | Dayton
13.9 PTS | 8.6 REB | 1.7 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.8 BLK
54.6 FG% | 36.3 3P% | 66.9 FT%
Maxwell: A physically strong frontcourt player, Toumani Camara also brings fluid lateral movement and vertical burst to the table. An all-conference defender, few players can ever put Camara in a bad spot thanks to his frame and athleticism. He’ll come into the league with an NBA body and defensive feel. Offensively, he’s a willing screener and potent roll man/cutter who made 60.6% of his twos. He’s shown creativity as a passer, slinging one-handed dimes to teammates on the go. Camara knocked down 36.8% of his catch-and-shoot threes, too, so he can’t be totally ignored from deep. Teams can never have too many skilled, athletic forwards, and that’s what Toumani Camara is. Factor in Sacramento’s playstyle that rewards movement, passing, and cutting, and it’s a match made in heaven.
#55. Indiana Pacers (via CLE) - Kobe Brown | Wing | Missouri
15.8 PTS | 6.4 REB | 2.5 AST | 1.5 STL | 0.4 BLK
55.3 FG% | 45.5 3P% | 79.2 FT%
Paige: Kobe Brown impacts the game of basketball in so many different ways. He can shoot, pass, finish around the rim and play bully-ball, and guard multiple positions due to his size and frame. In terms of shooting, Brown can shoot, but the type of leap he took in terms of three-point shooting is promising but also cause for skepticism. He shot 45.5T% on 4.5 3PA this season compared to being a career 20-25 3PT% shooter on less than three attempts per game in his first three years with Missouri. So yes, be skeptical, but this is encouraging as he does have the discipline and work ethic installed in him to work on his craft like that. Brown also doesn’t have a set position as he fits into the molds of a power guard, wing, forward, etc. He can be used in multiple roles, and in the NBA we know how valuable that attribute is on any team. Brown’s passing ability would help Tyrese Haliburton in terms of having another set of X-Ray vision on the court (1.56 AST/TO ratio, 85 total assists), and as another scoring option. Brown’s height and size give the Pacers depth in the 2-4 spots and there’s a big chance they have high return value on Brown this late in addition to their other picks in the draft.
#56. Memphis Grizzlies - Jordan Miller | Wing | Miami
15.3 PTS | 6.2 REB | 2.7 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.4 BLK
54.5 FG% | 35.2 3P% | 78.4 FT%
Paige: As everyone knows, the Memphis Grizzlies have a lot going on right now. From Ja Morant to Dillon Brooks not coming back “under any circumstances” next season, there are tons of questions up in the air regarding what the next year will look like in Memphis. But putting everything aside, the Grizzlies have the 56th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and they are notorious for taking gritty, underrated, two-way upside guys—your typical “diamond in the rough” or “Fruit Loop in a world of Cheerios” kind of guy. I saw that Fruit Loops reference on TikTok and thought it was hilarious, so yes I’m putting it in my mock draft write-up. That’s exactly what Jordan Miller is and can be for the Grizzlies. Miller is a solid overall prospect that has the ability to impact the roster in any way that can help the team. He has great length at 6’7”, a strong lower body, is excellent as a cutter, has gentle touch around the rim (66.5 FG%) especially when talking about his float game, and has the potential to be an impact plug-in piece at the NBA level. He’ll most likely spend time in the G-League with the Memphis Hustle to develop, like last year’s selections in Kenny Lofton Jr. and Jake LaRavia, but Jordan Miller deserves to be drafted and the Grizzlies are a top landing spot for him given the range in which he’ll most likely end up falling.
#57. Chicago Bulls (via DEN) - FORFEITED
#58. Philadelphia 76ers - FORFEITED
#59. Washington Wizards (via BOS) - Jazian Gortman | Guard | Overtime Elite
13.9 PTS | 4.8 REB | 3.9 AST | 2.5 STL | 0.1 BLK
45.3 FG% | 32.9 3P% | 80.8 FT%
Nathan: While he may not be ready to impact an NBA game right out of the gate, Jazian Gortman proved at G-League Elite Camp that he deserves a chance to be drafted in the second round. A shifty combo guard with great length, speed, and deceleration, Gortman was one of the best guards the entire week in Chicago at taking space and creating his own shot. Helping to add to the depth in the backcourt, Gortman could play off or alongside either of Cason Wallace or Trey Alexander. For a team that has frontcourt pieces in Kristaps Porzingis and Deni Avdija, the Wizards could rebuild its entire backcourt rotation around Bradley Beal in one draft with another addition like Gortman.
#60. Milwaukee Bucks - Dillon Jones | Forward | Weber State
16.7 PTS | 10.9 REB | 3.8 AST | 1.6 STL | 0.1 BLK
46.2 FG% | 30.3 3P% | 81.3 FT%
Corey: Size and skill tend to translate, and that’s what Dillon Jones has. He did it all at Weber State, rebounding like a maniac while facilitating the offense. Jones has the footwork to get to his spots, sees the floor well, and is likely a better shooter than his percentages suggest, given how teams covered him. At G-League Elite Camp, Jones measured with a long wingspan and shored up concerns about his defense, outsmarting opponents to cause turnovers and using his agility to stay in front of opponents. Some players have a hard time adjusting to a lesser role in the scrimmage environments of the combine, but Dillon Jones did it seamlessly. He’ll bring selfless creation, positive rebounding for his position, and scoring touch at all three levels to the table while he continues to work on his body and defense. If those two items can stay up to speed, the Bucks will have found a gem with this pick.