2023 NBA Mock Draft (Full Version)
Hundreds of prospects, but only 58 spots.
After conducting a lottery mock, I decided that Memorial Day weekend was the perfect time to simulate the entire draft.
First Round
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (7'4", C, France)
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller (6'8", F, Alabama)
Switching things up from the lottery mock early, taking Miller at #2 to join a fun, young, and hungry Hornets squad.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson (6'2", PG, G League Ignite)
Whether or not the team keeps Damian Lillard around, Scoot Henderson would have an incredible mentor and a solid start to his career with Portland, a team looking to break out of playoff purgatory.
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson (6'7", PG, Overtime Elite)
5. Detroit Pistons: Cameron Whitmore (6'7", SG/SF, Villanova)
6. Orlando Magic: Taylor Hendricks (6'9", F, UCF)
7. Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker (6'8", PF, Houston)
The Pacers add a force to be reckoned with in their frontcourt. Walker, at 6'8" and 240 pounds, averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Cougars and has soared into the conversation as a top-ten/lottery pick.
8. Washington Wizards: Ausar Thompson (6'7", Overtime Elite)
9. Utah Jazz: Anthony Black (6'7", G, Arkansas)
10. Dallas Mavericks: Gradey Dick (6'7", SG, Kansas)
11. Orlando Magic (via CHI): Keyonte George (6'4", SG/SF, Baylor)
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Leonard Miller (6'10", SF, Canada)
A polarizing forward from Canada, Miller would get to showcase his offensive versatility and defensive prowess in OKC, developing alongside a young core that’s destined for future success.
13. Toronto Raptors: Cason Wallace (6'3", PG, Kentucky)
Wallace would fit Toronto’s point guard needs given the uncertainty with free agent Fred VanVleet. He averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 assists and two steals per game on 44–34–75 splits.
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Nick Smith Jr. (6'5", PG, Arkansas)
15. Atlanta Hawks: Gregory Jackson (6'9", PF, South Carolina)
In need of depth behind John Collins, Atlanta would select a young, physical forward brimming with potential. “G.G.” Jackson averaged 15.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in his first year, proving his worth as a three-level scorer who can slot in at the wing spot as well.
16. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Kobe Bufkin (6'4", PG, Michigan)
After returning for his sophomore year as a Wolverine, Bufkin — who averaged 14 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game — has developed into a rotational guard who can score and facilitate well. With free agency impacting Utah’s guard depth, selecting a ready player in Bufkin would only benefit the Jazz.
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Jordan Hawkins (6'5", SG, UConn)
One of college basketball’s best shooters lands with a team desperately in need of his services. Hawkins has been linked to the purple and gold for a while now, and his perimeter prowess and standout defense would help LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the rest of LA’s newfound young core.
18. Miami Heat: Kris Murray (6'8", PF, Iowa)
Kings forward Keegan Murray’s twin brother, Kris, has risen on draft boards thanks to his breakout junior year. He averaged 20.2 points per game on 48–33–73 splits, as well as 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game defensively. His impressive two-way play has given him a chance to crack a rotation early, and he would bring some youth to Miami’s veteran front court.
19. Golden State Warriors: Jalen Hood-Schifino (6'5", PG, Indiana)
20. Houston Rockets (via LAC): Jett Howard (6'8", SF, Michigan)
The son of “Fab Five” member and current Wolverine head coach Juwan Howard, his son has solidified himself as a first-round pick, serving as a 3&D wing ready to contribute immediately. Howard averaged 14.2 points while shooting 41% from the field and 37% from deep, and he is an elite catch-and-shoot forward who can create for himself and others well.
21. Brooklyn Nets (via PHX): Dariq Whitehead (6'7", SF, Duke)
Although he suffered a fractured foot last August, Whitehead is still a talented wing who is rebounding well from injury. He averaged 8.3 points per game for the Blue Devils on 42–42–79 splits. He can guard multiple positions on defense and stands out as an athletic, floor-spacing scorer on offense.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Noah Clowney (6'10", PF, Alabama)
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via NY): Dereck Lively II (7'2", C, Duke)
A 7'2", 230-pound beast in the middle, Lively’s athleticism was on full display throughout the year, finishing plays above the rim and swatting everything in sight. He put up five points, five rebounds and two blocks per game for the Blue Devils but could develop into a solid rotational big in a couple of years.
24. Sacramento Kings: Rayan Rupert (6'7", SG, France)
Considered one of the best international prospects behind Wemby, Rupert is a young, raw prospect with standout defensive attributes. Though his season was cut short due to a wrist injury, he has the tools to develop nicely into a 3&D wing and holds plenty of upside early in his career.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Maxwell Lewis (6'7", SF, Pepperdine)
There’s a chance Memphis may have found its Dillon Brooks replacement. Lewis is a 3&D wing who broke out as a sophomore for the Waves, boasting 17.1 points on 47–35–78 splits in addition to nearly a steal and a block per game.
26. Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Colby Jones (6'5", SG, Xavier)
27. Charlotte Hornets (via DEN): Terquavion Smith (6'4", SG, NC State)
28. Utah Jazz (via PHI): Bilal Coulibaly (6'7", SF, France)
Adding to the list of international wing prospects, Bilal Coulibaly — Wembanyama’s teammate on Metropolitans 92— is an athletic scorer who does most of his work in the paint. He also could develop into a better three-point shooter (45% on limited volume), but adds a lot of value as a defensive disruptor.
29. Indiana Pacers (via BOS): James Nnaji (6'10", C, Nigeria)
The 6'10", 225-pound big man is an intriguing first-round pick, to say the least. Nnaji is an athletic yet raw big man with, according to NBA Draft Room, “elite physical tools and the type of size, power and mobility that make NBA scouts drool.” He would benefit under several years of development, but as is the case with other international prospects, the potential is there.
30. LA Clippers (via MIL): Andre Jackson Jr. (6'6", SG, UConn)
Second Round
31. Detroit Pistons: Brice Sensabaugh (6'5", SG, Ohio State)
A major riser on several draft boards, the sharpshooter Sensabaugh has impressed many with his frame and skill as a three-level scorer. The 6'5", 235-pound forward averaged 16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 40% from three. He has solid mobility and a great midrange game, harnessing a plethora of tools to potentially be in the conversation as a first-round pick.
32. Indiana Pacers (via HOU): Trayce Jackson-Davis (6'9", PF/C, Indiana)
33. San Antonio Spurs (via HOU): Sidy Cissoko (6'8", SG, France)
The Spurs’ desire for foreign prospects continues, selecting G League Ignite forward Sidy Cissoko in the second round. Cissoko averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 45–30–65 splits. He played well off the ball next to Scoot Henderson, and while he holds potential to grow on offense, the defense is already there. As Sports Illustrated’s scouting report notes, “The French guard is disciplined as a defender and has gotten better about avoiding foul calls.”
34. Charlotte Hornets: Marcus Sasser (6'3", PG, Houston)
35. Boston Celtics (via POR): Jalen Wilson (6'7", PF, Kansas)
36. Orlando Magic: Brandin Podziemski (6'6", SG, Santa Clara)
37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via WSH): DaRon Holmes II (6'10", PF, Dayton)
38. Sacramento Kings (via IND): Amari Bailey (6'4", PG, UCLA)
39. Charlotte Hornets (via Utah): Adem Bona (6'10", C, UCLA)
40. Denver Nuggets (via DAL): Jaime Jaquez Jr. (6'7", SF, UCLA)
The three-peat of Bruins continues in this mock, with the Finals-bound Nuggets adding much-needed wing depth. Jaquez Jr. averaged 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 48–31–77 splits. He boasts versatility on both ends of the floor and could easily slide between the shooting guard and wing spots.
41. Charlotte Hornets (via OKC): Keyontae Johnson (6'5", SF, Kansas State)
One of the best comeback stories in college basketball, Keyontae Johnson has been medically cleared following his health scare in 2020, and he now has a chance to prove doubters wrong. The senior transferred from Florida to Kansas State and averaged 17.4 points on impressive 40% shooting from distance. Johnson stands out as not only a shooter but a great rebounder at 6'5", and he’s also shown a knack for defending guards and bigs in addition to wings. He’ll be a positive asset no matter where he goes, but a good opportunity awaits in Charlotte.
42. Washington Wizards (via CHI): Ben Sheppard (6'6", SF, Belmont)
43. Portland Trail Blazers (via ATL): Olivier-Maxence Prosper (6'8", PF, Marquette)
44. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR): Kobe Brown (6'8", PF, Missouri)
45. Memphis Grizzlies (via MIN): Julian Strawther (6'7", SF, Gonzaga)
46. Atlanta Hawks (via NO): Tristan Vukcevic (6'10", PF/C, Serbia)
Vukcevic’s opportunities were limited throughout his international career in Serbia, but the 20-year-old holds a lot of promise on offense, notably shooting 37% from three this past season (0.55 makes/1.48 attempts), in addition to his 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. His skill set on offense as a lob threat and respectable shooter allow for a smoother transition to the NBA, and the Hawks — a team in need of depth at the five — could take a chance on him with their second-round selection.
47. Los Angeles Lakers: Emoni Bates (6'9", SG/SF, Eastern Michigan)
48. LA Clippers: Coleman Hawkins (6'10", PF, Illinois)
Hawkins is a do-it-all forward/center who averaged ten points and six boards per game for the Fighting Illini this season (in addition to 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game defensively). The 21-year-old can impact the game in several ways and has become a standout facilitator for a big, averaging three dimes a game this past season. With the Clippers looking for more frontcourt depth, drafting Hawkins seems to be a no-brainer.
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via GS): Dillon Mitchell (6'9", SF, Texas)
50. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA): Bobi Klintman (6'10", SF, Wake Forest)
51. Brooklyn Nets: Terrence Shannon Jr., (6'7", SG, Illinois)
52. Phoenix Suns: Judah Mintz (6'4", G, Syracuse)
Chris Paul isn’t getting any younger and Cameron Payne can’t do it all by himself, so the Suns will be looking for an extra facilitator with their draft pick. The answer could come with Judah Mintz, the first-year guard from Syracuse who averaged 16.3 points and 4.6 assists per game on 44–30–75 shooting splits (not to mention his 1.8 steals per game, which led the Orange this season). Though improving his jumper is a priority, Mintz is still a smart, athletic guard who can impact a winning team on both ends.
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via NY): Jordan Walsh (6'7", SF, Arkansas)
54. Sacramento Kings: Azuolas Tubelis (6'9", PF, Arizona)
55. Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Julian Phillips (6'7", SF, Tennessee)
56. Memphis Grizzlies: Nikola Durisic (6'8", SF, Serbia)
57. Washington Wizards (via BOS): Arthur Kaluma (6'8", PF, Creighton)
58. Milwaukee Bucks: Zach Edey (7'4", C, Purdue)
The 7'4" big man from Purdue is the bookend to this mock draft. Though he didn’t add a national title to his resume, Zach Edey still had a star-studded junior year, winning the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year after leading one of the best college hoops programs in the country. He averaged 22 points and 13 rebounds per game and was an absolute force in the paint with his 290-pound frame. He holds second-round potential as a late bloomer to basketball, and his size, strength, and growing skill make him a fascinating prospect all across the board.
*NOTE: The 76ers and Bulls forfeited second-round picks in this draft due to violations committed during free agency discussions, which is why there are 58 picks this year as opposed to the normal 60.
There you have it. The first version of hopefully several NBA mock drafts. This year’s class may not have some of the hype as ones in the past, but there are still plenty of prospects waiting to hear their names called and wind up on an NBA roster one way or another.
