2023 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery Edition
The Spurs won Wemby, but who else is on the board?
Congratulations to the San Antonio Spurs, who have won the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes!
The ping pong balls fell into place Tuesday, cementing the selection spots of 14 teams in the NBA Lottery.
There are other talented prospects in addition to Wemby who will hear their names called early in the 2023 NBA Draft. I’ve decided to conduct the first of several mock drafts to see where players will turn their dreams into reality.
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (7'4" PF, France/Metropolitans 92)
The consnsus number one pick arrives in a destination familiar with drafting star bigs. The Spurs previously selected David Robinson and Tim Duncan with their no. 1 picks, and they’re hoping they find the same success with the French phenom Wembanyama.
2. Charlotte Hornets: Scoot Henderson (6'2" PG, G League Ignite)
A scoring guard who is an equally gifted passer (16.5 PPG, 6.5 APG), Henderson’s offensive prowess would help any team immediately. The Hornets would receive an ideal complement to LaMelo Ball while filling the stands to watch an electrifying backcourt.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Miller (6'8" F, Alabama)
Though Miller has had his share of off-the-court controversy, he is still a talented player who can score from all three levels while holding his own defensively. Putting Miller with Damian Lillard in Portland would hold promise for the start of his career.
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson (6'7" PG, Overtime Elite)
One of two talented twins, Amen’s handles and court vision stand out among others. He and Ausar boast explosive athleticism, but Amen proves to be the better passer of the two. Though a fantastic facilitator, Amen has room for growth as a jump shooter, but he would still be a great fit on a Rockets team in need of a point guard, complementing their young core to a tee — assuming they keep the pick.
5. Detroit Pistons: Cam Whitmore (6'7" SF, Villanova)
Whitmore’s freshman campaign was limited by a thumb injury that caused him to miss eight games. However, he’s an athletic finisher with decent shot-creating skills, making 34% of his threes — most of which were contested. Whitmore would aid Detroit’s depth at the two and three spots and serve as another offensive weapon for point guard Cade Cunningham.
6. Orlando Magic: Taylor Hendricks (6'9" PF, UCF)
I recently wrote about Hendricks for Last Word on Sports and noticed his potential as a 3&D forward immediately. He’s primarily a catch-and-shoot player from distance, but still shows a knack for explosive finishes at the rim combined with his stellar defense. Hendricks would help the Magic as a combo forward with the potential to slide in at center in small-ball lineups.
7. Indiana Pacers: Ausar Thompson (6'7" G/F, Overtime Elite)
Like his twin brother, Ausar is an athletic beast who walks on air. He also shows a need to improve his jump shot — which will surely come with time — but he has a ton of upside and can help a young team right away. Ausar would join a Pacers team prioritizing wing depth, but he can easily play 1–3 when called upon.
8. Washington Wizards: Anthony Black (6'7" SG, Arkansas)
The Wizards are also in need of wings, and Black (12.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.9 APG on 45–30–70 splits) could help them out. A big guard who can facilitate, he should improve as a three-point shooter, but he succeeds in other areas, namely his athleticism and defense (2.1 steals per game). The Wizards would be lucky to take a chance on someone who can fill multiple roles for them, which speaks to Black’s versatility and his intrigue as a lottery-bound prospect.
9. Utah Jazz: Nick Smith Jr. (6'5" PG, Arkansas)
Another Razorback going in the top ten, Smith Jr. showed off his scoring abilities despite a season hampered with injuries. He has great size and length for a combo guard (6'9" wingspan), and his craftiness and shot creation make him an offensive threat. Though he’ll have to get stronger to absorb contact and turn into a solid defender, the upside is there. Utah, who is in need of a point guard, could find one here with Smith.
10. Dallas Mavericks: Gradey Dick (6'7" SG, Kansas)
A sharpshooter out of Kansas, it’s safe to say that Gradey’s got game. The 6'7" guard/wing put up 14.1 PPG while shooting 44% from the field and 40% from deep, and he has soared on draft radars with his impressive play. While being one of the best three-point snipers in college basketball, Dick is also decently athletic with a knack for moving off the ball and getting to his spots. In a league where shooting is valued more each season, there’s no doubt that he will be an ideal fit on any team. Adding another shooter would only help the Mavericks, who converted 37% of their threes in the regular season — good for eighth in the league.
11. Orlando Magic (via Chicago): Cason Wallace (6'4" G, Kentucky)
One of the best defensive prospects in this draft class, Wallace also holds promise as a three-level scorer with great court vision. The Wildcat is a menace on the perimeter (2.1 SPG) but also averages 11.7 PPG while shooting 44% from the field and 34% from three. It’s worth noting his success as a playmaker in a tough conference, having averaged 4.3 APG in the SEC. Wallace can be put at either guard slot, and any team that drafts him will get a well-rounded prospect right out of the gate.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jarace Walker (6'7" PF, Houston)
It was tough having Walker slide out of the top ten, but he has traits that any team can appreciate. A burly 6'7", 232-pound four, Walker is versatile on both ends. He uses his quickness and strength to finish with force while showing a promising jumper. He’s also solid defensively, averaging one steal and 1.3 blocks per game. Walker would fit right in with an OKC team looking to bolster its frontcourt.
13. Toronto Raptors: Jordan Hawkins (6'5" SG, UConn)
The best shooter on an NCAA-championship squad, Hawkins solidified himself as a first-round pick with his standout sophomore season, racking up selections to the NCAA’s All-Tourney and All-Region teams as well as to the 2022–23 All-Big East squad. He’s an excellent movement shooter and has improved his ability to get to the rim, as well as make free-throws (89% from the line this season). The Raptors are in need of guard depth amid their forest of forwards, and Hawkins would make an early impact if he made Toronto’s rotation.
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Keyonte George (6'4" SG, Baylor)
And with the last pick of the lottery, the Pelicans would take a smooth shooting guard in Keyonte George. George is a natural scorer whose 33% mark from three is deceptive due to his high volume of perimeter shots. Still, he is a great shot creator with crafty handles and decent athleticism. In need of rotational guards, George would fit into NOLA’s backcourt depth like a glove.
As the offseason goes on and the rumors continue, I’ll be making more mock drafts to predict where prospects will land. Summer is one of the highlights in the NBA’s calendar year, and this one, filled with a standout draft class, is not going to disappoint.
