Grading each lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft
- San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (PF/C, Metropolitans 92)
This pick was the biggest no-brainer since Lebron James was dubbed “the chosen one” in 2003, and for good reason — Wembanyama is the greatest prospect of all time. There’s not much else to say here, so I’ll give this take: Wembanyama will finish in the top 3 in DPOY voting his rookie season. He dominated defensively in an increasingly impressive French pro league, averaging almost 3 blocks per game. He’s also 7’4 with the ball-handling skills of a point guard and a smooth pull-up jumper. Maybe none of this will matter because Wemby’s winning the next 20 titles anyways.
Grade: A+
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller (SF, Alabama)
If Michael Jordan sold the Charlotte train, why the fuck does he still have the keys? Jordan had the opportunity to take Scoot Henderson, who has not only established himself as the #2 rated prospect in this class, but also plays as a slasher– an ideal fit next to Charlotte’s franchise point guard LaMelo Ball, who lights it up from outside but struggles with finishing at the rim. A LaMelo-Scoot tandem instantly becomes one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA– but thanks to his Airness’s notorious drafting genius, it’s something we’ll likely never get to see.
Instead, the Hornets took Brandon Miller, a crafty 6 ‘9 small forward and sharpshooter who also struggles with finishing at the rim. I like Charlotte and hope Brandon Miller proves me wrong. But for now, Charlotte looks like a lock to be among the worst interior-scoring teams in the NBA.
Don’t get me wrong, Brandon Miller is good– he’s a top-five pick in most draft classes. On the other hand, though, Scoot Henderson is generational. It’s hard to watch Scoot and not be reminded of vintage D-rose, who might just be the most explosive player of all time.
For some reason though, the Charlotte Hornets and the folks over at ESPN have convinced themselves that you can’t have two point guards on the same team, and insist that Miller’s positioning as a small forward makes him a better fit in Charlotte’s system. To them, I say this: Even if Miller is a better fit, you DON’T DRAFT FOR FIT AT 2!
Grade: D
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson (PG, G League Ignite)
In the majority of draft classes, Scoot Henderson is the no-brainer number one pick. I can’t imagine the joy inside the Trail Blazers front office when Charlotte let him slip through their fingers. Scoot is everything you want in a star player, and gives Portland a massive security blanket as the Damian Lillard situation unfolds.
Grade: A+
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson (PG/SG, Overtime Elite)
The list of Amen Thompsons’ physical gifts is endless. His unique combination of height, speed, explosiveness, and bounce are sure to make him a pest on defense and a nightmare in transition. He can’t shoot for shit, but his elite playmaking will keep him from being an offensive liability. He reminds me a lot of Ben Simmons (before the complete meltdown, of course).
Houston has some decisions to make concerning their young guards, but Amen is perhaps their best option for a long-term, lead guard role.
Grade: A
5. Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson (SG/SF, Overtime Elite)
Despite the mocks of Cam Whitmore to Detroit at 5, it was rumored early that the organization wasn’t as high on him. So, in an ultimate feel good move, the Thompson twins went back to back.
There’s a lot to like about Ausar. He’s a better shooter than his brother, but a bit less of an athlete. He has the potential to be an elite defender and three level scorer, but will really need to develop his outside shot, especially on a Detroit team that struggles with spacing. I would’ve liked to see Detroit trade down for a stretch four such as Taylor Hendricks, but I can imagine what they were going for here.
Grade: B-
6. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black (PG/SG, Arkansas)
Before the draft, Orlando had a guard problem. They were likely going to need to move on from one of either Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, or Markelle Fultz. That’s why a lot of people were left scratching their heads after the Magic picked Anthony Black with the 6th pick.
I was admittingly one of those people, but I think the grade for this pick will change as Orlando navigates the offseason. Black is a 6’7 playmaker who led the SEC in minutes played as a freshman and can guard positions 1–4. He has a good argument for being the best player available. In a world where the Magic hold onto Black and the best shooter out of the aforementioned guards, I can see a future with a solid backcourt. Time will tell.
Grade: B-
7. Washington Wizards (Traded by Pacers): Bilal Coulibaly (F, Metropolitans 92)
Taking Coulibaly at 7 is ballsy. Ballsiness, though, is refreshing to see from a Washington franchise fed up with eternal mediocrity. Coulibaly is raw, but has improved tremendously over the past year next to number 1 pick Victor Wembanyama. The Wizards don’t need an immediate impact guy, and a gamble on Coulibaly is a fun move for a franchise long overdue on beginning its rebuild.
Grade: A-
8. Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker (F, Houston)
Jarace Walker is awesome, man. It’s rare that the best player available is also a perfect team fit, but the Pacers struck gold with Walker. Walker’s not a bad shooter, but will primarily look to playmake and intimidate teams defensively with his 7 ‘2 wingspan. I’m not too sure how I feel about the Draymond Green comparisons, but he’ll definitely look to play a similar role within the Pacer’s young core, which is underrated.
Grade: A
9. Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks (F, UCF)
This makes sense. Hendricks fits the stretch-four archetype that leaves modern GMs drooling. The addition of Hendricks brings spacing to any NBA team, and that’s a great thing for a rebuilding Utah team to not have to worry about. Hendricks’ floor is high, and he’s one of the guys I’d be really surprised about if they didn’t make an All-Rookie team. I just hope the Jazz don’t force him to play center, which is a legit concern.
Grade: A-
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (Traded by Mavericks): Cason Wallace (G, Kentucky)
The 10–12 trade between the Mavs and Thunder was as tactical as it gets. Trading up not only landed OKC Cason Wallace, who in my eyes is a more offensively gifted Lu Dort but also put the Thunder in a prime position to make a strong off-season splash that previously looked a bit tricky. Expect the Thunder to be active in the trade market with their plethora of young assets, draft picks, and the moveable contracts of Bertans and Dort. Sam Presti doesn’t fuck around, and OKCs time is now.
Grade: A
11. Orlando Magic: Jett Howard (SF, Michigan)
This is the pick the Magic deserve some shit for. Howard’s a sharpshooter, but that’s about it. If the Magic wanted to address the shooting woes, a more versatile shooter with defensive upside and playmaking ability makes more sense here. Gradey Dick seemed like the obvious choice.
Grade: D
12. Dallas Mavericks (Traded by Thunder): Derek Lively II (C, Duke)
Similarly to OKC, this trade was mostly tactical. It was rumored that the Mavs weren’t in love with any of the guys in the 10ish area, and the trade back for Lively (that includes sending Bertans contract to the Thunder) addressed needs both on and off the court. Lively is a high-upside defensive center and the Mavs free up some cap. Solid work by Dallas.
Grade: A
13. Toronto Raptors: Gradey Dick (SG/SF, Kansas)
Something about Gradey Dick’s sparkling red suit leads me to believe that he had a hunch about where he was getting drafted. Dick’s stroke can be streaky, but man is it smooth. Dick’s shooting will immediately fill the shooting holes in Toronto’s offense. His 6’8 frame has room for muscle, and if he can bulk up and reach his potential defensively, sports writers will be making Dick jokes for years to come.
Grade: A-
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Jordan Hawkins (SG/SF, UConn)
Dick is the best shooter in this class, but Hawkins is a close second. A shooter was the right move here for a New Orleans team with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Additionally, if Christian Braun proved anything this season, it’s that there is some value in picking guys who are coming off championships in college. Hawkins, like Dick, has some work to do defensively but should be solid immediately.
Grade: A-
