2023 NBA Mock Draft: Final Mock 2 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 1-15

My final 2023 NBA Mock Draft is up. Find out why the 2023 NBA Draft has the chance to be amazing.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 22, 2023.

1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, C, Metropolitans 92
   
   
   Victor Wembanyama is special. Just how special is he? Victor Wembanyama got more votes than Connor Bedard, Dylan Crews, and Bryce Young as the number one pick from the 2023 Drafts as the player sports fans will remember the most. Young went first overall to the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bedard is going first overall to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in six days, and LSU right fielder Dylan Crews should be the Pittsburgh Pirates first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. All of these prospects were considered either blue chip prospects or generational talents. The hype with Victor Wembanyama is as good as advertised.
   
   
   
   The 7-5 230 lb Victor Wembanyama had 21.6 points per game, 10.4 rebounds per game, 3 blocks per game, 2.8 assists per game, a 47% field goal percentage, a 82.8% free throw percentage, and a 27.5% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Victor Wembanyama got Metropolitans 92 to the 2023 LNB Pro A Championship game even helping Metropolitans 92 defeat Asvel his former team which is owned by former San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker.
   
   
   
   Victor Wembanyama has the passing, short range, medium range, long range, and rebounding. Victor Wembanyama can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, or the 5 at center. Imagine a center who shoots three pointers like Steph Curry, defends like Tim Duncan, and dunks like Shaquille O'Neal. Victor Wembanyama is the complete package at center and also coincidentally has the same birthday as my late father Vann Ransom along with Tennesee Titans running back Derrick Henry.
   
   
   
   San Antonio currently has Tre Jones at point guard after the San Antonio Spurs 2020 second round pick emerged as a viable starting point guard, Devin Vassell their 2020 first round pick at shooting guard, Keldon Johnson their 2019 first round pick from the Toronto Raptors in the Kawhi Leonard trade at small forward led San Antonio with 22 points per game last season, Jeremy Sochan a 2022 first round pick from Baylor who averaged 11 points per game at power forward, and Victor Wembanyama at center. There's also the possibility the Spurs try to get former Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul or Toronto Raptors point guard Freddy VanVleet in the 2023 NBA Free Agency Period. Greg Popovich is back at head coach and San Antonio's GM said we're not even picking up the phone.
   
   
   
   San Antonio has a good starting lineup, but Keldon Johnson only played 63 games while the rest of the starting lineup dealt with injuries. A trio of Victor Wembanyama, Keldon Johnson, and either Paul or VanVleet elevates the Spurs from a play-in tournament team if this starting five avoids injuries to a team that can do just enough damage to make the 2024 NBA Playoffs if everyone stays healthy.
   
   
   
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, SF, Alabama
   
   
   The Charlotte Hornets have narrowed this pick down to two players. Those two players are SEC Player Of The Year Brandon Miller at small forward and Scoot Henderson whose the consensus number two player according to most in the NBA Media with the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. These are the only two players in the 2023 NBA Draft who could be All NBA players outside of Victor Wembanyama.
   
   
   
   Both Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson wowed the Charlotte Hornets at their predraft workouts. Charlotte Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak was so impressed with both Miller and Henderson that he invited both players for follow up meetings where Charlotte Hornets former team owner Michael Jordan will be brought in as a consultant and have some input in who the Charlotte Hornets select between those two with the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Michael Jordan sold the Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Rich Schnall.
   
   
   
   The New Orleans Pelicans the team that was originally known as the Charlotte Hornets before relocating to New Orleans also made Charlotte a trade offer for the second overall pick. The trade offer would send either New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Willamson, New Orleans Pelicans small forward Brandon Ingram, or New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard C.J. McCollum who are the three 20 point scorers on New Orleans to Charlotte for the second overall pick.
   
   
   
   Zion Willamson is 22-years old, but cannot stay healthy while Brandon Ingram is 25-years old. C.J. McCollum is in his thirties and simply wouldn't command as much trade value as Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram. I highly doubt Charlotte agrees to trade the second overall pick for one of those two veterans unless both prospects fail to impress Michael Jordan at next weeks meeting in Charlotte. Charlotte is not interested in moving the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but the Portland Trail Blazers at 3, Houston Rockets at 4, Detroit Pistons at 5, Orlando Magic at 6, Indiana Pacers at 7, and Dallas Mavericks at 10 are all open to a trade down for the right price.
   
   
   
   The 6-8 200 lb Brandon Miller is the player I'm leaning towards Charlotte picking at 2 and he's been the consensus favorite to Charlotte since the Charlotte Hornets moved up to the second overall pick following the 2023 NBA Draft lottery. Brandon Miller had 18.8 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, a 43% field goal percentage, a 85.9% free throw percentage, and a 38.4% three point percentage en route to winning SEC Freshman of the Year in 2022-2023.
   
   
   
   Brandon Miller was the biggest reason that Alabama got the top overall seed in this years 2023 Men's Basketball March Madness Tournament. You can debate Brandon Miller VS Scoot Henderson at 2, but what you cannot debate is that both players belong in the top 3 overall.
   
   
   
   Brandon Miller has the passing, short range, medium range, long range, and rebounding. Brandon Miller can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, or the 4 at power forward.
   
   
   
   Brandon Miller had an incident involving a gun, but never was arrested or convicted on any charges, so I highly doubt this affects his draft stock. Brandon Miller was a three sport athlete that played football, basketball, and baseball in middle school for a few years before committing to Basketball once he got to High School which probably explains why Brandon Miller is so athletically gifted on the court.
   
   
   
   The Charlotte Hornets will have LaMelo Ball at point guard, Terry Rozier at shooting guard, Brandon Miller at small forward, Miles Bridges at power forward, and Mark Williams at center. Charlotte is likely to give Miles Bridges an RFA offer and will move Gordon Hayward to power forward while Bridges serves a 10 game suspension to start next season. Charlotte has a good starting five, but injuries to Ball, Rozier, Heyward, and Bridges at different points of the season along with a lack of bench players really crippled the Charlotte Hornets last season.
   
   
   
   Charlotte has four more picks along with the second overall pick. Those other four picks include a first rounder at twenty seven, two second round picks in the top forty, and a third second round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft with the forty first selection.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, PG, Ignite (NBA G-League)
   
   
   Portland has point guard Damian Lillard coming off a career year. Portland is very likely to draft Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson at 3 depending on who Charlotte takes at 2. This means that Portland will draft another point guard to play under Damian Lillard a three unless the Trail Blazers trade this pick or trade Damian Lillard after drafting Scoot Henderson at 3.
   
   
   
   Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin made it clear that Portland is looking ot ditch the idea of a slow rebuild. There is a possibility that Portland flips this draft pick in a trade as Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics and Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors are two star players who averaged over 20 points a game who would be terrific additions to pair with Lillard as these are Cronin's top two trade targets if he decides to move the third overall pick.
   
   
   
   The New Orleans Pelicans want Scoot Henderson and moving 3 for Williamson or Ingram, the fourteenth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and a 2026 first round pick would be enticing enough for me to consider this because Yahoo Sports is reporting that the the next two NBA Drafts are significantly weaker than 2023. The top two players in High School Basketball are currently sophomores and neither would be eligible until the 2026 NBA Draft. New Orleans could keep their 2024 first and both of their first round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft thanks to the Anthony Davis trade.
   
   
   
   If Portland cannot get a buyer or chooses to keep this pick, then the selection will be Scoot Henderson at 3. Scoot Henderson is the consensus second best prospect on most NBA Big Boards behind Victor Wembanyama. Damian Lillard would rather stay in Portland, but would be open to playing for the Miami Heat or the Milwaukee Bucks if Portland opts to draft Scoot Henderson. Lillard hasn't played a full 82 game season since his third year in the NBA in 2014 after being the Portland Trail Blazers 2012 first round pick.
   
   
   
   I love Lillard's loyalty to Portland, but if you want to get a Kings Ransom for Lillard you have to consider moving him now if you draft Scoot Henderson at three. Damian Lillard posted a career high 32 points per game as well as 71 points in a win against the Houston Rockets following the 2023 NBA All Star Game.
   
   
   
   The idea of moving Lillard makes me want to punch a wall since he's under contract through 2027 and cannot opt out of his contract until 2025 or 2026 at the earliest. Henderson would have a year or two of being mentored by Lillard before taking over as the starting point guard if Portland drafts Henderson at 3.
   
   
   
   Both of the Thompson twins Ausar and Amen Thompson impressed Damian Lillard in their private workouts. Neither player has the ceiling that Scoot Henderson has despite the fact that both Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson play point guard. Woj of ESPN and Shams Charania of the Athletic reported in tweets on Twitter that Portland will not move the third pick unless they get an offer that wows them after Cronin stated that Portland is ditching the idea of a slow rebuild. It's hard to say whose telling the truth between Cronin and the top two NBA Draft Insiders who once worked with each other at Yahoo Sports back in the day. For now, I'm giving Portland Scoot Henderson whose the best player on the board.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 190 lb Scoot Henderson had 14.3 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, a 44.9% field goal percentage, a 77.8% free throw percentage, and a 21.6% three point percentage in 2021-2022. Henderson was a first round prospect for the 2022 NBA Draft, but opted to return hoping to improve his draft stock from a late first round prospect to a top 5 pick. Scoot Henderson had 17.6 points per game, 6.4 assists per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, a 44.3% field goal percentage, a 75% free throw percentage, and a 32.4% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
   
   
   
   Scoot Henderson has the passing, short range, medium range, long range, and rebounding. Scoot Henderson said at the 2023 NBA Combine he can play on ball or off ball as well as point guard or shooting guard. Scoot Henderson can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, or the 4 at power forward. He's just as effective defensively as Damian Lillard.
   
   
   
   Scoot Henderson entered the Fall as the number two prospect behind Victor Wembanyama and continued to check off every box on film. Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, and Scoot Henderson are the only guys in this draft class who have the upside to be All NBA players. There are more guys with All Star potential compared to 2021 as this is the best NBA Draft Class I've seen since 2018.
   
   
   
   The Portland Trail Blazers have Damian Lillard at point guard who had 32.2 points per game as Portland's 2012 first round pick, Scoot Henderson at shooting guard unless Lillard wants a trade, and Anfernee Simons who averaged 21.1 points per game could move from shooting guard to small forward. Portland wants to retain power forward Jerami Grant who averaged 20.5 points per game, but also wants to get a viable starter at small forward that's a veteran to pair with Lillard so Portland will have the starting five to contend. Jusuf Nurkic is the starting center. Anfernee Simons and Nurkic are guys Portland is open to moving if it leads to Portland getting a star player at small forward allowing Grant to play power forward.
   
   
   
   Each of Portland's four core starters started 52 games. Portland was 27-31 prior to Damian Lillard's season ending injury in 2023. The Portland Trail Blazers ended the season 6-18 without Lillard in the lineup which just shows you how huge this decision is at 3. Scoot Henderson may be an All Pro down the road, but he won't replicate what Lillard has done right out of the gate even if he does become the first team NBA player many are hyping him up to be.
   
   
   
   Shaedon Sharpe last years first round pick who was drafted seventh overall would move to shooting guard if Simons got traded for a star at small forward. However none of these rumors about Portland moving this pick matter if Portland stays put and takes the best player on the board which would most likely be Scoot Henderson.
   
   
   
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, PG, Overtime Elite
   
   
   Houston would love for both Charlotte and Portland to stay put with both teams drafting for need and passing on Scoot Henderson. I highly doubt Scoot Henderson will be available for Houston at 4. Two players Houston reportedly loves are Amen Thompson of Overtime Elite at point guard and Cam Whitmore a small forward out of Villanova.
   
   
   
   Houston's needed a point guard upgrade for quite a while. The three point guard the Rockets are looking at are Chris Paul, Scoot Henderson, and Amen Thompson. Chris Paul will probably sign elsewhere with either the Lakers or Spurs while Scoot Henderson will either go to Portland or to a team that trades with Portland for the third pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. That means Amen Thompson is the fourth pick for me at this point.
   
   
   
   Houston's reported that the gap between Brandon Miller, Scoot Henderson, and Amen Thompson is closer than you would think. Also, Amen Thompson is the final blue chip player for me in the 2023 NBA Draft. I still believe there are as few as six and as many as thirteen more players with the upside to develop into NBA All Stars, but the drop off from sure fire blue chip talent to day 1 starter with All Star potential begins to take its toll once Amen Thompson gets picked which is why I believe Amen Thompson gets selected fourth overall by the Houston Rockets.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 210 lb Amen Thompson is a combo guard with the versatility to play both point guard and shooting guard. Amen Thompson had 16.9 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, a 42.9% field goal percentage, a 79.9% free throw percentage, and a 42.9% three point percentage in 2021-2022. Amen Thompson had 16.4 points per game, 5.9 assists per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, a 56.6% field goal percentage, a 65.6% free throw percentage, and a 25% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
   
   
   
   Amen Thompson has the passing, short range, medium range, long range, and rebounding. Amen Thompson can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, or the 3 at small forward. My friend Luis Estarda whose a huge Houston Rockets, Texans, Astros, and Houston Dynamo F.C. fan was critcal of Thompson as a shooter saying he doesn't believe the skill set will translate and he prefers Cam Whitmore over Thompson. He also pointed out who Whitmore is younger and has more longevity.
   
   
   
   Amen Thompson isn't a guy with the ceiling to be a first team all pro like the top three picks. However, he's the most consistent player I've seen outside of the top three and really the only blue chip player left for me. I've seen Amen Thompson pass the basketball from a longer distance than Scoot Henderson and that's one thing that stands out with Thompson in a big way. After that, there's some day 1 high end starters with upside to develop into All Stars, but not a player with hardly any weaknesses after the top 4.
   
   
   
   Houston would have Amen Thompson at point guard if the Houston Rockets take him at 4, Jalen Green at shooting guard, Kevin Porter Jr. can either be a third starter at guard or a wing player at small forward, Jabari Smith Jr. will start at power forward, and Alperen Sengun will play center. If Houston took Cam Whitmore he would play power forward with Porter Jr. and Green both starting at guard with two shooting guards in the lineup without a facilitator to pass the ball like a point guard. That's what separates Amen Thompson from Kevin Porter Jr. and it's the biggest reason I mocked him to Houston at 4 with former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Ukodah ready to step in at head coach.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Detroit Pistons: Cam Whitmore, SF, Villanova
   
   
   Detroit has four quality starters when healthy. The final need for this starting five lies at small forward.
   
   
   
   The Detroit Pistons have narrowed their list down to five players with the fifth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Those five players are Amen Thompson the Overtime Elite combo guard, Ausar Thompson a shooting guard/small forward on Overtime Elite cancelled his workout with the Indiana Pacers who pick at 7, Villanova small forward Cam Whitmore did well at his workout, Houston combo forward Jarace Walker can play small forward or power forward, and Central Florida power forward Trey Hendricks has the size of a small forward made a lot of shots during his workout with the Detroit Pistons.
   
   
   
   I think Amen Thompson is going to Houston, so that leaves four forwards in play. Honestly, I can see any of those four in Detroit.
   
   
   
   This is a really tough call between these three for multiple reasons. Cam Whitmore is probably the best shooter of these four. Ausar Thompson is arguably the best available player of the four small forwards, but he's more of a shooting guard than a small forward which really isn't a need for Detroit following Jaden Ivey's impressive rookie season after Cade Cunningham suffered a season ending shin injury. Jarace Walker is the best defender of these four even though Thompson is effective on defense too. Taylor Hendricks may have had the most raving reviews from the Detroit Pistons at his private workout.
   
   
   
   Cam Whitmore has the three point shot that NBA teams covet while he also needs to improve as a defender as he can defend effectively, but he doesn't execute the right defensive assignments. Cam Whitmore made major strides improving his short range and mid range shots at the 2023 NBA Combine and at his Pro Day leading up to his private workout with the Detroit Pistons.
   
   
   
   Ausar Thompson may very well be the fifth best player in the draft. Having the versatility to play both shooting guard and small forward should make him a shoe in for Detroit right? Not exactly, Thompson is extremely talented to the point where he impressed Damian Lillard at Portland's team workout like Amen Thompson. At the same time, he's a better fit at shooting guard than small forward. That's why I believe Thompson may be the best player, but also the worst fit of the three small forwards in play for Detroit at 5.
   
   
   
   Jarace Walker has the leadership and physicality that previous Detroit Pistons teams in the late 1980's early 1990's and early to mid 2000's teams that the Detroit Pistons had from a historical standpoint. The knock on Jarace Walker is that he's not as consistent as you'd like him to be offensively when defenses challenge him by contesting his shots. Jarace Walker was the initial favorite to go to Detroit at one point, but he's now the guy the Pistons have said the least about after working out everyone.
   
   
   
   Taylor Hendricks had an amazing private workout with Detroit. Hendricks isn't the favorite to go fifth, but is now a dark horse candidate to crack the top 5 of the 2023 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   Cam Whitmore entered last week as a slight favorite to go fifth overall. Following his team workout with the Detroit Pistons, Whitmore went from a slight favorite to an established front runner to be the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on Fanduel. Luis and Kyle two GM's who picked for Houston and Detroit in our private 2023 NBA Group Mock on Facebook both had Cam Whitmore as the best player avaiable at 4 outside of the top 3. Cam Whitmore also came in as the third best overall player in a 2023 NBA Draft Guide that the Athletic typed that is over 130,000 words.
   
   
   
   Cam Whitmore is extremely disciplined and that's probably due to his family roots and the way his parents raised this young man. You can argue his character is better than Brandon Miller's. Cam Whitmore's father was in the National Guard and his older cousin is Bob Whitmore who got drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1969.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 230 lb Cam Whitmore had 12.5 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 1.4 steals per game, 0.7 assists per game, a 47.5% field goal percentage, a 72.1% free throw percentage, and a 35% three point percentage during his one and only freshman season with Villanova while also winning Big East Freshman Of The Year in 2022-2023.
   
   
   
   If Detroit takes a small forward from the NCAA it will be Cam Whitmore or Jarace Walker. I think Whitmore is the best scheme fit or the Detroit Pistons at 5 despite how raw he is. Whitmore has zero way to beat defenses from mid range, but his upper body mechanics on his three point shot are money. It's just a matter of cleaning up the footwork and having him position his lower body and feet in the right place when attempting three point shots.
   
   
   
   The fact that Whitmore cleaned up his short range and mid range shots at the 2023 NBA Combine shows me he can be the guy. His foot speed is good when playing defense, but he didn't play with the physicality that you wanted to see. He leaned in too frequently and got constantly placed out of position.
   
   
   
   Whitmore is raw, but projects as a future All Star if you have a good coach that can clean up his weaknesses while Jarace Walker projects as a safe high end starter from a ceiling standpoint which is ultimately why I went with Cam Whitmore at 5.
   
   
   
   Detroit would have a starting lineup of Cade Cunningham the first pick in the 2021 NBA Draft at point guard, Jaden Ivey the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft at shooting guard, Cam Whitmore at small forward, Jalen Duren, Detroit's second 2022 first round pick at power forward, and James Wiseman, Golden State's second overall pick from the 2020 NBA Draft which Detroit acquired at the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline as their starting center. Golden State wasn't patient enough with Wiseman and Detroit got rewarded for gambling on him. Cam Whitmore is a fantastic fit for Detroit since he can develop at his own pace without all the responsibility of being the guy right out of the gate with two floor generals at guard along with a strong duo of bigs on front court complimenting him.
   
   
   
6. Orlando Magic: Ausar Thompson, SG, Overtime Elite
   
   
   Orlando needs a shooting guard to complete their starting five after both Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris Jr. didn't give the Orlando Magic what the organization desired at the shooting guard position. Ausar Thompson isn't just a natural fit at shooting guard, he's the best player on the board as well as the best fit for the Orlando Magic at 6. Also, Ausar Thompson cancelled a workout with the Indiana Pacers and he doesn't seem like the type to do that unless Detroit or Orlando guaranteed him to be the sixth overall pick.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 195 lb Ausar Thompson had 16.9 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, 42.9% field goal percentage, 79.9% free throw percentage, and a 42% three point percentage in 2021-2022. Ausar Thompson had 16.3 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, 6.1 assists per game, 48.1% field goal percentage, 66.2% free throw percentage, and a 29.8% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
   
   
   
   Ausar Thompson can hit short range, mid range, and long range shots. He passes well too. He can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, and the 3 at small forward. He struggles to flip his hips and is prone to giving up blow bys when defending. Ausar Thompson has potential to become an All Star if he fixes that and will be a high end starter at the very worst.
   
   
   
   Orlando has Cole Anthony at point guard who did well enough to take the starting point guard job from Markelle Fultz after being Orlando's 2020 first round pick even though both guards are good enough to play point guard, Ausar Thopson would challenge Jalen Suggs for the shooting guard job after Suggs struggled for the second year in a row as Suggs might get demoted to a sixth man role, Franz Wagner at small forward the second 2021 first round pick drafted after Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero their top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft is at power forward, and Wendell Carter Jr. got a 4-year $50-million dollar extension prior to the 2022 NBA Draft and has three years left on that contract.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker, PF, Houston
   
   
   I get the feeling Indiana will end up taking whoever the Detroit Pistons pass on at 5 with the seventh overall pick since the Indiana Pacers really need a power forward to complete their starting five. Both Cam Whitmore from Villanova and Jarace Walker from Houston would be ideal fits for the Indiana Pacers here at 7.
   
   
   
   Jarace Walker has three siblings with one of his sisters playing Volleyball and his other sister playing basketball. Jarace Walker left Pennsylvania to go to IMG Academy before committing to the Houston Cougars Basketball program which was his top choice.
   
   
   
   The 6-7 245 lb Jarace Walker is versatile enough to play small forward or power forward. Jarace Walker had 11.2 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, a 46.5% field goal percentage, a 66.3% free throw percentage, and a 34.7% three point percentage with the Houston Cougars while winning AAC Freshman Of The Year in 2022-2023.
   
   
   
   Jarace Walker is a playmaker who will pass the basketball to get teammates involved. He's also the one guy outside of Victor Wembanyama who can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. Jarace Walker can make short range, mid range, and long range shots, but struggles with contested shots. Jarace Walker delivers at times when he's wide open. Defensively, Jarace Walker projects as a power forward since he lacks the foot speed to defend on the wing against forwards like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum and Kawhi Leonard. There's a good chance Jarace Walker is a high end starter, but his leadership traits give him an outside chance to be a player with enough potential to develop into an All Star.
   
   
   
   The Indiana Pacers will have Tyrese Haliburton at point guard, Buddy Hield at shooting guard, Aaron Nesmith at small forward, Jarace Walker at power forward, and Myles Turner at center. Rick Carlisle won an NBA Championship with the Dallas Mavericks back in 2011 and this is the best starting five I've seen a team coached by Carlisle have since then. With one starter in a contract year as a UFA in Buddy Hield and two starters in contract years before becoming RFA's with Haliburton and Nesmith, the Indiana Pacers may be a suprise team to keep an eye on if they can avoid injuries. Bennedict Mathurn has been great off the bench at shooting guard, and could be a viable replacement to Buddy Hield as a starter in 2024 when Hield's contract is up.
   
   
   
8. Washington Wizards: Taylor Hendricks, PF, Central Florida
   
   
   Washington can either draft the best player available or they can take the best player available at a position of need and try to contend with the starting five they have. I'm leaning towards the later of those two options here.
   
   
   
   The 6-8 215 lb Taylor Hendricks had 15.1 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, 1.7 blocks per game, 1.4 assists per game, a 47.8% field goal percentage, a 78.2% free throw percentage, and a 39.4% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
   
   
   
   Taylor Hendricks can make short range, mid range, and long range shots. He's a great passer, rebounder, and shot blocker as well. His release point when shooting uncontested three point shots is precise and money. He's got the shooting motion you want, but Taylor Hendricks has to improve his lower body mechanics when shooting from beyond the arc. He defends well in space and has foot speed you want to see from a defenseman. He cannot anchor on the interior when playing defense and he's more of a crasher. His decision making has to improve as both a passer and a defender. Taylor Hendricks will be a high end starter, but I don't see him becoming an All Star unless he fixes his defense despite the fact that potential to blossom into a borderline All Star is there.
   
   
   
   Washington will have Monte Morris at point guard, Jordan Poole at shooting guard, Corey Kipsert at small forward, and Taylor Hendricks at power forward, and Daniel Gaffford at center. Washington traded their leading scorers Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Utah Jazz: Anthony Black, PG, Arkansas
   
   
   One player that the Utah Jazz reportedly love is Arkansas guard Anthony Black. Anthony Black has the versatility to play both point guard and shooting guard.
   
   
   
   Anthony Black's father Terry Black played basketball at Baylor and his mother Jennifer Black played college at Texas and Baylor. Jennifer split up with Anthony and has been seeing David Peavy father of TCU's Micah Peavy. David Peavy was also the coach of Duncanville High School which was where Anthony Black transferred for his senior season of High School before committing to Arkansas.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 210 lb Anthony Black had 12.8 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, 2.1 steals per game, a 45.3% field goal percentage, a 70.5% free throw percentage, and a 30.1% three point percentage in his freshman season at Arkansas in 2022-2023.
   
   
   
   Anthony Black has the passing, playmaking, defense, and athletic traits you want. He can process information at a high level and has the basketball IQ you want. He has a chance to be special if he can fix his three point shooting as well as his jump shot. He's also got to fix his catch-and-shoot looks. Anthony Black can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, and the 3 at small forward.
   
   
   
   Utah has Collin Sexton at point guard, Jordan Clarkson at shooting guard, Kelly Olynyk at small forward, Lauri Makkanen at power forward, and Walker Kessler at center. Collin Sexton only started 15 games at point guard and Jordan Clarkson has a player option and if Clarkson doesn't exercise that player option he becomes an unrestricted Free Agent.
   
   
   
   Anthony Black will start at point guard if Collin Sexton cannot start more than 15 games next season, but their is also the possibility that Anthony Black moves to shooting guard if Jordan Clarkson leaves. Anthony Black can start out as as sixth man, develop his shot, and then eventually be given the opportunity to supplant Collin Sexton at point guard if Sexton slips up next season. I think Black can develop into a High end starter, but I'm not ready to crown him a star player yet.
   
   
   
10. Dallas Mavericks: Gradey Dick, SG, Kansas
    
    
    There is speculation that Dallas is open to trading the tenth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft if a team is willing to take on a bad contract. Besides Luka Doncic at point guard there's not much there. Small forward Tim Hardaway Jr. played shooting guard until Dallas traded for Kyrie Irving.
    
    
    
    If Dallas keeps this pick I expect them to go with the best player on the board since Christian Wood is a Free Agent and this Dallas Mavericks starting five lacks pieces outside of Luka Doncic and Tim Hardaway Jr.
    
    
    
    There's three players left on my board that I think have the ceiling to develop into All Stars. Two of those players are point guards and not exactly ideal fits for the Dallas Mavericks at 10. The best player and fit for the Dallas Mavericks at 10 should they keep this selection is Kansas shooting guard Gradey Dick who also has the versatility to play small forward.
    
    
    
    Gradey Dick's father played basketball at Fort Hayes State while his mother was one of the best college basketball players at Iowa State. Gradey Dick won the Kansas City Chiefs punt, pass, and kick twice as a kid. The Kansas Jayhawks remained the favorite to land Dick when he was a recruit throughout the recruiting process.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 205 lb Gradey Dick had 14.1 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, a 44.2% field goal percentage, a 85.4% free throw percentage, and a 40.2% three point percentage in 36 games with the Kansas Jayhawks in 2022-2023. Wes Langley believes Gradey Dick could be a better value pick than Brandon Miller.
    
    
    
    The short range, mid range, and long range you want from a shooter is there. Gradey Dick is a sharp cutter as well as a terrific finisher. The shooting mechanics, playmaking, offensive awareness, and basketball IQ are there in spades. He's just got to become more consistent on defense when he doesn't have the basketball. Kansas scored 115.3 points per game per every 100 possessions on the court when Gradey Dick was playing.
    
    
    
    The Dallas Mavericks will have Luka Doncic at point guard, Gradey Dick at shooting guard, and Tim Hardaway Jr. if they draft Gradey Dick at 10. The biggest challenge at this point will be to fix the front court by improving play at power forward and center. Dallas loses 8 players to Free Agency and is $76 million over the salary cap as far as cap space goes. Dallas has a shot to return to the playoffs as long as Luka Doncic is there, but I don't see the Mavericks contending for an NBA title until the front court gets fixed even if you draft Gradey Dick at 10 and get a really good player with this selection.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Orlando Magic: Dereck Lively II, C, Duke
    
    
    The 7-1 230 lb Dereck Lively II was the top recruit in High School Basketball heading into the Fall a year ago. Dereck Lively II can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. Dereck Lively II had 5.2 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, a 65.8% field goal percentage, a 60% free throw percentage, and a 15.4% three point percentage at Duke in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Dereck Lively II is raw to the point where he will compete with Bol Bol for the backup center job behind Wendell Carter Jr whose still in Orlando for three more seasons. The upside to average 16.8 points per game and improve his three point percentage by 12 percent is there. He's well rounded defensively, but raw offensively. He can dominate the low post and high point the basketball being money from short range. However his mid range and long range has to imrpove if Dereck Lively II hopes to develop into an NBA starter.
    
    
    
    Dereck Lively doesn't create his own shot. He needs everything created for him. Orlando has a good starting five, so they can gamble on Dereck Lively II at eleven or can use this pick to find a competent three point shooter off the bench.
    
    
    
    Orlando improved their defense from thirtieth to twentieth in points allowed this season, but Orlando is still twenty fourth in three point shooting. Orlando can either take the consensus best player on the board in Dereck Lively II by stashing him for depth or Orlando can take the best three point shooter. Doing the former seems like a better strategy with a lottery pick.
    
    
    
    Dereck Lively II can be a top 10 center in the NBA if he fixes his offense down the road. If he pans out, Orlando will be in the top 15 potentially even the top 10 in fewest points allowed since I think he's got the upside to be a better defender than Wendell Carter Jr.
    
    
    
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Bilal Coulibaly, SF, Metropolitans 92
    
    
    Oklahoma City may have guaranteed Bilal Coulibaly a promise to be drafted. One team in the lottery range made a draft promise to Victor Wembanyama's teammate Bilal Coulibaly. My guess is that team is the Oklahoma City Thunder at 12 since the Oklahoma City Thunder traveled to France to watch Bilal Coulibaly.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 225 lb Bilal Coulibaly had 6 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 1 assist per game, a 53.8% field goal percentage, a 62.7% free throw percentage, and a 36% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Victor Wembanyama believes he can average 15 points per game over 48 minutes with the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft praising Coulibaly for his work ethic with Wembanyama stating he belongs in the top 10 perhaps even the top 5. Coulibaly averaged 10 points per game when playing 36 minutes for Metropolitans 92.
    
    
    
    Oklahoma City will have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at point guard, Josh Giddey at shooting guard, Bilal Coulibaly could end up starting at small forward. Jalen Williams was a small forward and shooting guard at Santa Clara, but moved to center during Chet Holmgren's injury so maybe Williams moves over to power forward if you draft Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren returns and plays center.
    
    
    
    Oklahoma City got to the play in tournament without Holmgren due to the trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams stepping up. With a healthy Holmgren and Bilal Coulibaly there's an outside chance the Oklahoma City Thunder can be a playoff team if Jalen Williams can transition to power forward, Coulibably wins a starting job, and Holmgren stays healthy.
    
    
    
    Even if Oklahoma City doesn't get to the playoffs next year, you have the luxury of reloading in the NBA Draft since Oklahoma City has 15 first round picks between the 2023 and 2029 NBA Drafts after having 19 first round picks between the 2022 and 2028 NBA Drafts a year ago heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. Oklahoma City appears to have hit on their lottery picks in both the 2021 and 2022 NBA Drafts which should improve their rebuild rather quickly.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG, Indiana
    
    
    Toronto needs a starting center. Toronto also needs a point guard after Freddy VanVleet opted out of his player option to test Free Agency. Freddy VanVleet did a good job learning under Kyle Lowry when Toronto won the 2019 NBA Finals. Toronto had a good starting five in 2019 with guys like Freddy VanVleet and OG Anaunoby coming off the bench. Once Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry left, VanVleet and Anaunoby played well. Combo forward Pascal Siakam is the only starter from Toronto's 2019 NBA Finals team that's still with the Raptors since Toronto fired their head coach for missing the 2023 NBA Playoffs after losing to Chicago in the play in tournament.
    
    
    
    There's not a center worth taking at 13 plus there is speculation that Jakob Poetl could re-sign at center on a team friendly deal. Freddy VanVleet would have made $22.8-million by staying in Toronto, but he opted out because an NBA team will pay him more especially when he's challenging Chris Paul to be the top point guard in the 2023 NBA Free Agency Period.
    
    
    
    There are two point guards that I see checking off every box as far as shooting, passing, and defending that I can see developing into stars or All Star caliber players. Those players are Jalen Hood-Schifino of Indiana and Marcus Sasser of Houston. I'm higher on Sasser than I am on Michigan point guard Kobe Bufkin, whose projected to be a lottery pick as bold as that sounds.
    
    
    
    Jalen Hood-Schifino is a combo guard. He's versatile enough to play point guard, shooting guard, or small forward in the NBA.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 215 lb Jalen Hood-Schifino had 13.5 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, 1 steal per game, a 41.7% field goal percentage, a 77.6% field goal percentage, and a 33.3% three point percentage with Indiana in 2022-2023. Jalen Hood-Schifino is from Pittsburgh and he's got the short range, mid range, long range, passing, and defense to defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, or the 3 at small forward. He is ninth on my 2023 NBA Draft big board ahead of Gradey Dick and he's someone I see developing into an All Star.
    
    
    
    Toronto will have Jalen Hood-Schifino at point guard, Scottie Barnes at as a wing player that can play small forward or shooting guard, OG Anunoby at small forward, Pascal Siakam at power forward, and Jakob Poetl at center when healthy. When Poetl was injured at center, Toronto deployed three forwards while playing Gary Trent Jr. at shooting guard.
    
    
    
    Toronto has potential to remain competitive next year if they draft a point guard and their new head coach can get through to this starting five. Toronto could also trade Pascal Siakam for a higher pick and start a rebuild after firing a head coach that won them the 2019 NBA Finals.
    
    
    
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Cason Wallace, PG, Kentucky
    
    
    The New Orleans Pelicans have C.J. McCollum at shooting guard, Brandon Ingram at small forward, Zion Willamson at power forward, and Jonas Valanciunas at center. Trey Murphy III showed he could start and make an impact after Zion Williamson got injured. New Orleans has interest in trading a player to move up to three for Scoot Henderson. If the Pelicans fail to do that, then the thought process will shift to our organization will draft the best point guard on the board at 14.
    
    
    
    Devontae Graham is no longer starting at point guard and Kira Lewis Jr. didn't stat. New Orleans just needs to get a point guard and this can be a playoff team as long as the rest of the starters on New Orleans are healthy. Before Zion Williamson's injury New Orleans actually had the one seed with a better regular season record than the Denver Nuggets in the middle of December.
    
    
    
    Cason Wallace has an older brother Mike that was a three time All Conference Player at UTSA. Cason Wallace won Freshman of the Year during his High School season in Dallas before winning Defensive Player of the year in his district as a sophomore. He became a five star recruit during his junior year and maintained that status until enrolling into Kentucky.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 195 lb Cason Wallace plays bigger than his size. Cason Wallace had 11.7 points per game, 4.3 assists per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, a 44.6% field goal percentage, a 75.5% free throw percentage, and a 34.6% three point percentage at Kentucky in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Cason Wallace can make short range, mid range, and long range shots. He passes well with playmaking being one of his specialties. He can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, or the 5 at cnter despite being a point guard. Some scouts believe he can become an All NBA point guard on defense.
    
    
    
    Cason Wallace didn't do a lot of pick and roll at Kentucky. His awareness and anticipation is off of the charts.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Atlanta Hawks: Nick Smith Jr., SG, Arkansas
    
    
    If Atlanta was smart they'd draft Malaki Branham here at 16 and keep last years starters together. If they trade John Collins before the draft like many are speculating, then I may end up putting Jeremy Sochan here even though I got a second round grade on Sochan.
    
    
    
    The Atlanta Hawks already have a good starting five with Trae Young at point guard, Dejountae Murray at shooting guard, De'Andre Hunter at small forward, John Collins at power forward, and Clint Capela at center. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu, A.J. Griffin, and Jalen Johnson are all quality bench players.
    
    
    
    Dejountae Murray has one year left on his contract and Bogdan Bogdanovic is 31 years old despite averaging 14 points a game off the bench while only starting 9 games. This is the biggest reason I mocked Arkansas combo guard Nick Smith Jr. to the Atlanta Hawks at 15.
    
    
    
    Arkansas guard Nick Smith Jr. is a combo guard that can play both point guard and shooting guard. Trae Young and Bodgan Bogdanovic both dealt with injuries this past season, so Atlanta drafts a guard who can develop for a year and then blossom into a starting point guard at 15 since Dejountae Murray is more of a point guard than a shooting guard.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 185 lb Nick Smith Jr. is a shooting guard who has the size of a point guard. Nick Smith Jr. averaged 12.5 points per game, 1.6 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, a 37.6% field goal percentage, a 74% free throw percentage, and a 33.8% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Nick Smith Jr. was considered the top SEC recruit outside of Brandon Miller in High School prior to enrolling at Arkanssas. Nick Smith Jr. only played 17 games with Arkansas, but the talent and skill set to be a high end starter is there. This is the only player that Wes Langley has an All Star grade on whose still on the board as Wes and I agreed on 9 of the ten players with All Star potential.
    
    
    
    There's still one player on my board who checks off every boxes, but that player didn't get an invite to the 2023 NBA Draft while Nick Smith Jr. did. The bottom line is Nick Smith Jr. is a better overall fit for Atlanta than Marcus Sasser even though Sasser did manage to impress the heck out of me to the point where Sasser is eleventh on my final big board.
    
    
    
    Nick Smith Jr. can develop this year. Next season he could be starting next to Trae Young at shooting guard.