2023 NBA Draft Results

Round 1 Picks 16-30

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

16. Utah Jazz: Keyonte George, SG, Baylor B Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 185 lb Keyonte George had 15.3 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, a 37.6% field goal percentage, a 79.3% free throw percentage, and a 33.8% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Keyonte George is one of three players left on the board that got an invite to attend the 2023 NBA Draft in person.
    
    
    
    Keyonte George has the short range, mid range, and long range. He's an effective passer, but decision making is a concern right now. He's got to improve defensively. Keyonte George has the shooting to be a day 1 starter in Utah, but he gets to learn under Jordan Clarkson for a year before taking over as the starting shooting guard on the Utah Jazz.
    
    
    
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG, Indiana A+ Grade
    
    
    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 still on the board at 17. 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. I had Jalen Hood-Schifino as the ninth best player on my big board despite mocking him at thirteen one spot ahead of Gradey Dick.
    
    
    
    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, medium 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.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Lakers will have Jalen Hood-Schifino at point guard, Austin Reaves at shooting guard, Rui Hatchimura at small forward, LeBron James at power forward, and Anthony Davis at center. The Los Angeles Lakers have the starting five to compete in the Western Conference next year despite missing out on Chris Paul at point guard thanks to drafting Jalen Hood-Schifino.
    
    
    
    
    
18. Miami Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF, UCLA C+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 225 lb Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 17.8 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, 1.5 steals per game, a 48.2% field goal percentage, a 67.7% free throw percentage, and a 32.4% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Jaime Jaquez Jr. has the short range, mid range, long range, passing, and defense that you want from a small forward. He's an average defender, but effective enough to defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, and the 3 at small forward.
    
    
    
    Miami would have Kyle Lowry at point guard, Tyler Herro at shooting guard, Jimmy Butler at small forward, Caleb Martin at power forward, and Bam Adeboyo at center. Jaime Jaquez Jr. will be a backup to Jimmy Butler that could develop into his successor.
    
    
    
19. Golden State Warriors: Brandin Podziemski, SG, Santa Clara C Grade
    
    
    Golden State will still have Steph Curry at point guard, Klay Thompson at shooting guard, Andrew Wiggins at small forward, Draymond Green at power forward, and Kevon Looney at center in their starting five. Chris Paul will be the new sixth man in Golden State.
    
    
    
    Golden State took the two youngest players with the highest ceilings in the 2021 NBA Draft when they drafted Jonathan Kuminga at 7 as a small forward for depth behind Andrew Wiggins. Golden State also drafted Moses Moody for depth at shooting guard behind Klay Thompson. Golden State also traded for Gary Payton II at point guard, but I think Golden State will bring in another point guard to compete with Gary Payton II for the backup point guard job.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 205 lb Brandin Podziemski had 19.9 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game, a 48.3% field goal percentage, a 77.1% free throw percentage, and a 43.8% three point percentage with Santa Clara in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Brandin Podziemski has the short range, mid range, long range, and passing you want. He struggles defensively, but would be a bench player on the Golden State Warriors.
    
    
    
    
    
20. Houston Rockets: Cam Whitmore, SF, Villanova A+ Grade
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    Cam 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.
    
    
    
    Houston now has Amen Thompson at point guard, Jalen Green at shooting guard, Cam Whitmore at small forward, Jabari Smith Jr. at power forward, and Alperen Sengun at center. This can be Houston's starting five if the Rockets trade Kevin Porter Jr. away in the offseason.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Brooklyn Nets: Noah Clowney, PF, Alabama C- Grade
    
    
    The 6-10 210 lb Noah Clowney 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 one of the more consistent defenders, but he's very raw offensively. Brooklyn is drafting him as a bench player, but Brooklyn needed a starter at shooting guard which is why I felt extremely critical about this pick.
    
    
    
22. Brooklyn Nets: Dariq Whitehead, SG, Duke C- Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 220 lb Dariq Whitehead gives the San Antonio Spurs a quality bench player at both shooting guard and small forward to wrap up the first round. Whitehead isn't consistent, but he has the short range, mid range, and long range you want from an impact shooter.
    
    
    
    Brooklyn would have Spencer Dinwiddle at point guard, Dariq Whitehead at shooting guard, Mikal Bridges at small forward, Cameron Johnson at power forward, and Nicolas Claxton at center. The Brooklyn Nets had two first round picks and spent both of them on guys who averaged under 10 points per game in College.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Kris Murray, SF, Iowa A+ Grade
    
    
    Portland could draft a power forward here in case Jerami Grant doesn't re-sign with Portland, but they also need a small forward to round out the starting five. Kris Murray would be a great addition at power forward for Portland regardless of what happens with Jerami Grant. Kris Murray is versatile enough to play both small forward and power forward like his twin brother.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 215 lb Kris Murray is the twin brother of Keegan Murray who was drafted fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2022 NBA Draft. Kris Murray had 20.2 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, 1.2 blocks per game, 1 steal per game, a 47.6% field goal percentage, a 72.9% free throw percentage, and a 33.5% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Kris Murray is talented. He's not the shot creator his brother is, but he can make short range, mid range, and long range shots. He's made 63.3% of half court attempts. He can defend by rebounding, stealing, or blocking. He's a good passer too. He's not quite as consistent as you would like him to be, but potential to be great is there.
    
    
    
24. Dallas Mavericks: Olivier-Maxence Prosper, SF, Marquette B Grade
    
    
    Sacramento sent this pick to Dallas in exchange Dallas had to take on the contract of Richaun Holmes at center. Dallas drafted a small forward, but can move Tim Hardaway Jr. back to shooting guard I guess.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 210 lb Olivier-Maxence Prosper 12.5 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game, a 51.2% field goal percentage, a 73.5% free throw percentage, and a 33.9% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Olivier-Maxence Prosper can hit shots from short range, mid range, or long range.
    
    
    
    Olivier-Maxence Prosper can defend against 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. He's got to improve as a playmaker, but the shooting and defending is there.
    
    
    
    
    
25. Detroit Pistons: Marcus Sasser, PG, Houston A+ Grade
    
    
    My eleventh best player in the 2023 NBA Draft is a guy that didn't even get an invite to the 2023 NBA Draft. Detroit ends up getting Marcus Sasser as a backup point guard to Cade Cunningham here.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 195 lb Marcus Sasser is my top senior in the 2023 NBA Draft. Marcus Sasser had 13.7 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, a 38% field goal percentage, a career high 85.7% free throw percentage, and a 33.5% three point percentage during his sophomore season when he took Houston to the Final 4 where they lost to eventual NCAA Champion Baylor in 2020-2021.
    
    
    
    Marcus Sasser had 17.7 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, a 43.7% field goal percentage, 74.4% free throw percentage, and a 43.7% three point percentage during his junior season in 2021-2022. Marcus Sasser had 16.8 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, a 43.7% field goal percentage, a 84.8% free throw percentage, and a 38.4% three point percentage during his senior season in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Marcus Sasser dominated the 2023 NBA Combine as well as his 2023 Pro Day. Marcus Sasser made 29 consecutive three point shots at the 2023 NBA Combine on thirty three point attempts. The previous record holder for consecutive three point shots made at the 2023 NBA Combine was Davidson guard Steph Curry with 25 consecutive three point shots made whose now the face of the Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry, Kevin Huerter, and Marcus Sasser probably had the three best performances for three point shooters at the NBA Combine that I've seen.
    
    
    
    Marcus Sasser has the short range, mid range, long range, passing, and defense you want as he's effective defending against the 1 at point guard. Some are gonna question his size and athletic traits, but when you get a guy who made 29 consecutive three point shots, you have to look past that in my honest opinion.
    
    
    
26. Indiana Pacers: Ben Sheppard, SG, Belmont A Grade
    
    
    The 6-5 195 Ben Sheppard averaged 18.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, a 47.5% field goal percentage, a 68.4% free throw percentage, and a 41.5% three point percentage with Xavier in 2022-2023. Ben Sheppard is the best three point shooter in this draft and is a nice addition for the Indiana Pacers with the twenty sixth pick.
    
    
    
    
    
27. Charlotte Hornets: Nick Smith Jr., SG, Arkansas A+ Grade
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    I had Nick Smith Jr. at fifteen on my big board. This was the only player outside of my top 10 that was in Wes Langley's top 10. Awesome pick by the Charlotte Hornets here.
    
    
    
28. Utah Jazz: Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Ohio State A- Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 235 lb Brice Sensabaugh had 16.3 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game, a 48% field goal percentage, a 83% free throw percentage, and a 40.5% three point percentage percentage in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Brice Sensabaugh has the short range, mid range, long range, and passing. He just needs to develop defensively, but can start out as an effective bench player in Utah. I actually believe he can be a be a good backup to Kelly Olynyk on the Utah Jazz.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Denver Nuggets: Julian Strawther, SG, Gonzaga B Grade
    
    
    The 2023 NBA Finals Champion Denver Nuggets have Jamal Murray at point guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at shooting guard, Michael Porter Jr. at small forward, Aaron Gordon at power forward, and Nikola Jokic at center. Julian Strawther would be a good player for Denver to develop here.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 205 lb Julian Strawther had 15.2 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, a 46.9% field goal percentage, a 77.6% free throw percentage, and a 40.8% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Julian Strawther gives the Denver Nuggets a quality backup at shooting guard and small forward as Gonzaga played in Denver during the first two rounds of the 2023 March Madness Tournament.
    
    
    
30. Los Angeles Clippers: Kobe Brown, PF, Missouri B Grade
    
    
    The Los Angeles Clippers would have Malcolm Brogdon at point guard, Paul George at shooting guard, Marcus Morris Sr at small forward, Kawhi Leonard at power forward, and Ivaca Zubca at center. This is a good starting five for the Los Angeles Clippers.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 250 lb Kobe Brown had 15.8 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, a 55.3% field goa percentage, a 79.2% free throw percentage, and a 45.5% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Kobe Brown would be a solid backup to Kawhi Leonard.