Victor Wembanyama (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
Final NBA Mock Draft projections ahead of this week’s 2023 NBA Draft in Chicago.
We have finally arrived at the doorstep of the 2023 NBA Draft. The San Antonio Spurs are officially on the clock and will select we-all-know-who with the No. 1 overall pick when the festivities kick off at 8 PM E.T. on Thursday, June 22.
From there, the floodgates of possibility open. There has been frenzied trade chatter starting with the Hornets and the Blazers at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, and then spiraling out through the rest of the lottery.
Regardless of whether or not those trade talks ultimately amount to anything, expect plenty of surprises. This is an unusually deep class, at least at the top, and the perceived weakness of the 2024 class could make teams desperate to strike while the proverbial iron is hot.
Let’s dive into all 58 picks.
2023 NBA Mock Draft: NBA Draft Lottery, Nos. 1-14
1
Victor Wembanyama
C France
No surprises here. Victor Wembanyama is a truly generational, once in a lifetime prospect. The Spurs already flew Gregg Popovich out to France after the lottery. Wemby sported the highest usage rate ever for a European prospect. He’s 7-foot-5, comfortable spraying 3s, attacking defenders in isolation, or playing simple pick-and-roll. He’s an elite finisher at the rim and he’s the best defensive prospect in the draft for good measure. Guards seldom dare challenge him at the rim.
2
Brandon Miller
F Alabama
There has been a lot of buzz around Scoot Henderson potentially surpassing Brandon Miller in Charlotte’s eyes. Both held second workouts in front of outgoing team owner Michael Jordan. That said, it feels a lot like trade posturing. Miller is the cleaner positional fit next to LaMelo Ball and a better shooter. He spent virtually the entire summer in this spot and that won’t change now.
3
Scoot Henderson
G USA
The Blazers should be thankful if Scoot Henderson does ultimately fall to No. 3. The trade possibilities are vast, starting with New Orleans and Zion Williamson. Henderson is the best non-Wemby prospect in my book and, while the fit next to Lillard is not entirely clean, the Blazers’ backcourt should be able to co-exist, even thrive.
4
Amen Thompson
G USA
The Rockets’ decision here could be determined by their confidence in signing James Harden, which appears to be waning significantly. Amen Thompson is a genius-level playmaker and nuclear athlete who pairs excellently with Jalen Green due to his defensive versatility and ability to pressure the rim. If Harden’s not in the mix, handing the keys to the offense to Thompson is the right move.
5
Ausar Thompson
G USA
The Pistons reportedly have fans of Ausar Thompson in the front office. This is the very front of Ausar’s range from the looks of it, but he makes a lot of sense running the floor with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey in the backcourt. He’s 6-foot-7 and already a tremendous defender, plus his jumper is further along than his aforementioned twin.
6
Anthony Black
G Arkansas
If the Magic can’t get either Thompson twin, that could signal Anthony Black’s swift rise into the top-6. Black is arguably the best perimeter defender in the draft at 6-foot-7, possessing instincts well beyond his age and a fiery competitive spirit. His poor jumper is a mild concern when projecting his fit with Orlando, but he’s one of the most selfless, reactive teenage playmakers you’ll find. He would provide sturdy connective tissue for an offense built around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
7
Jarace Walker
F Houston
The Pacers appear to be Jarace Walker’s floor after a strong pre-draft workout cycle. The Houston product is the best defender coming out of the college ranks and he would make a fearsome pairing alongside Myles Turner in the Indiana frontcourt. On the offensive end, Walker flashes tantalizing upside as a face-up threat with a unique blend of brute force scoring ability and playmaking touch.
8
Bilal Coulibaly
F France
Bilal Coulibaly is a strong candidate to join teammate Victor Wembanyama in the lottery. He took on expanded duties in the French playoffs and thrived, showcasing previously unseen ability to explode downhill and feast on straight-line drives. He’s one of the best 18-year-old defenders in recent memory and he shot a respectable percentage from 3 for Metropolitans 92. The Wizards can afford the upside swing at the front end of their rebuild.
9
Jalen Hood-Schifino
G Indiana
Jalen Hood-Schifino has been receiving rave reviews on the workout circuit and the Jazz are considered big fans. He makes a lot of sense for Utah’s offense — a big playmaking guard with projectable touch inside the arc and tremendous dribbling craft. The Jazz need guards and can afford the upside swing on Hood-Schifino with three first-round picks to burn.
10
Cam Whitmore
F Villanova
Cam Whitmore appears to be a candidate to tumble on draft night. The Mavs would have to be ecstatic about this outcome, pairing Whitmore’s explosive downhill scoring with the versatile playmaking talents of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. This would provide Whitmore the perfect opportunity to streamline his offensive responsibilities early on while focusing on defensive fundamentals and receiving plenty of open lanes to the hoop on offense.
11
Dereck Lively II
C Duke
The Magic have been tied to Dereck Lively after struggling with rim protection in a big way last season. Two non-shooters in Black and Lively is a slight risk given the generally compressed spacing the team dealt with last season, but Lively is a uniquely intelligent defender for his age and athletic profile. He can start his career behind Wendell Carter Jr. while also sharing the frontcourt with the (other) Duke product in bigger lineups.
12
Taylor Hendricks
F Central Florida
OKC should be thrilled with Taylor Hendricks’ availability here. He’s the perfect fit — another defensive monster to round out the frontcourt alongside Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Jalen Williams. Hendricks can switch 1-4 and he’s an elite weak side rim protector. He doesn’t have the offensive ceiling of other lottery candidates, but he shot almost 40 percent from deep at UCF and he’s a bouncy finisher in the paint. OKC has a gaggle of playmakers already; Hendricks can comfortably play to his strengths.
13
Kobe Bufkin
G Michigan
Kobe Bufkin is another guard receiving major pre-draft hype. The Raptors have been billed as his floor, which speaks to how swiftly and substantially he has vaulted up draft boards. Toronto needs guard help more than any NBA team. Bufkin fits their general M.O. of versatility and competitiveness on defense while offering upside as a slasher and secondary playmaker long term.
14
Cason Wallace
G Kentucky
The Pelicans have their star power (for now). And frankly, depth is not an issue. Health has been the main factor holding New Orleans back, so this pick could go any number of directions. Cason Wallace makes sense as a dynamite perimeter defender and rock-solid connective playmaker who is ready to contribute from day one. He lacks the volume scoring upside of other guards in this range, but he scores his points efficiently and limits mistakes on both ends. The combined defensive efforts of Wallace, Herb Jones, and Dyson Daniels could make New Orleans extremely difficult to score on.