by Tomorrow is the 2023 NBA Draft and it is time for the annual complete mock draft. The number one overall pick is an almost definitive lock but the draft may heat up at pick number two.
As for the Cleveland Cavaliers, they currently do not hold a first round pick but do have a second round selection at their disposal. You can find their pick on page two.
Round 1
- San Antonio – PF/C, Victor Wembanyama, 7’5”, France
Wembanyama is the coveted prize for the top spot in the draft this year. Regardless of the team at number one, he was always going to be the top pick. Not only is he extraordinarily tall and long, but Wembanyama is a highly skilled prospect. He will immediately be the cornerstone of the Spurs roster and San Antonio will look to shape their roster to play to Wembanyama’s strengths.
- Charlotte – PG, Scoot Henderson, 6’2”, G League Ignite
Brandon Miller may be the anticipated pick for Charlotte at two, yet I am not fully sold. Henderson is the better player currently and reportedly performed very well during his pre-draft workout with the Hornets. Even though Lamelo Ball is a primary ball handler, he and Henderson might actually play quite well together. Charlotte would have two guards that can bring the ball up the floor and the two of them might look to push the pace. The Hornets need to take the best available player with each selection in this draft in order to turn things around.
- Portland – SF, Brandon Miller, 6’9”, Alabama
With Miller still on the board, Portland holds onto pick three and gives Damian Lillard some more help. Miller’s length and scoring ability is excellent, yet there is some room for development in his game before he can become “the guy” for his team in the NBA.
- Houston – SG/SF, Amen Thompson, 6’7”, Overtime Elite
After selecting Jabari Smith Jr. last year, the Rockets could still use a talented wing in the starting lineup. Thompson’s athleticism and versatility has raised him up draft boards in the past few months. Houston appears content to sit at four and snag Amen.
- Detroit – SF, Cam Whitmore, 6’7”, Villanova
Detroit has a young squad with plenty of future potential. As the long rebuild continues, the Pistons should first focus their attention on the small forward spot. Whitmore is a rather young prospect but the talent is evident. He had some extremely impressive flashes during his time at Villanova. Whitmore, Jaden Ivey and a healthy Cade Cunningham would be a nice core to build around.
- Orlando – PG, Anthony Black, 6’7”, Arkansas
The Magic have addressed the guard spots in recent drafts with Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs. Both players sit behind Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris on the current depth chart. The Magic may want to add a little more height in the backcourt and Anthony Black will do just that. Orlando can wait on taking a wing until pick number eleven.
- Indiana – PF, Taylor Hendricks, 6’9”, UCF
The biggest need for the Pacers is at power forward and Hendricks ends up being the first true power forward off the board. Not only can Henricks run the floor well, but he also is an excellent rim protector. Hendricks also fits the mold of the new era big with his ability to stretch the floor and pull up from three.
- Washington – SG/SF, Ausar Thompson, 6’7”, Overtime Elite
The second of the Thompson twins comes off the board in the top ten. The Wizards did not get much back for Bradley Beal in the trade with the Suns. Thompson’s ability to play shooting guard or small forward will help fill that need for a wing while still helping buffer the loss of Beal.
- Utah – PF, Jarace Walker, 6’8”, Houston
Walker ends up being the first pick of Utah’s three selections in the first round. The Jazz need a physical power forward and Walker will fill that very need. He will not only improve Utah’s defense but also not be afraid to crash the glass.
- Dallas – SG, Amari Bailey, 6’5”, UCLA
Many probably expect Amari Bailey to go significantly later than pick ten. If Dallas does not take him then Bailey may drop quite a bit further, but the fit makes sense. Dallas needs guards in general and ideally players that can run the floor well in transition. Bailey will add a different dimension compared to the skillsets Doncic and Kyrie (if he returns) provide.
- Orlando (from Chicago) – SF, Gradey Dick, 6’8”, Kansas
After going with a guard at six, the Magic can now snag one of their favorite wings in this class. Dick offers some excellent length and solid catch and shoot ability. He might not be the best defender, but his threat as a scorer will elevate the Magic offense.
- Oklahoma City – C, Dereck Lively II, 7’1”, Duke
The Thunder need to add a true, stout center to the roster. Chet Holmgren will be returning after being out all last season due to injury. Holmgren has center height, but needs some added weight and muscle in order to hold up defensively against strong centers. By selecting Lively, Oklahoma City can play both players on the floor at the same time or stick Lively in if Holmgren is getting dominated on the low block.
- Toronto – PG, Cason Wallace, 6’4”, Kentucky
The Raptors need to prepare for Fred VanVleet leaving in free agency and with that the point guard spot will need filled. If VanVleet stays, that likely won’t be known until after the draft and the Raptors do need depth at that spot. Wallace could either start or come off the bench for Toronto.
- New Orleans – PG, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 6’6”, Indiana
There have been many rumors of the Pelicans trading Zion Williamson to get into the top five, but if things hold as they are now, then New Orleans will likely look for a true point guard. Hood-Schifino operating as the point guard will allow CJ McCollum to spend more time at shooting guard which fits his skillset better.
- Atlanta – SG, Jordan Hawkins, 6’5”, UConn
Hawkins was impressive throughout the UConn championship run just a few months back. This elevated his stock and results in him going top 15. Hawkins will be a solid scoring threat coming off the bench in Atlanta.
- Utah (from Minnesota) – SG, Keyonte George, 6’4”, Baylor
With their second selection in the first round, the Jazz snag a guard. George is not only a strong scorer but also a decent passer for a shooting guard. George should be able to help Lauri Markkanen from needing to shoulder the full scoring load.
- Los Angeles Lakers – SF, Brice Sensabaugh, 6’6”, Ohio State
The Lakers are in need of shooters and there was no better midrange scorer in college basketball last season than Brice Sensabaugh. Sensabaugh’s offensive ability shined during his freshman season with the Buckeyes. His solid build and knowledge on creating space makes him terribly difficult to stop. He does not add much of a defensive presence yet but the Lakers do have several players already on the bench that are more defensively focused.
- Miami – PF, Leonard Miller, 6’10”, G League Ignite
Miami had Bam Adebayo bring the ball up the floor from time to time during the playoffs. Selecting a “point forward” in Leonard Miller to be Adebayo’s backup makes a ton of sense. He might be a bit raw as a prospect but the potential is there. Miller would be able to learn quickly with the Heat.
- Golden State – PF, Kris Murray, 6’8”, Iowa
The Warriors need a big that still has the ability to stretch the floor. The lefty in Murray absolutely has the scoring ability to do so. Golden State picking up Kris Murray would be great television because his brother Keegan is in Sacramento. Let the sibling rivalry begin!
- Houston (from LA Clippers) – SG, Nick Smith Jr., 6’5”, Arkansas
Houston cashes in on their second selection in the first round with a talented shooting guard. Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green currently run the backcourt for the Rockets. Smith Jr. will fit into the rotation as a good passer and a strong catch and shoot guard.
- Brooklyn (from Phoenix) – C, James Nnaji, 6’10”, Nigeria
Brooklyn doesn’t have many true bigs on the team but rather a bunch of wings. Nnaji is extremely raw as a prospect but the chance on him might be worth the early shot for the Nets. He has the size, physicality and dunking ability but is not yet a shot creator. Even if he can just get rebounds and blocks early in his career then Brooklyn will likely be happy.
- Brooklyn – SF, Maxwell Lewis, 6’7”, Pepperdine
With back-to-back picks, the Nets can afford to select another wing. Despite having numerous wings on the roster, they could use another scorer. Lewis is an underrated player with the ability to get some buckets.
- Portland (from New York) – PF, Trayce Jackson-Davis, 6’9”, Indiana
Portland took Brandon Miller at pick three and get to take another forward here at 23. Jackson-Davis is a power forward that excelled at the collegiate level. His versatility, finishing ability and awareness will lead to his success in Portland rather quickly.
- Sacramento – PF/C, Noah Clowney, 6’10”, Alabama
Sacramento is a team on the rise and looking to compete for championships in the coming years. Domantas Sabonis can play center or power forward so selecting Clowney adds another player that could play at either spot.
- Memphis – SF, Bilal Coulibaly, 6’7”, France
Memphis is thin at the small forward spot so selecting Coulibaly makes a ton of sense. He is one of the younger players in this draft but his upside is evident from film. He has a long thin frame, blocks a good amount of shots and is a smooth finisher around the rim. As his body and game develops, there is star potential here.
- Indiana (from Cleveland) – SG, Kobe Bufkin, 6’4”, Michigan
Bufkin is a menace defensively and is one of the best at picking pockets. Offensively he is more of a cutter/slasher that likes to attack. Indiana will still need a more relentless shooter, but they have more picks to get that. Bufkin is too good to pass up here in the late first round.
- Charlotte (from Denver via New York and Oklahoma City) – SG/SF, Jett Howard, 6’8”, Michigan
Back-to-back picks of Michigan players coming off the board. After a surprise but correct decision at number two, Charlotte now gets their wing. Howard is a talented shooter who would probably thrive with Henderson and Ball feeding him.
- Utah (from Philadelphia via Brooklyn) – SG/SF, Dariq Whitehead, 6’7”, Duke
With their final pick in the first round, the Jazz get a wing. Although Whitehead could play some shooting guard, I question his mobility and quickness. His size and strength makes me think he will need to spend most of his time on the floor at a small forward. Whitehead comes in with some injury concerns and did not necessarily “wow” people last season at Duke. Regardless of ceiling, when healthy Whitehead could be a solid 3+D guy.
- Indiana (from Boston) – SG/SF, Seth Lundy, 6’6”, Penn State
After getting Bufkin, the Pacers still needed a catch and shoot player. It might be slightly early to select Lundy but worth the reach if you are Indiana. Lundy is not afraid to take shots and proved that he is solid on the catch and shoot during his time at Penn State.
- LA Clippers (from Milwaukee via Houston) – PF/C, Adama Sanogo, 6’9”, UConn
With the final pick in the first round the Clippers get a player that put everyone on notice during March Madness. Sanogo will be a shorter center but he is strong and knows how to finish around the rim. He will certainly be a nice compliment to Ivica Zubac when Zubac is getting a breather.
Love the insight! I enjoyed comparing your mock draft to my mock draft that I put out recently.