My First And Only 2023 NBA Mock Draft
The 2023 NBA Draft Might End Up Being One Of The Most Unpredictable Drafts In Recent Memory
The latest NBA Draft Lottery has bestowed upon the San Antonio Spurs their third triumph in the history of their franchise. In previous lotteries, they have displayed their prowess in selecting significant big men who have eventually become Hall of Fame players. It remains to be seen if they will be able to continue their good fortune this time around and uncover another game-changing talent in the upcoming draft on Thursday.
I've analyzed each team's potential draft picks for Thursday night's basketball selection, taking into account both their fit within the team and statistical data. Let's examine them in more detail.
San Antonio- Victor Wembanyama- Center
Victor is highly regarded as the best overall pick since LeBron James, and he has a lot to offer. However, in terms of analytics, the Spurs ranked 23rd in the league in defensive rebounding. Fortunately, Wembanyama boasts a 30% defensive rebounding percentage, which is the highest among draft-eligible candidates.
Charlotte- Scoot Henderson- Point Guard
The Hornets are in search of a superstar talent and Scoot seems to fit the bill. Henderson's remarkable athleticism cannot be measured by statistical analysis. However, his 44.3% Field Goal percentage for the season would have ranked him second only to Gordon Hayward among non-bigs on the Hornets' roster.
Portland- Brandon Miller- Small Forward
Miller is an exceptional three-point shooter, boasting a 38.4% success rate from beyond the arc while taking 53% of his shots from there. Moreover, his scoring prowess in transition with an average of 3.3 fast break points per game could greatly benefit a team that currently ranks 26th in the league in terms of transition points.
Houston- Amen Thompson- Point Guard
With a 31% assist rate, Thompson's ball distribution skills are sure to give the Rockets' offense a much-needed boost after finishing last in the league in assists. Additionally, his athleticism enables him to score efficiently with a 59.6% effective field goal percentage when he chooses to take shots at the rim.
Detroit- Cam Whitmore- Small Forward
The Detroit Pistons faced difficulties in finding reliable wing defenders following the departure of Saddeq Bey at the trade deadline. As a solution, they have set their sights on Whitmore, who caught their attention with his remarkable steal percentage of 3.3%. His exceptional ability in this regard could prove to be a valuable asset to the Pistons as they aim to strengthen their defense and enhance their chances of making the playoffs.
Orlando- Ausar Thompson- Shooting Guard
By adding Ausar to their roster, the Magic will gain a strong defender who can potentially lock down opponents. Among the available players, Thompson stands out as the only one with a block-and-steal percentage exceeding 3%. With Ausar on board, the Magic will boast one of the NBA's most athletically gifted starting lineups, thanks to their impressive wingspan.
Indiana- Jarace Walker- Power Forward
The Indiana Pacers are in need of defensive assistance, and the acquisition of Houston's forward, Walker, should provide an instant improvement. With a remarkable 6.3% block rate, 2.2% steal rate, and an ability to secure almost 19% of defensive rebounds, Walker possesses impressive defensive stats. The Pacers would greatly benefit from his skills as soon as he joins the team.
Washington- Anthony Black- Shooting Guard
Over the past weekend, the Washington Wizards made a significant trade that involved Bradley Beal leaving the team. In his place, the team has acquired a new player, Black, who is expected to integrate smoothly into the team. Black has an impressive range of skills, including an average of 12.4 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, and an average of 2.1 steals per game, making him a valuable asset in various aspects of the game, including defense.
Utah- Cason Wallace- Point Guard
Last season, the Jazz ranked in the top 10 in assists. However, the team's top 2 players in assists per game, Mike Conley and Kris Dunn, may not be on the roster for the upcoming season. This presents an opportunity for Wallace, who had 5.3 assists per 40 minutes and was among the top 5 NCAA-eligible guards, to secure playing time on a playoff team in the near future.
Dallas- Taylor Hendricks- Small Forward
The Mavericks need a 3-and-D wing player and the UCF forward fits the mold. Hendricks is 6 foot 9 inches tall, can guard 4 positions, and is a 39.4% three-point shooter.
Orlando- Gradey Dick- Small Forward
Orlando is in need of a skilled shooter and it's possible that Dick could fill that role as he is considered the top pure shooter in the class. Gradey has demonstrated his shooting ability by taking 52.3% of his shots from beyond the arc and successfully making 40.3% of them. With that skill alone, he will be able to start playing immediately in Orlando.
Oklahoma City- Derek Lively II- Center
Oklahoma City Thunder's acquisition of Lively will enhance their team with a dominant big man who possesses exceptional skills in offensive rebounding (4.1 per 40 minutes) and defensive shot-blocking (4.7 per 40 minutes). This strategic move will enable rookie Chet Holmgren to concentrate on his role as a weakside shot blocker. As a result, the team has the potential to form a dynamic defensive duo in the interior.
Toronto- Bilal Coulibaly- Small Forward
This player is incredibly versatile and has a wingspan of 7 feet, 2.25 inches, which creates difficulties for the opposing team on defense. He performed exceptionally well in the MTD (Mixed Team Defense), ranking in the 88th percentile. (Note: MTD is calculated by adding the points per possession allowed with the sum of steals, blocks, and defensive rebounds.)
New Orleans- Nick Smith Jr- Point Guard
Smith's explosive scoring abilities make him an impressive player, but he faced some setbacks during his one year at Arkansas due to injuries. However, he still managed to rank in the top 20% for turnovers per 40 minutes, and his points per 40 minutes were in the impressive 92nd percentile.
Atlanta- Jordan Hawkins- Shooting Guard
Atlanta requires the services of a skilled shooter to enhance their three-point shooting statistics, as they currently rank in the lower third of the league. Hawkins seems to be a promising candidate, having demonstrated an impressive 38.8% success rate from beyond the arc while taking over 63% of his shots from downtown.
Utah- Dariq Whitehead- Shooting Guard
During his one season at Duke, Whitehead demonstrated his ability to excel on both sides of the court. He exhibited impressive accuracy, shooting 42.9% from beyond the arc, and also boasted one of the highest steal percentages among the incoming draft class. Utah, on the other hand, struggled in these areas, ranking 20th in three-point percentage and dead last in steals in the league.
Los Angeles Lakers- Jett Howard- Shooting Guard
The Lakers require better shooting skills and Howard is capable of providing it. Howard is an intelligent player, ranking in the 92nd percentile for turnovers, and can proficiently hit three-point shots, averaging 36.8% on 7.2 attempts per game.
Miami- Kobe Bufkin- Shooting Guard
Bufkin is an exceptional player who ranks in the 63rd percentile or higher in every shooting category based on his performance at Michigan last season. Miami would greatly benefit from having a player of his caliber, especially after their difficulty in generating offense during the NBA Finals.
Golden State- Kris Murray- Small Forward
The Warriors are looking for intelligent and efficient players who can contribute positively to the team, and Murray fits this description perfectly. In addition to his impressive scoring average of 20.2 points per game, he also excels at drawing fouls, with an average of 4.1 free throws per game. He demonstrates excellent ball control with a 1.32 assist-to-turnover ratio (ranking in the 90th percentile), and his low 8.0% turnover rate places him in the 98th percentile.
Houston- Keyonte George- Shooting Guard
George is a talented scorer who can excel at all three levels, even for a team that struggled with offense in the NBA. He not only possesses the ability to create his own shot, but he also draws fouls quite often, averaging 4.5 free throw attempts per game with a 36.4% success rate.
Brooklyn- Leonard Miller- Small Forward/Power Forward
The Brooklyn Nets struggled with their rebounding last season, ranking poorly in the league. However, the addition of Miller, who demonstrated his prowess as a rebounder with impressive percentages of 11.6% offensive and 28.3% defensive rebound rate while playing for G-League Ignite, could be the solution they need. Miller's style of play is expected to complement Nic Claxton's game seamlessly.
Brooklyn- Brice Sensenbaugh- Shooting Guard
The Nets prioritize players who excel in shooting, and Sensabaugh is one such player with an impressive 40.5% success rate from beyond the arc. Seth Curry's potential free agency and Joe Harris's one-year contract limit may create opportunities for Brice to secure a valuable spot in the rotation.
Portland- Brandin Podziemski- Shooting Guard
The trade of Josh Hart to New York left Portland without an exceptional rebounding guard. However, the selection of Podziemski provides a promising solution as he possesses impressive rebounding skills for a guard, averaging 8.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, he is a proficient scorer, boasting an effective field goal percentage of 61.3%.
Sacramento- Maxwell Lewis- Small Forward
Sacramento stands to benefit from Lewis' unique skill set as a wing player who excels at defensive rebounds, averaging 4.4 per game. Standing at 6 foot 7 inches, Lewis boasts an impressive 7-foot wingspan, making him a valuable addition to the team. He also presents a promising option for the Kings as they compete in a conference with numerous elite wing players on opposing teams.
Memphis- Jalen Hood-Schifino- Point Guard/Shooting Guard
News has just come out that Ja Morant will not be playing for the first two months of the season. The Grizzlies would be thrilled to add a versatile guard, Hood-Schinfino, to their roster. Despite already having Tyus Jones, Jalen’s skills, such as his excellent rebounding ability, averaging 4.1 rebounds per game, and his great basketball IQ, would make him a valuable asset to the team.
Indiana- Oliver-Maxence Prosper- Small Forward
The Marquette forward's draft prospects skyrocketed thanks to his impressive physical abilities showcased during the combine. Throughout the season, his NBA-ready game was evident through his true shooting percentage of 62.6% and his average of 4.2 free throw attempts per game.
Charlotte- Jalen Wilson- Small Forward
Wilson is a versatile basketball player who has the ability to score from multiple locations on the court. He is a proficient scorer in four different areas: close to the basket (56.7%), from mid-range (39.8%), beyond the three-point line (with 70 successful shots this season), and at the free throw line (making 79.9% of his 5.5 attempts per game).
Utah- Noah Clowney- Power Forward
Clowney will provide Utah with a valuable scorer in the low post and can also offer assistance in rebounding off the bench. Moreover, Noah showcased his skills in defensive rebounds, with an average of 5.8 rebounds per game and a 21.4% rebounding rate, which ranked him in the 86th percentile among forwards.
Indiana- Tristan Vukcevic- Center
In the modern-day NBA, having a big man who can shoot is crucial. Vukcevic is one such player who fits the bill. During his stint with Real Madrid in Spain this season, he managed to hit 37.3% of his shots from beyond the arc, accounting for 40.1% of his overall shots.
Los Angeles Clippers- Rayan Rupert- Shooting Guard
Rupert possesses a game that is evolving and his wingspan allows him to make a significant impact from the very beginning. He is a player with a lot of energy and shares many characteristics with Nicolas Batum, another French player on the Clippers’ roster.