The 2023 NBA Draft has arrived and it is time to take a look at the latest NBA mock draft ahead of the big event. It is a very deep draft class with several players who would’ve been the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft.
Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Brandon Miller are all viewed as future superstars. Without further ado, here’s our 2023 NBA mock draft with the official order following the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday, May 16.
When is the 2023 NBA Draft?
The 2023 NBA Draft will take place on June 22, 2023, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It will be fully broadcasted on ESPN while the first round will be simulcasted on ABC. Both rounds will be completed that night as the NBA Draft doesn’t go multiple days like other sports.
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, center, France
Victor Wembanyama is a 7-foot-4 France native that boasts an absurd 7-foot-8 wingspan and displayed flashes of brilliance playing for Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A. Wembanyama averaged 21.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 3.2 blocks this season. Amazingly, he has the ability to stretch the court from three-point range and already displays an elite jump shot. That was magnified during exhibition performances in Las Vegas with some around the NBA indicating that Wembanyama is the best prospect since LeBron James.
Our updated 2023 NBA mock draft officially gives San Antonio the generational big man to team up with the likes of Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan following the NBA Draft Lottery.
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, forward, Alabama
Brandon Miller burst onto the scene and it was for good reason as the 6-foot-9 freshman forward was on a tear this season. Miller’s shot-making and athleticism are very intriguing to scouts in the league despite a rough NCAA tournament. The forward’s size and skill set as a forward will make him a high pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and the Hornets will make that happen as they pair him with LaMelo Ball and company.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, guard, G-League Ignite
Scoot Henderson looks like he belongs in the league with ambitions to torch the NBA. Experts believe that Henderson could have been the No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA Draft, primarily due to his explosion off the dribble and already advanced size for someone his age. Henderson translates better to the point guard spot at the next level too. However, Wembanyana and Miller will get the nod over Henderson with the Hornets believing they have a better fit.
With this selection, Portland pairs Henderson with Damian Lillard and more young talent in Sportsnaut’s NBA mock draft.
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, guard, Overtime Elite
One of two twins in the 2023 NBA draft class, Amen Thompson is going to be a hot commodity after Wembanyana, Miller, and Henderson. Standing at 6-foot-7, he is an amazing playmaker who loves to play above the rim. Thompson possesses an elite athletic ability that makes him a rare find for young players. Many might knock him due to his limited shooting but his finishing, passing, and defense help his case tremendously. Houston adds Thompson in our latest NBA mock draft to pair with Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr.
5. Detroit Pistons: Cam Whitmore, forward, Villanova
Cam Whitmore boasts an NBA-ready 6-foot-7, 220-pound frame as he looks to jump to the next level despite the struggles that Villanova faced by missing the NCAA tournament. Whitmore’s length and athleticism will be really intriguing to NBA teams throughout the pre-draft process. He was not part of a winning college basketball team but he should translate really well to the next level with a high upside. Here, we have Detroit pairing him with Cade Cunningham and company.
6. Orlando Magic: Ausar Thompson, guard, Overtime Elite
Ausar Thompson is just as explosive as his twin Amen, who is going off the board the No. 4 to Houston. Thompson is a better defender than his brother and excels at turning it into offense. The 6-foot-7 guard played well in the playoffs and could go even higher. Orlando will pair Thompson at No. 6 overall with Paolo Bancherro and company in this year’s NBA mock draft.
7. Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker, forward, Houston
Jarace Walker stands at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds with the ability to grow into that frame even more. Scouts fell in love with Walker’s game over the closing months of the season and could easily go higher than his predicted position. Indiana adds him to a young core of Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin with the No. 7 selection in our NBA mock draft.
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8. Washington Wizards: Anthony Black, guard, Arkansas
Anthony Black climbed draft boards after injuries affected Arkansas. The 6-foot-7 guard made the best of his opportunity and will end up being a lottery pick in this year’s draft. Black’s start is what propelled him up draft boards and he should transition well to the next level. The freshman guard goes to Washington in this latest NBA mock draft to pair with Bradley Beal and company.
9. Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, forward, UCF
Taylor Hendricks has been skyrocketing on draft boards since the start of the 2022-23 season and it’s understandable for a player of his caliber. The forward was hot the entire year and produced great numbers from anywhere on the floor, specifically beyond the arc. The Jazz take Hendricks at No. 9 overall in our NBA mock draft to pair him with Lauri Markkanen.
10. Dallas Mavericks: Dereck Lively II, center, Duke
Dereck Lively II had a slow start to his freshman campaign with Duke; however, he turned it around quickly and had a strong end to his college career. Standing at 7-foot-1, the 19-year-old center boasts a 7-foot-7 wingspan and is a force on defense in the paint. The Mavericks add Lively to supplement Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as the team looks to compete for a title soon.
11. Orlando Magic (from Bulls): Gradey Dick, forward, Kansas
Gradey Dick was one of the fastest-rising stars in the country for a Kansas squad that was among the best teams. The 6-foot-8 guard was electric from beyond the arc as his shooting should transition well to the NBA. The Magic add Dick to pair him with a young core that includes Ausar Thompson and Paolo Banchero in this version of the 2023 NBA mock draft.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Bilal Coulibaly, forward, France
Bilal Coulibaly is the teammate of Wembanyana for the Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A and has been boosting his stock in a major way during the playoffs. Coulibaly has an incredible burst as a two-way player and could provide incredible defense in the NBA with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. Here, we have the Magic pairing Coulibaly with Ausar Thompson for a huge haul from the 2023 class.
13. Toronto Raptors: Kobe Bufkin, guard, Michigan
Kobe Bufkin has been a fast riser in the latest NBA mock drafts and should hear his name called in the lottery on Thursday night. Bufkin is a 6-foot-4 guard from Michigan and has few holes in his overall game. There is a potential outcome where he goes higher than No. 13 in the NBA Draft. Here, we have Toronto pairing him with Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby.
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Hood-Schifino, guard, Indiana
Jalen Hood-Schifino benefited from a strong conclusion to the 2022-’23 season in the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament. Standing at 6-foot-4, the 20-year-old guard boasts a 6-foot-10 wingspan with a strong mid-range jumper. There are areas that need improvement but the potential is present as New Orleans ends the NBA lottery with Hood-Schifino at No. 14 overall.
2023 NBA mock draft: Non-lottery picks
15. Atlanta Hawks: Cason Wallace, guard, Kentucky
16. Utah Jazz (from Timberwolves): Keyonte George, guard, Baylor
17. Los Angles Lakers: Jordan Hawkins, guard, Connecticut
18. Miami Heat: Jett Howard, forward, Michigan
19. Golden State Warriors: Jamie Jaquez Jr., guard, UCLA
20. Houston Rockets (from Clippers): Leonard Miller, forward, G-League Ignite
21. Brooklyn Nets (from Suns): Nick Smith Jr., guard, Arkansas
22. Brooklyn Nets: Dariq Whitehead, forward, Duke
23. Portland Trail Blazers (from Knicks): Kris Murray, forward, Iowa
24. Sacramento Kings: Olivier-Maxence Prosper, forward, Marquette
25. Boston Celtics (from Grizzlies): Colby Jones, guard, Xavier
26. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers): Noah Clowney, forward, Alabama
27. Charlotte Hornets (from Nuggets): Brandin Podziemski, guard, Santa Clara
28. Utah Jazz (from 76ers): Brice Sensabaugh, forward, Ohio St.
29. Denver Nuggets (from Pacers): Maxwell Lewis, forward, Pepperdine
30. Los Angeles Clippers (from Bucks): Rayan Rupert, guard, France
2023 NBA mock draft: Round 2 Predictions
31. Detroit Pistons: Ben Sheppard, guard, Belmont
32. Denver Nuggets (from Pacers): James Nnaji, center, Barcelona
33. San Antonio Spurs: Andre Jackson Jr., forward, Connecticut
34. Charlotte Hornets: Amari Bailey, guard, UCLA
35. Washington Wizards (from Celtics): Jalen Wilson, forward, Kansas
36. Orlando Magic: Julian Phillips, forward, Tennesse
37. Denver Nuggets (from Thunder): Jordan Walsh, forward, Arkansas
38. Sacramento Kings (from Pacers): Trayce Jackson-Davis, forward, Indiana
39. Charlotte Hornets (from Jazz): Julian Strawther, forward, Gonzaga
40. Indiana Pacers (from Nuggets): G.G. Jackson, forward, South Carolina
41. Charlotte Hornets (from Thunder): Seth Lundy, forward, Penn St.
42. Washington Wizards (from Bulls): Sidy Cissoko, forward, G-League Ignite
43. Portland Trail Blazers (from Hawks): Kobe Brown, forward, Missouri
44. San Antonio Spurs (from Raptors): Marcus Sasser, guard, Houston
45. Memphis Grizzlies (from Timberwolves): Adama Sanogo, center, UConn
46. Atlanta Hawks (from Pelicans): Keyontae Johnson, forward, Kansas St.
47. Los Angeles Lakers: Terquavion Smith, guard, North Carolina St.
48. Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Livington, forward, Kentucky
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Warriors): Emoni Bates, forward, Eastern Michigan
50. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Heat): Tristan Vukcevic, forward, KK Partizan
51. Brooklyn Nets: Jaylen Clark, forward, UCLA
52. Phoenix Suns: Jordan Miller, forward, Miami
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Knicks): Isaiah Wong, guard, Miami
54. Sacramento Kings: Mojave King, guard, G-League Ignite
55. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers): Sir’Jabari Rice, guard, Texas
56. Memphis Grizzlies: Mouhamed Gueye, forward, Washington St.
57. Washington Wizards (from Celtics): Ricky Council IV, forward, Arkansas
58. Milwaukee Bucks: Oscar Tshiebwe, center, Kentucky
Let us know what you think about our latest 2023 NBA mock draft in the comment section below.
This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
