The 2023 NBA Draft is under one month away and it is time to take a look at the latest NBA mock draft ahead of the big event. It is a very top-heavy 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.
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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 displays flashes of brilliance playing for Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A. Wembanyama is averaging 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 lands 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: 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 will likely get the nod with Henderson being the No. 2 pick.
With this selection, Charlotte pairs Henderson with LaMelo Ball and company.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: 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 Trail Blazers will make that happen as they pair him with Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons.
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 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 Charlotte. 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 our latest 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 the NBA Draft.
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8. Washington Wizards: 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 Wizards add Dick to pair him with a potent core that includes Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, and more.
9. Utah Jazz: 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 Utah in our latest NBA mock draft to pair with Walker Kessler and company.
10. Dallas Mavericks: 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 Mavericks take Hendricks at No. 10 overall in our NBA mock draft to pair him with Luka Doncic.
11. Orlando Magic (from Bulls): Jalen Hood-Schifino, forwarrd, Indiana
Jalen Hood-Schifino has been rising on draft boards since March as his play in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments was stellar Standing at 6-foot-6, Hood-Schifino is a good all-around player that will be able to grow into his own role in the NBA. The statistics only show so much but Hood-Schifino goes to Orlando in our 2023 NBA mock draft to start his development in the NBA.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jordan Hawkins, guard, Connecticut
Jordan Hawkins was one of the main players for Connecticut’s championship-winning team during its March Madness run and it is not a surprise to see him this high in the 2023 NBA mock draft. Hawkins stands at 6-foot-5 and will be a lethal shooter from beyond the three-point line in the NBA. Here, we have Oklahoma City pairing him with Shai-Gilgeous Alexander in the backcourt.
13. Toronto Raptors: Cason Wallace, guard, Kentucky
Cason Wallace’s defensive gifts have him landing with the Raptors as the No. 13 overall pick. While his scoring is not as dangerous, it was not too bad during the season as his shooting was efficient alongside a growing Kentucky team. The 6-foot-4 guard appears to be a good fit anywhere in the NBA and Toronto represents a great landing spot for him with the potential of a big role.
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Keyonte George, guard, Baylor
Experts view Keyonte George as someone who can already score at all three levels with the ability to use his 6-foot-5 frame to dominate smaller defenders before the season. This continued at the college level in the Big 12 with Baylor as he was scoring at a high level despite some troubles. George will only get better and that is why he’s linked to New Orleans in our 2023 NBA mock draft.
2023 NBA mock draft: Non-lottery picks
15. Atlanta Hawks: Jett Howard, guard, Michigan
16. Utah Jazz (from Timberwolves): Brice Sensanbaugh, forward, Ohio St.
17. Los Angles Lakers: Dereck Lively II, center, Duke
18. Miami Heat: Nick Smith Jr., guard, Arkansas
19. Golden State Warriors: Kris Murray, forward, Iowa
20. Houston Rockets (from Clippers): Leonard Miller, forward, G-League Ignite
21. Brooklyn Nets (from Suns): Kobe Bufkin, guard, Michigan
22. Brooklyn Nets: G.G. Jackson, forward, South Carolina
23. Portland Trail Blazers (from Knicks): Dariq Whitehead, forward, Duke
24. Sacramento Kings: Rayan Rupert, guard, France
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Jamie Jaquez Jr., guard, UCLA
26. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers): Terquavion Smith, guard, North Carolina St.
27. Charlotte Hornets (from Nuggets): Noah Clowney, forward, Alabama
28. Utah Jazz (from 76ers): Maxwell Lewis, forward, Pepperdine
29. Indiana Pacers (from Celtics): Jalen Wilson, forward, Kansas
30. Los Angeles Clippers (from Bucks): Marcus Sasser, guard, Houston
2023 NBA mock draft: Round 2 Predictions
31. Detroit Pistons: Colby Jones, guard, Xavier
32. Indiana Pacers (from Rockets): Trayce Jackson-Davis, forward, Indiana
33. San Antonio Spurs: Julian Strawther, forward, Gonzaga
34. Charlotte Hornets: Brandin Podziemski, guard, Santa Clara
35. Boston Celtics (from Portland Trail Blazers): Jordan Walsh, forward, Arkansas
36. Orlando Magic: Bilal Coulibaly, forward, France
37. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Wizards): Amari Bailey, guard, UCLA
38. Sacramento Kings (from Pacers): Ricky Council IV, forward, Arkansas
39. Charlotte Hornets (from Jazz): Andre Jackson Jr., forward, Connecticut
40. Denver Nuggets (from Mavericks): Sidy Cissoko, guard, G-League Ignite
41. Charlotte Hornets (from Thunder): James Nnaji, center, Barcelona
42. Washington Wizards (from Bulls): Keyontae Johnson, forward, Kansas St.
43. Portland Trail Blazers (from Hawks): Terrence Shannon, guard, Illinois
44. San Antonio Spurs (from Raptors): Tristan Vukcevic, forward, KK Partizan
45. Memphis Grizzlies (from Timberwolves): Coleman Hawkins, forward, Illinois
46. Atlanta Hawks (from Pelicans): Baylor Scheierman, forward, Creighton
47. Los Angeles Lakers: Judah Mintz, guard, Syracuse
48. Los Angeles Clippers: Jaylen Clark, forward, UCLA
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Warriors): Kobe Brown, forward, Missouri
50. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Heat): Tosan Evboumwan, forward, Princeton
51. Brooklyn Nets: DaRon Holmes II, center, Dayton
52. Phoenix Suns: Jordan Miller, forward, Miami
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Knicks): Ben Sheppard, guard, Belmont
54. Sacramento Kings: Drew Timmie, forward, Gonzaga
55. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers): Mike Miles Jr., guard, TCU
56. Memphis Grizzlies: Adem Bona, center, UCLA
57. Washington Wizards (from Celtics): Zach Edey, center, Purdue
58. Milwaukee Bucks: Mouhamed Gueye, forward, Washington St.
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.
