It’s that time again!
The NBA Draft is tonight and it marks one of my favorite parts of the NBA season (or offseason technically) because we get to watch kids fulfill their life long dreams of making it to the pinnacle of basketball.
It’s not just a great moment for them but also their families and friends.
Every draft class is unique and no matter what anyone says, it’s hard to gauge who will become a star and wh0 won’t. The 2023 draft class is extra unique because they have, in my opinion, the best prospect that has ever come through the NBA in Victor Wembanyama. He isn’t the only unique player in this draft because it is filled with plenty of guys with superstar potential. Guys like Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, the Thompson twins, and Keyonte George just to name a few.
The tricky thing about it though is that there is already so much talent in the NBA so it could become a little harder or longer for guys to really show that they’re stars. Though one could argue that if they’re going to be stars they’ll show it early and it would be a very fair point.
It isn’t that simple though.
Because almost every team has their guy already. One of the team’s that doesn’t, the Spurs, will be drafting their guy this year. Now this isn’t to say that a team won’t change course if they draft someone who they think is better but I do think we could see it take longer for guys to become stars now.
With this draft in particular, as mentioned above, there are quite a few players with superstar potential but for the most part, there isn’t much separation between guys 4-18. That makes things very tough when trying to figure out who should go where and makes it tougher to weigh fit vs. best player available. The thing that will separate most of these guys is how much opportunity they will get with their respective teams.
With that being said, it’s time to mock draft!
Lottery
1. Spurs Victor Wembanyama – France
This is a no brainer. Simply put, Wemby is the best prospect that has ever come through the NBA draft in my opinion. There was absolutely nothing anyone could have done to get this pick from the spurs. There aren’t many if any weaknesses in his game. He is a 7’5 freak of nature that does things that just make you laugh. He can put the ball on the floor and handle it like a guard, shoot it at a high clip, defend the paint really well, and has the perfect skillset to build around. There are the concerns about his frame but he is taking all of the steps to make sure he stays healthy and that’s all you can ask for.
2. Hornets scoot Henderson- Ignite
If Wemby was in any other draft Scoot would definitely be the first pick this year. Two years in the g league did wonders for him and his game. He is a little smaller than most guards that get drafted now but the skill and excitement he brings to the floor is undeniable. Scoot is a phenomenal floor general that can take over the game at moments notice. The passion he plays with is similar to Russell Westbrook and he has the confidence to match. There are concerns about drafting him to play next to Lamelo Ball but both guys are good enough to figure it out.
3. Blazers Brandon Miller – Alabama
There has been a lot of talk of Brandon Miller going at 2 and it does make sense with how talented he is. A complete basketball player who can thrive both on and off the ball. He has the perfect size for the NBA and certainly has star potential. Whether he plays next to Damian Lillard or if the Blazers build around him and Shaedon Sharp, they will be fun to watch.
4. Rockets Taylor Hendricks – UCF
Hendricks could be the most NBA ready prospect in this year’s draft. At 6’9”/6’10” Hendricks fits with every single team in the NBA and would be ready to contribute as soon as he steps on a NBA floor. He could be a prototypical 3 and D guy or someone that turns into a perineal Allstar. He would add to all of the talent the Rockets already have and thrive under Ime Udoka.
5. Pistons Amen Thompson – Overtime Elite
Probably the most athletic player in this year’s draft. Either him or his twin brother. Amen has superstar potential and is someone that trends towards putting seats in the stands. He’s a really good playmaker and defender and that just adds to the excitement he’s going to bring to the floor. Him next to Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham would be very fun to watch.
6. Magic Anthony Black – Arkansas
Anthony Black is the exact type of player the Magic need. They have their go to guy with plenty of depth in the front court but have needed a point guard that can lead the show. Black is that guy. A good floor general on both ends of the floor. He has the skill and versatility to lead the show for the Magic and that makes it a no brainer.
7. Pacers Jarace Walker – Houston
Walker is a very intriguing prospect. Could go as high as 4 and could fall to outside of the top 10 but he shouldn’t make it past the Pacers. He’s one of the most versatile players in the draft and will be ready to make an impact immediately. Has a lot of physicality, can play on and off the ball, and he will bring value on the defensive end.
8. Wizards Ausar Thompson – Overtime Elite
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Just like his twin Amen, Ausar is extremely athletic and has the potential to put lots of seats in the stands. Before the year started, there were questions about Ausar’s shooting and he’s put those to rest. Has plenty of playmaking ability and has a very high ceiling.
9. Jazz Kobe Bufkin – Michigan Jazz Nick Smith – Arkansas
My favorite player in this class, Smith spent most of the college season injured and that hurt his draft stock. He was a consensus top 3-5 pick before the injuries but that doesn’t worry me as much as it worries others. When he was fully healthy he showed exactly what he could do and that’s play basketball at a really high level. He has an all around offensive game as a 3 level scorer who can get whatever shot he wants with all kinds of shot creation. He would be perfect for a Jazz rebuild.
10. Mavs Cam Whitmore – Villanova
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Whitmore might’ve been higher if he didn’t start the season injured but the talent is there. He’s an explosive wing that plays with a lot of energy and would bring some much needed depth to the Mavs front court. He has a nice midrange game and showed a lot of potential as a 3 point shooter also. He can use his frame to get to the rim at a high rate and create for himself which is something the Mavs lacked outside of Luka and Kyrie.
11. Magic Bilal Coulibaly – France
Bilal has been a late riser in the draft process. As Wemby’s teammate, he certainly benefited from the scouts being in the gym to see Wemby and took full advantage. He could be more of a project but the skillset is undeniable. He showed a lot of explosiveness with the potential of elite shot making ability. Bilal has a high ceiling and if he reaches it he will be one of the best players in this draft.
12. Thunder Dereck Lively – Duke
Lively is another guy that has shot up draft boards. One of the best defensive players in this draft, he was the number one player in his high school class but didn’t really get the opportunity to really show his offensive skillset at Duke. He has been putting the questions about that skillset to rest during his workouts though. Particularly his shooting. He would add some much needed depth to the Thunder front court who will be getting Chet Holmgren back this season and it would also allow the Thunder to play Chet at the 4 instead of the 5 which would likely help him stay on the floor. Lively isn’t a guy that needs the ball in his hands to be effective because he’d be an immediate lob threat and help the Thunder paint defense.
13. Raptors Cason Wallace – Kentucky
Is Wallace going to follow the recent trend of Kentucky guards to be drafted lower than they should have then turn into a really good NBA player? He very well could. He’s an elite defender who would give the Raptors a different dynamic on the offensive end as well. He can get his own shot anywhere on the floor and would thrive next to the Raptors core whether they decide to keep the guys they have or not.
14. Pelicans Keyonte George – Baylor
One of the most exciting players in this draft, in my option. George is a very smooth basketball player with star potential that jumps off the screen. He is an absolute bucket getter and can score on every level. He does a great job of not relying on his athleticism to be effective but knows when to use it. George is very crafty with the ball and would add another shot creator to the Pelicans roster that lacked many options.
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