Paul’s 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0 FINAL

The 2023 NBA Draft is finally here and on this upcoming Thursday, June 22, the future of the league will hear their names called. There’s been plenty of movement from prospects throughout the combine, but the leading talent remains the same as Victor Wembanyama will be a San Antonio Spur. The rest is completely up for debate with rumors of teams wanting out of the top 5, and others wanting to get in there. Players had a deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft, as many did, and only the ones who stayed in and were on my boards will be in this article. So without further ado here is my final mock draft (3.0) with all 58 picks, the teams locked into them, first round write-ups, second round team depth charts, and the top undrafted players. I hope you enjoy and as always, research for my mock drafts are based on months of tracking reported draft stock fluctuation, as well as my opinions on the players and their potential fits.

1st Round

This is the easiest pick I will ever have to do, but Gregg Popovich and the dynasty that is the Spurs will land this generation’s best prospect. With Tim Duncan and David Robinson being their two previous first overall picks, San Antonio seems to have their big man to build a dynasty around yet again.

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The consolation prize for missing out on Victor isn’t at all horrible, as the Hornets landed the second pick. They’ll be mulling over either Scoot or Brandon Miller, but with LaMelo’s ability to stretch the floor and Rozier’s scoring, I can see Scoot slide in as a key backcourt piece to build around.

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The likeliest scenario seems to be that the Blazers will trade the third pick for an established veteran to pair with Damian Lillard. But holding the pick isn’t the worst thing, it would be great to add Brandon Miller to a frontcourt that needs star power and a secondary scorer beside Lillard. If it becomes more apparent that Miller will be the second pick, the Blazers will likely want to trade out as soon as possible.

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The Rockets have their scorers with Green, KPJ, and Jabari Smith all dominating the ball (with potentially James Harden on the way as well). Due to this, Walker fits in perfect as the glue guy. It allows Smith to play more as the 3 while bringing in a versatile big man who’s dominant in the post and can stretch the floor from three. This selection could lead to a matchup nightmare for opponents facing Houston.

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With their plethora of big men talent in Wiseman, Stewart, Bagley and Duren, Amen could be a good fit for the Pistons here at five. There’s no doubt Detroit was the biggest losers of the lottery, but grabbing Thompson can give them a talented two-way athletic guard. He and Ivey can become one of the most athletic backcourts while Cade Cunningham can be slotted in as more of a 3.

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This will be the first of the Magic’s two lottery picks and there’s no doubt they can use just about any of the best available. If they decide to keep this pick, Hendricks can be added as a wing that can stretch the floor and score at-will. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are eerily similar although neither are the shot blocker that Hendricks can become.

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This almost seems like too good of a fit as Whitmore can give Indiana the two-way wing they need. Haliburton, Mathurin, and Nembhard are the team’s building blocks in the backcourt and Whitmore can add even more length and athleticism to that talented group. He’s a rare ready-to-go prospect with the size and skillset of an impact player once his age-19 season starts.

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This is a fit I love as well, as it seems Washington landed in just the right spot to take their new franchise PG. Black playing alongside Beal gives them size in the backcourt and a talented on-ball defender supplementing Beal’s offensive centered game. Black could sit behind Monte Morris to start the year while developing his offensive game.

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In what looks to be a fast moving rebuild, the Jazz will get to add another lottery pick alongside their core of Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, and Collin Sexton. Ausar is a freak athlete with a smooth and fluid skillset that can compliment Sexton in the backcourt. If he falls this far, the Jazz should be the ones to snag him.

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The Mavericks have struggled to find a complimentary scorer to Luka Doncic, and the Kyrie experiment can’t truly be trusted to keep going. Hawkins in my mind is the best pure scorer in the draft, he’s a threat from anywhere and can be a 20+ ppg guy in the league. This is exactly the move Dallas needs to make, and if Kyrie does return, the more the merrier.

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After making a huge rise up draft charts around the combine, Coulibably is a slick and athletic wing that has a high ceiling as a two-way talent. The Magic have their second pick of the lottery and will likely go best available. Adding Coulibaly and Hendricks to an already stacked young frontcourt will give them options and trade bait.

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As the #1 prospect in the freshmen class, Lively’s underperformance cost him a shot at the top 5 where he was projected to be. But a late season run and good combine brings him back into the lottery mix. The Thunder could add two dynamic bigs, with a low post presence in Lively and the long awaited debut of do it all big man Chet Holmgren.

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With the real possibility of Fred VanVleet leaving this offseason, a lot of change will be headed Toronto’s way. With their star wing Scottie Barnes and elite big man Pascal Siakam, they should be looking for a PG at 13. If Cason Wallace falls this far it seems like a perfect fit to add to the young core.

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Let’s face it, the likelihood that Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram will both be healthy for long periods of time seems very slim. This could make New Orleans look for some frontcourt help, and Dick is just the slasher that can slot in off of the bench for them. The Pelicans are in good position to trade this pick for a solid veteran as well to help them compete in ’23-’24.

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The Hawks strange era continued this year as they couldn’t make it past the first round. A full year with Quin Snyder should change some things and the 15th pick could be used as good depth. John Collins seems like a name that could get traded at any moment, and taking Jett can give them the athletic three-point shooter that compliments Young, Bogdanovic, and Hunter well.

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After entering year 1 of the rebuild, the Jazz already look to have a couple of franchise cornerstones in Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. Although looking for backcourt help may be the move, Miller can add versatility and a ton of offense to the frontcourt. I like the idea of Miller, Markkanen, and Kessler dominating the paint.

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The Lakers have plenty of question marks headed into the offseason, with basically their entire bench set to hit free agency. They should be going best available at 17 and Smith was one of the nation’s top recruits who dealt with injuries all throughout his freshman year. A potential replacement for Austin Reaves and/or D’Angelo Russell.

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Miami’s primary need is at point guard, with Gabe Vincent as their playmaker without any certainty he won’t get locked up long-term by another team. Hood-Schifino is a crafty and big guard, who has a high IQ and will be a solid two-way player. He could be a good match to play on the pick-and-roll with Bam Adebayo.

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The Warriors are entering an offseason that may see a lot of change, with Bob Myers already stepping down as GM. Trading the 19th pick could be likely, but if Murray falls this far he could be a solid fit as a scorer off the bench. Wiggins, Kuminga, Green, and Baldwin are all combo forwards as well so he’d be added to a long list of veterans. Realistically no matter who they take here will have a tough time seeing the floor initially.

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The Rockets don’t necessarily have a need at all in this draft, and if they opt with a big at 4, then a guard may be the move. George had a great 1-and-done and has solid potential to be an athletic combo guard.

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After the Kyrie/KD experiment went south, the Nets reloaded with a newer and younger team. Mikal Bridges has become their star, and the frontcourt is packed with Claxton, Johnson, and Finney-Smith. Lewis is a smooth scorer that can aid a second unit off of the bat. A potential offensive replacement for Joe Harris after 2024.

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With their second of back-to-back’s, the Nets could look backcourt if they opt for a wing before. Bufkin has made a remarkable jump in his draft stock after the combine, showing off his ability to be a 3-and-D bench combo guard in the league.

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If the Blazers end up landing Brandon Miller at 3, there’s a few ways they can go at 23. The backcourt could use some deepening around Lillard and Simons. Rupert didn’t put up the most impressive numbers in the NBL but his size and 7’2 wingspan can help him become a solid perimeter defender.

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The Kings found a way to break their playoff drought in 2023 and can add some depth with the 24th pick. After adding Keegan Murray in the lottery last year, Sensabaugh could be a perfect fit as a 3-and-D wing off of the bench. A lot of drafts have him going higher, so if he falls it can’t be past 24.

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With all of the Ja Morant drama and their back-to-back playoff let downs, the Grizzlies could use the 25th pick very valuably. They’ve been amazing drafting over the past few years, with bargains at finding Desmond Bane, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, and more. Cissoko is a point forward that can lengthen the floor with his low post defense and playmaking on the ball.

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With the second of their three firsts, the Pacers can go a few ways after they pick 7th. Tubelis is a talented and big scorer that is efficient on and off the ball. This could be a great fit that gives Indiana length in scoring with their plethora of wings. He could also compliment Myles Turner well in the frontcourt.

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The Hornets will be able to land their choice of Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller and can use pick 27 for more young depth. They have plenty of guards (and Scoot may add to that) so they may go best available with the bigs. G.G. was a huge recruit but is the youngest player in the draft as nearly a 2005 baby. He will be a project that fits the Hornets timeline solidly.

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With their two picks I would imagine the Jazz opt to go big and small in whichever order they like. At one point considered the best scorer in the draft, Smith’s stock has fell a bit although he obtains some key attributes to become a good bench piece in the league. Could be a good fit in the backcourt mix with Sexton, Agbaji, and Dunn.

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Dealing with offseason surgery, Whitehead has fell into the late 1st round discussion as he rehabs. The Pacers need all the length in the frontcourt that they can get and a Whitmore, Tubelis, and Whitehead first round would be one they should be thrilled with.

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With the last pick in the first, the Clippers are in a position of desperate need for some immediate help. They could likely trade this pick for a veteran but if they keep it, Nnaji could be a high value pick this late. He’s a monster on the interior and a great pick-and-roll threat.

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2nd Round

’23-’24 Pistons Backcourt Depth:
PG Jaden Ivey, G Cade Cunningham, PG Killian Hayes, SG Alec Burks (Team Option)

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’23-’24 Pacers Backcourt Depth:
PG Tyrese Haliburton, SG Bennedict Mathurin, PG Andrew Nembhard, SG Buddy Hield, PG T.J. McConnell, G Chris Duarte, PG Gabe York (2-way)

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’23-’24 Spurs Backcourt Depth:
PG Devonte’ Graham, SG Devin Vassell, SG Malaki Branham, PG Blake Wesley

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’23-’24 Hornets Frontcourt Depth:
SF Gordon Hayward, C Mark Williams, C Kai Jones, SF Xavier Sneed (2-way), J.T. Thor (Non-Guaranteed)

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’23-’24 Celtics Frontcourt Depth:
SF Jayson Tatum, SF Jaylen Brown, C Al Horford, C Robert Williams III, C Luke Kornet, SF Sam Hauser, PF Mike Muscala (Team Option), SF Danilo Gallinari (Player Option)

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’23-’24 Magic Frontcourt Depth:
PF Paolo Banchero, SF Franz Wagner, C Wendell Carter Jr., SF Chuma Okeke, PF Jonathan Isaac (Non-Guaranteed), C Bol Bol (Non-Guaranteed)

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’23-’24 Nuggets Backcourt Depth:
PG Jamal Murray, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Christian Braun, PG Collin Gillespie (2-way), SG Bruce Brown (Player Option)

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’23-’24 Kings Frontcourt Depth:
C Domantas Sabonis, SF Keegan Murray, C Richaun Holmes, SF KZ Okpala (Non-Guaranteed), SF Kessler Edwards (Team Option)

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’23-’24 Hornets Frontcourt Depth:
SF Gordon Hayward, C Mark Williams, C Kai Jones, SF Xavier Sneed (2-way), J.T. Thor (Non-Guaranteed)

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’23-’24 Nuggets Backcourt Depth:
PG Jamal Murray, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Christian Braun, PG Collin Gillespie (2-way), SG Bruce Brown (Player Option)

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’23-’24 Hornets Frontcourt Depth:
SF Gordon Hayward, C Mark Williams, C Kai Jones, SF Xavier Sneed (2-way), J.T. Thor (Non-Guaranteed)

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’23-’24 Wizards Frontcourt Depth:
SF Corey Kispert, SF Deni Avdija, C Daniel Gafford, PF Anthony Gill, PF Isaiah Todd, C Jay Huff (2-way), PF Kyle Kuzma (Player Option), PF Kristaps Porzingis (Player Option)

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’23-’24 Blazers Backcourt Depth:
PG Damian Lillard, SG Anfernee Simons, SG Keon Johnson

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’23-’24 Spurs Frontcourt Depth:
SF Keldon Johnson, PF Jeremy Sochan, SF Doug McDermott, C Charles Bassey, SF Dominick Barlow (2-way), SF Julian Champagnie (2-way), PF Zach Collins (Non-Guaranteed), C Khem Birch (Player Option)

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’23-’24 Grizzlies Backcourt Depth:
PG Ja Morant, SG Desmond Bane, SG John Konchar, PG Tyus Jones, SG Luke Kennard, SG Ziaire Williams, PG Kennedy Chandler

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’23-’24 Hawks Frontcourt Depth:
C Clint Capela, PF John Collins, SF De’Andre Hunter, SF Saddiq Bey, C Onyeka Okongwu, SF A.J. Griffin, PF Jalen Johnson, C Bruno Fernando, SF Donovan Williams (2-way)

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’23-’24 Lakers Frontcourt Depth:
SF LeBron James, PF Anthony Davis, C Jarred Vanderbilt, PF Cole Swider (2-way), C Mo Bamba (Non-Guaranteed)

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’23-’24 Clippers Backcourt Depth:
SG Paul George, SG Norman Powell, SG Terance Mann, PG Bones Hyland, SG Amir Coffey, PG Jason Preston, SG Brandon Boston Jr., SG Eric Gordon (Non-Guaranteed)

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’23-’24 CLE Frontcourt Depth:
C Jarrett Allen, PF Evan Mobley, SF Isaac Okoro, PF Dean Wade, PF Mamadi Diakite (2-way), PF Isaiah Mobley (2-way), SF Lamar Stevens (Team Option)

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’23-’24 Thunder Frontcourt Depth:
SF Luguentz Dort, C Chet Holmgren, C Aleksej Pokusevski, PF Jaylin Williams, SF Ousmane Dieng, C Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, C Olivier Sarr (2-way), SF Andrew Wiggins (Non-Guaranteed)

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’23-’24 Nets Frontcourt Depth:
SF Mikal Bridges, SF Dorian Finney-Smith, C Nicolas Claxton, SF Joe Harris, SF Royce O’Neale, C Day’Ron Sharpe

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’23-24 Suns Frontcourt Depth:
SF Kevin Durant, C Deandre Ayton, SF Ish Wainright

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’23-’24 Timberwolves Backcourt Depth:
SG Anthony Edwards, SG Wendell Moore Jr., PG Mike Conley (Non-Guaranteed)

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’23-’24 Kings Backcourt Depth:
PG De’Aaron Fox, SG Kevin Huerter, SG Malik Monk, PG Davion Mitchell, SG Keon Ellis (2-way)

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’23-’24 Pacers Frontcourt Depth:
C Myles Turner, SF Aaron Nesmith, SF Jordan Nwora, C Isaiah Jackson, C Daniel Theis, SF Kendall Brown (2-way)

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’23-’24 Grizzlies Frontcourt Depth:
PF Jaren Jackson Jr., C Steven Adams, C Santi Aldama, PF Brandon Clarke, SF David Roddy, PF Jake LaRavia, Vince Williams Jr. (2-way), Kenneth Lofton Jr. (2-way), PF Xavier Tillman (Team Option)

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’23-’24 Wizards Frontcourt Depth:
SF Corey Kispert, SF Deni Avdija, C Daniel Gafford, PF Anthony Gill, PF Isaiah Todd, C Jay Huff (2-way), PF Kristaps Porzingis (Player Option), PF Kyle Kuzma (Player Option)

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’23-’24 Bucks Backcourt Depth:
PG Jrue Holiday, SG Pat Connaughton, SG Grayson Allen, SG MarJon Beauchamp, SG A.J. Green (2-way), SG Lindell Wiggington (2-way), PG Jevon Carter (Player Option)

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Notable Undrafted Players