2023NBA draftWill be one of the most anticipated teams in league history. It's a deep roster with talent at a lot of positions, but there won't be any nervousness about the No. 1 pick.
Victor Wembanyama is the big prize waiting for the top of the draft, the 7-foot-5 Frenchman's super-forward who has the potential to be the greatest player of all time thanks to his unprecedented combination of size and skill set. Now we finally know where Wembanyama will start his NBA career.
thissan antonio spursThey were the lucky winners of the draft lottery, giving Winbanyama his first home game in the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets will finish second,Portland trail jacketwould choose the third, ahouston rocketswould choose the fourth. The No. 2 pick is expected to be a game between G League igniting quarterback Scott Henderson and Alabama freshman tight end Brandon Miller. If elite quarterback Amen Thompson passes Miller in overtime, it could be a rare draft in which three players who haven't played college basketball get picked first.
Here's our instant 2023 as the sweepstakes rolls onFake NBA Draft.
1. San Antonio Spurs -- Victor Wembanyama, C, Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92
Wembanyama is one of the top prospects in the NBA draft, along with icons like LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The league has never seen a player with such physical strength: Standing 7.5 meters tall with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama is a fluid athlete who can play on both sides of the court but is best at dominating the rim. Somehow, he surpassed the lofty hype that accompanied him this season to become the MVP of France's top professional league at just 19 years old. He leads the league in points, rebounds, blocks and is near the league leader in minutes played.Read our full Scouting report on Wembanyam here. This is yet another Spurs superstar that changes the franchise.
2. Charlotte Hornets - Scoot Henderson, PG, G League Ignite
Henderson is a very athletic playmaker who can break down defenses with his speed and pressure to the rim. The 6-foot-2 defender is incredibly quick with the ball, whether it's a double header in the pass or a wicked first step midway to burn defenders into the cup. Henderson should be an excellent finisher at the rim as he perfects his game: He can jump off one foot like explosives, is strong enough to soak up contact, and quick enough to evade defenders in mid-air when He has a Do. He's also a skilled pick-and-roll operator, but still has some learning to do in terms of how to combine his scoring with playmaking. Henderson isn't a great 3-point shooter (27.5 percent on 2.7 attempts per game this season), and he has to figure out how to threaten defenses off the ball.
3. Portland Trail Blazers -- Amen Thompson, G, elite City Reapers overtime
The Amen and Osar Thompson twins feel like the biggest wild cards in the 2023 NBA draft, as they miss out on more traditional routes for the fledgling OT elite -- but passing them in the top five might be better than beating them The risk is greater. We'll give Amen a slight advantage over his brother due to his playmaking potential as a primary defender. At 6.7 inches with a 7-foot wingspan, Thompson has the size of a wing and the skill of a defender and will be one of the healthiest top-five players in the league next season. He has unbelievable quickness and a great first step in the open court to catch two defenders and has some very creative pass flashes at times. Thompson also has a solid jumper around the rim, but still needs to improve as a finisher when he doesn't make it to the rim. His combination of size, speed, jumping, passing and defensive versatility give him a sky-high price tag, but he's a rough outside shooter who basically starts off the 3-point line. He'll be the third-biggest gambler, but he has more aces than any player left at the table.
4. Houston Rockets – Brandon Miller, F, Alabama
It has to be shown that Miller has the highest floor of any player in this draft behind only Wemanyam due to a combination of height and shooting. The 6-foot-9 Miller showed prodigious shooting potential in his first season at Alabama, shooting 38.4 percent from 3-point range and 86 percent from the free-throw line on 7.5 attempts per game. . Miller is lethal on spot-up shots, can break through defenses, and score off screens. His ceiling will depend on how the ball develops in his hands. Miller hasn't had much explosiveness as a driver to create separation from his man, and while he's improved in the second half of the season, that's still a question mark. Miller also had to answer questions aboutHe was present when 23-year-old Jamea Harris was murdered in JanuaryAlthough there is no charge.
5.detroit pistons- Cam Whitmore, F,villanova
Whitmore has a lot of upside as a shooter, as he shows flashes of shooting potential with a combination of strength and athleticism. At 6-foot-6 and over 230 pounds, Whitmore developed by attacking the rim and finishing at touch. He throws everything around the rim and can close past smaller or weaker defenders. He can score with and without the ball in limited areas: He's pretty tight with the ball for a player his size, and he's also good at cutting to the open for easy layups. Whitmore is shooting 34.3 percent from 3-point range on 4.3 attempts per game this year and can be a red-hot scorer in rhythmic situations. His playmaking is his biggest area of development, and scouts will also want to know where he's at the best defensive position in the league.
6.orlando magic- Taylor Hendricks, forward, UCF
No one expected Taylor Hendricks to finish when he arrived at the UFC as the 84th pick in his class,for 247 sports... Fast-forward six months, and Hendricks is suddenly one of the hottest names in this draft with a real chance of making the top 10. The 6.9-foot forward checks a lot of the boxes teams are looking for in the modern four: He can protect the rim (his 6.2 percent block rate ranks 94th in the country), he can hit threes (39 percent) Depth this year), can also finish dunking above the rim. Hendricks doesn't have much off-the-dribble ability, which limits his upside, but he's impressive defensively and should have the floor space to attack, which is what every team is looking for.
7. Indiana Pacers - Ausar Thompson, G/F, Elite Reapers Overtime
A second Thompson Twin is a huge prospect in its own right. Like his brother, Ausar is an elite athlete at 180 cm with a 7-foot wingspan who wreaks havoc on defenses and thrives in transition. He's a better shooter than his brother, though his jumper isn't quite as strong, hitting 29.8 percent of his 3s on 3.8 attempts per game. Ausar is more of a winger, while Amen plays a playmaker role and isn't as dynamic off the dribble. Instead, Ausar is more of an off-ball perimeter player, which could give him more clarity than his brother in the league if his Cavaliers get hit at all.
8.washington wizards- Jarace Walker, forward, Houston
Walker is one of the best defensive rookies in the draft, and there's reason to believe his offensive skills are better than his year in Houston. A 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Walker offers tremendous defensive versatility with a solid midfield rotation awareness, added rim protection skills and the ability to Cling close to smaller players for seconds. Offensively, he should be able to knock down open spot-ups (34.7 percent on 3 of 101 attempts) while adding value as a passer. Before Walker played a winning role for the No. 1 seed at the collegiate level, he was an excellent one-on-one shooter at IMG Academy, where he could have had more upside. Walker lacks the quickness to chase sharpshooters around screens, but he offers pretty much everything else on defense while also having some knack for buying offense.
9.utah jazz- Cason Wallace, G, Kentucky
There is no better perimeter player in this draft than Wallace. At 6.3 feet, with a 6.6-inch wingspan and 195 pounds, Wallace can not only protect opponents but also slide in and guard bigger attackers. He dazzles with a dazzling combination of effort and intelligence defensively, never letting go of his moves -- asDeep Collection of Chasing Blocks——At the same time grasp the movement of the opponent. Wallace's offense isn't as complex, but he can hit the Cavaliers from the free-throw line (34.6 percent on 3-of-4 attempts per game) and is best as a passer from the perimeter.
10.dallas mavericks—Anthony Blake, linebacker, Arkansas
Anthony Blake is a formidable defender who should have a major impact on defense as he explores his role in the offense. At 6-foot-7 and 200 pounds, Black is a solid ball-handler defender with keen rotational instincts who can flip between four NBA-level positions. Black has a strong lower body and quick hands that help him fend off bigger fights, but he's quick enough to be seen mixing with speedy defenders most of the time. The question for Blake is how many runs he can hit. He's a shaky perimeter shooter (30 percent on 98 attempts) and doesn't generate much rim pressure as a driver. He's more of a combine passer than a true defender, but if the shot hits, he's exactly the type of player a playoff rotation team would want.
11. Orlando Magic - Grady Dick, G/F, Kansas
Dick is the favorite to win the title of top scorer in the class. The 6-foot-8 rookie has hit 40.3 percent of his 206 3-pointers this year, largely on shots his teammates created for him. With his long range and quick release, Dick is the type of shooter opponents need to stick with, which opens up plenty of opportunities for others. Although Dick isn't quick on screens, he has shooting potential on the move as he can quickly locate the rim and shoot. He also showed he can attack the paint and pull off a mid-range dribble when needed. Don't expect Dick to attack from the glass, and his defense will be a big question mark early in his career. Still, it's hard to find a 6'8 guy who can shoot like him, which should make him a lottery pick.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder -- Keyonte George, G, Baylor
George has been hailed as one of the most talented offensive guards in the class, even if his freshman year numbers at Baylor don't necessarily bear it out. The 6-foot-4 guard can play both on and off the ball, has flashes of scoring at all three levels and has mastered the art of finishing with ease from the free-throw line. In terms of ball handling, George is an advanced player who often chases those pull-up jumpers, but he can also make some very impressive passes. Off the ball, he has reasonable shooting potential on the move and can run around screens and knock down threats. So why is George shooting only 33.8 percent of his threes (228) and 42.4 percent of his twos? He lacks top speed and jumping ability, and tends to settle for the hard hits he can deliver, rather than effective looks. It would be nice to see George take on his college opponents more easily, but the versatility of his offense and technically sound perimeter defense should still make him a lottery pick.
13.toronto raptors- Dariq Whitehead, guard, Duke
Whitehead entered Duke with a reputation as a solid guard entering his freshman year who could put pressure on the rim with incredible speed and jumping ability. Then he broke his right foot, missed the start of the season and had to redesign his game for the Blue Devils, who have had a quarter-century of shooter Jeremy Roach. Instead, Whitehead emerged as a prolific scorer -- considered a weakness in his college game -- making 42.4 percent of his 3-pointers on 99 attempts. Combined with a solid defense capable of switching two or three spots, Whitehead would love it if he could retake the series the way he showed early in his career as a driver.
14. New Orleans Pelicans -- Bryce Sensabo, G,Ohiostan
Sensabaugh is one of the really good picks in this draft class. A strong 6-foot-6, 230-pound wing, the freshman out of Ohio State was a champion inside and an excellent 3-point shooter. Sensabo has been compared to the modern-day DeMar DeRozan because of his ability to get to his spot and hit the elbow on a jumper pull-up. He was also an incredible 3-point shooter, making 40.5 percent of his 3-pointers on 148 attempts. So why isn't he considered the best pick in this draft? Well, Sensabaugh doesn't pass a lot and doesn't defend much. He's already a good shooter and should play in the league for a long time anyway, but if he can improve in those areas, he could be one of the bigger players in this draft .
15.atlanta hawks- Jeter Howard, forward, Michigan
Howard is a big wing with an impressive shooting ability who can create his own shots despite his disappointing athleticism. At 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds, Howard is a versatile 3-point shooter who can hit spot-ups and provide some shooting skills on the move. He's made 36.8 percent of his 3-pointers on 212 attempts this season. Howard also has advanced grip for a man his size and can rock defenders one-on-one to complete pull-ups. While he's not particularly quick or great off the bounce, he's an excellent shooter when he can get to the rim. The biggest problem will be defense, but Howard's size allows him to maintain a slight edge in the paint. He feels safe off the ball as a scorer and can be a better ball handler than most think.
16. Utah Jazz -- Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas
Smith was expected to be the No. 1 contender in NBA college basketball that year. Instead, he battled a knee injury and during his year at Arkansas, he had more questions for pro scouts than answers about his game. At his best, Smith is a terrific half-court shooter who can beat defenses with floaters, pull-up jumpers and 3-pointers. He's not laying up and finishing as often as NBA teams would like, and he's going to face some serious defensive issues with his lean frame. Smith's best role in the league might be as a microwave bench scorer, but you don't have to squint and tell yourself he's a star.
17.los angeles lakers- Kris Murray, forward, Iowa State
Murray, the twin brother of Kings rookie Keegan Murray, had a similar breakout season at Iowa State, with his brother becoming a key starter for Sacramento's playoff team. At 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, Murray can shoot 3s and defend slower wings. He doesn't seem to be as athletic as his brother, and his scoring record dips as the season goes on, but when every team needs big wings that can attack, he should be in the league for a while. Safe choice.
18.miami heat- Terquavion Smith, G.,Stan NC
Smith was a leading first-round pick last year, but he opted to return to NC State for his second season. The whole country could see his microwave scoring prowess in March Madness, as he scored 32 points in a close first-round loss to Creighton. A lean defender at 6-foot-4, Smith has quick triggers and long range as a pull-up shooter, allowing him to score quickly. He developed well as a quarterback as a sophomore, improving his assist percentage from 14.2 percent to 22.9 percent. It's hard to see how active he is on the defensive end, but he should be valuable off the bench.
19.golden state soldier- Leonard Miller, forward, D-League Ignite
Miller is a 6-foot-1 power forward with a 7-foot-2 wingspan who can handle the ball on the perimeter, has good touch around the rim and provides all-around defense when blocked. The Canadian was a mystery figure in this year's draft after all, but decided to join the D-League Ignition after a poor performance in a fight. He's impressed with his close quarters and into the Eurostep, and is able to shoot around the rim with both hands. Miller's biggest problem is his 3-point shot: His release is slow and long, and his touch around the rim doesn't seem to extend to the perimeter. He's also a somewhat unpredictable decision maker with the ball in his hands. Even with more tape in his game, there's still plenty of upside here, and he could make sense for most post-lottery teams.
20. Houston Rockets - GG Jackson, F, South Carolina
Jackson is a formidable forward with shooting potential who is still developing into the youngest rookie in the draft. A top-ranked high school in the country before late reclassification, Jackson led the Gamecocks' offense and showed strong shooting skills in his first year. At 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Jackson is a fluid, if not super-explosive athlete who could be a mismatch problem at the next level while he's still learning how to use his physical gifts. The problem with Jackson right now is that he doesn't read the game very well -- he finished the season with 86 turnovers and 27 assists -- and he still needs to prove his prowess in terms of steal and shooting efficiency as well as ballhandling. Impact the game with cuts, offensive rebounds and rushes. There's an edge here, but it will take a patient team to make it take on the winning role.
21.brooklyn nets- Rayan Rupert, Defender, Nowa Zelandia Breakers
Rupert is a young French winger of incredible height who could describe himself as a formidable defender on the road. Rupert, who is 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, impressed scouts while playing in the Australian NBL with his ballhandling and ability to get into passing lanes. His half-court offense is currently mostly limited to catch-and-shoot, where he's shown decent touch, but he's shooting 31.3 percent from 3-point range and 74 percent from the free-throw line and still has room for improvement. Rupert can handle the ball in transition and has reportedly shown good awareness on offense, but there's no doubt that defense will be his calling card to elevate the league.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Maxwell Lewis, F, Pepperdine
Lewis is a slender wing who can create his own shot with an advanced offensive set and continues to feel like he's growing both physically and skillfully. At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Lewis is a talented one-on-one shooting candidate who can hit mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers. Sophomore Pepperdine broke down defenses and shot at a professional level all season, with long strides and real mobility around the rim. While he hasn't been great from long range -- 32.5 percent on three of his 120 attempts -- Lewis' dropback certainly looks the part and could become a more interesting primary weapon. There are questions about his playmaking and defensive impact, but the prospect as a tall power forward might have some hidden advantages because of that shooting ability.
23. Portland Trail Blazers -- See Betts, F, Eastern Michigan
Betts will go down in history as one of the most notorious rookies of his generation, no matter how his NBA career pans out. At 15, Bates was nicknamed "the next Kevin Durant" for his combination of size and shooting. His tortuous path in high school landed him at Memphis at age 17, where his turnovers, ineffective scoring and injuries ultimately kept him out of the rotation. He performed in his hometown of Eastern Michigan and scored well against a bad team, but there are still big questions about how his game will take to the next level. Betts has a few things that work for him, namely size (6'10), shooting and youth. My guess is some teams will find him attractive enough to get into the first round.
24.sacramento kings- Kobe Bufkin, G, Michigan
Bufkin ended the season on a tear, and Michigan gained a new following in the NBA draft class as a sophomore, younger than many of the top freshmen in this draft. The 6-foot-4 defender is nimble with the ball, combining impressive speed change with an advanced finishing set around the rim. He's a solid shooter -- 35.5 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line -- and despite his slender frame, he's incredibly quick on defense. If he can continue to develop off the ball while adding strength, he feels like one of the more versatile potential defenders in this class.
25.grizzlies z memphis- Dereck Lively II, C, Duke University
Lively is a very long rim protector, and as the season progressed, he showed more flexibility on the defensive end. Standing at 7.2m with a 7.7m wingspan, Lively was a top recruit who struggled to keep up with the hype as a freshman at Duke. While his offense never really took off -- he averaged 5.2 points per game all season -- his defense was excellent. Lively's block percentage (12.7 percent) ranks third in the country, proving he can hit the offensive glass with force and show more coverage than he could have if he just played late in the season. He could be one of the more optimistic types out there if the shooting scouts think he's improved out of high school.
26. Indiana Pacers -- Jordan Hawkins, G,University of Connecticut
Hawkins was a perimeter star in UConn's national championship run, and his mobile shooting ability made him a very attractive opponent in the NBA. The 6-foot-5 guard doesn't create much with the ball, but he can get around screens and hit 3s with the ball. His footwork after being pressed is impeccable, and the way he picks himself up and shoots quickly is impressive. After he finished the year with more losses than assists, scouts would question his decision-making, but the teams he picked would do so because of his shooting.
27. Charlotte Hornets – Noah Clowney, C, Alabama
Joker is a raw big man who, if he continues to develop his game, has the upper hand in organizing the floor offensively and protecting the rim defensively. Standing at 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, the freshman from Alabama has shown his ability to fight on the glass and provide extra blocks on defense. For someone so young and so big, he made a lot of 3s (120), and while he only made 28.3 percent of them, the numbers were encouraging and the shots looked clean. He's also an impressive finisher at the rim. It may take a few years for him to make an impact in the league, but a patient team can find a late-game gem with the right development.
28. Utah Jazz -- Sidy Cissoko, G, G League Ignite
Sissoko is a tall, strong French winger who plays as a striker. Sissoko is 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and has a strong chest and quick feet that allow him to defend multiple positions in switches. During his year at Ignite, he excelled as a midfielder tracking blocks and interceptions. His offense is immature at this point, but he has decent spot-up shooting and can make some interesting passes as assists. Scouts will want to see if he can put pressure on opposing lines as a shooter with the ball.
29. Indiana Pacers -- Bobby Clintman, F,forest awakening
Klintmann is a 6-foot-10 Swedish man with the predictable 3-and-D skills of a modern power forward. He averaged just 5.3 points per game as a rookie at Wake Forest, but Clintman showed impressive catch-and-shoot (36.8 percent from 3-point range) and excelled in spacing the floor. It's pretty raw, but the sales offer is catchy enough to make it seem like the end of the first one.
30. Los Angeles Clippers - Jordan Walsh, F, Arkansas
Walsh is a defensive end who needs to improve his jump shot to stay in the league. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, the Arkansas State forward is a solid defender who can switch off the ball and defend a variety of assignments. He can handle the ball a bit and pass it down the lane, but he has to find a way to score in the half court. Still, if a team thinks they can improve their scoring on set defenses, there aren't many wings that are that big and capable defensively.