2023 NBA Draft Results

Round 2

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 22, 2023.

31. Charlotte Hornets: James Nnaji, C, F.C. Barcelona B Grade
    
    
    The 6-11 250 lb James Nnadji has the size of a center. He's raw, but goes to Charlotte as a backup center to Mark Williams.
    
    
    
32. Denver Nuggets: Jalen Pickett, PG, Penn State C Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 200 lb Jalen Pickett had 17.7 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and 6.6 assists per game in 2022-2023. He's a solid backup point guard to Jamal Murray.
    
    
    
    
    
33. Minnesota Timberwolves: Leonard Miller, SF, Ignite (NBA G-League) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-9 215 lb Leonard Miller had 16.9 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 1 steal per game, a 53.7% field goal percentage, a 79.2 free throw percentage, and a 30.4% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
    Some people believe Leonard Miller has the tools to be an All Star. I don't because he's very talented, yet also considered extremely raw. I do believe Leonard Miller can become a high end starter for the Minnesota Timberwolves at the small forward position down the road which happens to be a position of need for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
    
    
    
    Minnesota has Mike Conley Jr. at point guard. Anthony Edwards at shooting guard, Karl Anthony-Towns at power forward, and Rudy Gobert at center. Minnesota needs a small forward to round out their starting five and Leonard Miller might be their man here.
    
    
    
34. Sacramento Kings: Colby Jones, SG, Xavier A- Grade
    
    
    The 6-5 200 lb Colby Jones had 15 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 4.4 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game, a 50.9% field goal percentage, a 65.3% free throw percentage, and a 37.8% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Sacramento will draft Colby Jones who some have a first round grade on as a bench player to start the second round.
    
    
    
    Point guard De'Aaron Fox, shooting guard Kevin Huerter, small forward Malik Monk, power forward Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis at center are the core pieces to Sacramento's starting five with Harrison Barnes set to be an unrestricted Free Agent. Everyone in this lineup averaged over 10 points per game, but Malik Monk got his points off the bench. My guess is he will move into the starting lineup as a wing replacing Harrison Barnes hoping the Kings will pick up where they left off.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Chicago Bulls: Julian Phillips, SF, Tennessee D Grade
    
    
    The 6-7 195 lb Julian Phillips can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, or the 5 at center. He's an awesome defender despite being lackluster on offense.
    
    
    
36. Milwaukee Bucks: Andre Jackson Jr., PG, Connecticut B+ Grade
    
    
    Milwaukee still has Jrue Holliday at point guard, Grayson Allen at shooting guard, Khris Middleton at small forward, and Giannis Antetokounmpo at power forward. Milwaukee needs a replacement to Brook Lopez at center.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 200 lb Andre Jackson Jr. would be a good backup point guard to Jrue Holliday. Andre Jackson Jr. is versatile enough to play point guard or shooting guard.
    
    
    
    
    
37. Denver Nuggets: Hunter Tyson, SF, Clemson C Grade
    
    
    The 6-8 210 lb Hunter Tyson averaged 15.3 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game. He will be a backup to Michael Porter Jr. in Denver.
    
    
    
38. Boston Celtics: Jordan Walsh, SF, Arkansas C- Grade
    
    
    Boston has Malcolm Brodgdon at point guard, Derrick White at shooting guard, Jaylen Brown at small forward, Jayson Tatum at power forward, and Kristaps Porzingis at center. Boston has probably the best starting five in the Eastern Conference which may explain why the Boston Celtics are the early favorite for the Eastern Conference in 2024.
    
    
    
    Jordan Walsh feels like a reach here. If my friend Jordan Alexander didn't take him in our group mock, this pick would be in consideration for the first D grade since Jordan knows a lot about Basketball, I'll spare the Celtics with a C- grade.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Boston Celtics: Mouhamed Gueye, PF, Washington State B Grade
    
    
    The 6-10 210 lb Mouhamed Gueye had 14.3 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, a 48.8% field goal percentage, a 67.4% field goal percentage, and a 27.5% three point percentage. Mouhamed Gueye can be a solid backup at power forward on Boston.
    
    
    
40. Los Angeles Lakers: Maxwell Lewis, SF, Pepperdine A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 225 lb Maxwell Lewis had 11 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, a 42.4% field goal percentage, a 80.4% free throw percentage, and a 36.3% three point percentage as a freshman in 2021-2022. Maxwell Lewis had 17.1 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, a 46.8% field goal percentage, a 78.7% free throw percentage, and a 34.8% three point percentage as a sophomore in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Maxwell Lewis has the short range, mid range, long range, and passing you want. He's got to improve as a defender and the Los Angeles Lakers can draft him as a backup here since he's the best overall player on the board at this point in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
41. Charlotte Hornets: Amari Bailey, PG, UCLA B Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 190 lb Amari Bailey is a combo guard that is versatile enough to play point guard or shooting guard. Amari Bailey had 11.2 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, a 49.5% field goal percentage, a 69.8% free throw percentage, and a 38.9% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Amari Bailey would be a backup point guard to LaMelo Ball.
    
    
    
42. Washington Wizards: Tristan Vukcevic, C, KK Partizan B Grade
    
    
    The 6-11 225 lb Tristan Vukcevic gives Memphis a center for depth. Washington needs a starting center, but will have to settle for Vukcevic in a depth role.
    
    
    
    
    
43. Portland Trail Blazers: Rayan Rupert, SG, NZ Breakers A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 195 lb Rayan Rupert can play shooting guard or small forward with his versatility. Rayan Rupert can make shots from short range, mid range, or long range, but not on a consistent basis. Rayan Rupert can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, or the 3 at small forward. Portland grabs a shooting guard for depth here as well as the only player who got invited to the 2023 NBA Draft still on the board.
    
    
    
44. San Antonio Spurs: Sidy Cissoko, SF, Ignite (NBA G-League) A- Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 225 lb Sidy Cissoko had 12.8 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, 1 block per game, a 45.5% field goal percentage, a 64.5% free throw percentage, and a 30.4% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Sidy Cissoko would be a backup small forward for depth behind Keldon Johnson in San Antonio.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Memphis Grizzlies: GG Jackson, PF, South Carolina A+ Grade
    
    
    Memphis would have Ja Morant at point guard when he comes back from his suspension with Marcus Smart at point guard during that suspension, Desmond Bane at shooting guard, Ziare Williamson at small forward, Jaren Jackson Jr. at power forward, and an upgade is also needed at center.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 215 lb GG Jackson has the size of a small forward despite playing power forward at South Carolina. GG Jackson had 15.4 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 0.8 assists per game, 0.8 blocks per game, 0.8 steals per game, a 38.4% field goal percentage, a 67.7% free throw percentage, and a 32.4% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    GG Jackson has the shooting mechanics and shot creation to hit shots from short range, mid range, or long range. He doesn't have the consistency you want from someone who constantly takes shots. GG Jackson is raw, but some people believe he's got the upside to develop into an All Star due to his athletic traits. He's got to fix his shot selection, decision making as a passer, and his defense.
    
    
    
    GG Jackson is going to a Memphis Grizzlies team where he can start out as a bench player and learn from the starters while fixing his weaknesses in practice. This may be a really good fit for GG Jackson in the second round.
    
    
    
46. Atlanta Hawks: Seth Lundy, SG, Penn State C Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 215 lb Seth Lundy had 14.2 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. He can be used as a backup shooting guard and backup small forward.
    
    
    
    
    
47. Indiana Pacers: Mojave King, SG, Ignite (NBA G-League) C- Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 200 lb Mojave King averaged 9.4 points per game. He wasn't in my two round NBA mock draft, but the worst grade I'll give the Pacers at this point is a C- and that's because Larry Bird got hired as a consultant.
    
    
    
48. Los Angeles Clippers: Jordan Miller, SF, Miami FL B Grade
    
    
    The 6-5 190 lb Jordan Miller averaged 15.3 points per game. He goes to the Los Angeles Clippers as a backup small forward.
    
    
    
    
    
49. Cleveland Cavaliers: Emoni Bates, SF, Eastern Michigan A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-8 180 lb Emoni Bates averaged 19.2 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, a 40.5% field goal percentage, a 78.2% free throw percentage, and a 33% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Emoni Bates enters a situation where he could be a starter at small forward for Cleveland on day 1 with Caris Levert set to be an unresticted Free Agent if he can beat out Isaac Okoro for the small forward job.
    
    
    
    The Cleveland Cavaliers would have Darius Garland at point guard, Donovan Mitchell at shooting guard, Isaac Okoro at small forward, Evan Mobley at power forward, and Jarrett Allen at center. Losing Levert will hurt, but Cleveland has to use this pick on a small forward for depth with Isaac Okoro literally displaying zero confidence as this is one of a handful of opportunites where a second round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft could be a day 1 starter.
    
    
    
50. Oklahoma City Thunder: Keyonte Johnson, SF, Kansas State A Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 230 lb Keyontae Johnson had 17.4 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, 1 steal per game, a 51.6% field goal percentage, a 71.5% free throw percentage, and a 40.5% three point percentage with Kansas State in 2022-2023. Keyontae Johnson has the short range, mid range, long range, and passing you want. Keyontae Johnson can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, and the 4 at power forward.
    
    
    
    Keyontae Johnson is a combo forward that can play small forward or power forward with his versatility. Oklahoma City drafts him for depth at small forward.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Brooklyn Nets: Jalen Wilson, SF, Kansas A Grade
    
    
    Brooklyn gets a backup small forward for depth. Jalen Wilson is an awesome value pick here.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 230 lb Jalen Wilson had 20.1 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, a 43% field goal percentage, a 79.9% free throw percentage, and a 33.7% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Jalen Wilson can make shots from short range, mid range, or long range. He also passes well. Jalen Wilson can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, or the 4 at power forward. Despite shooting and defending well, he's not a consistent shooter or a consistent defender.
    
    
    
52. Washington Wizards: Toumani Camara, PF, Dayton A- Grade
    
    
    The 6-8 220 lb Toumani Camara had 13.9 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, a 54.6% field goal percentage, a 66.9% free throw percentage, and a 36.3% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Washington needs a day 1 starter at power forward and while I like this pick, this wasn't the best value pick on the board.
    
    
    
    
    
53. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, SG, UCLA B Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 205 lb Jaylen Clark averaged 13 points per game while winning National Defensive Player Of the Year. He's an ideal bench player to Anthony Edwards.
    
    
    
54. Sacramento Kings: Jalen Slawson, SF, Furman C Grade
    
    
    The 6-7 220 lb Jalen Slawson had 15.6 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, and 3.2 assists per game. Sacramento gets him as a backup here.
    
    
    
    
    
55. Indiana Pacers: Isaiah Wong, PG, Miami FL A Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 180 lb Isaiah Wong had 16.2 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, a 44.5% field goal percentage, a 84.5 free throw percentage, and a 38.4% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Isaiah Wong would be a nice backup point guard on the Indiana Pacers.
    
    
    
56. Memphis Grizzlies: Tarik Biberovic, PF, Turkey D Grade
    
    
    This is basically a draft and stash pick. I gave this pick a D grade because I liked the jersey of the International team Tarik Biberovic played for.
    
    
    
    
    
57. Golden State Warriors: Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF, Indiana A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-8 240 lb Trayce Jackson-Davis had 13.5 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game in all four seasons at Indiana. Trayce Jackson-Davis had 20.9 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, a 58.1% field goal percentage, a 69.5% free throw percentage, and a 0% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Trayce Jackson-Davis haas the short range and mid range shots. He can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. Trayce Jackson-Davis contained Iowa power forward Kris Murray in one-on-ones which is the biggest reason I moved him up my big board. He struggles as a three point shooter and that may limit his game.
    
    
    
    The crazy thing is he was my only player left in the top thirty. He also goes to a situation where he could potentially get minutes off the bench right away.
    
    
    
58. Milwaukee Bucks: Chris Livingston, SF, Kentucky C+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 220 lb Chris Livingston told his agent not to pick him. It turns out the team that had a guarantee to draft Livingston was the Milwaukee Bucks who called Livingston right after picking Andre Jackson Jr. Milwaukee also got Drew Timme as an undrafted Free Agent.