2023 NBA Mock Draft: Final Mock 2 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 16-30

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

16. Utah Jazz: Jordan Hawkins, SG, Connecticut
    
    
    Jordan Clarkson did well filling in for Donovan Mitchell at shooting guard avering over 20 points per game. He isn't a star player like Donovan Mitchell and Utah could certainly use a player like that at 16 with the pick Utah received from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Rudy Gobert trade that sent Gobert to Minnesota.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 185 lb Jordan Hawkins had 16.2 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, a 40.9% field goal percentage, a 88.7% free throw percentage, and a 40.9% three point percentage while leading the Connecticut Huskies to a National Championship as a sophomore in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Jordan Hawkins has the passing, short range, mid range, and long range you covet. He does get bullied around on defense and he's got to be more assertive on defense.
    
    
    
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Marcus Sasser, PG, Houston
    
    
    My eleventh best player in the 2023 NBA Draft is a guy that didn't even get an invite to the 2023 NBA Draft. What's even bolder is that I'm mocking this player to my favorite NBA team at 17. Kobi Bufkin had more airballs than swishes when watching his tape so I'm going with Houston Cougars point guard Marcus Sasser instead.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 195 lb Marcus Sasser is my top senior in the 2023 NBA Draft. Marcus Sasser had 13.7 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, a 38% field goal percentage, a career high 85.7% free throw percentage, and a 33.5% three point percentage during his sophomore season when he took Houston to the Final 4 where they lost to eventual NCAA Champion Baylor in 2020-2021.
    
    
    
    Marcus Sasser had 17.7 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, a 43.7% field goal percentage, 74.4% free throw percentage, and a 43.7% three point percentage during his junior season in 2021-2022. Marcus Sasser had 16.8 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, a 43.7% field goal percentage, a 84.8% free throw percentage, and a 38.4% three point percentage during his senior season in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Marcus Sasser dominated the 2023 NBA Combine as well as his 2023 Pro Day. Marcus Sasser made 29 consecutive three point shots at the 2023 NBA Combine on thirty three point attempts. The previous record holder for consecutive three point shots made at the 2023 NBA Combine was Davidson guard Steph Curry with 25 consecutive three point shots made whose now the face of the Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry, Kevin Huerter, and Marcus Sasser probably had the three best performances for three point shooters at the NBA Combine that I've seen.
    
    
    
    Marcus Sasser has the short range, mid range, long range, passing, and defense you want as he's effective defending against the 1 at point guard. Some are gonna question his size and athletic traits, but when you get a guy who made 29 consecutive three point shots, you have to look past that in my honest opinion.
    
    
    
    If the Los Angeles Lakers draft Marcus Sasser at 17 and don't get a point guard in Free Agency they will have Marcus Sasser at point guard, Austin Reaves at shooting guard, Rui Hatchimura at small forward, LeBron James at power forward, and Anthony Davis at center. If the Lakers get Chris Paul or Freddy VanVleet in Free Agency then that guard would start with Sasser learning under them while possibly being an excellent sixth man.
    
    
    
    
    
18. Miami Heat: Keyonte George, SG, Baylor
    
    
    Miami has to reload at guard with playoff performers Gabe Vincent at point guard and Max Strus at shooting guard se tto hit Free Agency to pair with impact players like Jimmy Butler at small forward, Caleb Martin at power forward, and Bam Adeboyo at center. Butler is the face of the franchise while Adeboyo is really the only other superstar the Miami Heat have to pair with Butler.
    
    
    
    Power forward was a weakness for Miami until Caleb Martin an undrarfted Free Agent asserted himself at the position. Miami has Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro returning at point guard so this makes shooting guard the position to upgrade by default.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 185 lb Keyonte George had 15.3 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, a 37.6% field goal percentage, a 79.3% free throw percentage, and a 33.8% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Keyonte George is one of three players left on the board that got an invite to attend the 2023 NBA Draft in person.
    
    
    
    Keyonte George has the short range, mid range, and long range. He's an effective passer, but decision making is a concern right now. He's got to improve defensively. Keyonte George has the shooting to be a day 1 starter in Miami if they don't trade for a veteran like Bradley Beal, but Erik Spolstra will need to be patient with George as a passer and defender if he throws Keyonte George into the fire as a day 1 starter.
    
    
    
    Miami would have Kyle Lowry at point guard, Keyonte George at shooting guard, Jimmy Butler at small forward, Caleb Martin at power forward, and Bam Adeboyo at center. This is a starting five that can do just as much damage as last year if Keyonte George can come in and win a starting job right out of the gate.
    
    
    
19. Golden State Warriors: Kobe Bufkin, PG, Michigan
    
    
    Golden State Warriors General Manager Bob Myers who helped them win four championships stepped down. Mike Dunleavy Jr. is now the new General Manager for Golden State.
    
    
    
    Golden State will still have Steph Curry at point guard, Klay Thompson at shooting guard, Andrew Wiggins at small forward, Draymond Green at power forward, and Kevon Looney at center in their starting five. Chris Paul will be the new sixth man in Golden State.
    
    
    
    Golden State took the two youngest players with the highest ceilings in the 2021 NBA Draft when they drafted Jonathan Kuminga at 7 as a small forward for depth behind Andrew Wiggins. Golden State also drafted Moses Moody for depth at shooting guard behind Klay Thompson. Golden State also traded for Gary Payton II at point guard, but I think Golden State will bring in another point guard to compete with Gary Payton II for the backup point guard job.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 185 lb Kobe Bufkin had 14 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, a 48.2% field goal percentage, a 84.9% free throw percentage, and a 35.5% three point percentage with Michigan in 2022-2023. Kobe Bufkin has been rumored to be going in the lottery, but I don't see him going that high to be honest.
    
    
    
    Kobe Bufkin has the passing, defense, stealing, and shot blocking you want. He blocks shots like a late 80's and early 90's point guard. Think Shawn Kemp or Gary Payton from a defensive standpoint. He's got to refine his shot, but learning under Steph Curry will allow the Golden State Warriors to get the most out of Bufkin.
    
    
    
    Kobe Bufkin is one of the nineteen players invited to the 2023 NBA Draft. The thing is if he goes to a team where he has to start right away he's gonna bust. It's just a gut feeling I have since I saw more airballs than swishes when watching on film. I'd rather draft someone like Houston point guad Marcus Sasser over Kobe Bufkin, but an NBA team is gonna draft Bufkin in the first round with him getting an invite to the 2023 NBA Draft. That's the reality of the situation.
    
    
    
    
    
20. Houston Rockets: Leonard Miller, SF, Ignite (NBA G-League)
    
    
    Houston gets someone to compete with Tari Eason for the backup small forward job. It's possible Houston gets a point guard here if the Houston Rockets draft Cam Whitmore fourth overall over Amen Thompson.
    
    
    
    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 Houston Rockets at the small forward position down the road which happens to be a position of need for the Houston Rockets.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Brooklyn Nets: Jett Howard, SG, Michigan
    
    
    Brooklyn started a point guard, three forwards, and a center during the 2023 NBA Playoffs. This tells me a shooting guard comes off the board at 21 with the draft pick that the Brooklyn Nets got from the Phoenix Suns in the Kevin Durant trade.
    
    
    
    Michigan shooting guard Jett Howard is the son of Michigan head coach Juwan Howard who was part of Michigan's Fab Five in the 90's before having a 19 year career in the NBA. Jett Howard is the last of the nineteen players that got invited to the 2023 NBA Draft still on the board.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 215 lb Jett Howard had 14.2 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, a 41.4% field goal percentage, a 80% free throw percentage, and a 36.8% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Jett Howard has the short range, mid range, long range, and passing you want to see from a shooting guard. He's got to develop defensively, but can become the starting shooting guard for the NBA team that drafts him if he develops defensively.
    
    
    
    Brooklyn would have Spencer Dinwiddle at point guard, Jett Howard at shooting guard, Mikal Bridges at small forward, Cameron Johnson at power forward, and Nicolas Claxton at center. The Brooklyn Nets will have a good starting five during the regular season if Howard pans out, but it just feels like the Brookyln Nets lack a star player. That being said, Mikal Bridges can become a star if he continues to improve. I don't think Bridges will become a superstar, but the talent to become a star is there.
    
    
    
22. Brooklyn Nets: Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF, Indiana
    
    
    Brooklyn adds depth at power forward. Trayce Jackson-Davis will challenge Dorian Finney-Smith for the backup power forward job.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    I gave Brooklyn Trayce Jackson-Davis as a bench player. The Brooklyn Nets don't really need a player like this, but can use him for insurance.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Kris Murray, SF, Iowa
    
    
    Portland could draft a power forward here in case Jerami Grant doesn't re-sign with Portland, but they also need a small forward to round out the starting five. Kris Murray would be a great addition at power forward for Portland regardless of what happens with Jerami Grant. Kris Murray is versatile enough to play both small forward and power forward like his twin brother.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 215 lb Kris Murray is the twin brother of Keegan Murray who was drafted fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2022 NBA Draft. Kris Murray had 20.2 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, 1.2 blocks per game, 1 steal per game, a 47.6% field goal percentage, a 72.9% free throw percentage, and a 33.5% three point percentage in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Kris Murray is talented. He's not the shot creator his brother is, but he can make short range, mid range, and long range shots. He's made 63.3% of half court attempts. He can defend by rebounding, stealing, or blocking. He's a good passer too. He's not quite as consistent as you would like him to be, but potential to be great is there.
    
    
    
24. Sacramento Kings: Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF, UCLA
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 225 lb Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 17.8 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, 1.5 steals per game, a 48.2% field goal percentage, a 67.7% free throw percentage, and a 32.4% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Jaime Jaquez Jr. has the short range, mid range, long range, passing, and defense that you want from a small forward. He's an average defender, but effective enough to defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, and the 3 at small forward.
    
    
    
    
    
25. Boston Celtics: Olivier-Maxence Prosper, SF, Marquette
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    Boston can go with the best player available here. At this point, the best player available is Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 210 lb Olivier-Maxence Prosper 12.5 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game, a 51.2% field goal percentage, a 73.5% free throw percentage, and a 33.9% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Olivier-Maxence Prosper can hit shots from short range, mid range, or long range.
    
    
    
    Olivier-Maxence Prosper can defend against 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 got to improve as a playmaker, but the shooting and defending is there.
    
    
    
26. Indiana Pacers: Brandin Podziemski, SG, Santa Clara
    
    
    The 6-4 205 lb Brandin Podziemski had 19.9 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game, a 48.3% field goal percentage, a 77.1% free throw percentage, and a 43.8% three point percentage with Santa Clara in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Brandin Podziemski has the short range, mid range, long range, and passing you want. He struggles defensively, but would be a bench player on the Indiana Pacers.
    
    
    
    
    
27. Charlotte Hornets: Noah Clowney, PF, Alabama
    
    
    The 6-10 210 lb Noah Clowney can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, or the 4 at power forward. He's one of the more consistent defenders, but he's very raw offensively. Charlotte is drafting him as a bench player.
    
    
    
28. Utah Jazz: Rayan Rupert, SF, NZ Breakers
    
    
    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. Utah grabs a small forward for depth here.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Denver Nuggets: Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Ohio State
    
    
    The 2023 NBA Finals Champion Denver Nuggets have Jamal Murray at point guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at shooting guard, Michael Porter Jr. at small forward, Aaron Gordon at power forward, and Nikola Jokic at center. Brice Sensabaugh would be a good player for Denver to develop here.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 235 lb Brice Sensabaugh had 16.3 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game, a 48% field goal percentage, a 83% free throw percentage, and a 40.5% three point percentage percentage in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Brice Sensabaugh has the short range, mid range, long range, and passing. He just needs to develop defensively, but can start out as an effective bench player to Michael Porter Jr. at small forward.
    
    
    
30. Los Angeles Clippers: GG Jackson, PF, South Carolina
    
    
    The Los Angeles Clippers would have Malcolm Brogdon at point guard, Paul George at shooting guard, Marcus Morris Sr at small forward, Kawhi Leonard at power forward, and Ivaca Zubca at center. This is a good starting five for the Los Angeles Clippers.
    
    
    
    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 Los Angeles Clippers 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 late in the first round.