2023 NBA Mock Draft: Final Mock 2 Rounds

Round 2

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

31. Detroit Pistons: Maxwell Lewis, SF, Pepperdine
    
    
    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 Detroit can draft him as a backup here since he's the best overall player on the board in the second round.
    
    
    
32. Denver Nuggets: James Nnaji, C, F.C. Barcelona
    
    
    The 6-11 250 lb James Nnadji has the size of a center. He's raw, but developing under a legend like Nikola Jokic gives him the best chance to develop into a starter down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
33. San Antonio Spurs: Dariq Whitehead, SG, Duke
    
    
    The 6-6 220 lb Dariq Whitehead gives the San Antonio Spurs a quality bench player at both shooting guard and small forward to wrap up the first round. Whitehead isn't consistent, but he has the short range, mid range, and long range you want from an impact shooter.
    
    
    
34. Charlotte Hornets: Andre Jackson Jr., PG, Connecticut
    
    
    The 6-6 200 lb Andre Jackson Jr. would be a good backup point guard to LaMelo Ball. Andre Jackson Jr. is versatile enough to play point guard or shooting guard.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Washington Wizards: Adama Sanago, C, Connecticut
    
    
    The 6-7 260 lb Adama Sanago had 17.2 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, a 60.6% field goal percentage, a 76.6% free throw percentage, and a 36.5% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Washington can draft Adama Sanago and stash him for depth here in the second round.
    
    
    
36. Orlando Magic: Kobe Brown, PF, Missouri
    
    
    The 6-7 250 lb Kobe Brown had 15.8 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, a 55.3% field goa percentage, a 79.2% free throw percentage, and a 45.5% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Kobe Brown would be a solid backup to Paolo Banchero.
    
    
    
    
    
37. Denver Nuggets: Drew Timme, PF, Gonzaga
    
    
    The Denver Nuggets get a backup power forward for depth behind Aaron Gordon. Drew Timme played both power forward and center at Gonzaga.
    
    
    
    The 6-9 235 lb Drew Timme averaged 21.2 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, a 61.6% field goal percentage, a 63.2% free throw percentage, and a 16.7% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Drew Timme can be a great backup to Aaron Gordon, but he won't last in the NBA unless he improves his defense and three point ability.
    
    
    
38. Sacramento Kings: Colby Jones, SG, Xavier
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Charlotte Hornets: Oscar Tshiebwe, C, Kentucky
    
    
    The 6-7 255 lb Oscar Tshiebwe had 16.5 points per game, 13.7 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, 1 block per game, a 56% field goal percentage, a 72.9% free throw percentage, and a 0% three point percentage at Kentucky in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Oscar Tshiebwe might be a decent backup to Mark Williams. He's too small to start at center in the NBA with his size, but a lot of my friends think he will be one of the steals in the 2023 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
40. Los Angeles Lakers: Jalen Wilson, SF, Kansas
    
    
    Los Angeles gets a small forward for depth behind Rui Hatchimura. Jalen Wilson has the versatility to play both small forward and power forward after playing power forward at Kansas despite having the size of an NBA small forward.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    
    
41. Charlotte Hornets: Sidy Cissoko, SF, Ignite (NBA G-League)
    
    
    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 Brandon Miller
    
    
    
42. Washington Wizards: Ben Sheppard, SG, Belmont
    
    
    The 6-5 195 Ben Sheppard averaged 18.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, a 47.5% field goal percentage, a 68.4% free throw percentage, and a 41.5% three point percentage with Xavier in 2022-2023. Ben Sheppard is the best three point shooter in this draft and would be a quality backup to Johnny Davis if the Washington Wizards drafted him in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
43. Portland Trail Blazers: Colin Castleton, C, Florida
    
    
    The Portland Trail Blazers get a backup center to Jusuf Nurkic. Colin Castleton is one of the better centers in the 2023 NBA Draft and my gut tells me that Colin Castleton gets picked.
    
    
    
    The 6-11 235 lb Colin Castleton had 16 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, 3 blocks per game, a 50% field goal percentage, a 72.9% free throw percentage, and a 13.3% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Colin Castleton can make short range and mid range shots, but struggles with long range shots. Colin Castleton 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.
    
    
    
44. San Antonio Spurs: Mouhamed Gueye, PF, Washington State
    
    
    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 to Jeremy Sochan.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Memphis Grizzlies: Tristan Vukcevic, C, KK Partizan
    
    
    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. Getting a center here in the second round completes the starting five for the Memphis Grizzlies.
    
    
    
    The 6-11 225 lb Tristan Vukcevic gives Memphis a center for depth. Memphis needs a starting center, but will have to settle for Vukcevic in a depth role.
    
    
    
46. Atlanta Hawks: Azuolas Tubelis, PF, Arizona
    
    
    The 6-9 235 lb Azuolas Tubelis had 19.8 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game, a 57% field goal percentage, a 76.4% free throw percentage, and a 31.3% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Azuolas Tubelis would be a depth player behind John Collins at power forward in Atlanta.
    
    
    
    
    
47. Indiana Pacers: Amari Bailey, PG, UCLA
    
    
    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 shooting guard to Austin Reaves.
    
    
    
48. Los Angeles Clippers: Isaiah Wong, PG, Miami FL
    
    
    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 backup point guard on the Los Angeles Clippers.
    
    
    
    
    
49. Cleveland Cavaliers: Emoni Bates, SF, Eastern Michigan
    
    
    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: Toumani Camara, PF, Dayton
    
    
    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. Toumani Camara would be a quality backup at power forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but also has the versatility to play small forward as a combo forward.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Brooklyn Nets: Julian Strawther, SG, Gonzaga
    
    
    The 6-7 205 lb Julian Strawther had 15.2 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, a 46.9% field goal percentage, a 77.6% free throw percentage, and a 40.8% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Julian Strawther gives the Brooklyn Nets a quality backup at shooting guard.
    
    
    
52. Phoenix Suns: Mike Miles Jr., PG, TCU
    
    
    The Phoenix Suns currently have Cameron Payne at point guard, Devin Booker at shooting guard, Bradley Beal playing the wing at small forward, Kevin Durant at power forward, and DeAndre Ayton at center. Phoenix uses this second round pick on a point guard for depth with backup point guad Cameron Payne replacing starting point guard Chris Paul.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 205 lb Mike Miles Jr. had 17.9 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, a 49.7% field goal percentage, a 74.9 free throw percentage, and a 36.2% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Mike Miles Jr. would push Cameron Payne for minutes and would be a backup point guard at the very worst.
    
    
    
    
    
53. Minnesota Timberwolves: Keyonte Johnson, SF, Kansas State
    
    
    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 Kansas State forward Keyonte Johnson is a combo forward with the versatility to play both small forward and power forward.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
54. Sacramento Kings: Omari Moore, SG, San Jose State
    
    
    The 6-5 190 lb Omari Moore had 17.4 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 4.8 assists per game, a 42.9% field goal percentage, a 75.8% free throw percentage, and a 33.8% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Sacramento gets a backup shooting guard for depth here.
    
    
    
    
    
55. Indiana Pacers: Darius McGhee, PG, Liberty
    
    
    The 5-9 150 lb Darius McGhee had two consecutive seasons of averaging over 20 points per game despite his size. It's one reason why I have him getting picked as a backup point guard.
    
    
    
    Darius McGhee had 22.8 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game, a 43.9% field goal percentage, a 86.7% free throw percentage, and a 39.4% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Darius McGhee would make a good backup point guard in Indiana.
    
    
    
56. Memphis Grizzlies: Adam Flagler, PG, Baylor
    
    
    Memphis gets a backup point guard that could see some early minutes during Ja Morant's suspension. Baylor point guard Adam Flagler may be worth gambling on in the late second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Adam Flagler had 15.6 points per game, 2.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game, a 42.6% field goal percentage, a 79% free throw percentage, and a 40% three point percentage in 2022-2023. Adam Flagler would make a good backup point guard.
    
    
    
    
    
57. Washington Wizards: Julian Phillips, SF, Tennessee
    
    
    The Washington Wizards get a small forward for depth. 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.
    
    
    
58. Milwaukee Bucks: Charles Bediako, C, Alabama
    
    
    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 6-10 225 lb Charles Bediako 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. Charles Bediako can defend effectively, but he needs to get his offense on par with his defense.