2023 NBA Mock Draft: Debut

Round 1 Picks 1-15

My first 2023 NBA Mock Draft is up. Find out which front court player Detroit takes at 1.

Wes Langley follow @DraftUtopiaWes Last Updated: April 5, 2023.

1. Detroit Pistons: Victor Wembanyama, C, Metropolitans 92
   
   
   Detroit drafts the best NBA Draft prospect in at least 6-7 years to compliment their other first overall pick from the 2021 NBA Draft in Cade Cunningham. Having two blue chip players that have superstar potential with Cade Cunningham coming back from a season ending shin injury and Victor Wembanyama is absolutely huge for the Detroit Pistons moving forward in 2023.
   
   
   
   Wembanyama is tall at 7-2 229 lbs. He is a big that is versatile enough to play the 4 at power forward or the 5 at center. The guy hits three point shots like he's Steph Curry too. Wembanyama has averaged 21.8 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game putting Metropolitans 92 in contention for a playoff spot in the basketball league he plays in.
   
   
   
   A trio of point guard Cade Cunningham, shooting guard Jaden Ivey, and center Victor Wembanyama makes the Pistons relevant. If Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marvin Bagley III can continue to average over 12 points per game at small forward and power forward next season then Detroit may have their identity offensively. Detroit also has Jalen Duren and James Wiseman for depth now at power forward and center.
   
   
   
   Detroit will have the players to take the next step in 2023. All that remains is to find a head coach that can bring this team together and get the most out of their core players.
   
   
   
2. Houston Rockets: Scoot Henderson, PG, Ignite (NBA G-League)
   
   
   Houston has nobody else outside of shooting guard Jalen Green who they drafted second overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and power forward Jabari Smith Jr. their third overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Alperen Sengun one of Houston's four 2021 first round picks seems to have been able to take over at center after the Rockets traded Christian Wood. All that is left is to find a point guard and small forward to round out this core.
   
   
   
   Houston has roled with Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. two shooting guards as their two starting guards for the past two years. That changes now with the addition of Scoot Henderson as Houston will now have two players from the NBA G-League at both guard spots complimenting each other at point guard and shooting guard. Scoot Henderson and Jalen Green give Houston two super star guards to build their back court around while Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Senguin are the core players on the front court. Henderson will be the facilitator of Houston's offense allowing Houston to either move Kevin Porter Jr. to small forward or use him as a sixth man off the bench.
   
   
   
   Scoot Henderson has averaged 17.6 points per game, 6.6 assists per game, and 5.8 rebounds per game in 2022-2023 with Ignite in the NBA G-League. This is Scoot Henderson's second season with Ignite in the NBA G-League. Henderson had 14.3 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 4.2 assists per game in his first season with Ignite before deciding to return to the NBA G-League for further development.
   
   
   
   
   
3. San Antonio Spurs: Brandon Miller, SF, Alabama
   
   
   San Antonio could lose Greg Popovich to retirement. Outside of star wing player Keldon Johnson who can play both shooting guard and small forward there's no star players that the new coaching staff will have assuming Popovich retires despite having 10 different players that averaged 10 points per game. It's not like those players will play with the same intensity once Popovich leaves. That's why the Spurs have to draft a second star player to compliment Keldon Johnson at 3.
   
   
   
   The clear cut third best player in the 2023 NBA Draft is Alabama small forward Brandon Miller. Brandon Miller was a two time Gatorade Player Of The Year in the State of Tennessee during his junior and senior years in High School. He also won SEC Player Of The Year as a true freshman at Alabama after averaging 18.8 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game.
   
   
   
4. Charlotte Hornets: Amen Thompson, PG, Overtime Elite
   
   
   The Charlotte Hornets have three players that can score 20 points per game that have star power in LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, and Kelly Oubre Jr. Ball and Rozier are both dealing with injuries at the moment while Oubre Jr. is a Free Agent after this season.
   
   
   
   LaMelo Ball had season ending injuries in two of his first three seasons with his rookie season and this season. Getting a second point guard for insurance is paramount. Amen Thompson is the top combo guard in the 2023 NBA Draft and he can play both point guard and shooting guard if Ball and Rozier cannot stay healthy next year.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Portland Trail Blazers: Ausen Thompson, SF, Overtime Elite
   
   
   The Portland Trail Blazers have Damian Lillard at point guard and Anfernee Simmons at shooting guard. Jeremi Grant is a Free Agent after this season, so Portland drafts Ausen Thompson a wing player that can play shooting guard and small forward as Grant's replacement at small forward. All three of those guys have averaged over 20 points per game, but with Grant being a Free Agent, drafting Ausen Thompson allows Portland to reload at small forward.
   
   
   
6. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black, PG, Arkansas
   
   
   Orlando has three core players they can build around in small forward Franz Wagner, power forward Paolo Banchero, and center Wendell Carter Jr. Reloading this roster with more depth at guard is what Orlando needs to do if they want to be competitve next season.
   
   
   
   Cole Anthony's points per game have dropped. Markelle Fultz is effective when healthy. Jalen Suggs hasn't quite panned out at shooting guard.
   
   
   
   Anthony Black can play point guard, shooting guard, and small forward with his versatility. He seems like an ideal fit for the Orlando Magic at 6 here as Black is a guy who could end up having a higher ceiling than Cole Anthony or Markelle Fultz down the road at point guard.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker, PF, Houston
   
   
   The Indiana Pacers do not have a power forward to replace Sabonis. Jarace Walker has great leadership qualities. Tyrese Halliburton at point guard, Buddy Hield at shooting guard, Bennedict Mathurin as a third starting guard, small forward Aaron Nesmith who was drafted by the Celtics, and center Myles Turner are the core players on this current Pacers roster. Upgrading both forward spots should be the top priority.
   
   
   
   Jarace Walker has the body muscle and build to play power forward despite being 6-8 240. Jarace Walker was a big reason why Houston got the one seed in this years March Madness Tournament. Walker only averaging 11.2 points per game is why he fell to 7 despite his strong leadership.
   
   
   
   Drafting Jarace Walker gives the Pacers a starting five featuring Tyriese Halliburton at point guard, Buddy HIeld at shooting guard, Aaron Nesmith at small forward, Jarace Walker at power forward, and Myles Murphy at center. Bennedict Mathurin could play point guard, shooting guard, and small forward as a sixth man off the bench. It is also possible that Mathurin moves to small forward given he's had a greater impact on the court than Aaron Nesmith.
   
   
   
8. Washington Wizards: Cam Whitmore, SF, Villanova
   
   
   Washington adds another prospect for depth. Cam Whitmore can play shooting guard, small forward, and power forward with his versatility.
   
   
   
   Washington has three core pieces with Bradley Beal at shooting guard, Kyle Kuzma at forward, and Kristaps Porzingis who can play power forward or center. Whitmore could play small forward with Kuzma moving over to power forward while Porzingis plays the 5 at center.
   
   
   
   Wahsington would love to have a point guard. Unfortunately, there's not one worth taking at 8.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Orlando Magic: Nick Smith Jr., SG, Arkansas
   
   
   Orlando gets their replacement to Jalen Suggs here. Nick Smith Jr. had an incredible freshman season at Arkansas and was considered the top player in the entire SEC after Brandon Miller. Nick Smith Jr. was also a five star recruit in High School.
   
   
   
10. Utah Jazz: Gradey Dick, SF, Kansas
    
    
    Utah is a small forward and center away from completing their starting five. That's assuming point guard Jordan Clarkson doesn't opt out of his contract since Clarkson has a player option. Utah got Kansas shooting guard Ochai Agbaji from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Donovan Mitchell trade along with Collin Sexon. Someone like Gradey Dick whose one of the top 10 players in this draft class is a better fit.
    
    
    
    Gradey Dick is 6-8 205. He's a wing player that can play both shooting guard and small forward. He averaged 14.1 points per game at Kansas as a freshman while hitting 40 percent of his three point shots. Gradey Dick's long range ability makes him a top 10 pick.
    
    
    
    Utah would have a starting five of Jordan Clarkson at point guard if he doesn't opt out, Collin Sexton at shooting guard, Gradey Dick at small forward, and Lauri Markkanen at power forward. Utah still needs a center, but I'm not sure the Jazz take a center since Jordan Clarkson has a player option allowing him to opt out of his contract with the Utah Jazz to make more money.
    
    
    
    
    
11. New York Knicks: Cason Wallace, PG, Kentucky
    
    
    New York got this pick from Dallas a while ago when trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks prior to Porzingis joining Washington. New York has some nice pieces with Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Quickley at shooting guard, R.J. Barrett at small forward, and Julius Randle at power forward. New York needs a backup point guard for Jalen Brunson with Derrick Rose declining significantly with no center worthy of the eleventh overall pick.
    
    
    
    Cason Wallace would make a good replacement for Derrick Rose here. He gives the Knicks someone that can fill in at point guard if Jalen Brunson misses some games with injuries.
    
    
    
    Duke small forward A.J. Griffin is a player who could be a day 1 starter for the PNew York Knicks giving them a third starter in their starting five at small forward. He's a guy who can take pressure off of the point guards and shooting guards.
    
    
    
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Keyonte George, SG, Baylor
    
    
    Oklahoma City has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey two players that were point guards in college. Jalen Williams looks like a solid addition at small forward and the scary thing is Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren will be on this roster next season. I'm giving Oklahoma City a true shooting guard here since Oklhaoma City likes to use three different guards and has two point guards rather than a shooting guard to compliment Gligeous-Alexander and Giddey on offense.
    
    
    
    Keyonte George averaged 15.3 points per game with the ideal size to play either guard spot at 6-4 185. He can get rebounds and assist as a passer sometimes. He's mainly a shooter and a great fit for the Oklahoma City Thunder at 12.
    
    
    
    
    
13. New Orleans Pelicans: G.G. Jackson, PF, South Carolina
    
    
    The New Orleans Pelicans have C.J. McCollum at shooting guard, Brandon Ingram at small forward, Zion Willamson at power forward, and Jonas Valanciunas at center. New Orleans also has Trey Murphy III who can play both shooting guard and small forward. New Orleans needs to upgrade at point guard as DeVonte Graham regressed while Kira Lewis Jr. looks like a bust. New Orleans also needs depth at shooting guard with Josh Richardson's contract expiring and power forward with Zion Williamson's tedious injury history.
    
    
    
    Gregory Jackson II also known as GG Jackson was the catalyst on offense for South Carolina's basketball team. He's someone that can play either power forward or small forward with his versatility making him an ideal depth piece for New Orleans when Zion Williamson gets injured.
    
    
    
    
    
14. Toronto Raptors: Taylor Hendricks, PF, Central Florida
    
    
    Toronto can take the best player on their board. With Freddy VanVleet at point guard, Gary Trent Jr. at shooting guard, O.G. Anunoby at small forward, Pascal Siakam at power forward, Jakob Poetl at cente,r and Scottie Barnes off the bench, Toronto is in good position moving forward. Poetl is a Free Agent while both of Toronto's guards have player options and can opt out.
    
    
    
    Taylor Hendricks is an ideal combo forward. He can play small forward or power forward averaging over 15 points a game at Central Florida. Pascal Siakam is under contract until 2024, so Toronto can groom Hendricks for a year before making him their new starter at power forward.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Atlanta Hawks: Kyle Filipowski, PF, Duke
    
    
    If Atlanta was smart they'd draft Malaki Branham here at 16 and keep last years starters together. If they trade John Collins before the draft like many are speculating, then I may end up putting Jeremy Sochan here even though I got a second round grade on Sochan.
    
    
    
    The Atlanta Hawks already have a good starting five with Trae Young at point guard, Bogdan Bogdonovic at shooting guard, De'Andre Hunter at small forward, John Collins at power forward, and Clint Capela at center. None of those core starters are Free Agents until after the 2024-2025 NBA season so Atlanta has a three year window of opportunity to win a Championship with this core before the Hawks blow up their roster and start a total rebuild.
    
    
    
    Atlanta could use a better bench player at power forward behind John Collins. Kyle Filipowski fits this role perfectly and is a top 15 player in the 2023 NBA Draft if he declares for this years NBA Draft. It's also possible that Filipowski returns to Duke. Filipkowski is versatile enough to play the 4 at power forward or the 5 at center giving Atlanta a premium depth piece behind Cpaela and Collins as Filipkowski at 7-0 230 is a player that would give Atlanta depth on their front court if he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.