The 2023 NBA Draft lottery takes place on May 16th. It will be even more significant than in prior years because of the loaded talent in this draft. Players like Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Brandon Miller all have the potential to single-handedly change the identity of a franchise. For this lottery mock draft, the draft order is taken from Tankathon.
2023 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery Picks
Foreign and G-League Players Lead the Way
1. Detroit Pistons – Victor Wembanyama, C, Metropolitans 92
Any team winning the Wembanyama draft lottery sweepstakes will be in good shape for the future. That’s especially the case for the Pistons if they pick number one. A young core of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Wembanyama is the perfect combination of passing, athleticism, shooting, and size that would give other teams a lot of mismatch nightmares.
2. Houston Rockets – Scoot Henderson, G, G League Ignite
Whatever team picks number two will have a tough time deciding between Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller. Ultimately, the Rockets go with Henderson in this mock because the idea of a Scoot and Jalen Green backcourt is too intriguing. A starting lineup of Henderson, Green, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun would be incredibly young and oozing potential. Additionally, the lineup would work well with the athletic backcourt pairing benefiting from Sengun’s passing.
First NCAA Player off the Board
3. San Antonio Spurs – Brandon Miller, F, Alabama
The Spurs get their franchise piece to build off of in Miller. Gregg Popovich is famous for having solid defensive teams and great ball movement. Therefore, the Spur would maximize Miller’s size and athleticism on both ends of the court. Any team that picks third should be thrilled to have someone of Miller’s talent available here.
4. Charlotte Hornets – Amen Thompson, G/F, Overtime Elite
Amen Thompson is a 6-foot-7 combo guard; the pairing with 6-foot-7 LaMelo Ball could be the foundation and identity of this Hornets team that has yet to gain a team identity in years past. Two lengthy, athletic guards could provide defensive versatility with the ability to hold their own in pick and rolls situations. More importantly, on offense, they’d also be able to use their size to exploit mismatches.
5. Portland Trail Blazers – Jarace Walker, F, Houston
The Blazers are missing an interior defensive presence, and Jarace Walker could be an excellent fit for them here. Walker could make a lot of sense here especially given their unknowns this offseason, with forwards Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle, and Cam Reddish having expiring contracts. Walker would be good insurance and also improve the team’s weaknesses: defense, rebounding, and rim protection.
6. Indiana Pacers – Ausar Thompson, G/F, Overtime Elite
Like Amen and LaMelo on the Hornets in this mock, Ausar Thompson and the Pacers would have their backcourt duos for the future. All-star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is a 6-foot-5 distributor and would fit exceptionally well next to Ausar. Additionally, a Pacers trio of Haliburton, Thompson, and Bennedict Mathurin would set them up nicely for the future.
Arkansas Guards Go Back-To-Back
7. Washington Wizards – Anthony Black, G, Arkansas
There are a ton of projected top picks in this draft class with good sizes for their position, and Anthony Black is no exception. He’s someone that would compliment Bradley Beal’s game well. Beal is slightly undersized and an excellent scorer, while Black is a 6-foot-7 guard that looks to get teammates involved often.
8. Orlando Magic – Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas
Nick Smith Jr.’s college numbers at Arkansas don’t necessarily jump off the page. Known as a scorer, he had 12.5 points on 37.6 percent shooting this season. However, he was dealing with a knee injury. He was highly recruited coming out of high school and also passes the eye test when watching his game.
Smith Jr. makes sense for the Magic here as someone that could play the role of a scorer next to Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. The Magic also have the Bulls’ first-round pick. As a result, they could feel better taking someone with more risk/reward with this pick.
Addressing Defensive Holes via NBA Draft
9. Utah Jazz – Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova
The Jazz had a few stretches this season where they looked like a legitimate playoff team. All-Star and Most Improved Player favorite Lauri Markkanen has had an incredible season. Cam Whitmore could fit in nicely next to Lauri as someone with the potential to be a great 3-and-D player in the NBA if he improves his shooting. Whitmore shot 34.3 percent from downtown this season. He also averaged 1.4 steals and has ideal size for his position at 6-foot-7.
Whitmore is one of the youngest players in this draft class at age 18. The Jazz are a team that doesn’t have pressing expectations to win right away. Therefore, they could be perfect for developing Whitmore into a quality 3-and-D player.
10. Dallas Mavericks – Taylor Hendricks, F, UCF
The Mavericks have plenty of scoring between Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Time will tell what Irving decides regarding his looming free agency, but defense is the glaring weakness on their current roster. Taylor Hendricks is someone that is a great two-way player. He’s 6-foot-9 and averaged two blocks per game at UCF. Hendricks would be a perfect fit for the Mavericks as a versatile defender that can rebound and guard multiple positions.
Late-Lottery Teams Draft Guard-Play and Shooting
11. Oklahoma City Thunder – Gradey Dick, G/F, Kansas
Gradey Dick is a 6-foot-8 sharpshooting Freshman. He’d fit in nicely with this up-and-coming Thunder roster. OKC practically plays a four-guard lineup, and Dick could come off the bench to fill in at various positions with his length. Even though they play so many guards, the Thunder still aren’t an elite shooting team. As a result, Dick could provide that shooting off the bench. He’s also someone that is also a quick decision-maker, which the Thunder front office seems to value strongly.
12. Orlando Magic (from Bulls) – Cason Wallace, G, Kentucky
Cason Wallace is one of the best defensive players in the draft. He’s drawn comparisons to Jrue Holiday with his ability to be a pest with his on-ball defense. The Magic have a variety of guards but still lack two to rely on as consistent starters. Therefore, in this mock, they heavily address the guard position with a scorer in Nick Smith Jr. and a two-way defensive player in Wallace. The Magic should be thrilled if they can snag Wallace with this pick.
13. Utah Jazz (from Timberwolves) – Jett Howard, F, Michigan
After taking Whitmore, the Jazz double down here on 3-and-D players in Jett Howard, surrounding Lauri Markannen and Walker Kessler with wings that can defend while spacing the floor is a good recipe for success. Howard is another defensively versatile player who can switch to multiple positions. Their bigs and wings would be set for years to come. As a result, this pick would allow the Jazz to focus on addressing their guard positions in the future.
14. Toronto Raptors – Keyonte George, G, Baylor
There is uncertainty surrounding Fred VanVleet’s future in Toronto. Therefore, this selection would provide insurance should VanVleet leave. Keyonte George is a multi-faceted scorer. At Baylor, George averaged 15.3 points and 2.8 assists. In addition, the Raptors have a rising star in Scottie Barnes, who is elite in setting up teammates. George could complement Barnes well and fit in nicely with the Raptors in a bucket-getter role.
