The 2023 NBA draft is officially for wraps and it had no shortage of surprises. Aside from Victor Wembanyama going to the Spurs at #1, everyone else was in play in the lottery. Consequently, there were some expected picks yet there were also some interesting and intriguing ones.
We preview the top five picks of the 2023 NBA Draft and where they fit in the roster of their upcoming NBA teams.
2023 NBA Draft: Previewing The Roster Fits Of The Top Five Picks In Their Teams
San Antonio Spurs #1 – Victor Wembanyama
Possible lineup/s:
- Tre Jones – Devin Vassell – Keldon Johnson – Jeremy Sochan – Victor Wembanyama (C)
- Jeremy Sochan – Devin Vassell – Keldon Johnson – Victor Wembanyama (PF) – Zach Collins/Charles Bassey
- Devin Vassell – Keldon Johnson – Victor Wembanyama (SF) – Jeremy Sochan – Zach Collins/Charles Bassey
There are a lot of ways in which the Spurs can use Victor Wembanyama. Scouts have deemed the 7’5 kid out of France as a ‘cheat code’ who possesses value on both ends of the floor. Jones, Vassell, Johnson, Sochan, and Wembanyama can play together in traditional lineups, with Wembanyama starting as the center.
Another way would be slotting him at power forward. Wembanyama and the Spurs could use this route to assist his growing frame and play him alongside a natural center. This allows him to play a stretch 4 role on offense while being a help and weakside defender on defense.
Yet among the possible lineups that the Spurs could use for Wembanyama, putting him at SF is probably the most intriguing. Many have often compared Wembanyama to Kevin Durant due to his unique blend of size, skill, and shooting ability. With Wembanyama at SF, the Spurs could use the maximum size for their lineups while allowing him to be a shot-creator on offense.
Charlotte Hornets #2 – Brandon Miller
Possible lineup/s:
After days of speculation, the Hornets chose Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson at #2. The decision mainly comes from the Hornets’ belief of Miller’s ‘fit within the roster. At 6’9, Miller gives the Hornets some much-needed star power at the wing spot. He also blends and complements well with star PG LaMelo Ball over the 6’2 Henderson. Miller can play the 2/3 spot, even at 4 in some small lineups because of his tall frame.
Miller can play with Ball without disrupting the latter’s ball dominance rather than taking some minutes away. He also provides shooting and spacing which is essential in today’s NBA. Partnered with Oubre and Washington, the Hornets surround Ball with elite wing shooters. Mark Willams then slots in at the center for pick and rolls and a lob threat.
Portland Trailblazers #3 – Scoot Henderson
This one’s a bit tricky because of how the looming rumored trade of the Blazers in the coming days. Damian Lillard has explicitly said he wants a championship team around him and does not want to play with young guys. Due to that, the Blazers will either go the winning path with Lillard or embrace a full rebuild.
If the Blazers end up trading Lillard, Scoot Henderson will be handed the keys to Portland. A possible duo to watch out for is a Henderson-Shaedon Sharpe backcourt. Both have superstar upsides and will be the faces of the Blazers (or the team they get traded to if the Blazers end up trading them).
Houston Rockets #4 – Amen Thompson
Possible lineup/s:
- Amen Thompson (PG) – Jalen Green – SF – Jabari Smith Jr. – Alperen Sengun
- Kevin Porter Jr. – Jalen Green – Amen Thompson (SF) – Jabari Smith Jr. – Alperen Sengun
Amen Thompson fills in a position of need coming into Houston at #4. The Rockets struggled the past three seasons with the lack of a true point guard. Thompson can come in and immediately run the point from Day 1 alongside backcourt-mate Jalen Green. He can also do pick-and-pop plays with fellow lottery pick Smith Jr. Moreover, Thompson can execute dribble handoff plays with Sengun allowing him to get downhill and attack the rim.
Aside from being the main PG, Thompson can also be used as an SF. He can be a cutter in those Sengun-offensive hub lineups while the others space the floor. Thompson is not a good shooter from deep yet so it makes sense for him to cut and use his speed. Defensively, Thompson is big enough at 6’7 to handle small forwards and guards.
Detroit Pistons #5 – Ausar Thompson
Possible lineup/s:
- Cade Cunningham – Jaden Ivey – Ausar Thompson (SF) – Bojan Bogdanovic/Isaiah Stewart – Jalen Duren
- Cade Cunningham/Jaden Ivey – Ausar Thompson (SG) – Bojan Bogdanovic – Isaiah Stewart – Jalen Duren
Like his twin brother Amen, Ausar Thompson can start immediately at SF for Detroit. The Pistons have been in search of a capable wing alongside Cunningham and Ivey, and Thompson fits the bill. Thompson is a capable SF who at 6’7 is an elite-level defender. He also provides the toughness and size at the wing position that the Pistons lacked last season. Along with an improving outside shot, Thompson has star-level upside if he pans out.
When one of Cunningham or Ivey is on the bench. Thompson can slide into the two-guard spot as well. This creates allows the Pistons to play big and add size to the frontcourt. On defense, Thompson can hound the opposing guards all game long and limit their production.
