If you couldn't tell by the trades, smoke screens and rumors, the 2023 NBA Draft is upon us.
By now, you know that this year's draft is headlined by French phenom Victor Wembanyama. You've likely also heard about the battle for the No. 2 pick between Alabama forward Brandon Miller and G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson. But on the day of the draft, it still feels like anything can happen.
We've already seen blockbuster trades like the Celtics sending franchise heartbeat Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies in a three-team trade with the Wizards to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. There have been other headline moves like Washington receiving Jordan Poole from the Warriors in a trade for Chris Paul.
As the chaos continues, take a look at The Sporting News' final 2023 NBA Mock Draft, adjusted from all of the intel and rumors swirling around the NBA's first tentpole event of the offseason.
MORE: Final 2023 NBA Draft Big Board: Top 60 prospects with player comparisons
(Updated on Thursday, June 22 with the Celtics' three-team trade and Pacers-Lakers trade.)
NBA Mock Draft 2023
1. Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, Metropolitans 92 (France)
Age: 19
Position: Center
Height and weight: 7-4, 230 lbs.
Wembanyama is a lock for the No. 1 pick, set to follow the footsteps of Hall of Famers like David Robinson and Tim Duncan who landed in San Antonio as the top selection in their respective drafts.
MORE: Victor Wembanyama's highlights show why he's the perennial No. 1 pick
2. Hornets: Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite
Age: 19
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-2, 195 lbs.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Henderson is "gaining serious momentum" with the No. 2 pick on the day of the draft.
I've long believed Henderson is the second-best prospect in this class and the correct pick for the Hornets at No. 2. Smokescreen or not, I have moved the G League Ignite guard up one spot following Charania's report.
Henderson's fit next to franchise player LaMelo Ball isn't as clean as Miller, but both guards can easily co-exist because they can play on or off the ball. Charlotte isn't one piece away from contending for a title, so it should take the best player available here — and that is Henderson.
MORE: Scoot Henderson is much more than a consolation prize in Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes
3. Trail Blazers: Brandon Miller, Alabama
Age: 20, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-9, 200 lbs.
The latest reports suggest the Trail Blazers plan on keeping the No. 3 pick and that franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard "prefers to remain in Portland."
The Trail Blazers are at the mercy of the Hornets, who have to make the tough decision for them. After Charlotte chooses between Henderson or Miller, the selection is easy for Portland to take whoever is standing atop the draft board.
In this instance, the Blazers would get a sharpshooting, versatile wing who will thrive alongside their franchise point guard. Miller would allow Portland to remain competitive now while also providing another franchise cornerstone for the future.
MORE: Brandon Miller scouting report: Strengths, weaknesses for projected top-three pick
4. Rockets: Amen Thompson, Overtime Elite
Age: 20
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-7, 209 lbs.
The Rockets seem to be favoring Amen with this selection, as the Thompson twin would give Houston a playmaking guard and elite perimeter defender to pair with Jalen Green in the backcourt.
While I personally like the idea of Cam Whitmore coming off the board at No. 4, it's hard to argue against the clean fit between what the Rockets' backcourt needs and what Amen provides.
MORE: Which Thompson twin in the 2023 NBA Draft is better?
5. Pistons: Jarace Walker, Houston
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-7, 249 lbs.
Whitmore would be an ideal fit with the Pistons as well, but Detroit reportedly favors Walker with this pick — and it can't go wrong with either athletic forward.
The Pistons have their backcourt of the future in Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, and they should be confident in developing their center rotation of the future in Jalen Duren and James Wiseman. Insert an elite defender like Walker into their frontcourt and Detroit nearly has an entire starting lineup of promising young players.
MORE: Jarace Walker scouting report: Strengths, weaknesses for projected top-five pick
6. Magic: Ausar Thompson, Overtime Elite
Age: 20
Position: Guard/Forward
Height and weight: 6-7, 215 lbs.
While Thompson doesn't fill Orlando's need for perimeter shooting, it can still find that skillset with its second lottery pick (No. 11). At No. 6, Ausar has too much potential to pass up on as a freakishly athletic, defensive-minded wing with some off-ball scoring prowess and budding playmaking.
He can play any perimeter position, giving the Magic another versatile option for their core of the future with players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
7. Indiana: Cam Whitmore, Villanova
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-6, 235 lbs.
It would be a dream scenario for the Pacers if Whitmore fell to No. 7. Indiana desperately needs to fill a void in its frontcourt and a powerful and explosive athlete like Whitmore would thrive alongside a playmaker of Tyrese Haliburton's caliber.
If the Pacers believe they could use a more established perimeter shooter with this pick, then UCF freshman Taylor Hendricks would not be a reach. But if Whitmore is available at No. 7, Indiana shouldn't blink.
8. Wizards: Anthony Black, Arkansas
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-6, 210 lbs.
All signs point to the Wizards selecting Black at No. 8, and this has been one of those match made in heaven-type fits ever since the NBA Draft Lottery shook out. Especially with the blockbuster trade that sent Bradley Beal to Phoenix, Washington should look to start fresh in the backcourt with arguably the best playmaker in this draft class.
MORE: Anthony Black scouting report: What makes the Arkansas guard a top-10 pick?
9. Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, UCF
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-8, 214 lbs.
The Jazz are reportedly trying to package this pick and No. 16 to jump ahead of the Wizards and select Black, but Hendricks would not be a bad fallback option if they can't make it happen.
The 6-8 stretch-four is a prototypical power forward in today's NBA. He shot nearly 40 percent from 3-point range this past season and he has the defensive versatility to defend both wings and bigs because of his size and mobility.
Utah would be set for the future with a frontcourt of Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and Hendricks.
10. Mavericks: Dereck Lively II, Duke
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Center
Height and weight: 7-1, 230 lbs.
Reports suggest the Mavericks are aggressively trying to shop this pick to put established talent around franchise player Luka Doncic, but if they can't find a trade partner, Lively appears to be the favorite to go No. 10.
The Duke center improved with every game over his freshman season, showcasing his elite rim protection and motor on the glass as a future defensive anchor in the NBA. Lively's draft stock soared during pre-draft workouts when he flashed his potential to knock down 3s, and he's the type of lob threat who would make life easy for Doncic.
11. Magic (via CHI): Gradey Dick, Kansas
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-6, 204 lbs.
The Magic would be thrilled to see arguably the best pure shooter in this draft class fall to No. 11. Orlando finished 25th in the NBA in 3-point makes per game and 24th in 3-point percentage. Dick knocked down over 40 percent of his 3s during his freshman season and would give the Magic an instant-impact sharpshooter to space the floor.
MORE: Gradey Dick scouting report: Kansas wing among top shooters in the draft
12. Thunder: Jordan Hawkins, UConn
Age: 21, Sophomore
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-4, 186 lbs.
This may feel like somewhat of a reach for Hawkins, but the Thunder have so many draft assets that they can get aggressive when targeting areas of need. With Josh Giddey's passing and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's inside-the-arc scoring prowess, Hawkins would be the perfect catch-and-shoot floor spacer to give Oklahoma City's star playmakers more room to operate as an outlet on the perimeter.
MORE: Jordan Hawkins scouting report: UConn guard's draft stock rose in March Madness
13. Raptors: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana
Age: 20, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-4, 217 lbs.
I've had Hood-Schifino mocked to the Raptors for a while now, and the fit grew even stronger when Toronto hired Darko Rajakovic, a pick-and-roll savant, as its new head coach. With VanVleet set to hit unrestricted free agency, Hood-Schifino could give the Raptors insurance as a fluid pick-and-roll ball handler and developing scorer to run their offense.
Even if VanVleet decides to stick around, Toronto could still use guard depth and a second-unit playmaker with a ton of untapped potential like Hood-Schifino.
14. Pelicans: Cason Wallace, Kentucky
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-3, 195 lbs.
The Pelicans spiraled NBA Draft trade rumors when it was reported that they were willing to move Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram for the No. 2 pick to select Henderson. While it appears those rumors have gone silent, New Orleans could still land a top-10 caliber point guard in Wallace with the final pick of the lottery.
Wallace is one of the most reliable guard prospects in this draft class as a tenacious on-ball defender, sound decision maker and growing scorer. He could give the Pelicans a future floor general with a similar ilk to Jrue Holiday, who had several successful seasons in New Orleans.
15. Hawks: Kobe Bufkin, Michigan
Age: 19, Sophomore
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-4, 187 lbs.
The Hawks don't have much guard depth beyond Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic, and in this scenario, Bufkin would be a steal just outside the lottery. There are reports that Bufkin could go as early as No. 9 to the Jazz, but if he were still available at No. 15, Atlanta could bolster its backcourt with a creative combo guard to take some offensive pressure off of its two stars.
16. Jazz (via MIN): Bilal Coulibaly, Metropolitans 92 (France)
Age: 18
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-7, N/A
The Jazz are said to be huge fans of Coulibaly and they're the type of rebuilding franchise that could be patient with his development as he tries to grow as a scorer. Coulibaly is the type of versatile defender, impactful cutter and budding playmaker who could develop into a hidden gem during Utah's rebuild.
17. Lakers: Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-5, 185 lbs.
The Lakers' backcourt could use a jolt of scoring and Smith Jr. would provide them with a potential steal with the No. 17 pick. Smith Jr. was once projected to be the first college prospect off the board before a lingering knee injury derailed his freshman season. His upside as a three-level scorer is undeniable and learning from a basketball genius like LeBron James would be invaluable for developing his weaknesses like poor shot selection.
It's an added bonus that Smith Jr. is a Klutch client — an agency with plenty of ties to the Lakers franchise.
MORE: Nick Smith Jr. scouting report: Will the Arkansas guard still be a lottery pick?
18. Heat: Jett Howard, Michigan
Age: 20, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-8, 215 lbs.
The Heat could use another offensive threat and a big sharpshooting wing like Howard would be a great fit for a team that heavily relies on the 3-ball. He would provide floor spacing for Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, just as we saw from Miami's role players during its 2023 NBA Finals run.
It's worth mentioning that his father, Juwan, also won two NBA titles with the Heat in 2012 and 2013.
19. Warriors: Kris Murray, Iowa
Age: 22, Junior
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-8, 213 lbs.
The Warriors are reportedly "done with projects" as they look to target a more established prospect with the No. 19 pick. Murray is a perfect fit for what Golden State is aiming for as a 6-8, versatile forward who can defend multiple positions and knock down catch-and-shoot 3s to space the floor for its stars.
Kris is the twin brother of the Kings' 2022 top-five pick Keegan Murray, who played a major role in helping Sacramento snap its 16-year playoff drought. He brings an almost identical skillset and could provide the Warriors with some NBA-ready depth.
20. Rockets (via LAC): Leonard Miller, G League Ignite
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-9, 213 lbs.
After selecting a defensive-minded, playmaking guard like Amen Thompson with the No. 4 pick, the Rockets could use a glue-guy frontcourt prospect like Miller at No. 20.
It is said that Houston may try and move this pick to add a contributing rotation player, but it could also find that in Miller if he is still available. The 19-year-old really bought into his role with the Ignite this past season, showing his ability to make an impact as a high-energy forward on both sides of the ball. He'd be a great development project for a rebuilding Rockets team.
21. Nets (via PHX): Keyonte George, Baylor
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-4, 185 lbs.
The Nets would be glad to see George slip this far in the draft, filling a need for a shot-creating scorer in their backcourt. The Baylor freshman is already an NBA-caliber shot maker, he just has to refine his shot selection and decision-making.
George was once seen as a projected top-10 pick and he could easily still end up in the lottery on draft night, but Brooklyn shouldn't hesitate to use one of its back-to-back first-round picks on him if he's still available here.
22. Nets: Noah Clowney, Alabama
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Forward/Center
Height and weight: 6-10, 210 lbs.
The Nets don't have much frontcourt depth behind Nic Claxton and Clowney is the type of high-ceiling forward prospect who could thrive in Brooklyn's rebuild. Clowney will still only be 18 years old on draft night and his potential as a versatile defender and floor-stretching shooter has rewarded him with a Green Room invite, indicating he'll almost certainly land in the first round.
23. Trail Blazers (via NYK): Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Marquette
Age: 20, Junior
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-7, 212 lbs.
If the Trail Blazers plan to keep their No. 3 overall pick and hold on to Lillard, then they should target an upperclassman with this pick. Enter Prosper, a junior forward whose draft stock has skyrocketed since the combine because of his long, wiry frame and versatility on both sides of the ball.
"O-Max" would give Portland an energetic defender, intelligent cutter and growing 3-point shooter who could provide quality minutes right away for a team that is trying to win now.
24. Kings: Colby Jones, Xavier
Age: 21, Junior
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-5, 199 lbs.
After snapping the longest playoff drought among the four major North American sports, the Kings will look to add an instant-impact player to take another step forward. Jones is one of my favorite NBA-ready prospects who can morph into whatever a team needs to contribute to winning. He's the type of capable playmaker, defender and scorer who would be ready for rotation minutes on a playoff team.
MORE: Who could be the Christian Braun of the 2023 NBA Draft class
25. Celtics (via MEM): Dariq Whitehead, Duke
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-6, 216 lbs.
The Celtics shocked the NBA overnight, sending the beloved Marcus Smart to Memphis in a three-team deal with the Wizards to land Kristaps Porzingis. Boston also received two first-round picks from the Grizzlies — No. 25 in this draft and a 2024 first-rounder via Golden State.
The Celtics might not be done making moves, but if they stand pat and make a pick, there are two directions they could go in. Will they take a younger prospect who will need time to develop, or an upperclassman ready to contribute right away?
If either Jones or Prosper is still on the board — both of those players would fit perfectly in Boston. But in this scenario where they are, I like the Celtics taking a flier on Whitehead. The Duke freshman recently underwent a second foot surgery during the pre-draft process, but a win-now team like Boston could be patient with the development of a three-level scoring prospect who was once seen to be a top-five pick.
26. Pacers (via CLE): Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA
Age: 22, Senior
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-7, 225 lbs.
It appears that there are a handful of teams outside of the lottery that are targeting upperclassmen who could contribute immediately and Jaquez Jr. is among the favorites. While it is unlikely that the Pacers use all five of their draft picks, Jaquez Jr. could provide them with a savvy and crafty wing who plays winning basketball and competes on the defensive end.
27. Hornets (via DEN): Brandin Podziemski, Santa Clara
Age: 20, Sophomore
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-4, 204 lbs.
If the Hornets go with Henderson at No. 2, they will probably hope some of the wing prospects I have mocked just ahead of them will fall to No. 27. But if they're off the board like they are in this scenario, Charlotte could continue to bolster its guard rotation with a creative shot creator and playmaker like Podziemski, whose draft stock has been on the rise ever since the NBA Draft Combine.
28. Jazz (via PHI): Rayan Rupert, NZ Breakers (NBL, Australia)
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-7, 190 lbs.
The Jazz can afford to be patient and Rupert would have a fantastic opportunity to develop in Utah. The 6-7 forward is a versatile defender with a reported 7-3 wingspan, and he has shown some flashes as a shooter, shot creator and passer on offense.
29. Nuggets (via IND): Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Age: 23, Senior
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-8, 240 lbs.
The Pacers have reportedly traded picks Nos. 29 and 32 to the Nuggets for pick No. 40 and a 2024 first-round pick.
This gives the defending champions an opportunity to add some depth in case key role player Bruce Brown, who declined his player option on Wednesday, elects to walk in free agency.
I originally had Indiana slated to take Jackson-Davis with this selection, and I actually still love that pick for Denver. The non-Nikola Jokic minutes were rough during the playoffs and Jackson-Davis provides a win-now team with an experienced player off the bench for their frontcourt.
The All-American is a capable small-ball five who can score in the pick-and-roll, provide switchability on defense and protect the rim.
30. Clippers (via MIL): Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard/Forward
Height and weight: 6-6, 235 lbs.
Sensabaugh appears to be a likely candidate to fall on draft night just because some of the prospects around him have seemingly increased their stock. The Ohio State freshman is a knockdown perimeter shooter and crafty midrange scorer who would be a steal for the Clippers with the final pick of the first round.
Round 2
31. Pistons: Maxwell Lewis, F, Pepperdine
32. Nuggets (via IND): Tristan Vukcevic, F, KK Partizan (Serbia)
33. Spurs: Marcus Sasser, G, Houston
34. Hornets: GG Jackson, F, South Carolina
35. Celtics (via POR): Julian Strawther, F, Gonzaga
36. Magic: Ben Sheppard, F, Belmont
37. Nuggets (via OKC): Andre Jackson Jr., F, UConn
38. Kings (via IND): James Nnaji, C, FC Barcelona (Spain)
39. Hornets (via UTA): Amari Bailey, G, UCLA
40. Lakers (via IND): Chris Livingston, F, Kentucky
41. Hornets (via OKC): Julian Phillips, F, Tennessee
42. Wizards (via CHI): Sidy Cissoko, G, G League Ignite
43. Trail Blazers (via ATL): Jalen Wilson, F, Kansas
44. Spurs (via TOR): Seth Lundy, F, Penn State
45. Grizzlies (via MIN): Jordan Walsh, F, Arkansas
46. Hawks (via NOP): Kobe Brown, F, Missouri
47. Pacers (via LAL): Terquavion Smith, G, NC State
48. Clippers: Jaylen Clark, G, UCLA
49. Cavaliers (via GSW): Keyontae Johnson, F, Kansas State
50. Thunder (via MIA): Ricky Council IV, G, Arkansas
51. Nets: Mouhamed Gueye, F, Washington State
52. Suns: Jordan Miller, F, Miami
53. Timberwolves (via NYK): Toumani Camara, F, Dayton
54. Kings: Jalen Slawson, F, Furman
55. Pacers (via CLE): Adama Sanogo, C, UConn
56. Grizzlies: Oscar Tshiebwe, C, Kentucky
57. Wizards (via BOS): Jalen Pickett, G, Penn State
58. Bucks: Colin Castleton, C, Florida
