The Nuggets have earned their first NBA championship in franchise history. Now, all eyes shift to the 2023 NBA Draft.
The next tentpole event on the NBA calendar, the draft should provide fans with plenty of entertainment to hold them over now that the season is over. There will be no surprises when generational talent Victor Wembanyama is selected No. 1 overall by the Spurs, but there could be some chaos that commences immediately after.
Will the Hornets take Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller with the No. 2 pick? Will the Trail Blazers keep the No. 3 pick and explore trade options for Damian Lillard, or move it to build around the seven-time All-Star?
Once those three players are off the board, it appears to be a free-for-all in terms of where top prospects will land in the lottery.
With the 2023 NBA Draft just over one week away, take a look at our latest Mock Draft complete with full second-round projections.
MORE: Can the Nuggets be an NBA dynasty?
2023 NBA Mock Draft: Post-NBA Finals
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: Brandon Miller, Alabama
Age: 20, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-9, 200 lbs.
Although I'm still confident Henderson is the second-best player in this draft class, all signs point to the Hornets going with Miller with the No. 2 pick. And it makes sense — the sharpshooter is a more natural fit alongside franchise point guard LaMelo Ball and fills a need for scoring on the wing.
MORE: Brandon Miller scouting report: Strengths, weaknesses for projected top-three pick
3. Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite
Age: 19
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-2, 195 lbs.
The Trail Blazers will be at the center of the draft with the No. 3 pick as it could be a telling sign for the future of the franchise. Henderson will undoubtedly come off the board here, but will Portland keep the pick and trade Lillard to build for the future, or trade the pick to put win-now assets around Lillard?
MORE: Scoot Henderson is much more than a consolation prize in Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes
4. Rockets: Cam Whitmore, Villanova
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-6, 235 lbs.
If the Rockets are fixed on bringing All-Star guard James Harden back to Houston in free agency to expedite their rebuild, then they won't need Amen Thompson. That's why I have pivoted to Whitmore, as the freakishly athletic and versatile forward would star next to a playmaker of Harden's caliber and fill a need on the wing.
5. Pistons: Jarace Walker, Houston
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-7, 249 lbs.
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: Amen Thompson, Overtime Elite
Age: 20
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-7, 209 lbs.
The Magic need more guard depth. Even though Amen doesn't fill their void for perimeter shooting, Orlando should gladly select a playmaker, athlete and pesky perimeter defender of his caliber. Between him, Jalen Suggs, Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony, the Magic would have four very different styles of guards to choose from in their rebuild.
MORE: Which Thompson twin in the 2023 NBA Draft is better?
7. Indiana: Ausar Thompson, Overtime Elite
Age: 20
Position: Guard/Forward
Height and weight: 6-7, 215 lbs.
In this scenario, the Pacers would likely be disappointed in missing out on both Whitmore and Wallace, but Ausar would still thrive alongside players like Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Bennedict Mathurin as a more athletic and defensive-minded wing with some off-ball scoring prowess.
If Indiana really wants to fill a need for a true forward with this pick, UCF's Taylor Hendricks would not be a reach.
8. Wizards: Anthony Black, Arkansas
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-6, 210 lbs.
The Wizards desperately need a lead guard and if Black makes it to No. 8, they shouldn't think twice. The jumbo playmaker already plays with the poise of a seasoned veteran and he's an intelligent defender who can check any perimeter player, giving Washington a boost in areas of need.
MORE: Anthony Black scouting report: What makes the Arkansas guard a top-10 pick?
9. Jazz: Cason Wallace, Kentucky
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-3, 195 lbs.
The Jazz could use a true point guard and Wallace is among the most reliable in this draft class. As a tenacious on-ball defender with sound decision-making as a passer and a growing scoring repertoire, Wallace would give Utah some much-needed stability in the backcourt as it rebuilds for the future.
10. Mavericks: Taylor Hendricks, UCF
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-8, 214 lbs.
Even though Gradey Dick makes a lot of sense here, it appears that the Mavericks are targeting more physically prepared prospects. Given that Hendricks is a 6-8, versatile and floor-stretching shooter — the perfect archetype to play alongside Luka Doncic — this pick would be a no-brainer if he's still on the board.
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: 20, 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: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-4, 217 lbs.
The Raptors are facing player options for both Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. this offseason, and they already need guard depth before those decisions. Hood-Schifino could give Toronto insurance as a fluid pick-and-roll ball handler and developing scorer to run their offense if VanVleet goes elsewhere in free agency.
14. Pelicans: Keyonte George, Baylor
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-4, 185 lbs.
The Pelicans could use some additional playmaking and perimeter shooting from the guard spot, and George kills two birds with one stone there. The Baylor freshman is already an NBA-caliber shot creator and shot maker, he just has to refine his shot selection and decision-making. Learning under CJ McCollum would bode well for the 19-year-old, too.
15. Hawks: Jett Howard, Michigan
Age: 20, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-8, 215 lbs.
The Hawks could use a floor-spacing wing around playmakers Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Howard fits that bill. When sharing the floor with those two stars, he can knock down catch-and-shoot 3s in the corner or get open looks off of screens and handoffs. When he's running with the second unit, Howard can showcase his ability to create his own looks from the perimeter.
16. Jazz (via MIN): Kobe Bufkin, Michigan
Age: 19, Sophomore
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-4, 187 lbs.
I had the Jazz taking a more traditional floor general in Wallace with the No. 9 pick. At No. 16, they can land a second young backcourt member with a creative combo guard in Bufkin. The Michigan sophomore would excel next to Wallace and could learn the ropes from a veteran like Jordan Clarkson or a scorer like Collin Sexton.
17. Lakers: Dereck Lively II, Duke
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Center
Height and weight: 7-1, 230 lbs.
The Lakers don't have much frontcourt depth behind Anthony Davis, and a rim protector and lob threat of Lively's caliber would be the perfect player to emulate in the eight-time All-Star. It's an added bonus that the 19-year-old is a Klutch Sports client — an agency that already has several ties to Los Angeles.
18. Heat: Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-5, 185 lbs.
It became clear during Miami's run to the NBA Finals that it could use more creativity on offense and Smith Jr. feels like a typical "diamond in the rough" find for Heat Culture. Once projected to be the first college prospect off the board before a lingering knee injury derailed his freshman season, Smith Jr. could be the steal of the draft if he landed in Miami's player development system.
MORE: Nick Smith Jr. scouting report: Will the Arkansas guard still be a lottery pick?
19. Warriors: Dariq Whitehead, Duke
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-6, 216 lbs.
The Warriors could try and target a win-now prospect with this pick, but it's unlikely they find a rookie who can significantly contribute to winning during their closing championship window. That's why they should target Whitehead, who has immense upside potential. The Duke freshman has dealt with a variety of injuries over the past year and just recently underwent a second foot surgery during the pre-draft process, but he could develop into a three-level scoring threat in Golden State's system.
20. Rockets (via LAC): Bilal Coulibaly, Metropolitans 92 (France)
Age: 18
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-7, N/A
If the Rockets do go with one of the athletic young forwards with their No. 4 pick, adding guard/wing depth would be smart with pick No. 20. Coulibaly is the type of versatile defender, impactful cutter and budding playmaker who could develop into a hidden gem during Houston's rebuild. He would also be a great fit for new head coach Ime Udoka's defensive scheme.
21. Nets (via PHX): Leonard Miller, G League Ignite
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-9, 213 lbs.
The Nets have back-to-back picks in the first round, giving them a chance to fill two separate needs as a re-tooling franchise. I like Miller as their first selection, giving Brooklyn a high-energy, versatile forward who can play on the wing or add depth to its frontcourt as a jack-of-all-trades-type prospect.
22. Nets: Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Age: 19, Freshman
Position: Guard/Forward
Height and weight: 6-6, 235 lbs.
With their second pick, the Nets should look to replace some of the scoring and shooting they lost when they traded Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Sensabaugh is a knockdown perimeter shooter and crafty midrange scorer who would provide Brooklyn's second unit a jolt of offense.
23. Trail Blazers (via NYK): Colby Jones, Xavier
Age: 21, Junior
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-5, 199 lbs.
The Trail Blazers' second first-round pick will largely be determined by the direction they choose with their first pick, but let's pretend they're selecting Henderson and holding on to Lillard. In that case, 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?
24. Kings: Kris Murray, Iowa
Age: 22, Junior
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-8, 213 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. In need of some frontcourt depth and perimeter shooting, Sacramento should keep things in the family and select Kris Murray, who brings a similar skillset as his identical twin, Keegan, who the Kings took with a top-five pick last year.
25. Grizzlies: Noah Clowney, Alabama
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Forward/Center
Height and weight: 6-10, 210 lbs.
The Grizzlies are trying to get over the hump in the Western Conference but most of their rotational roles are filled. This is where they could play the waiting game with a young, floor-stretching forward like Clowney, who will still be 18 years old on draft night.
26. Pacers (via CLE): Brandin Podziemski, Santa Clara
Age: 20, Sophomore
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-4, 204 lbs.
Podziemski helped his draft stock at the NBA Combine, flashing passing and rebounding skills in addition to his biggest strength as a sharpshooter who knocked down 43.8 percent of his 3-pointers this past season. The Pacers could use a shot-maker off the bench like the Santa Clara product.
27. Hornets (via DEN): GG Jackson, South Carolina
Age: 18, Freshman
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-8, 215 lbs.
Jackson is the youngest player in the 2023 NBA Draft, as the former No. 1 player in the class of 2023 re-classified to play during the 2022-23 season. The Hornets will be looking to acquire as much upside and potential as possible, and Jackson would give them a raw shot creator on the wing with NBA size and tools.
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. Pacers (via BOS): Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Age: 23, Senior
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-8, 240 lbs.
With their third first-round pick, the Pacers should look to add a more experienced player who could enter their rotation immediately. Playing his college basketball right down the road at Indiana, Jackson-Davis would fill a void in the Pacers' frontcourt as a capable small-ball five who can score in the pick-and-roll and provide switchability on defense.
30. Clippers (via MIL): Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Marquette
Age: 20, Junior
Position: Forward
Height and weight: 6-7, 212 lbs.
Prosper was one of — if not the — biggest winner of the NBA Draft Combine. The 6-7 forward was measured with a 7-1 wingspan. He brings unlimited energy on defense, can score as a cutter on offense and he showed some promising growth as a 3-point shooter this past season. "O-Max" would give the Clippers some versatility and depth on the wing when Kawhi Leonard starts the season on the sidelines with a torn meniscus.
Second round
31. Pistons: Maxwell Lewis, F, Pepperdine
32. Pacers (via HOU): Jaime Jaquez Jr., F, UCLA
33. Spurs: James Nnaji, C, Barcelona (Spain)
34. Hornets: Amari Bailey, G, UCLA
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): Sidy Cissoko, F, G League Ignite
39. Hornets (via UTA): Jordan Walsh, F, Arkansas
40. Nuggets (via DAL): Tristan Vukcevic, F, KK Partizan (Serbia)
41. Hornets (via OKC): Terquavion Smith, G, NC State
42. Wizards (via CHI): Jalen Wilson, F, Kansas
43. Trail Blazers (via ATL): Seth Lundy, F, Penn State
44. Spurs (via TOR): Marcus Sasser, G, Houston
45. Grizzlies (via MIN): Julian Phillips, F, Tennessee
46. Hawks (via NOP): Kobe Brown, F, Missouri
47. Lakers: Chris Livingston, F, Kentucky
48. Clippers: Jaylen Clark, G, UCLA
49. Cavaliers (via GSW): Keyontae Johnson, F, Kansas State
50. Thunder (via MIA): Mouhamed Gueye, C, Washington State
51. Nets: Ricky Council IV, G, Arkansas
52. Suns: Jordan Miller, F, Miami
53. Timberwolves (via NYK): Toumani Camara, F, Dayton
54. Kings: Emoni Bates, F, Eastern Michigan
55. Pacers (via CLE): Adama Sanogo, C, UConn
56. Grizzlies: Isaiah Wong, G, Miami
57. Wizards (via BOS): Oscar Tshiebwe, C, Kentucky
58. Bucks: Jalen Pickett, G, Penn State
