NBA Draft 2023: Full Round 2 Predictions After Lottery Reveal (2023)

The San Antonio Spurs are the official winners of a franchise-changing NBA draft lottery that potentially gives them a future MVP contender.

Victor Wembanyama will take first place and will team up with Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan.

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets will take second place and face the real decision with G League Ignite's Scoot Henderson, Alabama's Brandon Miller and Overtime Elite's Amen Thompson on the board.

After No. 3, where the Portland Trail Blazers will be making trade calls, the draft becomes more unpredictable.

Potential candidates are currently interviewing, testing, drilling and rehearsing in Chicago to make a final impression and move up the ranks by June 22. The biggest winners from last year were Jalen Williams and Andrew Nembhard. week.

1. San Antonio Spurs:Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92, PF/C, 2004)

The Spurs are close to building the best defensive front in the NBA. Having taken Jeremy Sochan in last year's draft, they will now add Wembanyama, whose 8'0" wingspan, mobility and anticipation will instantly transform San Antonio and make his group that much harder to find.

Offensively, without a star quarterback in the rotation, Wembanyama should be given a bright green light to continue experimenting with his own creation. Ultimately, this should benefit his development to become both the No. 1 pick and Defensive Player of the Year.

2. Charlotte Hornets:Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite, PG, 2004)

Brandon Miller is a better fit, but Henderson would give the Hornets a perimeter advantage few teams can match. With Henderson and LaMelo Ball, they would have two high-level quarterbacks to generate pace and an easy offense. And with Henderson's explosiveness and rim pressing, and Ball's passing and shooting, this pairing is worth betting on.

The Hornets should also prepare for trade offers from teams looking to move up, whether it's the Houston Rockets targeting Henderson or the Detroit Pistons waiting for Miller. Charlotte will have plenty of interesting options at No. 2, albeit so early, by taking Henderson to help the NBA.worst offensecould be plan A

3. Trail Blazers de Portland:Brandon Miller (Alabama, SF, freshman)

Option #3 should spark a debate at the Portland front desk.

Presumably, the Blazers would prefer to trade the right to pick Henderson or Miller for an established star to pair with Damian Lillard. But it can also be a good opportunity for a new beginning. The Blazers could land a significant number of young talents to pair with Henderson or Miller, along with Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe.

Miller's scoring and shooting match perfectly with the Portland 3. He started right away and provided snap shots in addition to additional two-way plays.

If Miller finishes second, it seems even more likely that he'll make a deal in Portland.

4. Houston Rockets:Amen Thompson (elite overtime, PG/SG, 2003)

Expect the Rockets to try to move up to the second position for Henderson, who would make an explosive pairing with Jalen Green. But Thompson is a much better quarterback with a much larger size and equally exceptional explosiveness.

Houston would play Thompson at quarterback and surround him with scorers like Green and Kevin Porter Jr. The Rockets would then likely have the most athletic quarterback/wing trio in the NBA, though Thompson's playmaking and defense are less. which will ultimately set him apart from other high-flying players.

5. Detroit Pistons:Jarace Walker (Houston, PF, freshman)

If the Pistons don't make Jaden Ivey or Jalen Duren available, they'll have trouble moving forward. The downside trade is more likely. It seems reasonable to focus on Walker's spectacular physical profile, offensive versatility and defensive strengths.

With Walker and Duren, Detroit would have the strongest 4-5 pairing in the league. But it's Walker's potential to stretch the court, attack tackles, deliver live dribbles, hit special shots and overwhelm the defense with his strength and length that creates such a unique perspective.

6. Magic of Orlando:Ausar Thompson (Elite Overtime, San Francisco, 2004)

Thompson has a chance to win over some hesitant managers in training with a comfortable enough shot that signals an achievable improvement. Regardless, he will bring Orlando's lightning-fast transition to offense, easy shots and defensive pressure/versatility as his creation and shooting skills gradually develop. He intends to give the Magic's roster a jolt of athleticism that it currently lacks.

7. Indiana Pacers:Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida, PF, Freshman)

Hendricks exudes a storied, high-ceiling air with convincing shots and defensive versatility, as well as space/time to build up flashes for pull-ups and finishing passes. Indiana should envision a starting three-and-D forward who will be valuable no matter how far his game develops outside of the dribble.

8. Magos de Washington:Cam Whitmore (Villanova, SF/PF, freshman)

Whitmore should give the Wizards an immediate source of athletic play, easy baskets and shooting streaks. Flashes as he holds the ball to his own creation also indicate a different level of goal-scoring potential, although his positioning and vision of him off the dribble needs to improve.

9. Jazz Utah:Anthony Black (Arkansas, PG/SG, novato)

The Jazz could add more plays at both ends with Black doubling up as a primary starter and two-way winger. Ultimately, coaches may prefer him as a point guard given his strengths as a passer and 6'6" fullback at point of attack.

10. Dallas Mavericks:Gradey Dick (Kansas, SF, freshman)

With the New York Knicks draft, the Mavericks could prepare Dick for his shooting and the extra space he would provide for the team's ball-handling stars. There is a guarantee with his shot and his value/target with rotation and eventual starting lineup.

11. Orlando Magic (via Bulls):Keyonte George (Baylor, SG, freshman)

With two lottery picks and a rotation full of young prospects, Orlando plans to explore trade scenarios. But George's shooting would also work well in the rotation, either in the position of two starting defenders or as a scorer off the bench.

12. Thunder in Oklahoma:Cason Wallace (Kentucky, PG, freshman)

By ignoring needs based on who's available at the #12 spot, the Thunder can see Wallace's shooting, passing IQ and defensive pressure as an easy combo and block to bolster or deepen the rotation. Oklahoma City could also look for a rim defender in Dereck Lively or trade him for a blitzier veteran.

13. Toronto Raptors:Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas, PG/SG, freshman)

An ineffective season, coupled with injuries, could leave Smith out of the top 10 where initially predicted due to his 1.5-inch size, shooting versatility and brilliant playmaking. At 13th, the Raptors would find it too tempting to play the opportunity to buy low on a potentially dangerous three-level scorer.

14. New Orleans Pelicans:Jett Howard (Michigan, SG/SF, freshman)

Look to the Pelicans to explore a trade with the No. 14 due to their oversupply of defenders, wingers and forwards and their win-now mentality. This is the best space available to a player on the backboard, and Howard finds it attractive to just about anyone with his coveted combination of 6'8" size and shooting versatility.

15. Atlanta Falcons:Kobe Bufkin (Michigan, PG/SG, sophomore)

With the pressure on Atlanta to start making the playoffs, the Hawks may show interest in moving number 15 to gain a veteran presence. Bufkin should be in the game for anyone wearing the number 15 as he has shown the kind of versatility of a combination defender, two-sided play, finishing and enough goal promise to create, score and defend both spots in the backcourt. .

16. Utah Jazz (via Timberwolves):Dariq Whitehead (Duke, SG/SF, freshman)

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge would pay more attention to Whitehead's school scouting, which hasanother operationto fix a foot injury that had clearly hampered him at Duke. The 6'6" 18-year-old winger was still pitching very well since Duke, and anyone watching Monterverde's 2021-22 season saw much more of Whitehead's self-creation and athleticism than he was able to display in college. .

17. Los Angeles Lakers:Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State, SG, freshman)

An effective three-level shooter at 6'6", 235 pounds, Sensabaugh can be seen as an NBA-ready forward to shoot for the team's second team. He won't offer much else, so he lands with a team that he values ​​strictly. one on one, and the shot would be perfect.

18. Heat in Miami:GG Jackson (South Carolina, PF, freshman)

Miami would have to be patient with the 18-year-old Jackson, but for the 6-foot-9 forward, his ball handling and shooting versatility would seem like a good fit between Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The Heat's track record of developing prospects and an overall mature team would be great for a talent like Jackson to improve his decision-making and defensive effort.

19. Warriors of the Golden State:Jordan Hawkins (Connecticut, SG, sophomore)

Hawkins' spot-up and motion-shooting would be an easy fit for Golden State. He's rated the most productive off-field shooter in the draft, which should help alleviate concerns about his lack of creation on the ball.

20. Houston Rockets (principalmente Clippers):Brandin Underground (Santa Clara, PG/SG, sophomore)

While some teams consider Underworld sleepy, it may not be there for those looking to steal it in round two. I would inflate the NBACrime No. 27and the team's worst 3-point shooter with his creativity and high-level shooting, even if he is a poor second unit for the Rockets.

21. Brooklyn Nets (via Suns):Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana, PG/SG, freshman)

Brooklyn could pair Spencer Dinwiddie with another wing-sized ballplayer, Hood-Schifino, whose NBA fan base gradually grew with his brilliant shooting and brilliant passing. He will be seen before the late lottery and the teenagers.

22. Cadenas de Brooklyn:Bilal Coulibaly (Metropolitanos 92, SF, 2004)

With two first-round picks, the Nets could use one to hit the fence on Coulibaly. The explosive 18-year-old jumper and shooter often appeared alongside Victor Wembanyama.

23. Portland Trail Blazers (vía Knicks):Dereck Lively (Duke, C, freshman)

The Blazers are showing interest in the Lively solely for the edge protection, which likely translates to its elite length and12.7 percent of the blocks. While he has limited offense, he would still be a useful target with a high shooting and passing percentage.

24. Kings of Sacramento:Kris Murray (Iowa, SF/PF, Junior)

While the Kings saw the benefits of the addition of Keegan's twin brother, Kris' off-the-ball scoring and best shooting deserve the attention of every team in their teens and 20s. His game is similar to last year's No. 4 overall, with Kris offering the same type of spot and movement shooting, transition attack and overall opportunistic scoring.

25. Grizzly y Menfis:Colby Jones (Xavier, PG/SG, junior)

The Grizzlies could replace Dillon Brooks with Jones, a 6-foot-1 versatile defender whose scoring, passing and decision-making skills would fit into a lineup with established scorers, shooters and creators.

26. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers):Noah Clowney (Alabama, PF, freshman)

Clowney can help himself in training with the trio that flickered through his freshman season. The teams ultimately know that they will get the project regardless. The Pacers may have found it worthwhile to wait for their "3-i-D" archetype, the power forward, to fully take shape.

27. Charlotte Hornets (via Nuggets):Rayan Rupert (Nowa Zelandia Breakers, SG/SF, 2004)

Teams will look to develop Rupert, whose great shooting and 7'3" wingspan are attractive on paper. He may have a little more to do during the pre-draft process considering how little he's played in the NBL.

28. Utah Jazz (via 76ers):Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine, SG/SF, sophomore)

Teams shared the sound of Lewis, a 6'7" wing with smooth flashes of creation, three-level shooting ability and a 9-22 record at Pepperdine last season. Teams will have to consider his promising scores in the sight tests and the prized archetype versus his low-impact production in a weaker conference.

29. Indiana Pacers (via Celtics):Leonard Miller (G League Ignite, San Francisco, 2003)

Miller entered the first-round mix, showing the kind of improvements that will prompt teams to push for further development. The idea of ​​a 19-year-old 6-foot-10 winger who can break through, attack up close, score touch points and potentially hit 3-pointers will look tempting in the '20s.

30. Los Angeles Clippers (premios Bucks):Andre Jackson Jr. (Connecticut, San Francisco, Junior)

Despite Jackson's scoring errors, the Clippers could envision him thriving in the same role he played for the national champion Huskies. The proper fit can optimize his athleticism on the open floor, making transition plays, carrying the ball at half court, finishing the game and defensive activity.

31. Detroit Pistons:Terquavion Smith (stan NC, SG, sophomore)

Detroit could add some shooting off the bench with Smith, one of the most productive scorers in the draft and consecutive shooters whose inefficiency can be mitigated in the bench role.

32. San Antonio Spurs:James Nnaji (Barcelona, ​​​​C, 2004)

While limited in offense, Nnaji has the body, athleticism and EuroLeague experience that allow NBA teams to envision a reliable defender and finisher.

33. Boston Celtics (antes Rockets):Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA, SF, senior)

Rebuilding teams may prefer options with higher elevation gains than Jáquez, but a challenger may see value in adding a 6'7", 225-pound 22-year-old who scores points in a variety of ways and defends tough.

34. Charlotte Hornets:Amari Bailey (UCLA, PG/SG, freshman)

Bailey used his last few reps with the ball with Jaylen Clark injured to make a strong final pitch around his versatility. While he's not the sharpest shooter or creator, Bailey still possesses the perfect combination of size, shooting, live dribbling passes, cutting-edge athleticism and defensive hustle to serve as a convertible Swiss Army knife.

35. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Blazers):Rada Ricky IV (Arkansas, SG/SF, Junior)

The Council was able to draw the look of the first round based on what each 3-point shooting improvement could do for a successful setter, two-point setter, and excellent finisher.

36. Magic of Orlando:Bobi Klintman (Wake Forest, PF, freshman)

Orlando could target the advantage with Klintman, a 6-foot-10 forward with a flashy type, passing ability and scouting potential that could motivate a team like the Magic to be patient with their timeline.

37. Oklahoma City Thunder (por Wizards):Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana, PF/C, senior)

Even if Jackson-Davis never adds a jump shot, the Thunder could still find use for his ability to create high-percentage shots off the post with his footwork and passing.

38. Sacramento Kings (via Pacers):Kobe Brown (Misuri, SF/PF, senior)

Brown could be a popular second-round target with his combination of ball handling, shooting and passing for a 188cm forward. Age and athletic issues can make him grow too big, but they won't be a hindrance for teams in their 30s or 30s. 40 sec.

39. Charlotte Hornets (via Jazz):Ben Sheppard (Belmont, SG, Senior)

With 18.8 effective points per game, Sheppard was noted for his potentially transferable shooting versatility and pick-and-roll handling. He is one of the best at continuously moving through the drafting process.

40. Denver Nuggets (via Mavericks):Jalen Wilson (Kansas, SF/PF, senior)

Wilson's improvement in shooting made it easier for NBA teams to view him as a professional, although he would gain minutes primarily through physical driving, midrange play, and rebounding.

41. Charlotte Hornets (via Thunder):Julian Strawther (Gonzaga, San Francisco, Junior)

The Hornets could target Strawther because of his potential for off-the-ball shots and overall shooting.

42. Washington Wizards (vía Bulls):Keyontae Johnson (Kansas, SF/PF, Elder)

Johnson's shooting, defensive profile and stamina should be enough to generate second-round interest from teams envisioning a two-way player.

43. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks):Marcus Sasser (Houston, PG/SG, senior)

Despite Sasser's inability to make a big break at quarterback, his shooting versatility and pick-and-roll offense can still work well in the team's shooting/bench shoot role.

44. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors):Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois, SG/SF, stars)

Enhanced still shooting has made Shannon a more realistic 3-i-D option, while the cut and flash suggest you'll have a margin of error in your shooting consistency.

45. Memphis Grizzlies (via Timberwolves):Judah Mintz (Syracuse, PG/SG, freshman)

The Hornets could buy Mintz's rim rush, passing and defensive energy for a two-way play as a spark off the bench.

46th Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans):Sidy Cissoko (G League Ignite, SG/SF, 2004)

Cissoko lacks obvious NBA skills, limiting interest in him in the first round. But his combination of secondary plays, effective shooting and defensive tools to defend the 2-4 position provide enough versatility for Round 2.

47. Los Angeles Lakers:Tristan Vukcevic (KK Partizán, C, 2003)

At 7'0", Vukcevic shot 40.0 per cent from three in the Adriatic League and displayed encouraging skills and touch on their faces. Teams will want to see him in action in an environment with more pace and athleticism than he is used to.

48. Los Angeles Clippers:Coleman Hawkins (Illinois, PF, Junior)

Hawkins' intended archetype and NBA game is ties, with teams more interested in his combination of shooting, passing and defensive potential than his scoring ability.

49. Cleveland Cavaliers (przez Warriors):Tosan Evbuomwan (Princeton, PF, senior)

Evbuomwan turned heads during the NCAA Tournament, and a team is sure to see quality play in the second round for a 6'8" forward with 4.9 assists per game who can ease up and pass from a variety of spots.

50º Indiana Pacers (via heat):Mouhamed Gueye (Washington State, PF/C, sophomore)

A more consistent shooting contact will be Gueye's NBA ticket as he occasionally taunts him with mid to long range jumpers while producing spikes, post-ups, space passes and rebounds.

51. Cadenas de Brooklyn:Nikola Đurišić (Mega MIS, San Francisco, 2004)

Djurisic could be an interesting pick-low with a better jumper than this year's numbers indicate and exceptional ball handling and passing skills for a 6'8" teenager.

52. Phoenix Suns:DaRon Holmes II (Dayton, C, sophomore)

While the door is still open for Holmes to return to school and fight for a first-round appearance in 2024, he should be called up in June based on his production, NBA tools and internal athleticism to finish and block. shooting.

53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Knicks):Jaylen Clark (UCLA, San Francisco, Junior)

Despite missing the NCAA Tournament, Clark established himself as a clear defensive differentiator with unlearnable instincts and enough finishing and passing skills to excel offensively.

54. Kings of Sacramento:Omari Moore (San Jose State, PG/SG, Senior)

Moore has a good chance to jump onto the boards in NBA scrimmage combinations, where his 6'6" size, cut at the point of attack and pulling up should get the attention of executives who saw the little tape. from the state of San Jose.

55th Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers):Grant Nelson (North Dakota State, PF, Jr.)

Teams are eager to see Nelson play against other NBA players, but he sized up and tested well, and a size of 6'10" in averages, rebounds and flashes could be enough for the second round.

56. Grizzly y Menfis:Julian Phillips (Tennessee, SF, freshman)

After proving himself the best jumper in the NBA, Phillips should look more comfortable shooting in practice. He'll have teams dig deeper into his Link Academy video, where he was a McDonald's All-American and a better scorer than we've seen in Tennessee.

57. Chicago Bulls (via Nuggets):Lost

58. Filadelfia 76ers:Lost

59. Washington Wizards (vía Celtics):Adama Sanogo (Connecticut, PF/C, Junior)

Sanogo could be of interest to teams looking to strengthen their front line and provide some inside points with his physique and soft hands. But this year he also provoked scouts with 19 three-pointers and a 76.6% free throw percentage.

60. Milwaukee dollars:Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Marquette, SF, Junior)

Wing defenders are always in demand, and Prosper has the right physical tools to tempt the team into taking a chance on improving their shooting.