2023 NBA Mock Draft & Lottery Predictions: How Will the First 14 Picks of Thursday's NBA Draft Turn Out?
The 2023 NBA Draft is less than a week away, and Josh Gayle goes through what he thinks might happen. He's also sharing his favorite NBA Draft bet to gamble on the night.
Josh Gayle - June 20, 2023, 9:19 AM EDT
7 min2023 NBA Mock Draft & Lottery Predictions: How Will the First 14 Picks of Thursday's NBA Draft Turn Out?
The 2023 NBA Draft is less than a week away. Will NBA teams select the players that they are projected to? Handicapper Josh Gayle shares his latest 2023 NBA Mock Draft below.
2023 NBA Mock Draft Picks 1 - 14
1. San Antonio Spurs - Victor Wembanyama
We don’t need to spend too much time on this one. Victor Wembanyama is a 2K-created player playing in the real world. He’s 7 foot 5 with a guard's handles and can shoot the lights out if San Antonio doesn’t take him due to “injury concerns,” there will be riots in Texas.
2. Charlotte Hornets - Scoot Henderson
Scoot is the clear pick here. Despite already having Lamelo Ball, Charlotte must go best player available and draft for talent and not need. Scoot would be the #1 pick in many draft classes but unfortunately for him, Wemby is generational. Lamelo is capable of playing off-ball and can catch and shoot, the fit isn’t as messy as some are suggesting.
3. Portland Trail Blazers - Brandon Miller
If Damian Lillard demands quick help then this pick will likely be moved, but we will assume they keep it here. The clear pick is Brandon Miller here. Miller has received comparisons to Paul George and is a multiple-level scorer with a great feel for the game. If Portland were to hypothetically trade away Lilliard they could have a scary young core of Simons, Miller, Sharpe, and whoever they get in return for Dame Dolla.
4. Houston Rockets - Amen Thompson
This one is tricky. Amen is the best talent on the board, but there are rumors that James Harden wants to return to where he played his best ball. If Harden comes back, they could elect to trade the pick or look elsewhere, but Amen Thompson is the best pick here and is favored to go No. 4 for a reason. Kevin Porter Jr. isn’t the long-term point guard there.
5. Detroit Pistons - Jarace Walker
As a Pistons fan, falling to 5 hurt more than most breakups. With that being said, leaving with a guy like Jarace Walker is a nice consolation prize. Walker has traits you just can’t teach, he plays with heart and never takes a play off. He needs to improve his efficiency shooting but projects to be more than capable. His defensive impact is undeniable and the pairing of him and Jalen Duren will torture defenses for years to come.
6. Orlando Magic - Ausar Thompson
This is my favorite betting spot of the draft. Ausar Thompson canceled his workout with Indiana at No. 7, which implies he has a promise from a team in the top six. Orlando feels like the right fit. Despite having Franz Wagner, Orlando will want to solidify the wing position as Jonathan Isaac is shown to be too strong of an injury risk. You can bet Thompson to go at pick number six at +200 on FanDuel. I think this has excellent value and put a few bucks on it.
7. Indiana Pacers - Cam Whitmore
This is probably my biggest shocker of a pick but I think Whitmore is too talented to fall any further. A guy like Hendricks will probably be a better fit positionally, but Whitmore adds another scorer that they need more of. Buddy Hield will likely be moved soon and they will need a guy to fulfill his duties. Whitmore should be a better prospect than Nembard as well. I realize this is +600 on most sportsbooks, but it makes sense in my eyes.
8. Washington Wizards - Anthony Black
Bradley Beal has likely played his last minute as a Washington Wizard. Drafting a guard who can score makes all the sense in the world for this team. Anthony Black is a big guard who could be this year's Josh Giddey. Black is a capable passer, shooter, and finisher. He should have a nice career!
9. Utah Jazz - Taylor Hendricks
This would be a steal here. Taylor Hendricks is a great shooter and has positional flexibility. The guy can rebound and defend his tail off too. The only real flaw to his game is putting the ball on the floor, but Utah would surely put him in advantageous catch-and-shoot situations. This guy may be the top five talent in the class.
10. Dallas Mavericks - Dereck Lively
This pick will likely be traded, but if Dallas decides to keep it, they should look no further. Dereck Lively is a 7-1 athletic monster who could solidify the big man role next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. If Kyrie were to leave, they might be more inclined to go guard here, but this is under the assumption that Mavs will bring him back.
11. Orlando Magic - Gradey Dick
You can never have enough shooting on a team. Gradey Dick projects to be the top marksman in this class. Orlando is a team that can desperately use more efficient outside shooting, as Paolo Banchero and Markelle Fultz had their slumps from behind the arc.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder - Kobe Bufkin
Kobe Bufkin was a favorite of mine at Michigan. He has alot of tools that should make him a spark plug off the bench. He and Isaiah Joe playing off one another on the second unit could really strike fear into other teams like a thunder-and-lightning duo.
13. Toronto Raptors - Bilal Coulibaly
This is the most Raptors pick ever. This has been the biggest riser of the mock draft process thus far and for a good reason. Bilal Coulibaly is a boom-or-bust prospect who’s very raw. Toronto could replace OG Anunoby if they elect to trade him with a carbon copy of himself in the draft.
14. New Orleans Pelicans - Cason Wallace
Cason Wallace is a feisty defender who has flashes of offensive upside. I’ve heard comparisons to Jrue Holiday which would be ideal for a team like New Orleans. This team has plenty of scoring with Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and potentially a healthy Zion Williamson. This team needs help defensively, and Wallace projects to be a pest on the defensive end!
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