- Sep 5, 2010
- 93,252
- 129,939
2025 NBA Draft Thread
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by addict4sneakers,
- Start date
- Sep 27, 2003
- 6,819
- 4,745
All in for Rockets and Scoot.
If 4+20 can’t do it and the Hornets take Miller - KPJ/4/20 even KMJ for 3? Gives at least 2 immediate playable pieces and they can take Amen or flip 4 for more immediate pieces.
If 4+20 can’t do it and the Hornets take Miller - KPJ/4/20 even KMJ for 3? Gives at least 2 immediate playable pieces and they can take Amen or flip 4 for more immediate pieces.
- Sep 18, 2003
- 61,936
- 134,353
HOU$TON
formerly convertibleburt
- Apr 14, 2016
- 13,524
- 26,419
I would be ecstatic 
- Sep 5, 2010
- 93,252
- 129,939
- Mar 8, 2008
- 6,683
- 1,314
Hornets have that leverage now by remaining tight lipped.
I’ve been told there’s a difference in opinion should they keep the pick. Mitch wants the logical guy. The owner however…
- Jul 16, 2017
- 22,604
- 16,322
If I had two picks I would take Black + Dickk
- Sep 5, 2010
- 93,252
- 129,939
- Jul 16, 2017
- 22,604
- 16,322
HOU$TON
formerly convertibleburt
- Apr 14, 2016
- 13,524
- 26,419
I’d take Zion if I were in charlotte’s position
- Mar 31, 2011
- 73,096
- 117,442
Top 5 should be
Wemby
Scoot
Miller
Amen
Cam
In order, no matter who is picking.
Wemby
Scoot
Miller
Amen
Cam
In order, no matter who is picking.
- Jul 13, 2005
- 35,421
- 27,032
There’s a little too much smoke around Zion
Pelicans must really not trust his injuries.
Pelicans must really not trust his injuries.
- Jul 16, 2017
- 22,604
- 16,322
Or his choice of women
- Sep 5, 2010
- 93,252
- 129,939
- Sep 5, 2010
- 93,252
- 129,939
Password is Dr@ft2023
- Nov 5, 2015
- 10,612
- 9,129
Hornets better not pass up on scoot. FO can’t get outta their own way.
- Jul 16, 2017
- 22,604
- 16,322
What if Miller is what Tatum was to those picked before him?
It’s a crapshoot. But yes I would take Scoot too. In todays nba of not being able to defend bc of how they ref the games, scoot is gonna live in the paint
- Mar 31, 2011
- 73,096
- 117,442
- Sep 5, 2010
- 93,252
- 129,939
DX throwing it out there Nola is offering Ingram for #2.
- Jul 13, 2005
- 35,421
- 27,032
What’s with all these Pelicans rumors? They’re tryna
rebuild already?
rebuild already?
- Sep 5, 2010
- 93,252
- 129,939
2023 NBA mock draft: Why Scoot Henderson is still in play at No. 2
The 2023 NBA draft is just over a week away as teams continue to conduct individual workouts prior to locking in their draft boards for June 22 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN app).
One prospect that didn't compete in workouts because he's still playing competitive basketball is presumptive No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama. The 19-year-old big man led his Metropolitans 92 team to an unexpected appearance in the LNB Pro A finals, but are one loss away from elimination against Monaco. Following the completion of his season, Wembanyama will travel to the United States and is one of 19 prospects that received an invitation Tuesday to sit in the NBA draft green room.
With the San Antonio Spurs all but certain to select Wembanyama, the race for the No. 2 pick is still up for grabs. Scoot Henderson reportedly had an impressive workout in Charlotte last week as the Hornets will decide between the G League Ignite guard and Alabama's Brandon Miller.
How will the rest of the draft play out next week at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York? NBA draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo provide their latest projection.
FIRST ROUND
1. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama
Metropolitans 92
PF/C
Age: 19.4
While his fellow prospects in the first round play the cat-and-mouse game by conducting one-on-zero workouts, Wembanyama continues to test himself, now going up against Monaco -- one of the best teams in European basketball. Down 2-0 and with his team clearly overmatched talent-wise, Wembanyama still found a way to have a productive showing in Game 2, posting 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals. His stellar defense was on full display with the way he put a lid on the rim, hedged ball screens out to half court and switched onto smaller players on the perimeter. The Spurs dispatched their medical staff to France last week to conduct their due diligence, and with that successfully out of the way, everything looks on track for him to be the No. 1 pick and start restoring the proud franchise to relevance. -- Jonathan Givony
2. Charlotte Hornets
Brandon Miller
Alabama
SF
Age: 20.5
Scoot Henderson helped his standing in Charlotte with a highly impressive workout this past weekend in front of the Hornets' front office and coaching staff. He showed an impressive level of conditioning, intensity, explosiveness and shot-making that portend good things for him later. Still, many signs continue to point toward Miller being the pick at No. 2, both due to his clean roster fit as much as the front office's belief in his long-term talent. The Hornets have conducted due diligence in Tuscaloosa to help ease concerns around Miller's involvement in the Jan. 6 fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris. The possibility of New Orleans (who are fans of Henderson) offering Brandon Ingram in a trade for the No. 2 pick could shake things up potentially on draft night, but it's still too early to say whether that is a realistic possibility. -- Givony
3. Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson
G League Ignite
PG
Age: 19.3
The Trail Blazers are doing their due diligence by bringing in Amen and Ausar Thompson, Henderson, Cam Whitmore and others for private workouts. Portland will continue to explore trade opportunities until it is on the clock for this pick, but it seems the team will be pleased to select either Miller or Henderson. Henderson's outstanding workout in Charlotte indicates he's very much in play at No. 2 despite Miller continuing to be the favorite there. Miller will be in Portland soon to also make his case for being the No. 3 pick. -- Givony
4. Houston Rockets
Amen Thompson
Overtime Elite
PG/SG
Age: 20.3
At this point, Amen Thompson and Whitmore are the two names circulating as leading candidates at No. 4. One potential factor in the decision is James Harden's potential return to the Rockets -- a situation that rival teams have come to view as increasingly uncertain in recent weeks. Provided they can give Thompson the requisite role and runway to develop and realize his tantalizing upside, Houston can certainly justify a major swing here by betting on the mix of elite athleticism, size and playmaking skills that could turn him into a star and the type of dynamic point guard its roster lacks. Thompson has received strong reviews from teams on the workout circuit and it appears the questions surrounding his jump shot won't preclude him from hearing his name called early. -- Jeremy Woo
5. Detroit Pistons
Cam Whitmore
Villanova
SF
Age: 18.9
Whitmore is getting looks at No. 4 with Houston, but many around the league believe Detroit is a natural landing spot for him considering the Pistons' roster and the significant upside he offers. Whitmore is working out for teams across the top 10 -- including Portland, Houston, Detroit, Orlando, Indiana and Utah -- and making a strong impression with his shooting and explosiveness. His workout in Detroit on Monday gave him an opportunity to show the Pistons brass an opportunity to envision how he would fit in a backcourt with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. Some trade scenarios could be in play for the Pistons with the No. 31 pick as well, for example, packaging Bojan Bogdanovic for Tim Hardaway Jr. and the No. 10 pick, sources tell ESPN. -- Givony
6. Orlando Magic
Ausar Thompson
Overtime Elite
PG/SG
Age: 20.3
This Magic pick represents a key pivot point in the lottery with them weighing a wide range of candidates. While Ausar Thompson may hear his name called a couple picks after his twin brother, some teams prefer his scoring aggressiveness, defensive mindset and his comfort level without the ball. This is a difficult spot for Orlando, with none of the options a perfect fit alongside franchise players Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Magic could be justified in simply taking the biggest upside swing available here, then making a safer choice at No. 11. If Orlando goes a different direction, Thompson isn't expected to fall much further, as he's thought to be strongly in play for Indiana and Washington, as well. -- Woo
7. Indiana Pacers
Jarace Walker
Houston
PF
Age: 19.7
Walker is believed to have a narrow draft range consisting of Detroit at No. 5, Indiana at No. 7 and Utah at No. 9. He will also conduct a workout with Orlando that opens up opportunities for him at the No. 6 and No. 11 picks. With the Pacers believed to be actively seeking an explosive, defensive-minded power forward who can bring a physical presence and multi-positional versatility, Walker is a natural fit for their roster composition, standing 6-foot-8, 249 pounds with 7-2½ wingspan. The team has plenty of shot-creation and scoring with Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, but struggled defensively and on the glass due to their lack of physicality. Walker, Ausar Thompson (working out later this week) and Taylor Hendricks are said to be their top-two candidates. -- Givony
8. Washington Wizards
Anthony Black
Arkansas
PG/SG
Age: 19.3
The Wizards are believed to be primarily eyeing guards at this spot, as they enter what could be a full rebuild under new boss Michael Winger. Black's playmaking ability, defensive qualities and untapped upside as a 6-7 lead guard could make him an excellent player to build around, and he'd enter a situation that would give him plenty of room to grow into a high-usage role. NBA teams are constantly searching for the type of two-way perimeter versatility Black offers, and his range appears to begin as high as No. 6 with Orlando. He's conducted or will conduct workouts for teams throughout the lottery, including Houston, Utah and Dallas in addition to the Magic. -- Woo
9. Utah Jazz
Taylor Hendricks
UCF
PF
Age: 19.5
The Jazz appear to be in a similar position as Indiana, seeking a gifted forward with defensive versatility to pair with leading scorer Lauri Markkanen, with the top two candidates being Hendricks and Walker. Filling that need with their first pick, and then focusing on adding backcourt depth with their second pick, makes sense considering the number of guards and wings expected to be available later in the draft. However, that plan could change if Black happens to fall here. He's believed to be high on the team's draft board. -- Givony
10. Dallas Mavericks
Dereck Lively II
Duke
C
Age: 19.3
This Dallas pick is believed to be available in trade scenarios, creating a pivot point where a range of players and teams could wind up in play at No. 10. Lively appears to have helped himself quite a bit in the pre-draft process, having shown improvement over the course of the year at Duke, and now recontextualized himself as the highest upside true center in a draft that's unusually thin at his position. His range is believed to begin with the Mavericks -- he could provide a long-term answer at center -- and his responsibilities would be made easy by playing alongside Luka Doncic. The Magic (No. 11), the Thunder (No. 12) and Hawks (No. 15) are also believed to have interest, and it seems unlikely Lively falls too far out of the lottery, if at all. -- Woo
11. Orlando Magic (via Chicago)
Gradey ****
Kansas
SG/SF
Age: 19.5
****'s draft range appears to be a little wider than initially anticipated, as he'll be conducting workouts with Orlando for this slot, as well as Oklahoma City (No. 12) and Toronto (No. 13). The pre-draft process, which mostly revolves around one-on-zero workouts in ****'s case, doesn't necessarily capture his strengths: confidence, competitiveness and feel for the game, which are difficult to measure in drills. Nonetheless, getting a shooter of ****'s caliber would be a significant boon for the Magic, who have plenty of opportunity on the wing and need to add as much floor spacing as they can to amplify the strengths of franchise stalwarts Banchero and Wagner. Should **** slide past Orlando, Toronto is believed to be a strong suitor. -- Givony
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Kobe Bufkin
Michigan
PG/SG
Age: 19.7
Bufkin has quietly gathered a good deal of interest in the pre-draft process and is being extremely selective where he works out, with a lottery selection potentially on the horizon. The Thunder have plenty of young guards and can go in a number of directions at No. 12, but Oklahoma City rarely hesitates to grab the best talent on the board, and Bufkin has built a strong case to be the first player drafted among a large group of guards jockeying for position. He's a name to watch over the next week, with room to potentially rise higher. Washington and Utah appear to be candidates to select guards at No. 8 and No. 9. -- Woo
13. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Indiana
PG/SG
Age: 19.9
Many around the NBA are curious to see if the Raptors will move up on draft night, as there's a sense that they could be significant trade players depending on how aggressively they want to get involved with the likes of Pascal Siakam and others. Should they stand pat, targeting a guard with considerable upside as a shot-creator -- such as Hood-Schifino -- makes sense. However, adding shooting to this roster will also be another significant priority. There's a big glut of players in this range (****, Bufkin, Cason Wallace, Nick Smith Jr., Jett Howard), but Hood-Schifino's terrific physical traits along with the potential star power he offers could make him very attractive at this slot. -- Givony
14. New Orleans Pelicans
Bilal Coulibaly
Metropolitans 92
SG/SF
Age: 18.8
Coulibaly's strong performances in the playoffs alongside Wembanyama have helped to further solidify him as a player with a real lottery argument. Despite his unavailability to work out for teams, his stock appears to be in a good place. The Jazz and Thunder both sent decision-makers to Monaco this week to take another look at Coulibaly, where he bounced back from a difficult first game in the Pro A finals with a strong performance in Game 2. His physical tools, playmaking potential and two-way upside present a nice developmental bet for any type of roster construction. The Pelicans should have quite a few options at this slot, depending on which players fall here, and should be in position to deepen their perimeter options regardless. -- Woo
15. Atlanta Hawks
Cason Wallace
Kentucky
PG/SG
Age: 19.5
Wallace is a player with one of the biggest draft ranges of any prospect in the class, starting with Washington, Utah and Dallas in the top 10 and continuing through the late teens depending on how the night evolves. Atlanta hasn't had an easy time getting players into its building, as approximately 20 prospects strongly feel they will be selected in the lottery and a significant number of those insist on conducting one-on-zero workouts that are normally reserved for top picks. The Hawks' relatively crowded roster and uncertain direction moving forward makes it difficult to project how many minutes will be available for younger players in the short-term, which has complicated their sales pitch. A tough, defensive-minded combo guard such as Wallace, who can operate in various lineups, could make sense in either their present situation or a future one depending on how the franchise proceeds with Trae Young. -- Givony
16. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)
Jordan Hawkins
UConn
SG
Age: 21.1
Hawkins' range begins in the late lottery and seems to run into the late teens, offering teams a unique skill set as a movement shooter and bringing college experience off the strength of UConn's title run. The Jazz are believed to be high on him and could immediately benefit from his shooting. Should Utah wind up with a frontcourt target such as Hendricks or Walker at No. 9, it could turn to a guard here, with several big-name options possibly available. With picks Nos. 9, 16 and 28, it's feasible the Jazz could move around in various scenarios. -- Woo
17. Los Angeles Lakers
Nick Smith Jr.
Arkansas
PG/SG
Age: 19.1
Smith is another guard with a wide range on draft night, starting with Washington (No.
and drawing serious interest from Orlando (No. 11), Toronto (No. 13) and New Orleans' (No. 14). With a huge glut of guards and wings expected to be picked in this range, there are scenarios that could see Smith fall out of the lottery, giving the Lakers an opportunity to add a significant talent who started last season as a projected top-five pick prior to injuries. The Lakers could certainly use a combo guard who can shoot off the bounce, create off a live dribble, finish with creativity inside the arc and bring strong competitiveness on both ends of the floor. The Lakers are also exploring trade scenarios as well, especially with teams that have multiple picks. -- Givony
18. Miami Heat
Rayan Rupert
NZ Breakers
SG/SF
Age: 19.0
Rupert's skills and strong work ethic have kept him somewhat steadily in this range of the draft and make him an intriguing prospect. He should be on track to fill a role with his defense and offer a solid long-term outlook as his offensive game improves. He would fit nicely with a Heat team that could use more length and defensive backbone on the perimeter. Miami may also lose some depth in free agency, where Gabe Vincent and Max Strus could depart or become much more expensive to retain, making this pick a key opportunity for the Heat to inject some youth. -- Woo
19. Golden State Warriors
Jett Howard
Michigan
SG/SF
Age: 19.7
Howard's draft range starts around No. 11 (Orlando), with plenty of teams looking for shooters with size, skill and feel that will likely consider him, including Toronto (No. 13), Utah (No. 16), and the Lakers (No. 17). He's an extreme contrast in ability, from what he showed early in the season until late of it when he played through an injury. If not Howard, the Warriors could look at other prospects who fit their style of play. The appetite for taking on more projects will likely be limited due to their narrow window for maximizing the prime of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and others. Sources tell ESPN the Warriors are also exploring the option of acquiring a high draft pick in exchange for a young prospect such as Jonathan Kuminga -- Givony
20. Houston Rockets (via LA Clippers)
Noah Clowney
Alabama
PF
Age: 18.9
Clowney has plenty of fans around the league, but with the way the board has fallen, his draft range looks to be a bit wider than some expected, with interest from teams in the teens to the back of the first round. While the Rockets are believed to be shopping the No. 20 pick, Clowney could be a viable option if they keep it, offering some much-needed defensive presence and a low maintenance offensive skill set that would slot nicely alongside Houston's many scorers and playmakers. His excellent feel places him closer to contributing than most teenagers, and he's an intriguing long-term bet. -- Woo
21. Brooklyn Nets (via Phoenix)
Keyonte George
Baylor
SG
Age: 19.5
This would represent a little bit of a slide for George, one of many guard and wing prospects vying to hear their names in the Nos. 11 to 21 range. His scoring and ability to find teammates off a dribble could be a good fit alongside Spencer Dinwiddie and Mikal Bridges if he surprisingly drops this far on draft night. The Nets are believed to be exploring trade options, including the possibility of packaging both picks and moving into the late lottery or middle first round. -- Givony
22. Brooklyn Nets
James Nnaji
Barcelona
C
Age: 18.8
The Nets are believed to be open to moving around in the draft, with back-to-back picks that create somewhat of a pivot point in the first round. Nnaji remains somewhere in the Nos. 20 to 35 mix in a draft class that's extremely light on centers. Physically speaking, he's one of the top prospects in the draft, as a mobile, 6-11 big with a 7-4 wingspan. But with his minutes still fluctuating as Barcelona remains in the ACB playoffs, his in-person exposure to teams remains limited. Whether that degree of mystery helps or hinders him on draft night remains to be seen. -- Woo
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via New York)
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
UCLA
SF
Age: 22.3
With a second first-rounder, it would make sense for Portland to take a swing on a productive upperclassman like Jaquez, who should be ready to contribute sooner than later. His versatility, physicality and smarts should allow him to play a variety of positions and roles, and the coaching staff will appreciate the little things he does that contribute to winning. The direction Portland takes with this pick and the rest of their roster will be shaped in part by Charlotte's selection at No. 2. -- Givony
24. Sacramento Kings
Kris Murray
Iowa
PF
Age: 22.8
The Kings are hoping to further shift toward contending in the West and are believed to be primarily eyeing more experienced college players at this pick. The possibility of reuniting the Murray twins remains in play for Sacramento: Kris is an option for teams drafting higher than this, but in this scenario makes it all the way to No. 24. His shooting and versatility create a solid value floor, and while he profiles best as a role player due to the fact he's not a dynamic ball handler, Murray seems likely to help a team in relatively short order. -- Woo
25. Memphis Grizzlies
Brandin Podziemski
Santa Clara
SG
Age: 20.2
Podziemski fits the productive and versatile role player Memphis has targeted in past drafts. He would have a chance to earn playing time in a backcourt that will be much thinner once Ja Morant's suspension is announced. Memphis is another team that is believed to be aggressively looking for opportunities to trade up into the late lottery to middle first-round portion. -- Givony
26. Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland)
Leonard Miller
G League Ignite
SF/PF
Age: 19.5
The Pacers have been engaged in trade talks involving the Nos. 26, 29 and 32 picks as they continue to weigh the best path forward. While it seems unlikely they will make all of their picks, Indiana would be justified in taking a big swing later in the draft. Miller appears ticketed for the back half of the first round as an upside player with a rare mix of size and skill, but also a wide range of potential development. -- Woo
27. Charlotte Hornets (via Denver)
Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Marquette
PF
Age: 20.9
Prosper has had a strong pre-draft process that has solidified him as a prospect in the 20s, as his defensive versatility, length, budding shooting and upside are what many teams are looking for in the latter portion of the first round. Which direction the Hornets go might depend on what they ultimately decide to do with the No. 2 pick. They also have three second-round picks (Nos. 34, 39, 41) that could potentially be packaged to move up into the early 20s if there's a player they covet, or trade for future assets since it's unlikely for them to have five rookies on their roster next season. -- Givony
28. Utah Jazz (via Philadelphia)
Maxwell Lewis
Pepperdine
SF
Age: 20.8
Lewis still appears to have a wide range, having intrigued teams with his skills and scoring potential, but also leaving something to be desired in his readiness to contribute. His unique development trajectory and relative lack of high-level game experience can be argued either in his favor or against it, but there are teams who view him as a compelling long-term project. The question surrounding Lewis is where in the draft is he worth the risk. At this point in the first round, a team with multiple picks like Utah can be justified in taking a swing. -- Woo
29. Indiana Pacers (via Boston)
Ben Sheppard
Belmont
SF
Age: 21.9
Solid workouts following his strong showing in combine scrimmages have put Sheppard in first-round conversations. Teams have been intrigued by his shooting and all around play, giving him a chance to leapfrog some bigger names. With the Pacers exploring trade opportunities at this spot, keep in mind that another team may wind up selecting here. -- Woo
30. LA Clippers (via Milwaukee)
Dariq Whitehead
Duke
SG/SF
Age: 18.8
Whitehead figures to come off the board toward the end of the first round, as he trends toward a clean bill of health following his recent foot surgery. He continues to visit with teams and presents a potential value opportunity in the draft, considering his projected lottery status coming out of high school. He still is 18. -- Woo
SECOND ROUND
31. Detroit Pistons
Marcus Sasser | Houston | PG/SG | Age: 22.7
32. Indiana Pacers (via Houston)
Brice Sensabaugh | Ohio St. | SF/PF | Age: 19.6
33. San Antonio Spurs
Andre Jackson Jr. | UConn | SG/SF | Age: 21.5
34. Charlotte Hornets
Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana | SF | Age: 23.3
35. Boston Celtics (via Portland)
Gregory Jackson II | South Carolina | PF | Age: 18.4
36. Orlando Magic
Colby Jones | Xavier | SF | Age: 21.0
37. Denver Nuggets (via Oklahoma City)
Julian Phillips | Tennessee | SF | Age: 19.6
38. Sacramento Kings (via Indiana)
Jalen Wilson | Indiana | SF/PF | Age: 22.6
39. Charlotte Hornets (via Utah)
Jordan Walsh | Arkansas | SF/PF | Age: 19.2
40. Denver Nuggets (via Dallas)
Sidy Cissoko | G League Ignite | SG/SF | Age: 19.1
41. Charlotte Hornets (via Oklahoma City)
Terquavion Smith | NC State | SG | Age: 20.4
42. Washington Wizards (via Chicago)
Kobe Brown | Missouri | PF/C | Age: 23.4
43. Portland Trail Blazers (via Atlanta)
Seth Lundy | Penn St. | SG/SF | Age: 23.1
44. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto)
Tristan Vukcevic | Partizan | PF/C | Age: 20.2
45. Memphis Grizzlies (via Minnesota)
Amari Bailey | UCLA | PG | Age: 19.3
46. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans)
Keyontae Johnson | Kansas St. | SF | Age: 23.0
47. Los Angeles Lakers
Julian Strawther | Gonzaga | SF | Age: 21.1
48. LA Clippers
Mouhamed Gueye | Washington St. | PF/C | Age: 20.5
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Golden State)
Hunter Tyson | Clemson | SF/PF | Age: 23.0
50. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami)
Jalen Pickett | Penn St. | PG | Age: 23.6
51. Brooklyn Nets
Colin Castleton | Florida | C | Age: 23.0
52. Phoenix Suns
Emoni Bates | Eastern Michigan | SG/SF | Age: 19.3
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via New York)
Chris Livingston | Kentucky | SF/PF | Age: 19.6
54. Sacramento Kings
Ricky Council IV | Arkansas | SG/SF | Age: 21.8
55. Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland)
Toumani Camara | Dayton | PF | Age: 23.0
56. Memphis Grizzlies
Jordan Miller | Miami | SF/PF | Age: 23.3
57. Washington Wizards (via Boston)
Adama Sanogo | UConn | C | Age: 21.3
58. Milwaukee Bucks
Jaylen Clark | UCLA | SG/SF | Age: 21.6
Note: The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers each forfeited a 2023 second-round draft pick.
The 2023 NBA draft is just over a week away as teams continue to conduct individual workouts prior to locking in their draft boards for June 22 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN app).
One prospect that didn't compete in workouts because he's still playing competitive basketball is presumptive No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama. The 19-year-old big man led his Metropolitans 92 team to an unexpected appearance in the LNB Pro A finals, but are one loss away from elimination against Monaco. Following the completion of his season, Wembanyama will travel to the United States and is one of 19 prospects that received an invitation Tuesday to sit in the NBA draft green room.
With the San Antonio Spurs all but certain to select Wembanyama, the race for the No. 2 pick is still up for grabs. Scoot Henderson reportedly had an impressive workout in Charlotte last week as the Hornets will decide between the G League Ignite guard and Alabama's Brandon Miller.
How will the rest of the draft play out next week at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York? NBA draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo provide their latest projection.
FIRST ROUND
1. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama
Metropolitans 92
PF/C
Age: 19.4
While his fellow prospects in the first round play the cat-and-mouse game by conducting one-on-zero workouts, Wembanyama continues to test himself, now going up against Monaco -- one of the best teams in European basketball. Down 2-0 and with his team clearly overmatched talent-wise, Wembanyama still found a way to have a productive showing in Game 2, posting 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals. His stellar defense was on full display with the way he put a lid on the rim, hedged ball screens out to half court and switched onto smaller players on the perimeter. The Spurs dispatched their medical staff to France last week to conduct their due diligence, and with that successfully out of the way, everything looks on track for him to be the No. 1 pick and start restoring the proud franchise to relevance. -- Jonathan Givony
2. Charlotte Hornets
Brandon Miller
Alabama
SF
Age: 20.5
Scoot Henderson helped his standing in Charlotte with a highly impressive workout this past weekend in front of the Hornets' front office and coaching staff. He showed an impressive level of conditioning, intensity, explosiveness and shot-making that portend good things for him later. Still, many signs continue to point toward Miller being the pick at No. 2, both due to his clean roster fit as much as the front office's belief in his long-term talent. The Hornets have conducted due diligence in Tuscaloosa to help ease concerns around Miller's involvement in the Jan. 6 fatal shooting of Jamea Jonae Harris. The possibility of New Orleans (who are fans of Henderson) offering Brandon Ingram in a trade for the No. 2 pick could shake things up potentially on draft night, but it's still too early to say whether that is a realistic possibility. -- Givony
3. Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson
G League Ignite
PG
Age: 19.3
The Trail Blazers are doing their due diligence by bringing in Amen and Ausar Thompson, Henderson, Cam Whitmore and others for private workouts. Portland will continue to explore trade opportunities until it is on the clock for this pick, but it seems the team will be pleased to select either Miller or Henderson. Henderson's outstanding workout in Charlotte indicates he's very much in play at No. 2 despite Miller continuing to be the favorite there. Miller will be in Portland soon to also make his case for being the No. 3 pick. -- Givony
4. Houston Rockets
Amen Thompson
Overtime Elite
PG/SG
Age: 20.3
At this point, Amen Thompson and Whitmore are the two names circulating as leading candidates at No. 4. One potential factor in the decision is James Harden's potential return to the Rockets -- a situation that rival teams have come to view as increasingly uncertain in recent weeks. Provided they can give Thompson the requisite role and runway to develop and realize his tantalizing upside, Houston can certainly justify a major swing here by betting on the mix of elite athleticism, size and playmaking skills that could turn him into a star and the type of dynamic point guard its roster lacks. Thompson has received strong reviews from teams on the workout circuit and it appears the questions surrounding his jump shot won't preclude him from hearing his name called early. -- Jeremy Woo
5. Detroit Pistons
Cam Whitmore
Villanova
SF
Age: 18.9
Whitmore is getting looks at No. 4 with Houston, but many around the league believe Detroit is a natural landing spot for him considering the Pistons' roster and the significant upside he offers. Whitmore is working out for teams across the top 10 -- including Portland, Houston, Detroit, Orlando, Indiana and Utah -- and making a strong impression with his shooting and explosiveness. His workout in Detroit on Monday gave him an opportunity to show the Pistons brass an opportunity to envision how he would fit in a backcourt with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. Some trade scenarios could be in play for the Pistons with the No. 31 pick as well, for example, packaging Bojan Bogdanovic for Tim Hardaway Jr. and the No. 10 pick, sources tell ESPN. -- Givony
6. Orlando Magic
Ausar Thompson
Overtime Elite
PG/SG
Age: 20.3
This Magic pick represents a key pivot point in the lottery with them weighing a wide range of candidates. While Ausar Thompson may hear his name called a couple picks after his twin brother, some teams prefer his scoring aggressiveness, defensive mindset and his comfort level without the ball. This is a difficult spot for Orlando, with none of the options a perfect fit alongside franchise players Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Magic could be justified in simply taking the biggest upside swing available here, then making a safer choice at No. 11. If Orlando goes a different direction, Thompson isn't expected to fall much further, as he's thought to be strongly in play for Indiana and Washington, as well. -- Woo
7. Indiana Pacers
Jarace Walker
Houston
PF
Age: 19.7
Walker is believed to have a narrow draft range consisting of Detroit at No. 5, Indiana at No. 7 and Utah at No. 9. He will also conduct a workout with Orlando that opens up opportunities for him at the No. 6 and No. 11 picks. With the Pacers believed to be actively seeking an explosive, defensive-minded power forward who can bring a physical presence and multi-positional versatility, Walker is a natural fit for their roster composition, standing 6-foot-8, 249 pounds with 7-2½ wingspan. The team has plenty of shot-creation and scoring with Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, but struggled defensively and on the glass due to their lack of physicality. Walker, Ausar Thompson (working out later this week) and Taylor Hendricks are said to be their top-two candidates. -- Givony
8. Washington Wizards
Anthony Black
Arkansas
PG/SG
Age: 19.3
The Wizards are believed to be primarily eyeing guards at this spot, as they enter what could be a full rebuild under new boss Michael Winger. Black's playmaking ability, defensive qualities and untapped upside as a 6-7 lead guard could make him an excellent player to build around, and he'd enter a situation that would give him plenty of room to grow into a high-usage role. NBA teams are constantly searching for the type of two-way perimeter versatility Black offers, and his range appears to begin as high as No. 6 with Orlando. He's conducted or will conduct workouts for teams throughout the lottery, including Houston, Utah and Dallas in addition to the Magic. -- Woo
9. Utah Jazz
Taylor Hendricks
UCF
PF
Age: 19.5
The Jazz appear to be in a similar position as Indiana, seeking a gifted forward with defensive versatility to pair with leading scorer Lauri Markkanen, with the top two candidates being Hendricks and Walker. Filling that need with their first pick, and then focusing on adding backcourt depth with their second pick, makes sense considering the number of guards and wings expected to be available later in the draft. However, that plan could change if Black happens to fall here. He's believed to be high on the team's draft board. -- Givony
10. Dallas Mavericks
Dereck Lively II
Duke
C
Age: 19.3
This Dallas pick is believed to be available in trade scenarios, creating a pivot point where a range of players and teams could wind up in play at No. 10. Lively appears to have helped himself quite a bit in the pre-draft process, having shown improvement over the course of the year at Duke, and now recontextualized himself as the highest upside true center in a draft that's unusually thin at his position. His range is believed to begin with the Mavericks -- he could provide a long-term answer at center -- and his responsibilities would be made easy by playing alongside Luka Doncic. The Magic (No. 11), the Thunder (No. 12) and Hawks (No. 15) are also believed to have interest, and it seems unlikely Lively falls too far out of the lottery, if at all. -- Woo
11. Orlando Magic (via Chicago)
Gradey ****
Kansas
SG/SF
Age: 19.5
****'s draft range appears to be a little wider than initially anticipated, as he'll be conducting workouts with Orlando for this slot, as well as Oklahoma City (No. 12) and Toronto (No. 13). The pre-draft process, which mostly revolves around one-on-zero workouts in ****'s case, doesn't necessarily capture his strengths: confidence, competitiveness and feel for the game, which are difficult to measure in drills. Nonetheless, getting a shooter of ****'s caliber would be a significant boon for the Magic, who have plenty of opportunity on the wing and need to add as much floor spacing as they can to amplify the strengths of franchise stalwarts Banchero and Wagner. Should **** slide past Orlando, Toronto is believed to be a strong suitor. -- Givony
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Kobe Bufkin
Michigan
PG/SG
Age: 19.7
Bufkin has quietly gathered a good deal of interest in the pre-draft process and is being extremely selective where he works out, with a lottery selection potentially on the horizon. The Thunder have plenty of young guards and can go in a number of directions at No. 12, but Oklahoma City rarely hesitates to grab the best talent on the board, and Bufkin has built a strong case to be the first player drafted among a large group of guards jockeying for position. He's a name to watch over the next week, with room to potentially rise higher. Washington and Utah appear to be candidates to select guards at No. 8 and No. 9. -- Woo
13. Toronto Raptors
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Indiana
PG/SG
Age: 19.9
Many around the NBA are curious to see if the Raptors will move up on draft night, as there's a sense that they could be significant trade players depending on how aggressively they want to get involved with the likes of Pascal Siakam and others. Should they stand pat, targeting a guard with considerable upside as a shot-creator -- such as Hood-Schifino -- makes sense. However, adding shooting to this roster will also be another significant priority. There's a big glut of players in this range (****, Bufkin, Cason Wallace, Nick Smith Jr., Jett Howard), but Hood-Schifino's terrific physical traits along with the potential star power he offers could make him very attractive at this slot. -- Givony
14. New Orleans Pelicans
Bilal Coulibaly
Metropolitans 92
SG/SF
Age: 18.8
Coulibaly's strong performances in the playoffs alongside Wembanyama have helped to further solidify him as a player with a real lottery argument. Despite his unavailability to work out for teams, his stock appears to be in a good place. The Jazz and Thunder both sent decision-makers to Monaco this week to take another look at Coulibaly, where he bounced back from a difficult first game in the Pro A finals with a strong performance in Game 2. His physical tools, playmaking potential and two-way upside present a nice developmental bet for any type of roster construction. The Pelicans should have quite a few options at this slot, depending on which players fall here, and should be in position to deepen their perimeter options regardless. -- Woo
15. Atlanta Hawks
Cason Wallace
Kentucky
PG/SG
Age: 19.5
Wallace is a player with one of the biggest draft ranges of any prospect in the class, starting with Washington, Utah and Dallas in the top 10 and continuing through the late teens depending on how the night evolves. Atlanta hasn't had an easy time getting players into its building, as approximately 20 prospects strongly feel they will be selected in the lottery and a significant number of those insist on conducting one-on-zero workouts that are normally reserved for top picks. The Hawks' relatively crowded roster and uncertain direction moving forward makes it difficult to project how many minutes will be available for younger players in the short-term, which has complicated their sales pitch. A tough, defensive-minded combo guard such as Wallace, who can operate in various lineups, could make sense in either their present situation or a future one depending on how the franchise proceeds with Trae Young. -- Givony
16. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)
Jordan Hawkins
UConn
SG
Age: 21.1
Hawkins' range begins in the late lottery and seems to run into the late teens, offering teams a unique skill set as a movement shooter and bringing college experience off the strength of UConn's title run. The Jazz are believed to be high on him and could immediately benefit from his shooting. Should Utah wind up with a frontcourt target such as Hendricks or Walker at No. 9, it could turn to a guard here, with several big-name options possibly available. With picks Nos. 9, 16 and 28, it's feasible the Jazz could move around in various scenarios. -- Woo
17. Los Angeles Lakers
Nick Smith Jr.
Arkansas
PG/SG
Age: 19.1
Smith is another guard with a wide range on draft night, starting with Washington (No.
and drawing serious interest from Orlando (No. 11), Toronto (No. 13) and New Orleans' (No. 14). With a huge glut of guards and wings expected to be picked in this range, there are scenarios that could see Smith fall out of the lottery, giving the Lakers an opportunity to add a significant talent who started last season as a projected top-five pick prior to injuries. The Lakers could certainly use a combo guard who can shoot off the bounce, create off a live dribble, finish with creativity inside the arc and bring strong competitiveness on both ends of the floor. The Lakers are also exploring trade scenarios as well, especially with teams that have multiple picks. -- Givony18. Miami Heat
Rayan Rupert
NZ Breakers
SG/SF
Age: 19.0
Rupert's skills and strong work ethic have kept him somewhat steadily in this range of the draft and make him an intriguing prospect. He should be on track to fill a role with his defense and offer a solid long-term outlook as his offensive game improves. He would fit nicely with a Heat team that could use more length and defensive backbone on the perimeter. Miami may also lose some depth in free agency, where Gabe Vincent and Max Strus could depart or become much more expensive to retain, making this pick a key opportunity for the Heat to inject some youth. -- Woo
19. Golden State Warriors
Jett Howard
Michigan
SG/SF
Age: 19.7
Howard's draft range starts around No. 11 (Orlando), with plenty of teams looking for shooters with size, skill and feel that will likely consider him, including Toronto (No. 13), Utah (No. 16), and the Lakers (No. 17). He's an extreme contrast in ability, from what he showed early in the season until late of it when he played through an injury. If not Howard, the Warriors could look at other prospects who fit their style of play. The appetite for taking on more projects will likely be limited due to their narrow window for maximizing the prime of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and others. Sources tell ESPN the Warriors are also exploring the option of acquiring a high draft pick in exchange for a young prospect such as Jonathan Kuminga -- Givony
20. Houston Rockets (via LA Clippers)
Noah Clowney
Alabama
PF
Age: 18.9
Clowney has plenty of fans around the league, but with the way the board has fallen, his draft range looks to be a bit wider than some expected, with interest from teams in the teens to the back of the first round. While the Rockets are believed to be shopping the No. 20 pick, Clowney could be a viable option if they keep it, offering some much-needed defensive presence and a low maintenance offensive skill set that would slot nicely alongside Houston's many scorers and playmakers. His excellent feel places him closer to contributing than most teenagers, and he's an intriguing long-term bet. -- Woo
21. Brooklyn Nets (via Phoenix)
Keyonte George
Baylor
SG
Age: 19.5
This would represent a little bit of a slide for George, one of many guard and wing prospects vying to hear their names in the Nos. 11 to 21 range. His scoring and ability to find teammates off a dribble could be a good fit alongside Spencer Dinwiddie and Mikal Bridges if he surprisingly drops this far on draft night. The Nets are believed to be exploring trade options, including the possibility of packaging both picks and moving into the late lottery or middle first round. -- Givony
22. Brooklyn Nets
James Nnaji
Barcelona
C
Age: 18.8
The Nets are believed to be open to moving around in the draft, with back-to-back picks that create somewhat of a pivot point in the first round. Nnaji remains somewhere in the Nos. 20 to 35 mix in a draft class that's extremely light on centers. Physically speaking, he's one of the top prospects in the draft, as a mobile, 6-11 big with a 7-4 wingspan. But with his minutes still fluctuating as Barcelona remains in the ACB playoffs, his in-person exposure to teams remains limited. Whether that degree of mystery helps or hinders him on draft night remains to be seen. -- Woo
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via New York)
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
UCLA
SF
Age: 22.3
With a second first-rounder, it would make sense for Portland to take a swing on a productive upperclassman like Jaquez, who should be ready to contribute sooner than later. His versatility, physicality and smarts should allow him to play a variety of positions and roles, and the coaching staff will appreciate the little things he does that contribute to winning. The direction Portland takes with this pick and the rest of their roster will be shaped in part by Charlotte's selection at No. 2. -- Givony
24. Sacramento Kings
Kris Murray
Iowa
PF
Age: 22.8
The Kings are hoping to further shift toward contending in the West and are believed to be primarily eyeing more experienced college players at this pick. The possibility of reuniting the Murray twins remains in play for Sacramento: Kris is an option for teams drafting higher than this, but in this scenario makes it all the way to No. 24. His shooting and versatility create a solid value floor, and while he profiles best as a role player due to the fact he's not a dynamic ball handler, Murray seems likely to help a team in relatively short order. -- Woo
25. Memphis Grizzlies
Brandin Podziemski
Santa Clara
SG
Age: 20.2
Podziemski fits the productive and versatile role player Memphis has targeted in past drafts. He would have a chance to earn playing time in a backcourt that will be much thinner once Ja Morant's suspension is announced. Memphis is another team that is believed to be aggressively looking for opportunities to trade up into the late lottery to middle first-round portion. -- Givony
26. Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland)
Leonard Miller
G League Ignite
SF/PF
Age: 19.5
The Pacers have been engaged in trade talks involving the Nos. 26, 29 and 32 picks as they continue to weigh the best path forward. While it seems unlikely they will make all of their picks, Indiana would be justified in taking a big swing later in the draft. Miller appears ticketed for the back half of the first round as an upside player with a rare mix of size and skill, but also a wide range of potential development. -- Woo
27. Charlotte Hornets (via Denver)
Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Marquette
PF
Age: 20.9
Prosper has had a strong pre-draft process that has solidified him as a prospect in the 20s, as his defensive versatility, length, budding shooting and upside are what many teams are looking for in the latter portion of the first round. Which direction the Hornets go might depend on what they ultimately decide to do with the No. 2 pick. They also have three second-round picks (Nos. 34, 39, 41) that could potentially be packaged to move up into the early 20s if there's a player they covet, or trade for future assets since it's unlikely for them to have five rookies on their roster next season. -- Givony
28. Utah Jazz (via Philadelphia)
Maxwell Lewis
Pepperdine
SF
Age: 20.8
Lewis still appears to have a wide range, having intrigued teams with his skills and scoring potential, but also leaving something to be desired in his readiness to contribute. His unique development trajectory and relative lack of high-level game experience can be argued either in his favor or against it, but there are teams who view him as a compelling long-term project. The question surrounding Lewis is where in the draft is he worth the risk. At this point in the first round, a team with multiple picks like Utah can be justified in taking a swing. -- Woo
29. Indiana Pacers (via Boston)
Ben Sheppard
Belmont
SF
Age: 21.9
Solid workouts following his strong showing in combine scrimmages have put Sheppard in first-round conversations. Teams have been intrigued by his shooting and all around play, giving him a chance to leapfrog some bigger names. With the Pacers exploring trade opportunities at this spot, keep in mind that another team may wind up selecting here. -- Woo
30. LA Clippers (via Milwaukee)
Dariq Whitehead
Duke
SG/SF
Age: 18.8
Whitehead figures to come off the board toward the end of the first round, as he trends toward a clean bill of health following his recent foot surgery. He continues to visit with teams and presents a potential value opportunity in the draft, considering his projected lottery status coming out of high school. He still is 18. -- Woo
SECOND ROUND
31. Detroit Pistons
Marcus Sasser | Houston | PG/SG | Age: 22.7
32. Indiana Pacers (via Houston)
Brice Sensabaugh | Ohio St. | SF/PF | Age: 19.6
33. San Antonio Spurs
Andre Jackson Jr. | UConn | SG/SF | Age: 21.5
34. Charlotte Hornets
Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana | SF | Age: 23.3
35. Boston Celtics (via Portland)
Gregory Jackson II | South Carolina | PF | Age: 18.4
36. Orlando Magic
Colby Jones | Xavier | SF | Age: 21.0
37. Denver Nuggets (via Oklahoma City)
Julian Phillips | Tennessee | SF | Age: 19.6
38. Sacramento Kings (via Indiana)
Jalen Wilson | Indiana | SF/PF | Age: 22.6
39. Charlotte Hornets (via Utah)
Jordan Walsh | Arkansas | SF/PF | Age: 19.2
40. Denver Nuggets (via Dallas)
Sidy Cissoko | G League Ignite | SG/SF | Age: 19.1
41. Charlotte Hornets (via Oklahoma City)
Terquavion Smith | NC State | SG | Age: 20.4
42. Washington Wizards (via Chicago)
Kobe Brown | Missouri | PF/C | Age: 23.4
43. Portland Trail Blazers (via Atlanta)
Seth Lundy | Penn St. | SG/SF | Age: 23.1
44. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto)
Tristan Vukcevic | Partizan | PF/C | Age: 20.2
45. Memphis Grizzlies (via Minnesota)
Amari Bailey | UCLA | PG | Age: 19.3
46. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans)
Keyontae Johnson | Kansas St. | SF | Age: 23.0
47. Los Angeles Lakers
Julian Strawther | Gonzaga | SF | Age: 21.1
48. LA Clippers
Mouhamed Gueye | Washington St. | PF/C | Age: 20.5
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Golden State)
Hunter Tyson | Clemson | SF/PF | Age: 23.0
50. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami)
Jalen Pickett | Penn St. | PG | Age: 23.6
51. Brooklyn Nets
Colin Castleton | Florida | C | Age: 23.0
52. Phoenix Suns
Emoni Bates | Eastern Michigan | SG/SF | Age: 19.3
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via New York)
Chris Livingston | Kentucky | SF/PF | Age: 19.6
54. Sacramento Kings
Ricky Council IV | Arkansas | SG/SF | Age: 21.8
55. Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland)
Toumani Camara | Dayton | PF | Age: 23.0
56. Memphis Grizzlies
Jordan Miller | Miami | SF/PF | Age: 23.3
57. Washington Wizards (via Boston)
Adama Sanogo | UConn | C | Age: 21.3
58. Milwaukee Bucks
Jaylen Clark | UCLA | SG/SF | Age: 21.6
Note: The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers each forfeited a 2023 second-round draft pick.
Moheezy
formerly mizzoe33
- Feb 10, 2008
- 11,494
- 9,477
- Jul 16, 2017
- 22,604
- 16,322
Degeneration X?
- Mar 8, 2008
- 6,683
- 1,314
Miller is MJ’s guy. FO wants Scoot
- Sep 12, 2014
- 24,874
- 21,667
I wonder if Raptors are gonna draft some euro unknown with Darko as coach now
