2023 NBA Draft Analysis Part 1

Our analysis of the 2023 NBA Draft, team by team, starting alphabetically.

Atlanta Hawks

15 G Kobe Bufkin Michigan

39 F Mouhamed Gueye (via trade) Washington State

46 G Seth Lundy Penn State

Bufkin is a versatile 6'4" combo guard known for his defensive, passing, and shooting abilities. He can play both guard positions effectively and provides Atlanta with a capable backup or a potential guard of the future. However, he needs to improve his strength to guard bigger opponents.

Gueye is a project big man who recently started playing organised basketball, offering potential for growth and development.

Lundy is an elite shooter but needs to work on other aspects of his game to become more well-rounded.

Grade: B

Boston Celtics

38 F Jordan Walsh (via trade) Arkansas

Boston made a series of draft moves and ultimately selected Jordan Walsh, a 6'7" forward from Arkansas. This draft marks the third selection from that school for Boston. Walsh possesses all the necessary physical attributes, skills, and fundamentals to become an elite defender, capable of guarding multiple positions. However, he would benefit from adding some size to effectively match up against NBA forwards. Additionally, he needs to focus on improving his offensive game, including finishing, shooting, cutting, and playing off-ball, in order to become a valuable role player or potentially even a starting-caliber defensive specialist, given that the only two other wings on this team are Brown and Tatum.

Grade: B

Brooklyn Nets

21 F Noah Clowney Alabama

22 G Dariq Whitehead Duke

51 F Jalen Wilson Kansas

I loved this draft for Brooklyn as I had Clowney much higher than where he was picked. He can play both the 4 and the 5 and has great size and length. Defensively he has the ability to switch and also protect the rim. Offensively he has a lot to work on especially the ability to become a rim runner or floor spacer, create for others, self create. We don’t know if Brooklyn views Claxton as the C for the future, so with Clowney’s ability to play both positions, this gives Brooklyn options.

Whitehead is a 6’6 wing who came in to college as a highly touted high school prospect and was an elite shooter at Duke. He has the offensive upside to be a three level scorer. It is his injuries and surgeries that have pushed him back in the draft, therein lies the risk, however at 22, it is a gamble worth taking for what would have been a lottery player if he was healthy.

Wilson has the ability to develop into a 3 and D wing for them and as such should spend some time in the G-League to develop.

Grade: A

Charlotte Hornets

2 F Brandon Miller Alabama

27 G Nick Smith Jr. Arkansas

31 C James Nnaji (via trade) Nigeria

41 G Amari Bailey UCLA

I’ve documented here how I rate Scoot as the second best prospect in this league, and as such, I would have picked Scoot if I were the one taking the call. However in a series of questionable picks made by Michael Jordan as the owner of the Hornets as Nick Wright eloquently puts here, Brandon Miller was chosen by the Hornets. While Miller is not a bad pick by any means, he was not the best player available according to my projections and per many NBA draft experts. Miller has potential as a three-level scorer, however he projects as an average defender and passer. If PJ Washington and Miles Bridges return, Miller will likely join a starting lineup alongside Ball, Rozier, Williams, and the two aforementioned players. He is expected to have opportunities as the second or third offensive option, depending on what happens with Bridges. He did call Paul George his GOAT here and while we can tell he has taken after Paul George in terms of some elements of his game style, he is nowhere near the defensive or playmaking prospect George was at this stage and remains to be seen if he can be THE guy on a winning team.

The rest of the draft however for the Hornets was a resounding success in my eyes.

Smith Jr. entered college with high expectations but had a disappointing season. However, he still has the potential to be a long-term replacement for Terry Rozier and has scoring upside.

Nnaji possesses a strong build, good athleticism, and the physical tools to develop into a quality defensive center. He could carve out a career as a backup big man or even earn a starting role if his development progresses. Initially, he may start as the third-string center behind Williams and Richards on the Hornets, but there is room for improvement and growth.

Bailey is a bit of a gamble at this stage, but he fits the mold of potentially replacing Rozier in the long term or serving as a scoring sixth man. He shows flashes of offensive talent but needs to work on his defensive skills.

Grade: A