2023 NBA Draft Analysis Part 3

Prior parts of this series are here (part 1) and here (part 2).

Detroit Pistons

Pick 5 F Ausar Thompson Overtime Elite

Pick 25 G Marcus Sasser (via trade) Houston

As you all know, I’m big on the Thompson brothers and think both of them have a chance at being the second best player in this draft class, if we look back at this years down the line. Ausar Thompson fits a need with Detroit at the 3 spot, and will fit in well with Cade and Jaden, once Detroit figures out what to do with Bojan Bogdanović. He has shooting upside due to his mechanics and also be an able secondary playmaker on this team after Cade along with his obvious defensive prowess at his size and instincts. Great pick!

Sasser, however I don’t get the pick, as an undersized guard, whose ceiling looks like a Patrick Beverley on a team loaded with guards at the moment, not even counting Killian Hayes. Sensabaugh, Miller, Sheppard were all on the board who I think would have been better fits.

Grade: B

Golden State Warriors

Pick 19 G Brandin Podziemski Santa Clara

Pick 57 F Trayce Jackson-Davis (via trade) Indiana

Podziemski is a well-rounded player who can shoot, rebound, defend decently, and contribute as a secondary playmaker. He has the potential to develop into a valuable role player, similar to Bruce Brown or Donte DiVincenzo.

Jackson-Davis, on the other hand, has dominated in college but is undersized for the center position and lacks floor-stretching ability. He has scoring upside inside the paint, is a rim runner, and an average defender. He could potentially carve out a backup big man role on the team or even be a replacement for someone like Kevon Looney in the future.

Grade: A

Houston Rockets

Pick 4 G Amen Thompson Overtime Elite

Pick 20 F Cam Whitmore Villanova

I think the Rockets had the best draft this year, arguably. They got two of the top 10 prospects on my big board. Whitmore fell to 20th, due to some injury/ interview concerns at the pre draft stage. However at pick 20, this is worth the upside and I would have liked one of the teams before Houston to take a crack at him. He has tremendous upside as a wing scorer and defender.

Thompson is best suited to play the point, so it will be interesting to see how Houston manages their roster with multiple starting calibre players in Green, Porter Jr, Smith Jr, Sengun, Eason, Thompson, Whitmore, not to mention KJ Martin and Josh Christopher on the fringes.

Grade: A. A+++ if I was rating it that way.

Indiana Pacers

Pick 8 F Jarace Walker (via trade) Houston

Pick 26 F Ben Sheppard Belmont

Pick 47 G Mojeve King New Zealand

Pick 55 G Isaiah Wong Miami

Jarace Walker is a great fit for the Indiana Pacers as a versatile forward who excels in various aspects of the game. He can shoot, rebound, pass, defend, and even potentially play as a small ball center, depending on the future of Myles Turner. Although Hendricks was higher on your board, Walker still presents a strong pick for the team.

Sheppard adds shooting to the backcourt, joining a crowded roster that includes Haliburton, Hield, Nembhard, and Mathurin. He has the potential to be a long-term replacement for Hield, offering a shooting presence in the lineup.

King is a developing wing player who has room to grow and improve. Wong is a solid point guard who projects as a backup at best.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Clippers

Pick 30 F Kobe Brown Missouri

Pick 48 F Jordan Miller Miami

Kobe Brown is a four-year college man who projects as a solid, low upside, high ceiling 4 man. Leonard Miller, Cidy Sissoko were on the board still, both of whom I would have had before Brown.

Jordan Miller is a defensive first guard/small wing who can develop into a role player.

Grade: C

Los Angeles Lakers

Pick 17 G Jalen Hood-Schifino Indiana

Pick 40 F Maxwell Lewis (via trade) Pepperdine

The Lakers' scouting department has proven to be exceptional in finding hidden gems in the late first round, second round, and even among undrafted players in recent years.

Hood-Schifino is a promising big guard with strong playmaking and defensive abilities, along with a reliable mid-range jumper. If he can further develop his scoring game from all three levels, he has the potential to become a starting-caliber player. Moreover, he fits well with the Lakers' needs in the next 2-3 years of their championship contention, serving as a secondary playmaker and potentially as a replacement for D'Angelo Russell.

Lewis, in my opinion, fell lower than expected in this draft, as I had him projected in the early second round at the latest. He is a player with wing size and scoring skills, but there is room for improvement in terms of his defense and motor.

Overall, these picks demonstrate the Lakers' ability to identify talent in later rounds and undrafted players. Hood-Schifino and Lewis both have promising skills and potential, and with proper development, they could contribute to the Lakers' success in the future.

Grade: A

Memphis Grizzlies

Pick 45 F Gregory Jackson II South Carolina

Pick 56 F Tarik Biberovic Turkey

GG Jackson entered university with high expectations as a highly regarded high school player and is the youngest player in this draft class. While he has the potential to be a top scoring option, his fall in the draft can be attributed to maturity and attitude issues, as well as underwhelming performance at South Carolina compared to his high school success. As a result, he is likely to be signed on a two-way contract, where he can continue to develop and work on improving his game.

Biberovic is a draft and stash.

Grade: C

Miami Heat

Pick 18 F Jaime Jaquez Jr. UCLA

Jaquez Jr. is a four-year college player who possesses a versatile skill set and is expected to contribute in various areas, similar to a player like Kenrich Williams. He can rebound effectively, run pick-and-rolls, showcase passing abilities, and has potential as a shooter, although there is room for improvement in that aspect. Jaquez Jr. has the potential to provide valuable assistance to the Miami Heat at the power forward position, which is a position of need for the team.

Whitmore, Podziemski, Clowney are some of the names I had ahead of Jaquez Jr.

Grade: B

Milwaukee Bucks

Pick 36 F Andre Jackson Jr. (via trade) UConn

Pick 58 F Chris Livingston Kentucky

Jackson Jr. is a defensive-minded wing player who possesses a well-rounded skill set. He can contribute in various aspects of the game, including rebounding, passing, and both on-ball and off-ball defense. However, in terms of scoring in a half-court setting, he has room for improvement, particularly outside of cutting and transition opportunities. His shooting is not yet at an advanced level, and there may be questions regarding his fit alongside a team led by Giannis. Nevertheless, due to his winning mentality and high basketball IQ, Jackson Jr. has the potential to become an elite role player.

Livingston would likely be a two-way player with some size and defensive ability.

Grade: B