2023 NBA Draft Analysis Part 4

Thanks everyone for keeping the patience on this final part, wherein we cover all the remaining teams.

Prior parts of this series are here (part 1), here (part 2) and here (part 3).

Minnesota Timberwolves

Pick 33 F Leonard Miller (via trade) G League Ignite

Pick 53 G Jaylen Clark UCLA

The Timberwolves secured a major steal by picking Leonard Miller at 33, considering his top 20 prospect status. Standing at 6'9", Miller brings athleticism and versatility as a power forward who can potentially play as a small ball 5. His playmaking ability and mobility on defense make him an exciting prospect, although his shooting needs improvement.

Clark is a top-tier perimeter defender, albeit slightly undersized at 6'4", and his draft stock was impacted by an Achilles injury and current shooting struggles.

Grade: A

New Orleans Pelicans

Pick 14 G Jordan Hawkins UConn

Hawkins is widely regarded as an elite shooter, potentially one of the best in this draft class. However, his undersized frame poses a challenge in defending larger guards, and he will need to add size and strength to be more effective in that aspect. Nevertheless, he excels as an off-ball mover with a high motor. One area that requires improvement is his finishing at the rim. The Pelicans' rotation is uncertain for him, and there may be questions about where he fits in. I did have multiple prospects ahead of him at this stage and as such don’t think Pelicans got the best player available.

Grade: C

New York Knicks

No picks.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Pick 10 G Cason Wallace (via trade) Kentucky

Pick 50 F Keyontae Johnson Kansas State

Cason Wallace, a 6'3" guard from Kentucky, showcases strong defensive instincts both on and off the ball, along with a high basketball IQ and solid finishing ability at the rim. However, in my opinion, he represents a high-floor, low-upside prospect due to being slightly undersized for guarding multiple positions in the NBA. Additionally, joining the Oklahoma City Thunder, who already have two elite ball handlers in SGA and Giddey, as well as the playmaking abilities of Williams and Holmgren, may limit Wallace's opportunities. Personally, I ranked Bufkin higher than Wallace on my board and believed Bufkin would be a better fit for the Thunder due to his higher ceiling as a prospect.

Keyontae Johnson, on the other hand, has the size of a wing player and has the potential to develop into a 3-and-D player who excels in cutting and role-playing.

Grade: B

Orlando Magic

Pick 6 G Anthony Black Arkansas

Pick 11 G Jett Howard Michigan

Anthony Black is a promising big guard entering the NBA, possessing solid playmaking and defensive abilities. He has the physical tools to excel at the professional level. While his offensive game has room for improvement especially on the shooting end, he has shown flashes of potential as a slasher and good rim finisher. However, his fit on a team that already has three point guards in Fultz, Suggs, and Anthony raises questions about the future of these guards.

Howard, on the other hand, is an exceptional shooter with excellent mechanics and a polished stroke. He also displays decent passing skills. However, he faces challenges in terms of athleticism, struggles defensively, and lacks the size to guard larger guards or forwards. I had multiple prospects ahead of him at this stage including Dick, Bufkin, Whitmore, and as such am not a big fan of this pick.

Grade: B

Philadelphia 76ers

No picks.

Phoenix Suns

Pick 52 F Toumani Camara Dayton

Camara, standing at 6'7", is a versatile wing player with the ability to switch defensively, rebound effectively, and possesses good size for his position. While he shows potential on the defensive end, he will need to develop various aspects of his offensive game to become a serviceable role player on the team. The decision to select a wing-sized player like Camara in the later stages of the draft is often seen as a wise use of resources by NBA teams.

Grade: A

Portland Trailblazers

Pick 3 G Scoot Henderson G League Ignite

Pick 23 F Kris Murray Iowa

Pick 43 F Rayan Rupert France

Scoot Henderson was number 2 on my big board and would have gone number 1 in more than half of the NBA drafts of the last decade in my opinion. Absolute elite superstar ceiling prospect and an excellent result for Portland at this stage of the draft.

Unfortunately, Kris Murray was selected one spot ahead of the Kings' pick, preventing the opportunity for a storybook reunion with his brother. Nevertheless, Murray is still a good fit for the Portland Trail Blazers. The team is in need of wing-sized players who can contribute on the defensive end and provide shooting, which Murray excels at. While he may not have a high ceiling, he brings a solid floor as a player.

Rupert, on the other hand, is a wing-sized prospect with good size and defensive instincts. If he can develop his offensive game, he has the potential to become a 3-and-D starter. While I had Cissoko ranked higher on my board (who was taken in the next pick), at this stage of the draft, I appreciate the willingness to take fliers on wing-sized players, given the high demand for such players in today's wing-thirsty NBA.

Grade: A

Sacramento Kings

Pick 34 F Colby Jones Xavier

Pick 54 F Jalen Slawson Furman

Jones is a 6'5" guard with a well-rounded game, lacking any clear weaknesses but also not possessing any outstanding strengths. He showcases solid playmaking skills, decent defensive ability, and shooting proficiency. With his versatile skill set, he has the potential to become a valuable role player on a successful team.

Slawson, similar to the second-round picks made by the Blazers and Suns, is another wing-sized flier selected late in the draft. He brings strong defensive abilities and has the potential for development in other areas of his game.

Grade: A

San Antonio Spurs

Pick 1 F Victor Wembanyama France

Pick 44 F Sidy Cissoko France

Wembanyama is widely regarded as a generational prospect, with hype comparable to that of LeBron James in 2003. He already possesses incredible defensive potential that is considered world-class, and there is still room for growth on the offensive end. It's difficult to overstate his potential impact.

Cissoko, on the other hand, brings good size and a high basketball IQ to the table. Coming from a background as a point guard, he showcases solid passing skills for his position. With strong defensive instincts, if he can further develop his shooting, he has the potential to become a valuable role player on the team, even with the possibility of eventually transitioning into a starting role.

Home run of a draft for the Spurs!

Grade: A

Toronto Raptors

Pick 13 G Gradey Dick Kansas

Dick stands out as one of the top shooters in this draft class, and potentially the best. His shooting ability addresses a need for the Toronto Raptors, considering their history of struggling with shooting among their big forward-sized players. However, for Dick to reach the next level, his defense remains a significant question mark.

I had Bufkin and Whitmore ahead of him, and would have much rather taken Bufkin due to him being a guard, a true position of need on this forward heavy team, and also higher upside.

Grade: B

Utah Jazz

Pick 9 F Taylor Hendricks UCF

Pick 16 G Keyonte George Baylor

Pick 28 F Brice Sensabaugh Ohio State

Hendricks was 4th on my big board. His positional versatility, defensive skills, and shooting ability make him a highly sought-after player in today's NBA. Thus, I believe the Jazz made a steal by selecting him with the 9th pick. However, his fit within a crowded frontcourt in Utah remains to be seen and will depend on how the team manages its roster.

Keyonte George, a combo guard with scoring prowess and the ability to finish through contact, could find a role as a backup shooting guard on a team like the Jazz, especially given their surplus of forwards. Although slightly undersized for his position, George has the potential to contribute right away as a backup.

Sensabaugh stands out as one of the top shooters in this draft class, boasting good size at 6'6" and excellent shooting mechanics. However, he will need to work on his defense and playmaking to become a solid role player for the team. Developing these aspects of his game will be crucial to his overall contribution.

Grade: A

Washington Wizards

Pick 7 G Bilal Coulibaly (via trade) France

Pick 42 F Tristan Vukcevic Serbia

Coulibaly, ranked 10th on my big board, possesses elite athleticism, good size, and a notable wingspan. His defensive skills are excellent, making him a standout in that regard. However, he will need to improve his offensive game, particularly his shooting, to reach the next level. Despite his immense potential, his lower floor compared to many lottery picks stems from his shooting limitations.

I had Walker and Hendricks ahead of him who went in the next two picks.

As for Vukcevic, he is likely to be a stash player this year, meaning he won't immediately join the team and may continue his development elsewhere. Vukcevic is a center with good size and shooting potential, offering an intriguing skill set for the future.

Grade: B