Julian Strawther linked to Hornets, Kings, Blazers ahead of 2023 NBA Draft
While it's unlikely that a Gonzaga Bulldog gets picked in the first round of Thursday's 2023 NBA Draft, patience can be a virtue for sharpshooting wing Julian Strawther.
Strawther, who is coming off an All-WCC first-team honor as a junior, is projected to fall somewhere in the early-to-mid-second-round selections. While there's always a chance the unexpected happens, Strawther will most likely have to wait to hear his name called until picks 40-50, according to most mock drafts.
It isn't the same buzz some of his previous teammates received coming out of Gonzaga — Chet Holmgren went No. 2 overall in 2022, followed by Andrew Nembhard at 31; Jalen Suggs was taken at No. 5 while Corey Kispert went No. 15 in 2021. Still, Strawther can contribute to any organization with his size and efficient 3-point shooting.
Strawther shot 40.8% from beyond the arc last season on over five attempts per game. He thrived coming off screens and spotting up at the top of the break, where he knocked down 39 of his 95 attempts, the fifth-most makes among this year's draft prospects. As a spot-up shooter, he ranked in the 97th percentile according to Synergy.
When he wasn't pulling up from deep, Strawther attacked defenses with an effective floater, showcasing his body control and touch near the basket. He was also an effective rebounder as a Zag, averaging 6.2 boards per game. Scouts have concerns regarding his attentiveness on defense, but at 6-foot-7 and 209 pounds, he has the size and speed to compete against NBA-level wings.
Strawther's landing spot on Thursday is a guessing game for now, but here are three teams that he could receive a call from on draft night:
Charlotte Hornets (Picks: 2nd, 27th, 34th, 39th, 41st)
It wouldn't be a shock to see Charlotte spend one of its three second-round picks on a wing like Strawther, as NBAdraftroom.com, Bleacher Report and Tankathon have all projected in their respective mock drafts. Given the team's needs and play style, there's potential for a natural fit.
Under Steve Clifford, now in his second stint as Charlotte's head coach, the Hornets utilize a lot of off-ball screens in their offensive sets. According to NBA's play type tracking, Charlotte ran the fifth-most off-ball screens in the league last season, though the high usage didn't always translate to easy buckets. The Hornets shot 34.9% from the field in those sets, the fourth-worst in the league, and had the fifth-worst scoring frequency (36%).
Perhaps Strawther's ability to come off screens would bode well for an offense in desperate need of shooting.
Considering the Hornets (27-55) were the second-worst 3-point shooting team in the league last season, it's reasonable to expect general manager Mitch Kupchak to bring in more talent along the perimeter this summer. Kelly Oubre is set to be a free agent and Gordon Hayward is entering the final year of his contract, leaving the small forward position relatively thin moving forward.
Portland Trail Blazers (Picks: 3rd, 23rd, 43rd)
The Blazers seemingly have another offseason to surround as much talent as possible around franchise star Damian Lillard, who doesn't seem interested in a rebuilding project heading into his 12th NBA season at 33 years old.
"If Portland is serious about making a run and consolidating assets to maximize Damian Lillard's prime years, Strawther would make sense as an instant-offense addition," wrote CBS Sports in its mock draft from Sunday.
Whether Portland trades either or both of its first-round picks, taking Strawther at No. 43 is great value for a team in need of more 3-point shooting off the bench alongside Shaedon Sharpe, last year's No. 7 overall pick. Cam Reddish has a team option heading into free agency, while Justice Winslow (31.1% from 3) and Kevin Knox (31.4%) aren't proven floor-spacers at this stage of their respective careers.
With guards that can create shots for themselves and others, Strawther can be lethal as a spot-up shooter.
Sacramento Kings (Picks: 24th, 38th, 54th)
The Kings boasted one of the fastest offenses in the NBA, with 20.3% of all their plays coming in transition during the regular season. Alongside two exceptional playmakers in De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, Strawther wouldn't have difficulty fitting in with Sacramento's talented young core.
Strawther proved how effective he can be in an up-tempo offense at Gonzaga as someone who finds breakdowns in the opponent's transition defense to find open shots for himself. His ability to fill lanes will be valuable at the next level, especially as a spot-up shooter.
Harrison Barnes and Terence Davis are set to be free agents this summer, leaving Sacramento in search of wing depth. Pulling the trigger on Strawther with the 38th pick is a low-risk move for a team looking to build off last season's successes.
Also, reuniting two former Zags is always a good fit.
