NBA Mock Draft 3.0: How Jazz Can Ace All 3 First Round Picks
We’re now less than a month away from the NBA Draft kicking off on June 22nd, leading to increasing speculation and questions around how teams will attack the board. The NBA Combine has just come to a close, and now we, along with scouts and front offices have a little more information on these prospects.
The Utah Jazz are one of few teams that can go just about any direction with their first round picks. While most teams usually can pin one or two needs to fill, the Jazz have a collection of plays they could make, making their process that much more interesting.
We do know pretty certainly at least one of the thirty total first round picks on the board as of now, but the rest has still remained totally unclear. That’s where we are able to take a look at how the board has developed from the past couple of weeks.
Now with the draft approaching closer and closer, here’s our third official mock of the 2023 cycle:
Inside the Jazz 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, C, France
It’s hard to find many drafts with a more clear number one than Wembanyama. His deadly combination of towering 7 ’5 height and high athleticism with his well-rounded, two-way skill-set should set him up for a potential new era of championships in San Antonio.
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, SF, Alabama
Included in a report from Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, the Hornets’ front office seem to think Miller “can be a star.” The fit of an athletic, versatile forward paired with LaMelo Ball could ultimately end up better than that of Scoot Henderson.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, PG, G-League Ignite
The Blazers have had some whispers of trading the 3rd pick, but decide to stick here and take the best player available. Dealing for a star to pair with Lillard is always an appealing concept, but are there any players available right now that would have a higher ceiling than this duo could?
4. Houston Rockets: Ausar Thompson, SG, G-League Ignite
Despite the allure of his brother, Amen, Ausar may be the better fit next to a James Harden addition in Houston. We’ve seen his ability to still be impactful as a playmaker and slasher off the ball. Thompson can shift to a potentially starting wing spot for what may be a competitive Rockets’ team in 2023.
5. Detroit Pistons: Jarace Walker, PF, Houston
The Pistons have utilized their last few rebuilding seasons to acquire stability in the backcourt, along with some potential stars holding down the middle. Walker is a physical, versatile forward that could fill out the rotation in Detroit.
6. Orlando Magic: Amen Thompson, PG, G-League Ignite
Amen slides to six in the hands of the Magic, and they couldn’t be happier in this situation. A lengthy, playmaking point fills out the rest of this Orlando young core, putting them in a position to finally make some noise within the Eastern Conference standings
7. Indiana Pacers: Cam Whitmore, SF, Villanova
Cam Whitmore comes into this draft as one of the most enticing, high-ceilings in the class. Not only is Cam one of the youngest players in the class, but possessing an NBA-ready, versatile frame with explosive athleticism and scoring ability. With an exciting, developing team forming in Indy, he fits in perfectly.
8. Washington Wizards: Anthony Black, SG, Arkansas
For a team in such an odd position in terms of direction this offseason, selecting one of the most versatile players in the top of the draft could be a good route to take for Washington. Black’s size and defensive upside gives him the ability to play the 1-3, and potentially develop into the primary offense initiator down the line.
9. Utah Jazz: Cason Wallace, PG, Kentucky
There may not be a better well-rounded guard in the draft than Cason Wallace of Kentucky. That’s not saying he’s the perfect prospect by any means, but with the right development, Wallace can make other GMs look foolish for passing up on him.
His calling card is his defense, possessing great speed, on-ball defense, and a 6’8 wingspan to keep up with the best guards in the league. With such great guards in the league, and especially the West, such as Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, etc., having a number one guy that can consistently disrupt and put pressure on these offensive machines inevitably helps win games.
However, Cason’s far from just a defender. He’s consistently shown his ability to shoot from outside the arc, and is only getting better as a shot-maker. If Cason can continue to develop his shot creation and overall playmaking ability, this would be a home run selection by the Jazz.
10. Dallas Mavericks: Taylor Hendricks, PF, Central Florida
Hendricks falling to Dallas could be among one of the best fits in this top ten. It’s clear that the team needs both an upgrade defensively, as well as more scoring options to surround Luka with. Hendricks, luckily, assists with both.
11. Orlando Magic (via CHI): Gradey Dick, SG, Kansas
Shooting has consistently been an issue for the Magic, and what better way to cure this than taking the best shooter in the draft? Gradey can be a great two-way impact for Orlando’s continuously growing pool of young talent.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Rayan Rupert, SG, France
One of the more risky players in the class, but one that OKC can afford with the amount of draft capital they've collected for the future. Rupert’s giant 7’3 wingspan makes him especially enticing as a defender at the next level.
13. Toronto Raptors: Nick Smith Jr., PG, Arkansas
The future of Fred VanVleet in Toronto remains a concern, so thy Raptors need to start planning ahead. Smith is a quick, offensive-minded guard that can bring some life into a Raptors team that desperately needs it.
14: New Orleans Pelicans: Noah Clowney, PF, Alabama
The impending free agency of Jaxson Hayes, and the continuously shaky health of Zion Williamson proposes a great opportunity for the Pelicans to invest in another big during this class. While young and still raw, Clowney can be a nice developing depth piece for New Orleans.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Jordan Hawkins, SG, UConn
The Hawks find themselves in an interesting position with many questions kicking off their offseason. Perhaps the best player available in the 2023 NCAA champion, Jordan Hawkins, could be a great scoring option off the bench for the Hawks.
16. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Jett Howard, SG, Michigan
One of my favorite players in the class, Howard is the perfect modern NBA wing and effectively a steal to select at 16th-overall. As the last name and college allegiance suggests, Jett is the son of Michigan head coach and former NBA player, Juwan Howard, and that works in his favor.
He has all of the tools to be an NBA starter: the versatile 6’8 size, the effective shot making and efficiency, the defensive upside and the high basketball IQ. A great fit for any NBA team, especially for the Jazz. His versatility allows you to run him in virtually any lineup and mesh well.
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG, Indiana
It’s clear the Lakers need some more initiators on offense. Hood-Schifino conveniently falls to LA where he can give them exactly what they need to take some offensive workload away from a soon to be 39-year-old LeBron James.
18. Miami Heat: Kobe Bufkin, PG, Michigan
Gabe Vincent and Max Strus could be in for a payday after this postseason, and Kyle Lowry isn’t getting any younger. Bufkin is a primarily offensive-focused guard that could help be a needed additional shot creator to Jimmy Butler in Miami.
19. Golden State Warriors: Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Ohio State
Depth was a persistent issue for the Warriors through the entire season. Sensabaugh advertises as among one of the best three-level scorers in the class, leading to an immediate impact to Golden State’s lacking bench unit
20. Houston Rockets (via LAC): Dereck Lively II, C, Duke
Outside of Alperen Sengun, centers on this roster consist of Frank Kamisky, Boban Marjanovic, and Willie-Cauley Stein. Let’s add some youthful size to the team with Duke’s 7’2 defensive anchor from this past season.
21. Brooklyn Nets (via PHX): Keyontae George, SG, Baylor
George is a high-volume shooter which fits pretty well on Brooklyn, who now lacks any primary offensive options to lean on for their future outside of Mikal Bridges.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Leonard Miller, PF, G-League Ignite
In the second of their back-to-back picks, Miller shows more risk of the two. Still, an enticing project with good rim protection and overall defensive production at worst.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via NYK): G.G. Jackson, PF, South Carolina
Jerami Grant’s impending free agency makes the frontcourt situation in Portland foggy, but a selection of G.G. Jackson can be a fine stopgap for the time being.
24. Sacramento Kings: Kris Murray, PF, Iowa
If Harrison Barnes’s free agency puts the Kings in the market for a new forward, look no further than the brother of their top five selection last year.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Maxwell Lewis, SF, Pepperdine
The Dillon Brooks throwaway could end up leading the Grizzlies to take a replacement defensive-minded forward with similar size in the draft, such as a player like Lewis.
26. Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Bilal Coulibaly, SF, France
Many view Coulibaly with among the best potential in the draft, but for now provides impactful shooting ability and exciting speed for Indiana in the meantime.
27. Charlotte Hornets (via DEN): Terquavion Smith, SG, NC State
Despite passing on Scoot earlier in the draft, Charlotte decides to go with the hometown scoring guard that could be the perfect 1-2 punch to LaMelo Ball in the backcourt.
28. Utah Jazz (via PHI): Dillon Mitchell, SF, Texas
The Jazz have found some success with a certain D. Mitchell in the past, and now they can try to catch lightning in a bottle twice. Similar to the D. Mitchell we’ve seen in the past, Dillon is certainly a tremendous athlete, and that’s what you’ll see most talked about from him.
He’s also got fantastic size at 6’9, giving him all of the tools to become a great defender in the league. While this does also give him some benefit as a slasher on the offensive side, there’s still some work to do in terms of improving his offensive arsenal.
However, with this being the Jazz's third selection of the first round, it’s smarter to base this selection of physical traits hoping to further develop technical skills rather than a more NBA ready prospect.
29. Indiana Pacers (via BOS): Marcus Sasser, PG, Houston
Aging point guard depth for Indiana leads them to selecting one of the more experienced guards in all of college basketball.
30. Los Angeles Clippers (via MIL): Brandin Podziemski, SG, Santa Clara
The rise Podziemski has had through his NBA Combine production could catapult him into the first round as a result.
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