The 2023 NBA draft is still more than a year away, but it is never too early to start looking at the potential prospects and how they might fit in the league.
The 2023 class, considered one of the deepest and most talented draft classes in recent years, is believed to showcase many players with star potential and versatility.
In this article, we will present our latest NBA mock draft for 2023, based on the current standings and projections.
Who is the number 1 projected NBA draft pick in 2023?
The number one projected NBA draft pick for 2023 is Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 center from France who plays for Mets 92.
He has a rare combination of size, skill, mobility, and shooting ability that makes him a nightmare matchup for any defender.
Wembanyama can score from anywhere on the court, protect the rim, and handle the ball like a guard.
He is also very young, as he will be only 19 years old when he enters the draft.
Wembanyama is widely considered to be the best prospect in the world, and he has been dominating the international scene for years.
Wembanyama led France to the gold medal at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship, where he was named MVP.
He also averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven blocks per game in the French second division last season.
He is currently playing in the French first division and in the EuroLeague, where he is facing some of the best competition outside of the NBA.
Wembanyama is projected to be the number one pick by almost every mock draft and scouting report.
He has been linked to the San Antonio Spurs, who have the worst record in the league as of October 6th, 2023.
The Spurs are in need of a franchise player who can lead them back to contention, and Wembanyama could be that player.
Who are the top 3 NBA draft picks for 2023?
Besides Wembanyama, there are two other players who are widely regarded as the top three NBA draft picks for 2023.
They are Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson.
Brandon Miller is a 6-foot-9 small forward from Alabama who plays for Villanova.
Miller is a perfect fit for the modern NBA, as he is a versatile scorer, defender, and playmaker.
He can create his own shot from anywhere on the floor, using his size, strength, speed, and skill.
Miller can also guard multiple positions and switch on screens.
He is an excellent passer who can find his teammates with ease.
He averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, and five assists per game as a freshman at Villanova.
Miller is projected to be the second pick by most mock drafts and scouting reports.
He has been linked to the Charlotte Hornets, who have the second-worst record in the league as of October 6th, 2023.
The Hornets are looking for a star wing player who can complement their young core of LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and James Bouknight.
Scoot Henderson is a 6-foot-3 point guard who plays for G League Ignite.
Henderson is one of the most explosive and dynamic players in the draft class, as he has elite athleticism, speed, and agility.
He can attack the rim with force and finish above or through contact.
Miller can also shoot from beyond the arc and create separation with his handles.
He is a fearless competitor who plays with intensity and passion.
He averaged 16 points, six assists, and four rebounds per game in his first season with G League Ignite.
The Blazers are in need of a fresh start after years of mediocrity and disappointment.
They could use a dynamic guard like Henderson to pair with Damian Lillard or to replace him if he decides to leave.
Who has 2023 NBA Draft picks?
The 2023 NBA draft will consist of two rounds with 30 picks each.
Each team will have one pick in each round unless they have traded or acquired additional picks from other teams.
As of October 6th, 2023, here are some of the teams that have multiple picks in either round:
- The Oklahoma City Thunder have three first-round picks: their own (projected to be fourth), plus those from Boston (top-10 protected) and Denver (top-14 protected).
- The New York Knicks have two first-round picks: their own (projected to be 14th), plus that from Dallas (unprotected).
- The Houston Rockets have two first-round picks: their own (projected to be fifth), plus that from Milwaukee (top-10 protected).
- The Detroit Pistons have two first-round picks: their own (projected to be sixth), plus that from the LA Clippers (top-14 protected).
- The Orlando Magic have two first-round picks: their own (projected to be seventh), plus that from Chicago (top-four protected).
- The Indiana Pacers have two first-round picks: their own (projected to be eighth), plus that from Utah (top-10 protected).
- The Washington Wizards have two first-round picks: their own (projected to be ninth), plus that from Golden State (top-20 protected).
- The Utah Jazz have two second-round picks: their own, plus that from Memphis.
- The Philadelphia 76ers have two second-round picks: their own, plus that from New York.
- The Brooklyn Nets have two second-round picks: their own, plus that from Phoenix.
- The LA Lakers have two second-round picks: their own, plus that from Detroit.
Why did Cam Whitmore drop so low?
Cam Whitmore is a 6-foot-7 forward from Villanova who was once considered a top-five prospect in the draft class.
Why did Whitmore drop so low?
There are several reasons why Whitmore’s draft value has declined.
One of them is his inconsistent shooting.
Whitmore has a smooth and fluid shooting stroke, but he has struggled to make shots consistently from the perimeter.
He shot only 31% from the three-point line and 68% from the free-throw line as a freshman at Villanova.
He also has a tendency to settle for contested jumpers instead of attacking the basket.
Another reason is his lack of positional fit. Whitmore is a tweener who does not have a clear position in the NBA.
He is too small to play as a power forward and too slow to play as a small forward.
Whitmore does not have the ball-handling or passing skills to play as a guard either.
He is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none.
A third reason is his injury history.
Whitmore missed several games in his freshman season due to various injuries, including a sprained ankle, a concussion, and a knee contusion.
He also had surgery on his right shoulder in the offseason, which limited his participation in pre-draft workouts and camps.
Whitmore is still a talented and promising player who has a lot of potential.
He has great athleticism, strength, and versatility.
Whitmore can score in multiple ways, rebound well, and defend multiple positions.
He also has a high motor and a good work ethic.
However, he needs to improve his shooting, decision-making, and durability if he wants to succeed in the NBA.
Conclusion
The 2023 NBA draft is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and intriguing events in recent years.
The draft class brims with talent and depth, featuring players who can make an immediate impact or evolve into future stars.
The draft order is also unpredictable, as teams are constantly changing their records and strategies.
In this article, we have presented our latest NBA mock draft for 2023, as well as answered some of the most common questions about the draft.
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