2023 NBA Draft

[BostonCouchGM]

did a little bit of a dive into the 2023 class and it's kinda overrated imo. All I heard was 2022 is weak and 2023 is elite but imho 2023 isn't any better than 2022. It's obviously still early so things can change, it's just my initial thoughts. What will make or break this class is whether some of the slew of wings elevates over the others. Right now I see four special bigs in Wembanyama, Lively, Ware and Bona. Two potential special PGs in Henderson and Bailey then a whole bunch of toolsy wings with high upside but flaws like Whitehead, Whitmore, Jackson, Walker, Mitchell, B. Miller, Phillips, Thompson twins, Black, Smith, George and L. Miller. There's some decent returning upperclassmen too. Maybe a few guys will come out of nowhere and some of these wings will turn out to be special so the class will turn out great. We shall see

Without the benefit of seeing these guys play in their pre-NBA stop I'd pretty easily take Scoot/Victor over the top 6 in 2022, but I'd probably take the top 6 over the next group of players in 2023. But I'm betting someone else blows up and becomes the clear third pick in the draft, my bet is on that being Anthony Black.

yeah, I agree with that. The next group of players after Scoot/Victor are all so closely grouped talent-wise. We just have to see them play in college systems and the cream will rise to the top.

Based on today, I think the lottery is going to go something like this:

Wembanyama
Scoot
Lively
Whitmore
Walker
Whitehead
Jackson
Ware
Bona
Bailey
Smith
Mitchell
Black
George

[clyde21]

i'd take Whitehead over anyone in the 22 class today

[TheBallsDeeper]

Tyrese Proctor with a great game for the Australian team yesterday. Will be a first-round pick next year.

[CptCrunch]

Brought this up a few days back when it was still just internet rumor at the time, looks like all signs are pointing to it happening.

Read on Twitter

Really the only talk is if UNC can create a scholarship spot for this year's team so he would just reclassify and stay with them. But doesnt seem like that is going go happen.

For those that dont know, GG is currently 247's #1 in the 2023 recruiting class. So looks like we can pencil in another high end prospect for this upcomming class. Strong explosive 6'8-6'9 athlete, also is pretty much as young as you can get in today's draft, birthday is middle of December.

You know we talked about kids being held back so they can reclassify (aka Sharpe), but this dude CG won't be 19 until the end of the year. Unless he started school a year early, there is literally no reason why he should be able to academically (key word) reclassify into a earlier class. NCAA requires a high school graduation diploma for Division I sports.

We are lead here to believe that CG is gonna finish high school in 3.5 years at a public high school. I've never heard of any high school aside from sham basketball academies giving wiggle room (free slots for more than required credits) in terms of academic course load.

[Duke4life831]

Brought this up a few days back when it was still just internet rumor at the time, looks like all signs are pointing to it happening.

Read on Twitter

Really the only talk is if UNC can create a scholarship spot for this year's team so he would just reclassify and stay with them. But doesnt seem like that is going go happen.

For those that dont know, GG is currently 247's #1 in the 2023 recruiting class. So looks like we can pencil in another high end prospect for this upcomming class. Strong explosive 6'8-6'9 athlete, also is pretty much as young as you can get in today's draft, birthday is middle of December.

You know we talked about kids being held back so they can reclassify (aka Sharpe), but this dude CG won't be 19 until the end of the year. Unless he started school a year early, there is literally no reason why he should be able to academically (key word) reclassify into a earlier class. NCAA requires a high school graduation diploma for Division I sports.

We are lead here to believe that CG is gonna finish high school in 3.5 years at a public high school. I've never heard of any high school aside from sham basketball academies giving wiggle room (free slots for more than required credits) in terms of academic course load.

I think the whole idea of these players being in equal footing academically as normal kids going to these colleges are something of the past.

With that said, I graduated from a public high school at 17 years old and only a couple weeks older than what GG is for his class he’s reclassifying too (Birthday is at the very end of November).

When it comes to these schools making it work academically even for late reclassification guys (Bagley reclassified and went to Duke in late August). It’s basically at the level where all these guys need to be able to do is pass a GED test and they will make it work.

[Catchall]

did a little bit of a dive into the 2023 class and it's kinda overrated imo. All I heard was 2022 is weak and 2023 is elite but imho 2023 isn't any better than 2022. It's obviously still early so things can change, it's just my initial thoughts. What will make or break this class is whether some of the slew of wings elevates over the others. Right now I see four special bigs in Wembanyama, Lively, Ware and Bona. Two potential special PGs in Henderson and Bailey then a whole bunch of toolsy wings with high upside but flaws like Whitehead, Whitmore, Jackson, Walker, Mitchell, B. Miller, Phillips, Thompson twins, Black, Smith, George and L. Miller. There's some decent returning upperclassmen too. Maybe a few guys will come out of nowhere and some of these wings will turn out to be special so the class will turn out great. We shall see

Without the benefit of seeing these guys play in their pre-NBA stop I'd pretty easily take Scoot/Victor over the top 6 in 2022, but I'd probably take the top 6 over the next group of players in 2023. But I'm betting someone else blows up and becomes the clear third pick in the draft, my bet is on that being Anthony Black.

Looking at the 2022 draft, I would have been willing to trade Donovan Mitchell for Paolo Banchero. I'd also have been willing to trade Mitchell for Jaden Ivey and 2 FRPs. I wasn't sure what to do with Chet, and still don't to some degree. I need to see him at NBA speed and space.

In this draft, I'd consider trading Mitchell for Wembanyama, Henderson and either Thompson at a minimum. I'm also intrigued by Dereck Lively, Nick Smith and Dillon Mitchell. There could be 5+ All Stars in this class.

[clyde21]

SEC really coming strong lately

this year:

GG - South Carolina
Black - Arkansas
Smith - Arkansas
Walsh - Arkansas
Phillips - Tennessee
Miller - Alabama
Bradley - Alabama
Livingston - Kentucky
Wallace - Kentucky
Traore - Auburn

the way it's supposed to be.

[yoyoboy]

I’m honestly not nearly as high on Victor as everyone else.

what are your concerns with Vic's game and or potential progression?

His lack of productivity for one. He’s young but I think people honestly buy into “flashes” way too much and underrate having proven you know how to play basketball. He’s not a strong finisher inside right now. He hasn’t proven to be an even decent shooter yet. Not an impressive rebounder. His feel for the game is questionable and his AST/TO ratio sucks. Also the injury history of guys at his height isn’t promising to say the least. In fact I’d say it’s nearly a guarantee with his frame that he’ll struggle to stay healthy . So far, he really hasn’t had a great track record of that and it’ll only get worse in the long grueling NBA season.

Even if most of the flashes turn into legitimate strengths, I don’t see a guy who will impact the game (especially in the playoffs) at the same level a guy like Scoot can if things pan out for him. Wembayama is a shotblocker, but I don’t see a versatile defender or a guy with special instincts. On offense, I don’t know if I see him being a dude you give the ball to and get out the way. Or a guy who can create for others (pretty confident this won’t be the case). And having both of those is kinda necessary for superstar level offensive ability.

[TheBallsDeeper]

did a little bit of a dive into the 2023 class and it's kinda overrated imo. All I heard was 2022 is weak and 2023 is elite but imho 2023 isn't any better than 2022. It's obviously still early so things can change, it's just my initial thoughts. What will make or break this class is whether some of the slew of wings elevates over the others. Right now I see four special bigs in Wembanyama, Lively, Ware and Bona. Two potential special PGs in Henderson and Bailey then a whole bunch of toolsy wings with high upside but flaws like Whitehead, Whitmore, Jackson, Walker, Mitchell, B. Miller, Phillips, Thompson twins, Black, Smith, George and L. Miller. There's some decent returning upperclassmen too. Maybe a few guys will come out of nowhere and some of these wings will turn out to be special so the class will turn out great. We shall see

Without the benefit of seeing these guys play in their pre-NBA stop I'd pretty easily take Scoot/Victor over the top 6 in 2022, but I'd probably take the top 6 over the next group of players in 2023. But I'm betting someone else blows up and becomes the clear third pick in the draft, my bet is on that being Anthony Black.

Looking at the 2022 draft, I would have been willing to trade Donovan Mitchell for Paolo Banchero. I'd also have been willing to trade Mitchell for Jaden Ivey and 2 FRPs. I wasn't sure what to do with Chet, and still don't to some degree. I need to see him at NBA speed and space.

In this draft, I'd consider trading Mitchell for Wembanyama, Henderson and either Thompson at a minimum. I'm also intrigued by Dereck Lively, Nick Smith and Dillon Mitchell. There could be 5+ All Stars in this class.

Mitchell is a high volume low efficiency, undersized shooting guard that struggles with play-making and plays pretty much no defense. If the Jazz can get a top ten pick in a future draft they should jump on it.

The only reason he is so hyped is because the US media created a story to try and get a local win Rookie of the year in a bad draft class. He was two years older than everyone else and people fell for it. His peak is Lou Williams, but for some strange reason he is still being pumped up as a superstar. Has shot the Jazz out of multiple playoff series, but fans only seem to remember the one series when he and Murray played no defense on each other.

[MemphisX]

I’m honestly not nearly as high on Victor as everyone else.

what are your concerns with Vic's game and or potential progression?

His lack of productivity for one. He’s young but I think people honestly buy into “flashes” way too much and underrate having proven you know how to play basketball. He’s not a strong finisher inside right now. He hasn’t proven to be an even decent shooter yet. Not an impressive rebounder. His feel for the game is questionable and his AST/TO ratio sucks. Also the injury history of guys at his height isn’t promising to say the least. In fact I’d say it’s nearly a guarantee with his frame that he’ll struggle to stay healthy . So far, he really hasn’t had a great track record of that and it’ll only get worse in the long grueling NBA season.

Even if most of the flashes turn into legitimate strengths, I don’t see a guy who will impact the game (especially in the playoffs) at the same level a guy like Scoot can if things pan out for him. Wembayama is a shotblocker, but I don’t see a versatile defender or a guy with special instincts. On offense, I don’t know if I see him being a dude you give the ball to and get out the way. Or a guy who can create for others (pretty confident this won’t be the case). And having both of those is kinda necessary for superstar level offensive ability.

We literally watched him dominate Chet Holmgren. He was so clearly the best player on the court, it could not even be debated.

[yoyoboy]

what are your concerns with Vic's game and or potential progression?

His lack of productivity for one. He’s young but I think people honestly buy into “flashes” way too much and underrate having proven you know how to play basketball. He’s not a strong finisher inside right now. He hasn’t proven to be an even decent shooter yet. Not an impressive rebounder. His feel for the game is questionable and his AST/TO ratio sucks. Also the injury history of guys at his height isn’t promising to say the least. In fact I’d say it’s nearly a guarantee with his frame that he’ll struggle to stay healthy . So far, he really hasn’t had a great track record of that and it’ll only get worse in the long grueling NBA season.

Even if most of the flashes turn into legitimate strengths, I don’t see a guy who will impact the game (especially in the playoffs) at the same level a guy like Scoot can if things pan out for him. Wembayama is a shotblocker, but I don’t see a versatile defender or a guy with special instincts. On offense, I don’t know if I see him being a dude you give the ball to and get out the way. Or a guy who can create for others (pretty confident this won’t be the case). And having both of those is kinda necessary for superstar level offensive ability.

We literally watched him dominate Chet Holmgren. He was so clearly the best player on the court, it could not even be debated.

Wow one game? Against other teenagers 2 years before the draft is even set to take place? I'm totally convinced now and that dismisses everything else I just said!

And for the record, I'm also not the biggest Holmgren guy. I don't mind being the odd one out. So often people think it's so insane to deviate from the consensus, as if we haven't seen the #1 pick fail to be the best in his draft class for inarguably at least 16 of the past 25 draft classes before this year by my count and potentially up to 22 of the past 25.

[clyde21]

Without the benefit of seeing these guys play in their pre-NBA stop I'd pretty easily take Scoot/Victor over the top 6 in 2022, but I'd probably take the top 6 over the next group of players in 2023. But I'm betting someone else blows up and becomes the clear third pick in the draft, my bet is on that being Anthony Black.

Looking at the 2022 draft, I would have been willing to trade Donovan Mitchell for Paolo Banchero. I'd also have been willing to trade Mitchell for Jaden Ivey and 2 FRPs. I wasn't sure what to do with Chet, and still don't to some degree. I need to see him at NBA speed and space.

In this draft, I'd consider trading Mitchell for Wembanyama, Henderson and either Thompson at a minimum. I'm also intrigued by Dereck Lively, Nick Smith and Dillon Mitchell. There could be 5+ All Stars in this class.

Mitchell is a high volume low efficiency, undersized shooting guard that struggles with play-making and plays pretty much no defense. If the Jazz can get a top ten pick in a future draft they should jump on it.

thats what I keep telling the Warriors board about Jordan Poole, they don't get it tho.

[babyjax13]

Without the benefit of seeing these guys play in their pre-NBA stop I'd pretty easily take Scoot/Victor over the top 6 in 2022, but I'd probably take the top 6 over the next group of players in 2023. But I'm betting someone else blows up and becomes the clear third pick in the draft, my bet is on that being Anthony Black.

Looking at the 2022 draft, I would have been willing to trade Donovan Mitchell for Paolo Banchero. I'd also have been willing to trade Mitchell for Jaden Ivey and 2 FRPs. I wasn't sure what to do with Chet, and still don't to some degree. I need to see him at NBA speed and space.

In this draft, I'd consider trading Mitchell for Wembanyama, Henderson and either Thompson at a minimum. I'm also intrigued by Dereck Lively, Nick Smith and Dillon Mitchell. There could be 5+ All Stars in this class.

Mitchell is a high volume low efficiency, undersized shooting guard that struggles with play-making and plays pretty much no defense. If the Jazz can get a top ten pick in a future draft they should jump on it.

The only reason he is so hyped is because the US media created a story to try and get a local win Rookie of the year in a bad draft class. He was two years older than everyone else and people fell for it. His peak is Lou Williams, but for some strange reason he is still being pumped up as a superstar. Has shot the Jazz out of multiple playoff series, but fans only seem to remember the one series when he and Murray played no defense on each other.

This is just a terrible take. He's top 20 in most plus minus statistics and is league average efficiency - and above average for guards. He is a good playmaker and his career trajectory through age 25 compares really well with Lillard. Not saying he will be that good, but he will be a top 25 player for a long time. Defensively there are issues, but he also is good at being disruptive in the passing lanes and has been stuck guarding way more physical players. I get that it's popular to pile onto him, but he's a damn good player.

[yoyoboy]

I mean Mitchell was good enough to be the lead creator on the #1 offense this past season. He's averaging close to 32/5/5 with a TS% of 61% the past 3 postseasons (23 game sample size). Calling him a high volume low efficiency undersized SG with a Lou Williams peak is just wildly dismissive and frankly dumb. He's not a great defender obviously, but neither are a lot of the great offensive guards in the league

[Catchall]

Without the benefit of seeing these guys play in their pre-NBA stop I'd pretty easily take Scoot/Victor over the top 6 in 2022, but I'd probably take the top 6 over the next group of players in 2023. But I'm betting someone else blows up and becomes the clear third pick in the draft, my bet is on that being Anthony Black.

Looking at the 2022 draft, I would have been willing to trade Donovan Mitchell for Paolo Banchero. I'd also have been willing to trade Mitchell for Jaden Ivey and 2 FRPs. I wasn't sure what to do with Chet, and still don't to some degree. I need to see him at NBA speed and space.

In this draft, I'd consider trading Mitchell for Wembanyama, Henderson and either Thompson at a minimum. I'm also intrigued by Dereck Lively, Nick Smith and Dillon Mitchell. There could be 5+ All Stars in this class.

Mitchell is a high volume low efficiency, undersized shooting guard that struggles with play-making and plays pretty much no defense. If the Jazz can get a top ten pick in a future draft they should jump on it.

The only reason he is so hyped is because the US media created a story to try and get a local win Rookie of the year in a bad draft class. He was two years older than everyone else and people fell for it. His peak is Lou Williams, but for some strange reason he is still being pumped up as a superstar. Has shot the Jazz out of multiple playoff series, but fans only seem to remember the one series when he and Murray played no defense on each other.

I don't agree with this take at all really.

[TheBallsDeeper]

Looking at the 2022 draft, I would have been willing to trade Donovan Mitchell for Paolo Banchero. I'd also have been willing to trade Mitchell for Jaden Ivey and 2 FRPs. I wasn't sure what to do with Chet, and still don't to some degree. I need to see him at NBA speed and space.

In this draft, I'd consider trading Mitchell for Wembanyama, Henderson and either Thompson at a minimum. I'm also intrigued by Dereck Lively, Nick Smith and Dillon Mitchell. There could be 5+ All Stars in this class.

Mitchell is a high volume low efficiency, undersized shooting guard that struggles with play-making and plays pretty much no defense. If the Jazz can get a top ten pick in a future draft they should jump on it.

The only reason he is so hyped is because the US media created a story to try and get a local win Rookie of the year in a bad draft class. He was two years older than everyone else and people fell for it. His peak is Lou Williams, but for some strange reason he is still being pumped up as a superstar. Has shot the Jazz out of multiple playoff series, but fans only seem to remember the one series when he and Murray played no defense on each other.

This is just a terrible take. He's top 20 in most plus minus statistics and is league average efficiency - and above average for guards. He is a good playmaker and his career trajectory through age 25 compares really well with Lillard. Not saying he will be that good, but he will be a top 25 player for a long time. Defensively there are issues, but he also is good at being disruptive in the passing lanes and has been stuck guarding way more physical players. I get that it's popular to pile onto him, but he's a damn good player.

Popular to pile onto him??????? What???

He has been the media darling for the last few years. There's no player in the league that has been given this type of praise while achieving so little. He has repeatedly shot the Jazz out of the playoffs, but has never been held accountable.

With his poor attitude on defense, I think he is a negative on a team that wants to win. I've always considered Gobert a top ten player in the league, Mitchell is a good sixth man, he's not a star.

[TheBallsDeeper]

Looking at the 2022 draft, I would have been willing to trade Donovan Mitchell for Paolo Banchero. I'd also have been willing to trade Mitchell for Jaden Ivey and 2 FRPs. I wasn't sure what to do with Chet, and still don't to some degree. I need to see him at NBA speed and space.

In this draft, I'd consider trading Mitchell for Wembanyama, Henderson and either Thompson at a minimum. I'm also intrigued by Dereck Lively, Nick Smith and Dillon Mitchell. There could be 5+ All Stars in this class.

Mitchell is a high volume low efficiency, undersized shooting guard that struggles with play-making and plays pretty much no defense. If the Jazz can get a top ten pick in a future draft they should jump on it.

The only reason he is so hyped is because the US media created a story to try and get a local win Rookie of the year in a bad draft class. He was two years older than everyone else and people fell for it. His peak is Lou Williams, but for some strange reason he is still being pumped up as a superstar. Has shot the Jazz out of multiple playoff series, but fans only seem to remember the one series when he and Murray played no defense on each other.

I don't agree with this take at all really.

Thanks for the update.

[babyjax13]

Mitchell is a high volume low efficiency, undersized shooting guard that struggles with play-making and plays pretty much no defense. If the Jazz can get a top ten pick in a future draft they should jump on it.

The only reason he is so hyped is because the US media created a story to try and get a local win Rookie of the year in a bad draft class. He was two years older than everyone else and people fell for it. His peak is Lou Williams, but for some strange reason he is still being pumped up as a superstar. Has shot the Jazz out of multiple playoff series, but fans only seem to remember the one series when he and Murray played no defense on each other.

This is just a terrible take. He's top 20 in most plus minus statistics and is league average efficiency - and above average for guards. He is a good playmaker and his career trajectory through age 25 compares really well with Lillard. Not saying he will be that good, but he will be a top 25 player for a long time. Defensively there are issues, but he also is good at being disruptive in the passing lanes and has been stuck guarding way more physical players. I get that it's popular to pile onto him, but he's a damn good player.

Popular to pile onto him??????? What???

He has been the media darling for the last few years. There's no player in the league that has been given this type of praise while achieving so little. He has repeatedly shot the Jazz out of the playoffs, but has never been held accountable.

With his poor attitude on defense, I think he is a negative on a team that wants to win. I've always considered Gobert a top ten player in the league, Mitchell is a good sixth man, he's not a star.

I don't think you are on the forum much, then, because this is really popular schtick about him that is just demonstrably false.

League average TS%: 56.1%
Donovan Mitchell TS%: 57.1%

Donovan has also had some really great playoff runs. Yes, last season was poor, but 39 games in the playoffs his TS% is 55.8%. He's the only thing that has kept our offense going at all. His offensive value in the playoffs is astronomical.

[BostonCouchGM]

what are your concerns with Vic's game and or potential progression?

His lack of productivity for one. He’s young but I think people honestly buy into “flashes” way too much and underrate having proven you know how to play basketball. He’s not a strong finisher inside right now. He hasn’t proven to be an even decent shooter yet. Not an impressive rebounder. His feel for the game is questionable and his AST/TO ratio sucks. Also the injury history of guys at his height isn’t promising to say the least. In fact I’d say it’s nearly a guarantee with his frame that he’ll struggle to stay healthy . So far, he really hasn’t had a great track record of that and it’ll only get worse in the long grueling NBA season.

Even if most of the flashes turn into legitimate strengths, I don’t see a guy who will impact the game (especially in the playoffs) at the same level a guy like Scoot can if things pan out for him. Wembayama is a shotblocker, but I don’t see a versatile defender or a guy with special instincts. On offense, I don’t know if I see him being a dude you give the ball to and get out the way. Or a guy who can create for others (pretty confident this won’t be the case). And having both of those is kinda necessary for superstar level offensive ability.

We literally watched him dominate Chet Holmgren. He was so clearly the best player on the court, it could not even be debated.

weird, Chet won MVP of that tournament and wasn't "dominated" in that game.

[The-Power]

I don't think you are on the forum much, then, because this is really popular schtick about him that is just demonstrably false.

League average TS%: 56.1%
Donovan Mitchell TS%: 57.1%

Donovan has also had some really great playoff runs. Yes, last season was poor, but 39 games in the playoffs his TS% is 55.8%. He's the only thing that has kept our offense going at all. His offensive value in the playoffs is astronomical.

Agreed. It's one thing to not like a player for various reasons. It's another to just make demonstrably false claims about a player being inefficient when it's really easy to look up. That's either lazy or deliberately dishonest.