2023 NBA Draft Thread

[basketballRob]

We're 4.5 games out of the play-ins with 19 remaining games. It's time to start getting a look at the young players.

We could sit Markelle and Wendell. Then start Cole and Goga.

Houstan, Keyon, Okeke, Scholfield, and MCW need minutes.

I wouldn't mind seeing Houstan get 30 mpg to see what he can do.

Whether they should or they shouldn't, the Magic are not pulling the plug until the possibility of playoffs are done. They're not gonna do that to these guys who have busted their asses all year.

I wouldn't anticipate them flat shutting healthy players down until there's maybe 7-8 games left.

They're obviously very unlikely to make it, but they aren't pulling the plug yet.

Not intentionally tank, but they could start resting players here and there. Why risk a player being tired and having a soft tissue injury when it's like 500 to 1 that you make the play-in.

Lillard, SGA, and Haliburton aren't playing every game.

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[Knightro]

His player analysis is fine.

I just don’t see how the FO can sell me on the idea of Jarace Walker with a #6 pick to Orlando.

Is he a Center at 6’8 220? Maybe if Orlando had Golden State’s offense.

Is he backing up Paolo? Paolo is bigger than him. I don’t get it. If they really want a Center just use the #35 pick (they won’t).

I’m fine with Gradey at pick #8. Sure.

edit: listening to the other prospects in the top 10, I’d be lying if I didn’t want to see Cason Wallace take over at point guard. Pairing him with another shooter (Houstan, Dick) or a guy like Suggs defensively would be interesting.

I like Walker, but the Magic specifically would have to get creative if he's the pick if they want him to start. They'd either have to commit to him being full time small ball center or shift everyone up a slot and play Franz at the 2 and Paolo at the 3 which probably wouldn't provide enough shooting ultimately.

I do think Walker could ultimately fill a unique role as a super versatile backup big playing 25 MPG at both the 4 and 5. But is that enough value out the 6th overall pick? Is this coaching staff creative enough to only play one backup big each night anyway?

He'd probably be a pass for me ultimately as I can't imagine a situation where Walker is unquestionably the best player on the board.

Maybe if the Bulls pick ends up like 12 or something random and the value is just too much to pass up.

[Ducklett]

His player analysis is fine.

I just don’t see how the FO can sell me on the idea of Jarace Walker with a #6 pick to Orlando.

Is he a Center at 6’8 220? Maybe if Orlando had Golden State’s offense.

Is he backing up Paolo? Paolo is bigger than him. I don’t get it. If they really want a Center just use the #35 pick (they won’t).

I’m fine with Gradey at pick #8. Sure.

edit: listening to the other prospects in the top 10, I’d be lying if I didn’t want to see Cason Wallace take over at point guard. Pairing him with another shooter (Houstan, Dick) or a guy like Suggs defensively would be interesting.

I like Walker, but the Magic specifically would have to get creative if he's the pick if they want him to start. They'd either have to commit to him being full time small ball center or shift everyone up a slot and play Franz at the 2 and Paolo at the 3 which probably wouldn't provide enough shooting ultimately.

I do think Walker could ultimately fill a unique role as a super versatile backup big playing 25 MPG at both the 4 and 5. But is that enough value out the 6th overall pick? Is this coaching staff creative enough to only play one backup big each night anyway?

He'd probably be a pass for me ultimately as I can't imagine a situation where Walker is unquestionably the best player on the board.

Maybe if the Bulls pick ends up like 12 or something random and the value is just too much to pass up.

This is how I felt after watching that video everyone was talking about. Ausar dropping to nine would be insane. I found it interesting that he discussed how much of a drop off he is from his twin running totally counter to a ton of scouts who say Ausar is improving at a much faster rate than his brother, even though he started off as the much lesser prospect. If Ausar was at 8, you don't pass up that level of elite athlete who has arguably the best passing of the top 10 players.

[VFX]

His player analysis is fine.

I just don’t see how the FO can sell me on the idea of Jarace Walker with a #6 pick to Orlando.

Is he a Center at 6’8 220? Maybe if Orlando had Golden State’s offense.

Is he backing up Paolo? Paolo is bigger than him. I don’t get it. If they really want a Center just use the #35 pick (they won’t).

I’m fine with Gradey at pick #8. Sure.

edit: listening to the other prospects in the top 10, I’d be lying if I didn’t want to see Cason Wallace take over at point guard. Pairing him with another shooter (Houstan, Dick) or a guy like Suggs defensively would be interesting.

He'd probably be a pass for me ultimately as I can't imagine a situation where Walker is unquestionably the best player on the board.

Maybe if the Bulls pick ends up like 12 or something random and the value is just too much to pass up.

I agree. I’m just not sure the FO can justify taking him when Orlando gets scorched from 3 every night and loses games based on simple scoring math.

This is basically a consensus 1-2 tier draft and arguably a 3rd tier of Miller and Amen. After that, it’s pretty much fair game for picks 4-12. Therefore, I don’t see how a undersized PF fits next to Paolo and Franz.

The back court is a puzzle that needs solving. Not that complicated.

[tiderulz]

His player analysis is fine.

I just don’t see how the FO can sell me on the idea of Jarace Walker with a #6 pick to Orlando.

Is he a Center at 6’8 220? Maybe if Orlando had Golden State’s offense.

Is he backing up Paolo? Paolo is bigger than him. I don’t get it. If they really want a Center just use the #35 pick (they won’t).

I’m fine with Gradey at pick #8. Sure.

edit: listening to the other prospects in the top 10, I’d be lying if I didn’t want to see Cason Wallace take over at point guard. Pairing him with another shooter (Houstan, Dick) or a guy like Suggs defensively would be interesting.

I like Walker, but the Magic specifically would have to get creative if he's the pick if they want him to start. They'd either have to commit to him being full time small ball center or shift everyone up a slot and play Franz at the 2 and Paolo at the 3 which probably wouldn't provide enough shooting ultimately.

I do think Walker could ultimately fill a unique role as a super versatile backup big playing 25 MPG at both the 4 and 5. But is that enough value out the 6th overall pick? Is this coaching staff creative enough to only play one backup big each night anyway?

He'd probably be a pass for me ultimately as I can't imagine a situation where Walker is unquestionably the best player on the board.

Maybe if the Bulls pick ends up like 12 or something random and the value is just too much to pass up.

This is how I felt after watching that video everyone was talking about. Ausar dropping to nine would be insane. I found it interesting that he discussed how much of a drop off he is from his twin running totally counter to a ton of scouts who say Ausar is improving at a much faster rate than his brother, even though he started off as the much lesser prospect. If Ausar was at 8, you don't pass up that level of elite athlete who has arguably the best passing of the top 10 players.

very wary of wings that cant shoot and showing athleticism in a league with very subpar talent

[Def Swami]

Highly interested in Nick Smith Jr. with one of our 2 FRPs.

[eyriq]

Highly interested in Nick Smith Jr. with one of our 2 FRPs.

What do you like about him?

[BCS]

Highly interested in Nick Smith Jr. with one of our 2 FRPs.

What do you like about him?

High IQ, high energy with high upside, plays both ends with energy and great awareness. Also great fit being able to play PG and SG. And then there are his basketball skills of course. Negatives: needs to improve his physicality and injuries of course.

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[Def Swami]

Highly interested in Nick Smith Jr. with one of our 2 FRPs.

What do you like about him?

It's the IQ and quickness more than anything. The few times I've watched him, his quickness and ability to see the pass before it's there stand out to me. He has good mechanics on his jumper. Super soft touch on floaters. He has some Jordan Poole in his game. He's light in weight, but he competes on defense. After Scoot Henderson, he's probably the best point guard prospect in the draft.

The more college basketball I get into as March Madness rolls around, the more I like Brandon Miller, Cam Whitmore, and Brice Sensabaugh. Brandon Miller has been the best prospect in college all season. He'd instantly help us and fit like a glove on our team. Whitmore just seems like a winning player. Plays hard, super athletic. Sensabaugh just feels like a basketball player. Not super athletic, but has good size and can score the ball. I'm a sucker for guys who are tall and can shoot.

I've been mixed on Keyonte George all season. It totally depends on which games you watch with him. Some games he looks like Brad Beal. Others he looks like James Bouknight. I can't call it on him.

[eyriq]

Highly interested in Nick Smith Jr. with one of our 2 FRPs.

What do you like about him?

It's the IQ and quickness more than anything. The few times I've watched him, his quickness and ability to see the pass before it's there stand out to me. He has good mechanics on his jumper. Super soft touch on floaters. He has some Jordan Poole in his game. He's light in weight, but he competes on defense. After Scoot Henderson, he's probably the best point guard prospect in the draft.

The more college basketball I get into as March Madness rolls around, the more I like Brandon Miller, Cam Whitmore, and Brice Sensabaugh. Brandon Miller has been the best prospect in college all season. He'd instantly help us and fit like a glove on our team. Whitmore just seems like a winning player. Plays hard, super athletic. Sensabaugh just feels like a basketball player. Not super athletic, but has good size and can score the ball. I'm a sucker for guys who are tall and can shoot.

I've been mixed on Keyonte George all season. It totally depends on which games you watch with him. Some games he looks like Brad Beal. Others he looks like James Bouknight. I can't call it on him.

Nice, sounds like he's a good fit.

[BCS]

Highly interested in Nick Smith Jr. with one of our 2 FRPs.

What do you like about him?

It's the IQ and quickness more than anything. The few times I've watched him, his quickness and ability to see the pass before it's there stand out to me. He has good mechanics on his jumper. Super soft touch on floaters. He has some Jordan Poole in his game. He's light in weight, but he competes on defense. After Scoot Henderson, he's probably the best point guard prospect in the draft.

The more college basketball I get into as March Madness rolls around, the more I like Brandon Miller, Cam Whitmore, and Brice Sensabaugh. Brandon Miller has been the best prospect in college all season. He'd instantly help us and fit like a glove on our team. Whitmore just seems like a winning player. Plays hard, super athletic. Sensabaugh just feels like a basketball player. Not super athletic, but has good size and can score the ball. I'm a sucker for guys who are tall and can shoot.

I've been mixed on Keyonte George all season. It totally depends on which games you watch with him. Some games he looks like Brad Beal. Others he looks like James Bouknight. I can't call it on him.

Perfect draft for me, we are able to draft either Wemby or Miller, and the Bulls pick ends up high enough for Smith or we can move up and grab him as well.

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[RookieStar]

Man.. NSJ is taking over for ARK. I can see the appeal.

George had an iffy game I see..

[RookieStar]

Highly interested in Nick Smith Jr. with one of our 2 FRPs.

Yeah this game against UK is certainly making a case for it.

[MoMM]

Highly interested in Nick Smith Jr. with one of our 2 FRPs.

What do you like about him?

It's the IQ and quickness more than anything. The few times I've watched him, his quickness and ability to see the pass before it's there stand out to me. He has good mechanics on his jumper. Super soft touch on floaters.

Never saw him playing, but how can a PG average 2apg in 24mpg and be a good PG and at passing the ball? Also, he shots below 40%FG and 33%3PT, something is wrong...

[Def Swami]

What do you like about him?

It's the IQ and quickness more than anything. The few times I've watched him, his quickness and ability to see the pass before it's there stand out to me. He has good mechanics on his jumper. Super soft touch on floaters.

Never saw him playing, but how can a PG average 2apg in 24mpg and be a good PG and at passing the ball? Also, he shots below 40%FG and 33%3PT, something is wrong...

Most of his season has been mired in recovering from injury. But in the 6 games since returning from injury in mid-February, you see he's getting a lot better and what the appeal is/was coming into the season. And in my eyes, assists aren't the only thing makes a player a good passer or playmaker. Even watching this game against UK, there's a lot of plays created off of Smith's penetration that his teammates don't finish. He's reading the game at a faster pace than his own teammates a lot of times.

He's one of the guys I wish we got a full season with. I think about other players who came into a freshman season who were harder to evaluate after a freshman season. Michael Porter Jr. comes to mind. He tried to play a few games at the end of his freshman season, but never got into a groove to show us what he was capable of. Darius Garland's freshman season was cut short, but those first 11 games were really promising.

[RookieStar]

What do you like about him?

It's the IQ and quickness more than anything. The few times I've watched him, his quickness and ability to see the pass before it's there stand out to me. He has good mechanics on his jumper. Super soft touch on floaters.

Never saw him playing, but how can a PG average 2apg in 24mpg and be a good PG and at passing the ball? Also, he shots below 40%FG and 33%3PT, something is wrong...

If you are watching ARK ball right now vs UK, Black is practically the PG, setting up plays, handle the ball an etc. While NSK is the scoring machine.

[RookieStar]

Anyone watching this Kansas vs Texas game? Look at how they guard Dick. Even if a teammate of Dick drives to the hoop near him, the guy guarding Dick doesn't even try to swipe the ball because all concentration on defense are on Dick.

Imagine that in the NBA, Paolo or Franz practically can drive one-on-one without help defense because the other team are too scared of helping off Dick.

[RookieStar]

Watch on YouTube

Adam Spinella is one of the few draft analysts who had Paolo as his No. 1 overall prospect last year, so I pay extra attention to what he has to say.

Here's his latest 2023 Mock of the lottery if you don't care to watch the whole video

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Scoot Henderson
3. Amen Thompson
4. Brandon Miller
5. Nick Smith Jr.
6. Jarace Walker
7. Cam Whitmore
8. Gradey Dick
9. Ausar Thompson
10. Keyonte George
11. Anthony Black
12. Cason Wallace
13. Jalen Hood-Schifino
14. Ryan Rupert

Was his draft board accurate as well when he had to judge the GL guys in Green Kuminga and etc? I still don't know how to judge the twins in their league.

[basketballRob]

Nick Smith looks like he has a similar game to Beal.

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[cedric76]

Nick Smith Jr. today against Kentucky

25 PTS 3 REB 6 AST 4 STL 10-23 FG 3-8 3PT 2-4 FT

Gonna be hard passing on him