2023 NBA Draft Prospects

[Hoops Addict]

What do you think of Kris Murray?

His twin brother, Keegan, is having a very solid rookie season for the playoff-bound Kings.

I think he is good.......expect him to trend to be almost as good as his awesome brother.

[babyjax13]

Read that Utah sent scouts to watch every game the Thompson brothers played in Europe. I’d keep my eyes on one of them.

I read that too. However, Amen Thompson will probably be a top 4 pick. His brother, Ausar, doesn't have the playmaking/ball handling skills his brother Amen has, from what I have seen, and will probably be a wing and might go mid-lottery based on mock drafts.

While they are hyper athletic, my biggest concern is that neither can shoot. Not like a situation of a player shooting low 30s% 3pt and working them up to near 40%, like they shoot around 20% 3pt. They are really, really bad shooters. The modern NBA requires nearly all players to be able to shoot, particularly guards and wings.

Amen is such an Ainge pick, reminds me a lot of when they went with Brown. I've warmed up a lot on Ausar, I think that shot comes around (he has shown improvement). I'd take him over Black or Wallace, at this point. I do like Black, think he fills the role Marcus Smart and Lonzo Ball do as the player who doesn't always take the ball up the court, but keeps the offense moving really well and is tough defensively.

[bkohler]

Black reminds me so much of a more athletic Kyle Anderson. Like Kyle but sped up just a bit

[SoCalJazzFan]

I love Black’s defensive hustle, court vision/passing and size. However, does anyone else have concerns about Black’s shot and athleticism?

[SoCalJazzFan]

Amen is such an Ainge pick, reminds me a lot of when they went with Brown. I've warmed up a lot on Ausar, I think that shot comes around (he has shown improvement). I'd take him over Black or Wallace, at this point.

What happens at the combine and during team workouts will be extremely important for properly evaluating the Thompson twins. At the moment, I think that they are very risky picks given how high they are mocked and other players that would be available.

[bkohler]

Who are the players you're not enamored with but would be plenty happy if they fell to Jazz (for their various pick ranges?)

I think mine are Wallace, Walker, Hendricks, and Dick. I like all of them but feel like they might have inflated value at lots of the spots I'm seeing them mocked at. If I can get Walker around 8-10 I'd be thrilled but I feel like I'm reaching with anything higher. Same with Wallace - give me him in the teens, and I'm happy but anything higher and it feels like a reach (same with Dick).

Hendricks is one of those players I'd be thrilled with within the late teens, but anything earlier makes me squirm.

GG Jackson makes me very uncomfortable in the lottery, but I'd be fine with him with the BRK/76ers pick.

The Thompson twins also definitely fit that for me as well, I'd like them much better 2 - 3 spots lower than people are mocking them.

Conversely, I'm like Kris Murray, Jett Howard, and Bilal Coulibaly at higher picks than I'm seeing them mocked.

[Inigo Montoya]

I may have to eat my words later but I'm not enamored with either of the Thompsons. I see the appeal though.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Who are the players you're not enamored with but would be plenty happy if they fell to Jazz (for their various pick ranges?)

I think mine are Wallace, Walker, Hendricks, and Dick. I like all of them but feel like they might have inflated value at lots of the spots I'm seeing them mocked at. If I can get Walker around 8-10 I'd be thrilled but I feel like I'm reaching with anything higher. Same with Wallace - give me him in the teens, and I'm happy but anything higher and it feels like a reach (same with Dick).

Hendricks is one of those players I'd be thrilled with within the late teens, but anything earlier makes me squirm.

GG Jackson makes me very uncomfortable in the lottery, but I'd be fine with him with the BRK/76ers pick.

The Thompson twins also definitely fit that for me as well, I'd like them much better 2 - 3 spots lower than people are mocking them.

Conversely, I'm like Kris Murray, Jett Howard, and Bilal Coulibaly at higher picks than I'm seeing them mocked.

Who would be your top 12 or 14 if you think some of the players you mentioned above are overrated?

I thought I might be alone on an island about Kris Murray. If one of our picks is mid teens or later, I would be happy to get him and could see him overperform his expectations. That being said, there are wings/fowards with a higher ceiling, but they should be gone before the teen picks roll around.

I might be alone on an island about Cason Wallace (which makes me wonder if I'm wrong, haha). I think that he is the 2nd or 3rd best PG prospect and will be a solid starting PG. He could even end up being the best in this class in a few years due to his size advantage and defensive chops compared to Scoot and if Amen T doesn't pan out. Based on what I know now, I would be very happy if the Jazz were to draft him.

[bkohler]

I look at players as being in tiers, and while there might not be 12 better than some of those listed, they might be in a tier below what the 12th pick traditionally brings - in that case, I'd look to move the pick for a more established player trade down and attempt to get future assets.


Right now I think my tier list looks something like this:

Tier 1 (Franchise potential, trade the farm, easy #1):
Wemby

Tier 2 (Debatable #1 in a decent draft, most go 1 or 2, high probability all-NBA player)
Scoot / Miller

Tier 3 (Debatable #1 in a bad draft, expect most to go 1-4, multiple all-star)
I've got no one in this tier

Tier 4 (top 5, likely all-star at some point)
I've got no one in this tier

Tier 5 (6-10 range, high-end starter / borderline Allstar)
Amen Thompson
Jarace Walker
Cam Whitmore

Tier 6 (11-16 range, starter on a good team)
Gradey Dick
Ausar Thompson
Carson Wallace
Taylor Hendricks

Tier 7 (17 - 22, starter on a bad team / high-level role player)
Anthony Black
Keyonte George
Jett Howard
Jalen Hood Schifino
Kris Murray
Nick Smith Jr

Tier 8 (23 - 45, gambles / boom or bust prospects / immediate impact but low potential role players)
Rayan Rupert
Kyle Filipowski
Bilal Coulibaly
GG Jackson

Tier 9 (46 - 60, practice squad / extreme gambles)


For me to be really happy with the Jazz draft, I'd need to either a) get serious some lottery luck (I think anyone getting a top-three pick is getting more than normal or at least equal to normal value) or b) have people fall in love with players like NSJ, Anthony Black, or Taylor Hendricks and push players like Wallace, Walker or Dick down into a position that fits inside my tiers.


Edit: Looking at it again it really feels like the worst spots to be in this draft are just outside of the top 3 (4-7), I think those picks likely lack value in this draft compared to other drafts and teams might be picking a player there that is a reach.

[bkohler]

I might be alone on an island about Cason Wallace (which makes me wonder if I'm wrong, haha). I think that he is the 2nd or 3rd best PG prospect and will be a solid starting PG. He could even end up being the best in this class in a few years due to his size advantage and defensive chops compared to Scoot and if Amen T doesn't pan out. Based on what I know now, I would be very happy if the Jazz were to draft him.

I really like Wallace for this team actually especially picking in the teens, just don't love him in the top 10.

[Catchall]

GG entering the draft. If I were the Jazz, I'd take him with either a late-lottery or mid-teens pick. I also think that if the Jazz keep their existing picks, there's a strong chance they come out of the draft with either GG or Hendricks. Also keep an eye on Atlanta as a possible destination for GG.

Read on Twitter

[bkohler]

Now that almost every major prospect is out - anyone else a little underwhelmed by the players in the tourney?

[SoCalJazzFan]

Now that almost every major prospect is out - anyone else a little underwhelmed by the players in the tourney?

Other than Miller at the beginning of the tourney, most were pretty meh. Seems like the upper classmen stole the show.

[SoCalJazzFan]

I look at players as being in tiers, and while there might not be 12 better than some of those listed, they might be in a tier below what the 12th pick traditionally brings - in that case, I'd look to move the pick for a more established player trade down and attempt to get future assets.


Right now I think my tier list looks something like this:

Tier 1 (Franchise potential, trade the farm, easy #1):
Wemby

Tier 2 (Debatable #1 in a decent draft, most go 1 or 2, high probability all-NBA player)
Scoot / Miller

Tier 3 (Debatable #1 in a bad draft, expect most to go 1-4, multiple all-star)
I've got no one in this tier

Tier 4 (top 5, likely all-star at some point)
I've got no one in this tier

Tier 5 (6-10 range, high-end starter / borderline Allstar)
Amen Thompson
Jarace Walker
Cam Whitmore

Tier 6 (11-16 range, starter on a good team)
Gradey Dick
Ausar Thompson
Carson Wallace
Taylor Hendricks

Tier 7 (17 - 22, starter on a bad team / high-level role player)
Anthony Black
Keyonte George
Jett Howard
Jalen Hood Schifino
Kris Murray
Nick Smith Jr

Tier 8 (23 - 45, gambles / boom or bust prospects / immediate impact but low potential role players)
Rayan Rupert
Kyle Filipowski
Bilal Coulibaly
GG Jackson

Tier 9 (46 - 60, practice squad / extreme gambles)


For me to be really happy with the Jazz draft, I'd need to either a) get serious some lottery luck (I think anyone getting a top-three pick is getting more than normal or at least equal to normal value) or b) have people fall in love with players like NSJ, Anthony Black, or Taylor Hendricks and push players like Wallace, Walker or Dick down into a position that fits inside my tiers.


Edit: Looking at it again it really feels like the worst spots to be in this draft are just outside of the top 3 (4-7), I think those picks likely lack value in this draft compared to other drafts and teams might be picking a player there that is a reach.

Interesting how you divide your tiers.
Guys like Jrue Holiday and Mike Conley were only All Stars once or twice in their entire careers, but were very important to the success of their teams. So, even if we get a guy or two like that, that aren't pereinnial All Stars or just borderline All Stars, it could make a difference.

[bkohler]

I look at players as being in tiers, and while there might not be 12 better than some of those listed, they might be in a tier below what the 12th pick traditionally brings - in that case, I'd look to move the pick for a more established player trade down and attempt to get future assets.


Right now I think my tier list looks something like this:

Tier 1 (Franchise potential, trade the farm, easy #1):
Wemby

Tier 2 (Debatable #1 in a decent draft, most go 1 or 2, high probability all-NBA player)
Scoot / Miller

Tier 3 (Debatable #1 in a bad draft, expect most to go 1-4, multiple all-star)
I've got no one in this tier

Tier 4 (top 5, likely all-star at some point)
I've got no one in this tier

Tier 5 (6-10 range, high-end starter / borderline Allstar)
Amen Thompson
Jarace Walker
Cam Whitmore

Tier 6 (11-16 range, starter on a good team)
Gradey Dick
Ausar Thompson
Carson Wallace
Taylor Hendricks

Tier 7 (17 - 22, starter on a bad team / high-level role player)
Anthony Black
Keyonte George
Jett Howard
Jalen Hood Schifino
Kris Murray
Nick Smith Jr

Tier 8 (23 - 45, gambles / boom or bust prospects / immediate impact but low potential role players)
Rayan Rupert
Kyle Filipowski
Bilal Coulibaly
GG Jackson

Tier 9 (46 - 60, practice squad / extreme gambles)


For me to be really happy with the Jazz draft, I'd need to either a) get serious some lottery luck (I think anyone getting a top-three pick is getting more than normal or at least equal to normal value) or b) have people fall in love with players like NSJ, Anthony Black, or Taylor Hendricks and push players like Wallace, Walker or Dick down into a position that fits inside my tiers.


Edit: Looking at it again it really feels like the worst spots to be in this draft are just outside of the top 3 (4-7), I think those picks likely lack value in this draft compared to other drafts and teams might be picking a player there that is a reach.

Interesting how you divide your tiers.
Guys like Jrue Holiday and Mike Conley were only All Stars once or twice in their entire careers, but were very important to the success of their teams. So, even if we get a guy or two like that, that aren't pereinnial All Stars or just borderline All Stars, it could make a difference.

If we could get a Mike Conley or Jrue holiday that would be beyond amazing. Honestly If we can walk away with two rotation players out of the three picks then we killed it. The draft is much more of a crapshoot than people realize outside of the top pick. Nailing 2/3 of the picks this draft would set us up incredibly well for the long term.

[Catchall]

Who are the players you're not enamored with but would be plenty happy if they fell to Jazz (for their various pick ranges?)

I think mine are Wallace, Walker, Hendricks, and Dick. I like all of them but feel like they might have inflated value at lots of the spots I'm seeing them mocked at. If I can get Walker around 8-10 I'd be thrilled but I feel like I'm reaching with anything higher. Same with Wallace - give me him in the teens, and I'm happy but anything higher and it feels like a reach (same with Dick).

Hendricks is one of those players I'd be thrilled with within the late teens, but anything earlier makes me squirm.

GG Jackson makes me very uncomfortable in the lottery, but I'd be fine with him with the BRK/76ers pick.

The Thompson twins also definitely fit that for me as well, I'd like them much better 2 - 3 spots lower than people are mocking them.

Conversely, I'm like Kris Murray, Jett Howard, and Bilal Coulibaly at higher picks than I'm seeing them mocked.

Jarace Walker would be an incredible fit playing next to Lauri and Walker Kessler. He's a glue guy, a triple-threat from 20 feet in, and a really appealing versatile defender. Though people often comp him to Paul Millsap, he's actually got some Jimmy Butler to his game.

Cam Whitmore is an obvious Danny Ainge pick, whose power and explosive first step should translate to the NBA. He should also be a reliable shooter and impact defender.

I like Gradey Dick and think he has the ability to run some on-ball actions in Will Hardy's egalitarian, motion offense, as well as be a knock down shooter and reliable floor spacer. He's the ultimate trailer shooter in the mold of Kyle Korver. For a team that runs as much as the Jazz do, that's appealing.

I also like Cason Wallace for the Jazz. His role would be similar to the one that Kris Dunn is playing now, but his shooting makes him an off-ball threat as well.

I have been following GG Jackson since last summer. I have a lot of conviction in him becoming an impactful offensive player. However, considering that the Jazz already have a super-sized wing who puts up 30 ppg on high efficiency, I'm not sure he's a priority for the Jazz. I could see him end up on the Hawks or Warriors.

Brice Sensabaugh can score the ball like a young Paul Pierce, even though he's just 19. You can't take that for granted. He has enough of a physical profile that he should be able to develop other areas of his game.

Taylor Hendricks has an appealing physical profile, but he's mostly a stand-still shooter at this stage. He can come in and play a Jeff Green-type role, but to be a higher-impact offensive player he needs to be able to make a move off the dribble. He should be able to switch defensively.

I'm not sold on Anthony Black for the Jazz. I don't think he's skilled or polished enough on the ball to play effectively at the 1. I think he's a defensive-minded glue guy who should play at the 2 or the 3, but that has limited value for the Jazz right now. He has physical and statistical similarities to Dyson Daniels last year, but is just clunky off the dribble for my liking.

I think Jalen Hood-Schifino is fine, but his lack of athleticism and burst on the ball is going to limit him.

I've been comparing Brandon Miller to guys like Otto Porter Jr. and Nic Batum and people think I'm bagging on him. I'm not. I just think he's primarily an off-ball player who scores off the catch and attacks close-outs. I also think there's a "cultural fit" question that needs to be addressed considering that the Jazz are a squeaky-clean organization.

[Hoops Addict]

Will any premium player fall down to #9 or #10 for the Jazz?

Will Cam Whitmore or Jarace Walker drop to us?

[bkohler]

Will any premium player fall down to #9 or #10 for the Jazz?

Will Cam Whitmore or Jarace Walker drop to us?

I think it's more likely a Thompson twin falls that far than it is Whitmore or Walker. I could see a draft that plays out like this:
1. Wemby
2. Scoot
3. Miller
4. Amen
5. Walker
6. Whitmore
7. Black
8. Dick
9. Hendricks
10.

[zero24gravity]

Don't worry y'all, Jazz will get #2 pick and draft Scoot. I'm not crazy enough to think the league will allow the Jazz to get the #1 pick, but I'm totally manifesting #2 pick for them.

[bkohler]

Don't worry y'all, Jazz will get #2 pick and draft Scoot. I'm not crazy enough to think the league will allow the Jazz to get the #1 pick, but I'm totally manifesting #2 pick for them.

I personally think if the Jazz get in the top 3 (but it's not Wemby) Danny might trade down and try and get the magic's two picks.