2023 NBA Draft Prospects

[SoCalJazzFan]

This is how I see the top 9 potentially shaking out:

1. SAS- VW (locked)

2. CHA- already have LeMelo, so Miller makes most sense.

3. POR- wants to trade, but if not, BPA probably Scoot or Amen. If they can trade, team, such as Raptors, also probably select Scoot or Amen.

4. HOU- KPJ, their PG, has not been great, and Scoot or Amen most likely BPA and fits need. Rumors they'll be active on FA market.

5. DET- already have their backcourt of future, Jalen Duren (PF) looks like stud, they have a couple of young centers, and there are no BPA centers in top 10, so Cam Whitmore makes a lot of sense here and could arguably be the BPA too.

6. ORL- their best players are Franz Wagner (SF) and Paolo (PF). If they were to pick Walker or Hendricks (arguably BPA), how do they fit them in with these two? They have just ok pgs in Fultz and Cole Anthony, but they really need a SG as Jalen Suggs has been disappointing, so this could be a surprise pick of Ausar T or A Black to give them some D and extra playmaking, even though neither is a good shooter, which the Magic really need. Instead, they will probably target that need with their 11th pick where Grady Dick and/or Hawkins could be available, so they pick Ausar or Black who might end up being their future PG. Could they trade down?

7. IND- if they don't trade for a vet/star as rumors indicate they desire, backcourt is set so they probably take Jerace Walker or Hendricks, both for BPA and fit.

8. WAS- they desperately need a PG, and with recent reports of Cason Wallace cancelling workouts after his workout with the Wiz, it looks like they might have made him a promise.

9. UTA- one of Ausar or Black, and one of Walker or Hendricks is likely to be available.
Not a horrible position to be in. Who do you take and why?

[AingesBurner]

This is how I see the top 9 potentially shaking out:

1. SAS- VW (locked)

2. CHA- already have LeMelo, so Miller makes most sense.

3. POR- wants to trade, but if not, BPA probably Scoot or Amen. If they can trade, team, such as Raptors, also probably select Scoot or Amen.

4. HOU- KPJ, their PG, has not been great, and Scoot or Amen most likely BPA and fits need. Rumors they'll be active on FA market.

5. DET- already have their backcourt of future, Jalen Duren (PF) looks like stud, they have a couple of young centers, and there are no BPA centers in top 10, so Cam Whitmore makes a lot of sense here and could arguably be the BPA too.

6. ORL- their best players are Franz Wagner (SF) and Paolo (PF). If they were to pick Walker or Hendricks (arguably BPA), how do they fit them in with these two? They have just ok pgs in Fultz and Cole Anthony, but they really need a SG as Jalen Suggs has been disappointing, so this could be a surprise pick of Ausar T or A Black to give them some D and extra playmaking, even though neither is a good shooter, which the Magic really need. Instead, they will probably target that need with their 11th pick where Grady Dick and/or Hawkins could be available, so they pick Ausar or Black who might end up being their future PG. Could they trade down?

7. IND- if they don't trade for a vet/star as rumors indicate they desire, backcourt is set so they probably take Jerace Walker or Hendricks, both for BPA and fit.

8. WAS- they desperately need a PG, and with recent reports of Cason Wallace cancelling workouts after his workout with the Wiz, it looks like they might have made him a promise.

9. UTA- one of Ausar or Black, and one of Walker or Hendricks is likely to be available.
Not a horrible position to be in. Who do you take and why?

I worry about Ausar only playing 16 year olds, Black could be Shaun Livingston pre-injury, and Hendricks seems like the safest pick. Couly is also intriguing.

[bkohler]

I’m getting more and more hopeful that someone impactful falls to 16.

In general I’m hoping we go wing/big at 9, wing/big at 16 and guard at 28. Although I’d be willing to take another swing at a wing at 28. Something like Hendricks, Coulibaly/Miller, Klintman/GG/Lewis.

Obviously if someone falls then that changes things

[Inigo Montoya]

FYI, David Locke finally discovered Taylor Hendricks.

[SoCalJazzFan]

I doubt he falls to the Jazz, but these high school clips are just a reminder that Jerace Walker has an all around game and could end up being a star. I see him as potentially being a bigger, better Paul Milsap. I wouldn't mind trading up for him at all.

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[HadAnEffectHere]

That is easily the least impressive and most expected highlight video I've seen in a while.

He passed exactly as well in college.

[SoCalJazzFan]

That is easily the least impressive and most expected highlight video I've seen in a while.

He passed exactly as well in college.

I agree that Walker passed well in college too. However, averaging 4.0 assists per game as a senior in high school as a big man is really impressive and shows off more of his passing acumen that he might not have shown with more limited attempts at Houston.

If there ends up being only four multiple All Star players in this draft, or even All NBA, my guess is that Jerace Walker is one of them. Jazz would most likely have to trade up to at least #6 to get him, though. Too bad they didn't lose a few more games after the trade deadline.

[bkohler]

Walkers athleticism has always underwhelmed me. Idk why but he feels so ground bound most of the time.

That said I like him and would take whoever is left of him and Hendricks at 9 unless someone else falls.

[SoCalJazzFan]

I think that, collectively, fans this time of year often overvalue size and athleticism in draft prospects and undervalue adequate size and athleticism coupled with high IQ and skill.

For example, take a look at this list of draft darlings over just the past few years who ended up disappointing:
Justice Winslow
Buddy Heild
Dennis Smith Jr
Aaron Gordon
Zhaire Smith
Cam Reddish
Jarrett Culver
Obi Toppin
Dante Exum
not to mention a lot of center busts.

The guys who are great in transition or can break someone down and end with a monster dunk aren't always, or perhaps often, the best players.

[AingesBurner]

I think that, collectively, fans this time of year often overvalue size and athleticism in draft prospects and undervalue adequate size and athleticism coupled with high IQ and skill.

For example, take a look at this list of draft darlings over just the past few years who ended up disappointing:
Justice Winslow
Buddy Heild
Dennis Smith Jr
Aaron Gordon
Zhaire Smith
Cam Reddish
Jarrett Culver
Obi Toppin
Dante Exum
not to mention a lot of center busts.

The guys who are great in transition or can break someone down and end with a monster dunk aren't always, or perhaps often, the best players.

Very, very true. See Walker Kessler.

[SoCalJazzFan]

This is how the U.S. prospects were ranked heading into college this time last year:

https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool/

https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2022?position=ALL%20POSITIONS

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2022/order/true

Were they wrong, or are we sleeping on Dariq and NSJr, who were consisently the #1 and #2 ranked players, due to their injuries last season?

[Sparky6string]

Bilal moving up in the mocks of many. What do you think of him as a Jazz member?

[babyjax13]

I haven't been able to see Bilal in a full game, so I don't know. Looks to cut really well, has a handle that looks like it can develop. Jumper is slow. I am intrigued but have no frame of reference for where he should go.

[Jadoogar]

I think that, collectively, fans this time of year often overvalue size and athleticism in draft prospects and undervalue adequate size and athleticism coupled with high IQ and skill.

For example, take a look at this list of draft darlings over just the past few years who ended up disappointing:
Justice Winslow
Buddy Heild
Dennis Smith Jr
Aaron Gordon
Zhaire Smith
Cam Reddish
Jarrett Culver
Obi Toppin
Dante Exum
not to mention a lot of center busts.

The guys who are great in transition or can break someone down and end with a monster dunk aren't always, or perhaps often, the best players.

Very, very true. See Walker Kessler.

Several of these players turned into good role players. I think our expectations are too high for lottery picks. Like Aaron Gordon has had a great career. A lot of it comes down to role and situation. If he stayed in Orlando, we would have called him a bust because he was asked to do way too much. On the Nuggets, he's an elite role player on a title team. This is why i disagree with people who say "don't worry about fit". Fit is extremely important to how a player's career turns out.

[Gert42]

I’m getting more and more hopeful that someone impactful falls to 16.

In general I’m hoping we go wing/big at 9, wing/big at 16 and guard at 28. Although I’d be willing to take another swing at a wing at 28. Something like Hendricks, Coulibaly/Miller, Klintman/GG/Lewis.

Obviously if someone falls then that changes things

I’m not sure impactful will be there, but it is interesting that the more mock drafts and rankings that come out that there is a lot of fluidity in the 12-20 range, so I think guys we thought would not be around could be there when they are up at #16.

[SoCalJazzFan]

I watched a post workout Pacer video of Jerace Walker last night, and he indicated that he is working out with Utah this week (and I think Detroit before Utah).

[SoCalJazzFan]

Good write up on Cason Wallace.
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/the-case-for-cason-wallace (is the back a concern?)

[bkohler]

This is how the U.S. prospects were ranked heading into college this time last year:

https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool/

https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2022?position=ALL%20POSITIONS

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2022/order/true

Were they wrong, or are we sleeping on Dariq and NSJr, who were consisently the #1 and #2 ranked players, due to their injuries last season?

I think we're definitely sleeping on Dariq in particular - I'm hoping he's around for the 28th pick. He actually shot the ball really well. I also think we're sleeping on NSJ; I think he'll be good, kinda a Jordan Clarkson clone. I just don't think that's a player we need at the moment. But another team will probably pick him up and have a good player microwave scorer on their hands.

[zero24gravity]

Making a case for Nick Smith to the Jazz at #9.

https://www.si.com/nba/jazz/news/jazz-nick-smith-arkansas-draft-opinion

[tugs]

Undrafted last year but joined this year's mini camp. How's everyone's thoughts on Kai Sotto?