2023 NBA Draft Thread 4

[Knightro]

I have no problem drafting Anthony Black. I think he's a good enough prospect to pick at 6.

I know he has size and should be able to handle it defensively, but I cannot stress how much I do not want him pigeonholed into a SG/SF role just to get him on the court early in his career.

He needs to play with the ball offensively to maximize his passing and ability to draw fouls. Planting him in the corner while Cole runs and 1/5 pick and roll with Goga is a complete waste.

[yoyojw17]

Wasserman's Final Mock

1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson
5. Detroit Pistons: Jarace Walker

6. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black
Position: PG/SG
Team: Arkansas
Age: 19

Interest in Anthony Black seems to be spreading and growing. The Wizards at No. 8 now seem like his floor.

With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic may have to pass on a forward like Cam Whitmore, whose medical reports have also raised some questions.

Orlando could see more upside with Black than Markelle Fultz, and the front office does have a recent history of valuing skill and versatility over athleticism.

Black has fans all over for his coveted mix of positional size, passing and defense.

7. Indiana Pacers: Taylor Hendricks
8. Washington Wizards: Ausar Thompson
9. Utah Jazz: Cam Whitmore
10. Dallas Mavericks: Bilal Coulibaly

11. Orlando Magic: Gradey Dick
Position: SF
School: Kansas
Age: 19

Orlando will be hoping Gradey Dick is still there at No. 11, as it will swing for upside at No. 6 and then target shooting in the late-lottery.

If Dick is gone, Jordan Hawkins is another name expected to draw consideration.

Post Mock Depth Chart

G: Fultz, Anthony, Black
G: Harris, Suggs, Houstan
F: F. Wagner, Dick, Okeke
F: Banchero, Bol, Isaac
C: Carter, Bitadze, M. Wagner

You'd really need to move one of Fultz or Anthony to open up playing time for Anthony Black in this scenario. Dumping Gary Harris and replacing him with a bad shooter in Black just to get Black on the court doesn't seem too wise.

We'll see how it goes.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10080062-brs-final-2023-nba-mock-draft-full-2-round-predictions

Still trying to get on the Black train more.... But if it happens I guess I'm in too. I would personally be looking at suggs starting next season. His defense would be great with the first team and we'll see how his offense matures. Harris might turn into a trade chip and go to the end of the SG rotation. Fultz/Suggs/Wagner/Banchero/Carter feels like next seasons starters.

A bench of Anthony/Black/Dick/Isaac/Bitadze would be interesting and kinda exciting as well.

But we will see where this all goes!

[eyriq]

I'm prepared for Suggs|Black|Dick

[fendilim]

Kevin Pelton updated his WAR based ranking last week. Anybody have an ESPN insider account that can help out with list?

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/37847803/nba-draft-2023-breaking-30-best-prospects

Check last page

[jezzerinho]

I'm prepared for Suggs|Black|Dick

You might even get

Suggs/Moe/Black/Junior/Dick

[nymets1]

Black Dick is destiny

Imagine if those are the 2 selections? fans could be chanting/ yelling BLACK and DICK. Ausar Thompson and Gradey Dick are my preferred picks.

[Audi]

Black Dick is destiny

Imagine if those are the 2 selections? fans could be chanting/ yelling BLACK and DICK. Ausar Thompson and Gradey Dick are my preferred picks.

Amway would instantly cease being a 'family friendly' environment.

[Knightro]

John Hollinger Latest (Final?) Mock for The Athletic

1. San Antonio — Victor Wembanyama, 19, C, Metropolitans 92
2. Charlotte — Brandon Miller, 20, SF, Alabama
3. Portland — Scoot Henderson, 19, PG, G League Ignite
4. Houston — Amen Thompson, 20, SF, Overtime Elite
5. Detroit — Jarace Walker, 19, PF, Houston

6. Orlando — Ausar Thompson, 20, SF, Overtime Elite

The Magic, as we now all know, are not prone to tipping their hand. The move that makes the most sense for them is trying to package pick Nos. 6 and 11 to move into the top three and take Henderson. Alas, I don’t see that one happening. If Orlando stays put at No. 6, Ausar Thompson is a true wing whose shot is more functional than his brother’s, so he can play an off-ball role and guard twos and threes, which likely fits this roster. Anthony Black is also tempting here, but another non-shooter in the backcourt might break this team.

The other guy I’ve been told to watch is Taylor Hendricks; the local pull of a UCF-kid-made-good may be hard to ignore. Sure, that overcrowds the Magic with big forwards, but Orlando loves long athletes, and it can figure out the rest of the roster down the line.

7. Indiana — Taylor Hendricks, 19, PF, Central Florida
8. Washington — Anthony Black, 19, PG, Arkansas
9. Utah — Cam Whitmore, 18, SF, Villanova
10. Dallas — Dereck Lively II, 19, C, Duke

11. Orlando — Kobe Bufkin, 19, PG/SG, Michigan
For a long time, I had been thinking Orlando’s need for shooting would tilt it toward taking Gradey Dick, but I was thinking like me and not like the Orlando Magic. Based on how this team has valued length and athleticism in past drafts, I’m now pivoting toward Bufkin. Coulibaly is another potential wild card here who would fit Orlando’s prototype.

Given that this is Orlando’s second pick in the first round, it could also end up in a whole lot of other scenarios that see the Magic either move down or out for some more immediate help. Bufkin would be a likely target for a trade-up team too.

https://theathletic.com/4626572/2023/06/21/nba-mock-draft-2023-hollinger/ ($)

[jezzerinho]

John Hollinger Latest (Final?) Mock for The Athletic

1. San Antonio — Victor Wembanyama, 19, C, Metropolitans 92
2. Charlotte — Brandon Miller, 20, SF, Alabama
3. Portland — Scoot Henderson, 19, PG, G League Ignite
4. Houston — Amen Thompson, 20, SF, Overtime Elite
5. Detroit — Jarace Walker, 19, PF, Houston

6. Orlando — Ausar Thompson, 20, SF, Overtime Elite

The Magic, as we now all know, are not prone to tipping their hand. The move that makes the most sense for them is trying to package pick Nos. 6 and 11 to move into the top three and take Henderson. Alas, I don’t see that one happening. If Orlando stays put at No. 6, Ausar Thompson is a true wing whose shot is more functional than his brother’s, so he can play an off-ball role and guard twos and threes, which likely fits this roster. Anthony Black is also tempting here, but another non-shooter in the backcourt might break this team.

The other guy I’ve been told to watch is Taylor Hendricks; the local pull of a UCF-kid-made-good may be hard to ignore. Sure, that overcrowds the Magic with big forwards, but Orlando loves long athletes, and it can figure out the rest of the roster down the line.

7. Indiana — Taylor Hendricks, 19, PF, Central Florida
8. Washington — Anthony Black, 19, PG, Arkansas
9. Utah — Cam Whitmore, 18, SF, Villanova
10. Dallas — Dereck Lively II, 19, C, Duke

11. Orlando — Kobe Bufkin, 19, PG/SG, Michigan
For a long time, I had been thinking Orlando’s need for shooting would tilt it toward taking Gradey Dick, but I was thinking like me and not like the Orlando Magic. Based on how this team has valued length and athleticism in past drafts, I’m now pivoting toward Bufkin. Coulibaly is another potential wild card here who would fit Orlando’s prototype.

Given that this is Orlando’s second pick in the first round, it could also end up in a whole lot of other scenarios that see the Magic either move down or out for some more immediate help. Bufkin would be a likely target for a trade-up team too.

https://theathletic.com/4626572/2023/06/21/nba-mock-draft-2023-hollinger/ ($)

Id be happy with this combo, if we dont move picks.

[Knightro]

The general consensus appears to be...

At 6: Ausar Thompson, Anthony Black or Taylor Hendricks

At 11: Gradey Dick, Kobe Bufkin, Bilal Coulibaly, Jordan Hawkins or any of the three players listed above if they fall

[basketballRob]

The general consensus appears to be...

At 6: Ausar Thompson, Anthony Black or Taylor Hendricks

At 11: Gradey Dick, Kobe Bufkin, Bilal Coulibaly, Jordan Hawkins or any of the three players listed above if they fall

I see Cam at 6 a lot and Walker if he dropped.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[thelead]

Nobody gets me truly excited this year. I hope WeHam makes some trades.

Did Franz get you excited before the draft?

There will be prime time players available at both of our picks. It’s the FO’s job to identify and draft them.

[Knightro]

Worth noting that three pretty reputable mock drafters (O'Connor, Wasserman, Hollinger) all have Whitmore slipping to 9th now.

[VFX]

Worth noting that three pretty reputable mock drafters (O'Connor, Wasserman, Hollinger) all have Whitmore slipping to 9th now.

Wow. That’s a big fall.

[yoyojw17]

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2023/06/19/ucf-taylor-hendricks-orlando-magic-workout/

Hendrick's workout with the Magic

[thelead]

Worth noting that three pretty reputable mock drafters (O'Connor, Wasserman, Hollinger) all have Whitmore slipping to 9th now.

Wow. That’s a big fall.

Rumors of bad workouts must be true. This is why it's tough for us to project any of this without listening in on interviews and watching them in workouts.

[Creativetran]

Today was the first time I read anything about Cams medical report issues too, wonder what they are.

[yoyojw17]

Nobody gets me truly excited this year. I hope WeHam makes some trades.

Did Franz get you excited before the draft?

There will be prime time players available at both of our picks. It’s the FO’s job to identify and draft them.

There's too many players I can get excited about. A lot of question marks could be answered for many players in this draft.... Which could result in a great 2023 haul for the NBA.

[Knightro]

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[thelead]

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That's my guy and I have a feeling he's going 4 or 5 now.