NBA Mock Draft 2023: A way-too-early look at what’s coming next
By Ian Levy
Here’s how the non-lottery looks after trades in our latest NBA Mock Draft 2023:
30. Emoni Bates, Wing, Memphis
Bates was once one of the most highly-rated players in this class but graduated early and struggled through a rough freshman season at Memphis while he waits to become draft-eligible. He still has plenty of tools but he needs to prove it.
29. Juan Nunez, Guard, Real Madrid
Nunez is a polished floor general with exciting vision and ball-handling ability in the halfcourt.
28. Kadary Richmond, Guard, Seton Hall
Richmond has some individual scoring chops and can defend, but he needs to improve his vision, efficiency and outside shooting.
27. James Nnaji, Big, Barcelona
Nnaji’s appeal is all about his physical tools — size, strength, leaping ability and mobility. His game is still very raw but he’s an intriguing package.
26. Julian Strawther, Wing, Gonzaga
A solid wing scorer he has to continue to improve as a facilitator and finish efficiently as his usage ramps up to prove he can be a viable secondary creator at the next level.
25. Ousmane N’Diaye, Big, Dragons Rhöndorf
N’Diaye has great size but his appeal is his potential to play on the perimeter. He has a fluid handle and is a good outside shooter. As he rounds out his game, he could move up the board quickly.
24. Kris Murray, Forward, Iowa
The brother of Keegan Murray, Kris is similarly smooth and versatile and his game could really take shape this season as he steps into the void left by his brother.
23. Harrison Ingram, Wing, Stanford
Ingram is a versatile guard who can score and create but he struggled mightily to do so with any efficiency as a freshman. A bounce-back season could move him up into the lottery.
22. Kyle Filipowski, Big, Duke
Filipowski is a big with perimeter skills, an excellent outside shooter with developing handle and vision on the ball.
21. Terquavion Smith, Guard, NC State
Smith opted to withdraw from the draft and spend another year at NC State. He’ll need to improve as both a finisher and a 3-point shooter to maximize his draft stock.
20. Jordan Walsh, Guard, Arkansas
A phenomenal athlete with a strong outside jumper, Walsh has 3-and-D potential in the short-term and could develop more as a self-creator to reach his ceiling.
19. Matthew Cleveland, Guard, Florida State
Cleveland has a versatile, offensive-connector-type game that really needs a reliable spot-up 3-point game to pop.
18. Chris Livingston, Wing, Kentucky
Livingston is a powerful wing and an absolute terror in transition. He’s still polishing his game, searching for consistency with effort and defense and will be learning how to make an impact in the halfcourt.
17. Jarace Walker, Forward, Houston
Walker is a physical force, a powerful driver and finisher around the basket. He will need to round out his perimeter skills or develop as a defender to really reach his ceiling.
16. Amari Bailey, Guard, UCLA
Bailey is productive at both ends of the floor, hounding opposing scorers on and off the ball and scoring in transition. He’ll be looking to show he can hit from the outside consistently and create in the halfcourt.