2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Victor Wembanyama makes surprise team happy

The 2023 NBA Draft will be the most hotly anticipated in years. How will the first round play out after the inevitable selection at No. 1? 

With the new year on our doorstep, it’s never too early to look ahead to next summer’s NBA Draft. While there’s an obvious headliner in Victor Wembanyama, the talent from top to bottom is worth monitoring. There are several potential high-impact players in the mix.

The college season has already delivered numerous early surprises and a handful of notable disappointments. Meanwhile, the overseas circuit is no different — some players standing out from the crowd while other prospects battle their own inexperience in the face of physical, professional competition.

Who gets picked in the first round of our 2023 NBA Mock Draft?

To keep things interesting, we have determined the lottery order via Tankathon simulation. The trajectory of a few stray pingpong balls has the potential to define the next decade-plus of NBA basketball — how fun!

In the grand tradition of mock drafts, this will serve simultaneously as a measure of my personal taste as well as a tentative projection of what teams might do based on roster needs and the current NBA landscape. It’s an imprecise science, with months of new film and analytical revelations still to come.

For now, here’s how the first round looks. If you’d like to read our top-60 prospect rankings, click here!

He’s rough around the edges, but the appeal of Kel’el Ware is pretty straightforward: he’s a mega-athlete in the middle who flashes the ability to stretch defenses out to the 3-point line. With Myles Turner’s future in question, the Pacers (who own several first-round picks) could be in the market for frontcourt insurance.

A locally sourced wing prospect for the Rockets, who still have holes to plug in their rebuild. Eric Gordon won’t last forever and the Rockets’ young wing depth is mostly unproven, so getting another versatile two-way piece to play off of Jalen Green is sensible.

The Lakers need some juice offensively, especially with Russell Westbrook finally off the books next summer (if not by the trade deadline). Terquavion Smith is a monster pull-up shooter with endless confidence who fits the classic sixth man bucket-getter role.

The Grizzlies’ only position of relative “weakness” might be center. Steven Adams is older than most of the Memphis core and the majority of bigs on that roster profile more comfortably as fours. Dereck Lively is a big body who will block shots and give them a towering presence in the middle. He would also find a fruitful pick-and-roll partner in the form of Ja Morant.

The Pacers add to their wing depth by investing in the versatile and dynamic skill set of G-League Ignite’s Sidy Cissoko. He has a ways to go offensively, but the athleticism, playmaking flashes, and impressive commitment to defense earn him first-round status.

The Hornets need to start winning games eventually. Colby Jones is one of the most well-rounded wings in college basketball, the type of team-first, two-way player all contenders need. He’s shooting over 50 percent on the season, he can defend multiple positions, and he’s a snappy decision-maker with obvious potential as connective tissue on a team built around the playmaking brilliance of LaMelo Ball.

Phoenix has missed Jae Crowder on the wing this season. Chris Livingston needs to hammer out his 3-point stroke, but the indicators are positive and he can shift the momentum of games with his defensive intensity.

The Jazz’s financial commitment to Collin Sexton could complicate the fit for Marcus Sasser, another short guard who’s more “combo” than “point” guard. But I’m confident in Sasser’s playmaking progression long term and Utah could use another ball-handler to ease the inevitable transition beyond Mike Conley.

Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox have propelled the Kings’ offense to borderline elite status. In Rayan Rupert, Sacramento moves to sure up the defensive side of the ball. With a 7-foot-3 wingspan, the mobility to chase ball-handlers around the perimeter, and an impressive track record of success against professional competition in Australia’s NBL, Rayan Rupert would make a compelling fit for the suddenly-contending Kings.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving can paper over a lot of flaws in roster-building. That said, if the Nets truly want to make the most out of the Ben Simmons acquisition, it would be wise to invest in a legitimate stretch five. Kyle Filipowski can space the floor and infuse Brooklyn’s frontcourt with more skill.

The Bulls are a rudderless ship right now and there’s no telling which direction the wind will blow between now and the season’s end. That said, Tyrese Proctor’s polished playmaking instincts and committed on-ball defense would fit anywhere. He can play table-setter regardless of whether or not Chicago keeps its stars.

The Clippers’ insane depth allows them to bet on upside. Dillon Mitchell might be the best athlete in the draft, a 6-foot-9 forward who can leap out of the gym and make eye-popping plays on defense. He has a long way to go skill-wise, but the Clippers are a good organization to grow with.

New York is frantically trying to clear space in their backcourt rotation, and yet, they could still use a bigger guard to provide connective tissue between Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and R.J. Barrett. Enter Jalen Hood-Schifino, the talented 6-foot-6 freshman with a penchant for funky shots and clever passes.

Let’s give the Warriors a 6-foot-8 wing with impressive movement shooting skills, flashes of legitimate on-ball creation, and the ability to guard multiple positions. Because why not. It’s about time for Golden State to invest in a player who’s a clear match skill-wise, rather than investing purely in athleticism and “upside.”

Brother of Keegan Murray, last year’s No. 4 pick, Kris Murray supplies size, shooting, and fluid straight-line drives at the four spot. The Hawks might have some forward minutes opening up soon if John Collins gets traded. Murray looks plug-and-play ready for the next level.

The Pacers have quietly constructed a very well-rounded roster. Dariq Whitehead checks a lot of boxes, giving them more length and versatility on the wing, as well as a player whose skill set complements the playmaking acumen of Indiana’s primary creators, Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin.