NBA Mock Draft: What if every team picked only based on defensive upside?
By Ian Levy
Defense is only half the game but our latest NBA Mock Draft looks at how things would shake out if teams only considered defense when making their picks.
Every team uses its own unique calculus to make the NBA Draft selections, factoring in their perception of upside, positional fit and offensive and defensive talent. Scouting reports and Big Boards do their best to take all that into account but sometimes all that information means missing the first for the trees.
For the sake of fun and a different look at this draft class, I put together an NBA Mock Draft that completely ignores the offensive side of the ball. I did my best to consider team needs, defensive role and whether a player at least had enough offensive ability to keep them on the floor. But beyond that, we’re only considering my partially informed opinion of defensive upside.
NBA Mock Draft: Who are the best defenders available in 2023?
1. Detroit Pistons — Victor Wembanyama, Big, Metropolitans 92
He’s the most intriguing offensive prospect in the draft but his defensive floor is absurdly high and he has Defensive Player of the Year potential.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder — Jarace Walker, Forward, Houston
Walker is built like a truck but has the quickness to defend in space and switch onto all five positions. He’s an absolute defensive game-changer.
3. Chicago Bulls — Ausar Thompson, Wing, Overtime Elite
Ausar may lag behind his twin slightly on offense but he looks like the better defender and his athletic tools give him almost unlimited upside at this end.
4. Houston Rockets — Cam Whitmore, Wing, Villanova
Whitmore isn’t quite as tall or as long as Walker but he’s built in the same mold, a powerfully physical defender with the quickness and explosiveness to defend all five positions.
5. San Antonio Spurs — Amen Thompson, Wing, Overtime Elite
Amen has the same absurd physical tools and motor as his twin, he just hasn’t appeared quite as dialed in at this end.
6. Charlotte Hornets — Rayan Rupert, Guard, New Zealand Breakers
A 6-foot-7 point guard with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Rupert works his tail off on defense and can absolutely smother opposing ball-handlers.
7. Orlando Magic — Cason Wallace, Point Guard, Kentucky
Wallace is a ferocious presence at the point of attack and will pester opposing point guards all over the court.
8. Indiana Pacers — Taylor Hendricks, Big, UCF
Hendricks is a strong shot-blocker with the mobility to eventually switch on the perimeter and have a defensive impact in space.
9. Portland Trail Blazers — Scoot Henderson, Point Guard, G League Ignite
Henderson devotes far more of his energy to the offensive end but he has all the physical tools to be an incredibly disruptive backcourt defender.
10. Washington Wizards — Dariq Whitehead, Wing, Duke
Not nearly as quick or as explosive as Whitmore, Whitehead is still powerful, versatile and committed on defense.
11. Toronto Raptors — GG Jackson, Wing, South Carolina
Long and fluid, Jackson still needs to improve his awareness and commitment at this end.
12. Utah Jazz — Noah Clowney, Forward, Alabama
Another, long, versatile athlete whose defensive impact may be more hypothetical at this point.
13. New Orleans Pelicans — Dereck Lively II, Big, Duke
Lively II is a traditional rim protector with great size and vertical pop. If he can defend in space, he’s a game-changer.
14. Los Angeles Lakers — DaRon Holmes II, Big, Dayton
Holmes doesn’t have the size of Lively or Wembanyama but he’s among the best shot-blockers on the board this season.
15. Atlanta Hawks — Leonard Miller, Forward, G League Ignite
Long, mobile, versatile.
16. Golden State Warriors — Coleman Hawkins, Big, Illinois
Plays hard and is versatile enough that he won’t have to be locked into the 5 position.
17. New York Knicks — Reece Beekman, Guard, Virginia
Will mostly need to stick to defending 1s but an excellent and fearless defender at the point of attack.
18. Utah Jazz — Terrence Shannon Jr., Wing, Illinois
Versatile, athletic and aggressive in the wing.
19. Houston Rockets — James Nnaji, Big, Barcelona
A powerful interior force and shot-blocker. Needs to prove he can defend in space.
20. Miami Heat — Sidy Cissoko, Guard, G League Ignite
Versatile, athletic and aggressive in the wing.
21. Brooklyn Nets — Jalen Hood-Schifino, Guard, Indiana
Doesn’t have elite athleticism but has a good frame, strength and plays both hard and smart.
22. Brooklyn Nets — Jordan Walsh, Wing, Arkansas
Was referred to as a “whirlwind defensive presence” by Chris Kline.
23. Portland Trail Blazers — Anthony Black, Arkansas
His offensive versatility makes him a letter pick but he’s no slouch at the other end, again with versatility as his calling card.
24. Memphis Grizzlies — Andre Jackson Jr., Wing, UConn
Shades of Grant Williams, just makes things happen no matter who he’s matched up against.
25. Sacramento Kings — Mark Mitchell, Forward, Duke
Athletic and switchable.
26. Indiana Pacers — Adem Bona, C, UCLA
Not as developed a shot-blocker as some of the other bigs in this group but makes up for it with mobility.
27. Utah Jazz — Arthur Kaluma, Forward, Creighton
Strong enough to defend players much taller than him, quick enough to defend those much smaller.
28. Indiana Pacers — Dillon Mitchell, Forward, Texas
An explosive athlete and highlight block waiting to happen. Still figuring out what to do with all his physical tools.
29. Charlotte Hornets — Oscar Tshiebwe, Big, Kentucky
Tshiebwe is not an elite rim protector and can be exploited in space. But he’s physical, ferocious on the glass and has an unending motor.
30. Los Angeles Clippers — Zach Edey, BIG, Purdue
The man is 7-foot-4 and 285 pounds. Just park him in front of the basket.
The best NBA Draft pick of all time at every slot. dark. Next
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