2023 NBA Mock Draft 10.0: Final predictions for all 58 picks

2023 NBA Mock Draft: NBA Draft Second Round, Nos. 31-60

The Pistons have invested a lot in the frontcourt with Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, James Wiseman, and Marvin Bagley. The backcourt is set. This draft offers them the ability to double-dip on wing talent. Maxwell Lewis is a suitable upside swing to start the second round given his 3-and-D attributes and potential as a slasher, although his lack of winning at Pepperdine is a mild concern.

The Nuggets were without a suitable backup to Nikola Jokic in the postseason. Small-ball groups centered on Aaron Gordon clearly got the job done, but there’s definite appeal in a hulking physical presence like James Nnaji who can protect the paint and give Jamal Murray a lob threat above the rim in non-Jokic minutes.

Parles-tu français? The Spurs go international again to grab French wing Rayan Rupert, who played in the Australian NBL last season. Not many 18-year-olds can reliably contribute in pro leagues, so Rupert deserves recognition for his defensive intensity and scoring flashes at 6-foot-7.

GG Jackson was an absolute mess at South Carolina but he was also a high-usage, go-to scorer at 17 years old. What did you expect? Jackson was originally a top prospect in the class of 2024 before reclassifying to join the Gamecocks a year early. The results were heavily mixed, but he’s built like a tank and he can create his own shot, so the risk is worthwhile for the Hornets. Charlotte has several second-round picks to take wild swings with.

The Wizards are now without their starting center after trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics. Enter Trayce Jackson-Davis — maybe not the day-one starter, but an intriguing lob threat and post-up playmaking hub who could develop synergy with new Wizards guard Jordan Poole.

Jordan Walsh is a former five-star recruit who bought into his 3-and-D role for the talent-laden Razorbacks as a freshman. There are concerns about his consistency on the offensive end, but he’s a bursty athlete with elite length and absolutely bonkers point of attack defensive ability.

The Nuggets dip into the well of experienced college prospects to select Gonzaga’s Julian Strawther, who holds obvious appeal as a 3-and-D wing with positional size and a penchant for playing in transition.

Amari Bailey helped his stock with a strong combine performance. The freshman is still 19 years old and he presents upside as a 6-foot-5 guard defender and secondary playmaker to flesh out the Kings’ backcourt.

Tristan Vukcevic was another combine standout. There are questions about his defensive ceiling (and floor, frankly) but 7-footers who can bomb 3s and score facing up like Vukcevic tend to draw eyeballs.

The Lakers grab a feisty point of attack defender and bombs-away pull-up shooter in Marcus Sasser, who played a central role for one of the best teams in college basketball last season. He’s limited in upside because of his 6-foot-1 frame, but the Lakers could need guard depth with Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Dennis Schroder all hitting the free agency market.

The Hornets started to play real defense toward the end of last season. That is Steve Clifford’s calling card, after all. Julian Phillips should have plenty of fans in the second round due to his size and athleticism on the wing. He’s already a stonewall defender; the question is, how far can he progress offensively?

The Wizards grab Swiss Army knife Sidy Cissoko, who consistently wowed with his intensity and versatility in the G-League. He doesn’t create many advantages offensively and it’s fair to question the upside tied to his playmaking chops given his limitations as a scorer, but he will supply intensity on both ends and seek to contribute in small ways across the board.

Chris Livingston shut down workouts a while back, leading to speculation about a promise somewhere in the second round. The Blazers love to take upside swings; Livingston was a flashy prospect entering his freshman year at Kentucky but he never established rhythm offensively. The size, athleticism, and shot-making potential warrant second round interest.

The Spurs complement the youth of Wembanyama and Rupert with one of the older college prospects on the board. Kobe Brown has to find his position defensively, but 6-foot-8 forwards who can shoot, face up, handle, and pass like Brown have inherent upside in the modern game.

What Jalen Slawson lacks in scoring ability he makes up for with defensive savvy and playmaking from the wing. He’s a unique utility passer who could plug the Kyle Anderson void in Memphis if all goes well.

Seth Lundy has been picking up steam with his perimeter shooting ability. The Hawks could use another 3-and-D piece to complement Young, but Lundy is definitely stronger in the ‘3’ department than he is in the ‘D’ department.

Jalen Wilson was ultra-productive for Kansas in his junior year, taking on expanded scoring duties and flashing great poise and pace as a scorer. If the 3-point shot evens out and he can prove his mettle defensively, the Pacers might have a contributor in the second round.

Terquavion Smith feels like a candidate to fall on draft night because of his featherweight frame. That said, the Clippers could strike gold with his dynamic pull-up shooting and mistake-averse offensive style.

The Cavs need wing depth like a pirate needs vitamin C, so Arkansas’ Ricky Council is a sensible pick. Council has a first-round grade on the FanSided board, so his universal projection as a late second-round pick is a bit perplexing. He will have to iron out the kinks in his 3-point shot, but Council is an explosive downhill driver and one of the best at-rim finishers in the draft as a wing. Cleveland could find real treasure here.

Tosan Evbuomwan boosted his stock with strong performances at the G-League Elite camp and the combine. At 6-foot-8, Evbuomwan was always the biggest player on the floor for the very small Princeton Tigers. Even so, he operated frequently with the ball in his hands and profiles as a fascinating playmaking hub in the frontcourt. OKC often prioritizes size and creation skill across the board.

Jaylen Clark was one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball last season. He can bolster the Nets’ thin guard rotation while potentially scrapping his way to early minutes with fundamentally-sound defense.

Hunter Tyson is already 24 years old but the Suns need as many potential contributors as possible to flesh out their paper-thin rotation around Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Tyson brings size and shooting on the wing, as well as strong instincts for moving without the ball. He’s the kind of play-finisher who could pay dividends alongside Phoenix’s powerful offensive engines.

The Wolves invest in Mouhamed Gueye, a bouncy 6-foot-11 lob threat and theoretical floor-spacer who could develop into the eventual replacement for free agent center Naz Reid. Gueye can slide his feet on the perimeter and he moves very fluidly in the open court, but his skill development and decision-making has a long way to go.

The Kings desperately need size and athleticism on the wing and reinforcements on the defensive end. Keyontae Johnson played a central role in Kansas State’s deep tournament run and he’s the exact kind of bouncy athlete, versatile defender, and competent play finisher who could pan out for the Kings.

He will struggle to defend in space against NBA athletes, but Oscar Tshiebwe was an extremely productive college player — especially in the rebounding department, where his singular work ethic and ingenuity really shines through. He’s worth a second-round flier for the Pacers, who could use specialists to fill out the roster with all these picks.

Colin Castleton gives Memphis another dose of frontcourt depth with size (6-foot-11), face-up scoring ability, and rim protection. If he can extend his range out to the 3-point line, his odds of sticking as a backup center increase drastically.

Jalen Pickett was highly efficient as the hub of Penn State’s offense. His ability to create out of pick-and-rolls makes him an instant fit in the modern NBA, but there are significant questions about his ability to hold up on defense.

The Bucks could be in the market for center depth, especially if Brook Lopez is lured away by a big spender in free agency. Adama Sanogo is fresh off the NCAA championship with UConn. He’s slightly undersized at 6-foot-9, but he’s an absolute bruiser who can occasionally shoot the 3-ball.