Steven Cheah's 2023 NBA Mock Draft

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I'm a huge draft guy in both the NFL and NBA. I've attended the NBA Draft three times in person and it's always a treat. Even though basketball is over for a bit on the court, there is a ton of drama off the court with free agency right around the corner and some big name players potentially on the move. Here's how I see things going tonight:

1) San Antonio Spurs - C Victor Wembanyama (France)

He's 7'4" 230 lbs. with an 8'0" wingspan and wears a size 20.5 shoe. He makes even tall NBA players look miniscule.

Oh yeah and he can dribble, shoot out to 3, block shots like we've never seen before and will be a terror on the defensive end. He hasn't missed a game for his team in France and this is a no brainer pick.

2) Charlotte Hornets - SF Brandon Miller (Alabama)

Even though he doesn't think Michael Jordan or LeBron James is as good as Paul George, I can see why as PG-13 is an apt comparison for Miller. While Scoot Henderson seems to be the People's Champ, it'd be a clunky fit next to LaMelo Ball. Miller makes the most sense here.

3) Portland Trail Blazers - PG Scoot Henderson (G-League Ignite)

Portland has a lot of thinking to do today. Damian Lillard would prefer flipping this pick for a superstar as this is considered a blue chip draft in the top 3. Henderson could've been the #1 overall pick last year or next year, so getting him at #3 is good value.

4) Houston Rockets - G Amen Thompson (G-League Overtime Elite)

Amen is the more athletically gifted Thompson twin and paired with Jalen Green, would form a scary offensive attack.

5) Detroit Pistons - SF Cam Whitmore (Villanova)

Whitmore is crafty and can get buckets inside, something Detroit lacked this past season with Cade Cunningham on the shelf. He compares himself to Anthony Edwards with a Jayson Tatum ceiling. That sounds pretty good at #5 overall. Amen Thompson's identical twin Ausar may go here too.

6) Orlando Magic - G Ausar Thompson (G-League Overtime Elite)

Instead, Ausar goes here where the Magic take a chance on a high floor, high ceiling prospect.

7) Indiana Pacers - PF Jerace Walker (Houston)

6'7" 250 lbs. with a 7'3" wingspan he can do a lot of the dirty work that Myles Turner won't touch.

8) Washington Wizards - G/F Bilal Coulibaly (France)

The Wiz are in a complete rebuild and take a bit of a flier on a 6'7" 18 year old with a 7'2" wingspan. He can do it all on the court.

9) Utah Jazz - F Grady Dick (Kansas)

Utah needs shooting and Dick is one of the best shooters in the Draft. 

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10) Dallas Mavericks - C Dereck Lively II (Duke)

The Mavs have been playing the likes of Dwight Powell and JaVale McGee at Center so I think it's time to upgrade that position.

11) Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls) - G Anthony Black (Arkansas)

Black falls a bit here because his jumper is inconsistent, but he's still a defensive stopper who can create off the dribble.

12) Oklahoma City Thunder - SG Jordan Hawkins (UConn)

The Thunder need to space the floor for SGA and Hawkins can help do that having shot 39% from downtown last year.

13) Toronto Raptors - PF Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida)

Pascal Siakam could be on the move and Hendricks could be a nice positional replacement here.

14) New Orleans Pelicans - G Kobe Bufkin (Michigan)

The Pelicans are playing C.J. McCollum at PG which isn't his natural position. Bufkin can both play right away and alleviate some of that burden for McCollum.

15) Atlanta Hawks - G/F Jett Howard (Michigan)

There are rumors that DeAndre Hunter could be on the move so Howard is a good replacement who packs more of a punch on offense.

16) Utah Jazz (via Minnesota Timberwolves) - SG Keyonte George (Baylor)

George is an SG who can really stroke it. Combined with Grady Dick the Jazz really improving their team so far.

17) Los Angeles Lakers - PG Cason Wallace (Kentucky)

The Lakers are an elite defensive team and Wallace can step in Day 1 and help with that rule.

18) Miami Heat - SG Nick Smith Jr. (Alabama)

With the Guard situation in South Beach being a bit unsettled Smith can help with some of Jimmy Butler scoring role.

19) Golden State Warriors - G Andre Jackson Jr. (UConn)

They may lose Draymond Green and while Jackson isn't as big, he does a lot of similar things to Draymond. With this passing ability, he'd fit right in in the Bay.

20) Houston Rockets (via Los Angeles Clippers) - C Adama Sanogo (UConn)

The Rockets start Alperen Sengun at Center and I have basically no depth behind him. Tari Eason doesn't count! Sanogo can step in right away and be a good backup C.

21) Brooklyn Nets (via Phoenix Suns) - PF Kris Murray (Iowa)

The Nets saw so much success the Kings had with Keegan, they took his brother.

22) Brooklyn Nets - G Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana)

Spencer Dinwiddie did a nice job filling in at PG after the trade, but can he continue his 10+ assists/game average? The Nets go with Jalen Hood Schifino who can be groomed for that role.

23) Portland Trail Blazers (via New York Knicks) - C James Nnaji (Spain)

This was the trade for Josh Hart! Win NY! Nnaji is a decent prospect, but this could be a stash for a team that could deal their superstar and race to the bottom.

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24) Sacramento Kings - C Drew Timme (Gonzaga)

Timme was a great college player, but can he be effective in the Pros? In Sacramento he can backup Domanatas Sabonis which would be an ideal scenario for him. So congrats to Playboy Marty!

25) Boston Celtics (via Memphis Grizzlies) - SF Colby Jones (Xavier)

Boston obtained this pick last night in the Kristaps Porzingis deal. Jones is an older player (21) who can make an impact right away as a rotational player.

26) Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland Cavaliers) - PF Noah Clowney (Alabama)

I have them going Jarace Walker at #7, but you can never be too safe and have PF Noah Clowney to help for a dynamic duo in the front court. One Myles Turner may be departing soon.

27) Charlotte Hornets (via Denver Nuggets) - G/F Dariq Whitehead (Duke)

Whitehead gets to say in North Carolina and hopes to regain his top recruit form from High School.

28) Utah Jazz (via Philadelphia 76ers) - G Marcus Sasser (Houston)

Marcus Sasser aka Lil Sas could be the king of Utah with this pick. The Jazz need playmakers and Sasser can help with that Day 1.

29) Denver Nuggets (via Indiana Pacers) - SF Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA)

The Nuggets traded into the 1st round yesterday and Jaquez is an older player ready to contribute to this title contender immediately.

30) Los Angeles Clippers (via Milwaukee Bucks) - F Jalen Wilson (Kansas)

Wilson is just too good to slide into the 2nd Round. His 3-point shot could use some work, but he's a scorer and he'll help replace what they left w/ Marcus Morris.