2023 NBA Mock Draft: Fifth Edition

Here is the fifth edition of my 2023 NBA Mock Draft.

1. San Antonio Spurs- Victor Wembanyama, Center, France: This is a slam dunk selection for the Spurs as they luck out yet again with a franchise altering big man in Wembanyama. Wemby is the best prospect to enter the league since LeBron James and he is a super intimidating presence on the court with his ability to shoot from anywhere and at the rim blocking shots.

2. Charlotte Hornets- Brandon Miller, Small Forward, Alabama: The pick should be Scoot Henderson here, but because of the presence of LaMelo Ball they may go in with Miller, like some of the reports are suggesting. Despite off court troubles, Miller has the upside to be an elite scorer on a good team.

3. Portland Trail Blazers- Scoot Henderson, Point Guard, G-League Ignite: Henderson dropping to three would cause chaos as teams would be either trying to acquire the pick or even if the team were to keep it and take Henderson, to trade Damian Lillard. Henderson has great athleticism and has All-NBA type of talent.

4. Houston Rockets- Amen Thompson, Point Guard, Overtime Elite: This pick is absolutely in play to be traded with the Rockets desire to bring back James Harden and to win now. Thompson has a ton of length and can guard any position realistically, but he needs to become a better shooter.

5.  Detroit Pistons- Cam Whitmore, Small Forward/Power Forward, Villanova: The Pistons were the biggest loser of the draft lottery dropping to the fifth spot, but Whitmore isn't the worst constellation prize ever. The Pistons biggest need is on the wing, so this pick here would make a lot of sense with his ability to defend and is great in transition.

6. Orlando Magic- Ausar Thompson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Overtime Elite: The Magic land a great talent here with Thompson. Ausar arguably has higher upside than his brother Amen due to his three-point shooting ability and that is something that this young Magic team can use.

7. Indiana Pacers- Jarace Walker, Power Forward, Houston: The Pacers have some options here with this pick as they can potentially trade up if they want to. Walker is a versatile player on both ends of the court and would give the Pacers offense a different look.

8. Washington Wizards- Anthony Black, Point Guard, Arkansas: This would be a nice pick for the Wizards considering the need for a long term point guard. Black is a big guard that does just about everything and is a smart player that knows how to utilize advantages.

9. Utah Jazz- Taylor Hendricks, Power Forward, UCF: The Jazz were surprisingly decent this season and they don't seem that far off from being a threat. Hendricks would provide much needed front court depth as it would take pressure off Lauri Markannen and Walker Kessler with his ability to shoot the three.

10. Dallas Mavericks- Cason Wallace, Point Guard, Kentucky: Wallace is somebody that is getting some buzz to go in the top ten as we enter draft week. Wallace is somebody that is a good defender and could develop more offensively and could be a keeper here.

11. Orlando Magic (from Chicago Bulls)- Gradey Dick, Shooting Guard, Kansas: With their second lottery pick, the Magic go with someone who is a lot of fun to watch in Dick. He makes a ton of sense here for the Magic with his ability to shoot the three and defend and has the ability to develop more as a player.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder- Jett Howard, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Michigan: The Thunder here go with a fast rising prospect in Howard. He is a really good scorer and could do so in many ways, but an injury held him back at times this past season.

13. Toronto Raptors- Kobi Bufkin, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Michigan: This would be a pick that makes sense considering Fred Van Vleet is a free agent. Bufkin is super quick and athletic on the perimeter and is a safe bet in this draft to be impactful.

14. New Orleans Pelicans- Jalen Hood-Schifino, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Indiana: The Pelicans here go with the versatile guard in Hood-Schifino. He is a wild card in the draft that could go anywhere from the lottery to the end of the round as he's very skilled, but needs improvement with his shooting.

15. Atlanta Hawks- Bilal Couliably, Small Forward, France: The Hawks take a big swing here and take Wembanyama's teammate in Couliably. He has a ton of talent and has the length to be a solid defender.

16. Utah Jazz (from Minnesota Timberwolves)- Keyonte George, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Baylor: The Pelicans go with a battle tested player here with George. He is super explosive and tends to get to the basket well, but his shooting has to improve on what he's shown.

17. Los Angeles Lakers- Jaime Jaquez, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, UCLA: The fans of Los Angeles would love this pick because they know what they'll get from Jaquez. He was an NCAA Tournament standout that is an excellent play maker and has a really good midrange game.

18. Miami Heat- Derrick Lively Jr, Center, Duke: The longterm fit doesn't make sense here unless the team is willing to part with Bam Adebayo for a big name star. Lively has two-way upside as a player, but didn't really show that consistency in college and has the ability to play on the perimeter too.

19. Golden State Warriors- Nick Smith, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Arkansas: Smith would make a lot of sense here because they may lose Jordan Poole so they want to replace the production he provided. Smith struggled in college a season ago with injuries and inconsistencies, but it could be worth the risk if he lives up to the hype he got in college.

20. Houston Rockets (from Los Angeles Clippers)- Brice Sensabaugh, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Oho State: With their second first rounder, the Rockets take the talented wing in Sensabaugh. He is your classic three point bucket getter that can help swing a game.

21.  Brooklyn Nets (from Phoenix Suns)- Kris Murray, Small Forward/Power Forward, Iowa: With their first of two picks, I have the Nets taking the talented forward in Murray. I feel he will be an impact player for anyone as he can come in and play good defense and has a good IQ.

22. Brooklyn Nets- Leonard Miller, Small Forward/Power Forward, G-League Ignite: With their second first rounder, the Nets take the teammate of Scoot Henderson in Miller. He is someone who's stock has flew up several weeks ago as he's shown the ability to shoot the three well and has a chance to develop defensively too.

23. Portland Trail Blazers (from New York Knicks)- Rayan Rupert, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, France: This could be an interesting draft and stash player for the Blazers as they should take that swing here. Rupert has the ability to defend at a high level and has a great wing span.

24. Sacramento Kings- Jordan Hawkins, Shooting Guard, Connecticut: The Kings here would be getting a steal with Hawkins, who some think could go in the lottery. The Kings could use production from the two-guard position and Hawkins is an elite shooter.

25. Memphis Grizzlies- Branden Podziemski, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Santa Clara: The Broncos of Santa Clara really have been producing great talent recently. Podzimski is the type of player the Grizzlies would like with his versatility and 3-and-D potential.

26.  Indiana Pacers (from Cleveland Cavaliers)- Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Small Forward/Power Forward, Marquette: With their second first rounder, the Pacers take the versatile forward in Maxence-Prosper. He is an aggressive player as he excels defensively, but he needs to develop more offensively.

27.  Charlotte Hornets (from Denver Nuggets)- Maxwell Lewis, Small Forward, Pepperdine: With their second first rounder, I have the Hornets going with Lewis. He has the length and creates good shots for himself, which can cause him to move up draft boards.

28. Utah Jazz (from Philadelphia 76ers)- Ben Sheppard, Shooting Guard, Belmont: With their third first rounder, I have the Jazz snagging up Sheppard. He is someone that is an elite shooter and has a great all around game which could get him drafted in the first round.

29. Indiana Pacers (from Boston Celtics)- Dariq Whitehead, Small Forward, Duke: With their third first rounder, I have the Pacers going with Whitehead. He would have been a lottery pick had he not fractured his foot his Freshman year and he would fit nicely as a secondary scoring option off the bench.

30. Los Angeles Clippers (from Milwaukee Bucks)- Gregory Jackson, Small Forward, South Carolina: The Clippers can use young depth everywhere with a lot of long term questions with the roster. Jackson has a strong frame and good athleticism to handle physicality in the league.