2023 NBA Mock Draft: Sixth Edition

 Here is the sixth 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- Scoot Henderson, Point Guard, G-League Ignite: Despite a lot of Brandon Miller buzz here, Henderson should be the selection here for the Hornets. He has great athleticism and has All-NBA type of talent and LaMelo Ball's presence should not stop the Hornets from taking Scoot.

3. Portland Trail Blazers- Brandon Miller, Small Forward, Alabama: What the Hornets do at 2 could very well affect what direction the Blazers go in in terms of whether they trade Damian Lillard or not. Despite off court troubles, Miller has the upside to be an elite scorer and a solid defender on a good team.

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- Jarace Walker, Power Forward, Houston: This would be a very interesting pick for the Magic since they are loaded at the position with youth. Walker is a versatile player on both ends of the court and the fit here would be very interesting with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

7. Indiana Pacers- Ausar Thompson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Overtime Elite: The Pacers 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 Pacers team can use.

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- Derrick Lively Jr, Center, Duke: This pick makes sense since the Mavericks need a long term answer at the center position. 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.

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- Bilal Couliably, Small Forward, France: The Thunder can afford to take big swings on picks and here I have doing that with Couliably, who was a teammate of Victor Wembanyama. He has a ton of talent and has the length to be a solid defender.

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- Cason Wallace, Point Guard, Kentucky: With Trae Young's future with the Hawks in the air, it would not surprise me if a point guard is selected here. Wallace is somebody that is a good defender and could develop more offensively and could be a long term point guard option here.

16. Utah Jazz (from Minnesota Timberwolves)- Keyonte George, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Baylor: The Jazz 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- Jordan Hawkins, Shooting Guard, Connecticut: The Laker here would be getting a steal with Hawkins, who some think could go in the lottery. The Lakers could use production and youth from the two-guard position and Hawkins is an elite shooter.

18. Miami Heat- Leonard Miller, Small Forward/Power Forward, G-League Ignite: The Heat are a team that wants to keep and add to its identity that got them to the finals. Miller is someone who's stock has flown the last several weeks as he's shown the ability to shoot the three well and has a chance to develop defensively 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)- Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Small Forward/Power Forward, Marquette: With their second first rounder, the Rockets take the versatile forward in Maxence-Prosper. He is an aggressive player as he excels defensively, but he needs to develop more offensively.

21. Brooklyn Nets (from Phoenix Suns)- James Nnaji, Center, France: I don't really love this match for the Nets since they already have Nic Claxton on their roster, but it would make sense if Claxton or the pick was in a trade for a star. Nnaji has solid physical tools as he's strong and lengthy and has a ton of potential defensively.

22. Brooklyn Nets- Jett Howard, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Michigan: With their second of two first rounders, the Nets take the versatile wing 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.

23. Portland Trail Blazers (from New York Knicks)- Noah Clowney, Power Forward, Alabama: With their second first rounder, the Trail Blazers go with someone who's played on good teams in college in Clowney. He is a flawed offensive player, but is a really good defensive player that impacts games.

24. Sacramento Kings- Kris Murray, Small Forward/Power Forward, Iowa: Of course everyone and their mother is making this mock selection. Murray does make sense here though with Harrison Barnes being a free agent as he can come in and play good defense and has a good IQ.

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

27. Charlotte Hornets (from Denver Nuggets)- Brice Sensabaugh, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Oho State: With their second first rounder, the Hornets take the talented wing in Sensabaugh. He is your classic three point bucket getter that can help swing a game.

28. Utah Jazz (from Philadelphia 76ers via Brooklyn Nets)- Andre Jackson, Small Forward, Connecticut: With their third first rounder, the Jazz take another forward in Jackson. He is a smart and explosive player that can guard anybody on the floor.

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)-  Maxwell Lewis, Small Forward, Pepperdine: The Clippers can use youth almost everywhere on their roster. Lewis has the length and creates good shots for himself, which can cause him to move up draft boards.