NBA mock draft 2023: Final projection for 2 rounds on draft day

Here is our final NBA mock draft based on information about the league.

• By
  
  Ricky O’Donnell
  

• on 22 June 2023 at 08.00

The 2023 NBA Draft is finally here, and with it comes the realization of a lifelong dream for the 58 players who will hear their name called. This year’s draft contains two fewer picks than usual after Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers were stripped of second rounders for manipulating violations during free agency.

We’ve covered this draft class since the day after the 2022 draft, and our initial board looks mostly accurate 12 months later. Be sure to read our full draft coverage on SB Nation, which includes a feature on twins Amen and Ausar Thompson, a top-60 overall big board, a look at Victor Wembanyama’s 35 most incredible plays and a mock draft of what we would do at each election.

It’s time for one last mock draft – this time projecting both the first and second rounds. This mock is based on information we hear around the league. That’s what we actually think will happen with the draft just hours away. Let’s mock every pick in the 2023 NBA Draft:

NBA mock draft 2023: Final update for all 58 picks

The Hornets are set to take Scoot Henderson at No. 2, per report

We’ve maintained all year that Scoot Henderson should be the second pick in the draft. The Hornets have the least talented roster in the NBA outside of LaMelo Ball and are unable to draft for fit.

Shams Charania reported that the Hornets favor Henderson over Brandon Miller with the second pick:

Departing majority owner Michael Jordan has the final say on the selection, according to GM Mitch Kupchak. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was confident on Wednesday that Miller would be the choice:

Of course last year, ESPN reported that Jabari Smith Jr. would go No. 1 overall to Orlando Magic. The Magic ended up taking Paolo Banchero, which was the right choice.

Will the Hornets call an audible at the last second and make the right choice? It’s still possible, but we can no longer ignore all the smoke surrounding Miller.

What are the focal points of this draft after No. 2?

The Hornets hold the keys to the draft with the second pick. Here are the other picks that could change the outlook for the draft at the top of the first round:

• Detroit Pistons at No. 5: Cam Whitmore should be the pick here, but Detroit doesn’t seem to like him as much as other players in this draft. All information says this pick will come down to Jarace Walker vs. Ausar Thompson. Either way, the Pistons are going to have a major shooting crisis with Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey already at their core.
• Orlando Magic at No. 6: The Magic need shooting more than anything else. They could also use a dose of athleticism and help in the backcourt. I would guess this pick will come down to a Thompson Twins vs. Anthony
• Dallas Mavericks at No. 10: Consistently the hardest pick to project in the draft. I consider this draft to have 11 worthy lottery picks. Derrick Lively is not one of those players. I put him here because Dallas could use size and defense and he checks both boxes. I wouldn’t love the choice, but it makes sense to them.

Who are the most interesting talents in the second round?

Here are a few second round picks that I think could be steals:

• Brice Sensabaugh, G, Ohio State: I have Sensabaugh rated as a lottery talent. NBA teams are lower on him because he is a poor defender, lacks court vision and has dealt with knee injuries. The latest information says he could slip out of the first round altogether. Personally, I think his three-point shooting and all-around shooting are too valuable to slide that far.
• Jordan Walsh, F, Arkansas: Walsh has a strong 6’7 frame, a massive 7’2 wingspan and sky-high defensive potential. He can handle the ball in the open floor and has shown binding passing moves. There is one swing skill for Walsh and that is his shot. He’s a bad shooter right now, but I saw him hit a critical three-pointer in Arkansas’ upset of Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. I would bet on his mentality, physical tools and ability to improve.
• GG Jackson, F, South Carolina: Jackson was the highest-rated high school player in next year’s incoming freshman class before reclassifying to enroll at South Carolina. He put up some big numbers and had impressive shooting flashes for the Gamecocks, but he was brutally ineffective and reportedly immature from the floor. Either way, Jackson’s combination of size (6’9), strength and shooting training give him a higher ceiling than a typical second rounder if he lasts that long.
• Maxwell Lewis. G, Pepperdine: Lewis is so much fun to watch with long strides, spot-up shooting ability and a deep bag of scoring tricks inside the arc. The problem is that his game slipped as the season went on, his defensive intensity may wane, and he may be harder to fit into team structures than other players in this lineup. Still, I like his upside and would consider him a home run pick in the second round.

How to watch the 2023 NBA Draft

Date: Thursday 22 June

Time: 8:00 PM ET

Location: Barclays Center

TV info: ESPN, ABC (first round)

Power: Watch ESPN

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