The best fits for every team in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery

The best fits for every team in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery

The NBA Draft is right around the corner, and this year’s class is teeming with young talent. From freaks of nature like Victor Wembanyama to smooth operators with elite shooting strokes like Brandon Miller, teams drafting in the lottery should be ecstatic with the depth of talent scattered throughout the lottery. But who are the best fits for each team drafting in the top 14? Let’s break it down.

1. San Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama

• C, Metropolitans 92

• 22/10/2 on 47/28/81 w/ 3 BPG

• 7-foot-3, 229 pounds, 8-foot wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How Wembanyama fits with the Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are essentially a blank canvas. They’ve lacked any real centerpiece to build around since the departures of Kawhi Leonard, DeMar DeRozan and Dejounte Murray. Victor Wembanyama is set to fill that void.

Strengths

What isn’t Wembanyama great at? He projects to fill any role the San Antonio Spurs desire. On offense, we’ve never seen someone like Wembanyama. He’s a unicorn or an alien. The young Frenchman is a player you would create on 2K, and the Spurs will be able to utilize him in so many ways offensively.

Standing 7-foot-5 with shoes on and boasting a buttery handle, he can initiate from the perimeter and run pick and roll. He can be a dominant roll man or a force on the low block. Plus, he possesses elite touch. He’s an 81% free throw shooter and can knock down shots consistently off the dribble, on turnarounds, fadeaways and hooks.

While he has an elite scoring skill set, Wembanyama also has solid playmaking chops. He can make reads and passes out of the short roll and his height will force teams to send doubles his way — unleashing his playmaking prowess even more.

On defense, Wembanyama possesses insane two-way value and looks like a future All-Defense caliber rim protector with his length and instincts. His length will allow him to contest shots everywhere on the court. Wenbanyama also projects to be a very switchable and capable perimeter defender too as he possesses great lateral quickness.

San Antonio will have options as his defensive versatility will allow him to play either a straight-up rim protector role at the five or more of a help-side rover role at the four.

Weaknesses

My sole concern with Wembanyama is durability and whether his mammoth frame can hold up to the arduous demands of the association. Wembanyama missed 43 of a potential 76 games in his age-18 season and has already battled back, leg and shoulder injuries in his young career. 

Throughout NBA history, we have yet to see someone with a similar frame to Wembanyama be able to consistently withstand the rigors of the league’s schedule. Giants like Yao Ming and Ralph Sampson suffered abbreviated careers because of their frames. Giants like Rik Smits and Zydrunas Ilgauskas both struggled to stay healthy throughout their NBA tenures. In more recent memory, Joel Embiid and Kristaps Porzingis have suffered from ankle, back and significant knee injuries — hampering them both from being on the court consistently.

Only time will tell if Wembanyama’s freakish frame will hold up.

Immediate Role

Superstar

Player Comparison

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Top 5 Phone Calls Spurs Should Make After Landing Wembanyama

2. Charlotte Hornets

Brandon Miller

• SG/SF, Alabama

• 19/8/2 on 43/38/86

• 6-foot-9, 200 pounds, 6-foot-11 wingspan

• 20 Y/O

How Miller fits in with the Hornets

Brandon Miller slots in as the secondary scoring and ball-handling option alongside LaMelo Ball for now, but has upside as a go-to No. 1 scoring option in the future.

Strengths

Miller has a rare skillset with elite athleticism, a dirty handle and a smooth shooting stroke that you rarely see in a player his size. He will be a deadly spot-up player immediately as he shoots catch-and-shoot attempts at a high clip (38.4 3P% last season) and attacks closeouts with ease.

But Miller provides upside as a real go-to scorer down the line. He’s got great burst, a smooth handle, and is adept at drawing contact to go to the line when driving the lane (4.6 FTA/G at an 86% clip last season). He’s got the tools to be a 1-4 defender at the next level and has already proven himself as a more than capable help-side rim protector.

Weaknesses

The two areas Miller needs to improve in are his playmaking and mid-range game. He’s a good finisher and deals with contact fairly well, but he’ll be driving into very few empty paints and facing a lot of premier rim protectors at the NBA level. To counter this, Miller needs to develop his in-between game and grow as a pull-up jump-shooter as well as develop a floater or touch game.

Right now, Miller is also not as adept as a playmaker. That’s not a major concern as in this hypothetical he would be paired up with one of the best young playmakers in the NBA in Ball, but it’s certainly the biggest area where he lacks. 

Immediate Role

Secondary scorer/shot creator and spot-up specialist

Player Comparison

Paul George

3. Portland Trailblazers

Scoot Henderson

• PG, G-League Ignite

• 17/5/7 on 43/28/77

• 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, 6-foot-9 wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How Henderson fits with the Trailblazers

With their current roster construction, Henderson is certainly far from a seamless fit. He’s a primary ball-handler who would be added to a roster with two other primary initiators in Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. Despite rumors swirling that Portland will package Simons and the third pick for a major asset, I think Portland should explore trading away Lillard this offseason to recoup future assets to build around an exciting young core of Henderson, Simons and Shaedon Sharpe.

Strengths

Henderson is an explosive athlete with an active and exciting handle. He possesses a quick first step and has nice change in pace as well. He can create out of isolation but also as a scorer and playmaker out of the pick-and-roll. If you give him a lane, he will decimate anyone in the vicinity with a demoralizing dunk. And while Scoot is a tremendous dunker, he’s also a great at-rim finisher with a deep bag of moves to avoid defenders when driving to the rack.

Weaknesses

Henderson must develop as a shooter. At the NBA level, a non-shooting primary ball-handler is detrimental for spacing in the half-court. Scoot shot just 24% on jump-shots, 28% from 3 and 35% in the mid-range this past season with G-League Ignite. Scoot must prove he’s a capable catch-and-shooter, so defenses play him honestly. He’s proven himself as a capable space creator and pull-up jump shooter (35% on pull-up jumpers) but needs to develop an in-between game of floaters and runners to counter premier shot blockers. My only other concern is that he’ll be a target on defense because he’s only 6-foot-2, however, he’s got active hands, a 6-foot-9 wingspan and gives full effort on that end of the floor.

Immediate Role

Slashing primary ball-handler, playmaker and initiator

Player Comparison

Russell Westbrook

4. Houston Rockets

Amen Thompson

• PG/SG, OT Elite

• 16/6/6 on 57/25/66 splits

• 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, 6-foot-9 wingspan

• 20 Y/O

How Thompson fits with the Rockets

The Rockets were directionless last season and that was reflected in Jalen Green‘s reluctance to play team basketball. This team needs direction and order and needs someone to set the table on offense. Hopefully, the introduction of Ime Udoka and the acquisition of Amen Thompson can make that happen for Houston.

Strengths

Amen Thompson is an absurd athlete with unreal acceleration and a true point guard mentality. He’s a deceptive ball-handler with elite change in pace and dependable decision-making. He’s a great finisher around the rim and has a bag of runners and floaters to rely on in the mid-range. On the defensive end, Thompson projects as do it all kind of defender. On-ball he’s got active hands and off-ball he stays engaged and makes the right rotations.

Weaknesses

Time will tell how effective Thompson will be in the half-court because he has major strides to make as a shooter. Defenses in the NBA will dare him to shoot on and off-ball, which is detrimental to spacing. Additionally, Thompson needs to show he can be a dependable scorer in the half-court. While he possesses an elite first step and can get downhill with a lane, he’s shown a lack of counters while good on-ball defense is being played.

Immediate Role

Slashing primary ball-handler, playmaker and initiator

Player Comparison

Glidey Josh Giddey

James Harden expected to join Rockets this offseason

5. Detroit Pistons

Jarace Walker

• PF, Houston

• 11/7/2 on 47/35/66 splits

• 6-foot-7, 249 pounds, 7-foot-3 wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How Walker fits with the Pistons

With two primary ball-handlers in Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, who better to pair with the promising playmaking duo than a tank like Jarace Walker? Walker will immediately be a deadly roll man with the duo and has upside as a tertiary creator and pick-and-popper with time.

Strengths

Walker is a supreme vertical athlete and will immediately be an effective roll man with his physicality and touch. He was a great defender at Houston, averaging over a steal and block per game and projects as a defender who can legitimately defend 1-5. While Walker is still very raw, he has major room to grow as a shooter and a playmaker.

Weaknesses

Walker is an absolute tank at 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds and while he’s physically imposing on the low block when he wants to be, he tends to favor tough mid-range shots. It’s promising that he’s capable of making these tough looks, but you’d like to see someone as imposing as Walker take higher-quality shots. 

Immediate Role

Two-way roll man and rim runner

Player Comparison

Bouncy Julius Randle

6. Orlando Magic

Ausar Thompson

• PG/SG, OT Elite

• 16/7/6 on 48/30/66 splits

• 6-foot-6, 218 pounds, 7-foot wingspan

• 20 Y/O

How Thompson fits with the Magic

While having three non-shooters on the floor like Thompson, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. will be a struggle for spacing, the Magic will be long and switchable on the defensive end. The Magic need an unselfish ball-handler who can help set the table, and Thompson should do just that. Thompson provides positional versatility as he can play at the 1, 2 or 3.

Strengths

Thompson is a bouncy athlete with a quick first step and is a legitimate playmaker. While he doesn’t dissect defenses like his brother, he makes smart passes within the flow of the offense and is a great decision-maker. When he gets to the rack, he’s got soft touch and great body control. He shot just 51% on his at-rim attempts this year but converted 60% in the year previous. 

Weaknesses

Like his brother, Ausar struggles with his spot-up shooting. He shot 30% from behind the arc this season, and teams already dare him to shoot — that will be exacerbated at the NBA level.

Another area that I’d like to see Ausar grow in is as a pick-and-roll scorer and as an overall true half-court scorer. He’s got great burst but doesn’t have a crazy bag of counters in isolation or out of the pick-and-roll.

Immediate Role

Slashing secondary ball-handler, playmaker and initiator

Player Comparison

Bouncy R.J. Barrett

7. Indiana Pacers

Cam Whitmore

• Wing, Villanova

• 13/5/1 on 48/34/70 splits

• 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, 6-foot-8 wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How Whitmore fits with the Pacers

With young building blocks in Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin, I think the Pacers should take a shot at a young off-ball wing with a lot of upside. At only 19, Whitmore has a ton of room to grow with this young core. Down the line, Mathurin and Whitmore could be one of the most explosive wing tandems in all of basketball.

Strengths

Whitmore is an explosive, strong and athletic wing with real potential as a stopping point of attack defender. On offense, Whitmore is gonna be dangerous attacking closeouts off spot-ups. He’s got an uber-quick first step and can throw down some rim-rattling jams with a lane. Whitmore is also a smart decision-maker that has upside as a playmaker with time.

Weaknesses

Whitmore is a capable but unproven shooter. He needs to prove he can capably space the floor to maximize his off-ball value. While he’s got a great first step, he hasn’t shown he has a super tight handle, so his on-ball creation is limited until he gets better with the rock in his hands. 

Immediate Role

Two-way spot-up slasher and cutter

Player Comparison

Miles Bridges/Saddiq Bey

8. Washington Wizards

Anthony Black

• PG/SG, Arkansas

• 13/5/4 on 45/30/71 

• 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, 6-foot-10 wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How Black fits with the Wizards

The Wizards are in no man’s land as a franchise. They’re not good enough to contend for a title or be a consistent playoff team but aren’t bad enough to have great odds for the No. 1 overall pick … all while being handcuffed to Bradley Beal‘s mammoth contract. They’ve got scorers, but they still lack a true point guard and a young piece to build their future around. That’s where Anthony Black comes in.

Strengths

Black commands the game with the rock in his hands. He’s a great playmaker out of the pick-and-roll with a patient feel for the game and a shifty change in pace. He can make every pass in the book with his height and should be a versatile and switchable defender. He’s a good finisher but does lack a completely dependable scoring skillset.

Weaknesses

Black can’t reliably score in the half-court right now. In this scenario, he’s got Beal, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis to rely on and set the table for, but he will have to progress as a shooter and a half-court scorer to be effective and to max out his skillset.

Immediate Role

Primary ball-handler, playmaker and initiator

Player Comparison

Dyson Daniels

9. Utah Jazz

Cason Wallace

• PG/SG, Kentucky

• 11/4/4 on 45/35/76

• 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, 6-foot-8 wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How Wallace fits with the Jazz

The Jazz love to run five-out and alongside all the spacing in Utah, Cason Wallace should feast in this offense. The Mike Conley trade left a void at the point guard position in Utah and Wallace with fill those shoes easily.

Strengths

Wallace is already a masterful pick-and-roll ball-handler and scorer. He possesses a tremendous feel for the game and is a great playmaker out of the pick and roll. He’s crafty, strong, and doesn’t let defenders take him off his driving angles. In the lane, Wallace has deadly touch with a bag of floaters and runners to turn to that will be the bulk of his reliable scoring offense early in his career. While his averages from behind the arc aren’t elite, (35 3P%) I think he’s gonna be a good jump-shooter. Plus, he’s already proven as a willing off-ball scorer too, with constant relocation off-ball after making a pass. Defensively, Wallace is also a stud. His 6-foot-8 wingspan helps him clamp smaller ball-handlers and he plays with such constant effort and aggressiveness every possession on that side of the floor.

Weaknesses

Wallace doesn’t have top-notch speed or acceleration, but I don’t think it’s that big of a concern. He’s got great change in pace and is a master at operating in the half-court. Wallace has also struggled with ankle injuries and a significant back injury that could hamper him in the long run.

Immediate Role

Crafty primary ball-handler, playmaker and initiator

Player Comparison

Bucket getting De’Anthony Melton

10. Dallas Mavericks

Taylor Hendricks

• PF, UCF

• 15/7/1 on 48/39/78 splits

• 6-foot-8, 214 pounds, 7-foot-1 wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How Hendricks fits with the Mavericks

Hendricks is an ideal fit alongside Luka Doncic. He’s gonna defend his ass off, he’s gonna shoot the lights out and he’s gonna be a legitimate lob threat. Surround Luka with enough guys like that and Dallas will be contending for a title soon enough.

Strengths

Hendricks is one of the best and most versatile defenders in the draft class. He’s capable of running small-ball 5 but is also agile enough to defend against guards. On offense, Hendricks is an ideal pick and roll and pick and pop partner. He shot at a 39.4% clip on nearly five 3s a game last season and is a bouncy vertical athlete. Off-ball he’ll provide reliable spot-up shooting but will also be capable of attacking closeouts and getting to the rim.

Weaknesses

Hendricks is limited in his role as a spot-up and roll threat, so I never see Hendricks becoming a superstar, but he slots in to be an elite role player for years to come.

Immediate Role

3-and-D roll man and spot-up threat

Player Comparison

Jaden McDaniels

11. Orlando Magic

Kobe Bufkin

• SG/SF, Michigan

• 14/5/3 on 48/36/85 splits

• 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, 6-foot-8 wingspan

• 20 Y/O

How Bufkin fits with the Magic

Bufkin likely won’t be in the starting five immediately but can be one of the best spark plugs off the bench in all of basketball from the jump with Orlando. Although Orlando’s guard room is a bit crowded, I think Bufkin will step in and already be the best scoring guard on this team.

Strengths

Kobe Bufkin is flat-out one of the craftiest buckets I’ve ever seen. He’s a smooth pick-and-roll and lane operator that just finds open space on the court. He has a wealth of moves like euro-steps, hop-steps and gathers to get to the rack, but is also an assassin from the mid-range with a complete bag of jump-shots off the dribble. While he’s a tremendous scorer with the rock, he’s also effective off-ball and can be used as a cutter, in DHOs and as a straight-up catch-and-shooter who relocates.

Weaknesses

With a slight frame, Bufkin will inevitably be somewhat of a target on defense. I never see Bufkin being an elite two-way guy but should be an absolute bucket from day one.

Immediate Role

Tough bucket getter

Player Comparison

Immanuel Quickley

12. Oklahoma City Thunder

Gradey Dick

• SG/SF, Kansas

• 14/5/2 on 44/40/85

• 6-foot-6, 204 pounds, 6-foot-9 wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How Dick fits with the Thunder

I don’t know if Gradey Dick is going to be a future NBA superstar, but he is going to be one of the best role players in the league from day one. With two primary ball handlers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, Dick’s added spacing will open the floor even more for the young duo.

Strengths

Dick can do a little bit of it all but his perimeter shot-making is his biggest asset. He knocks down catch-and-shoot attempts with ease (40 3P%) and has a go-to one-dribble pull-up that is absolute bottoms. He’s also elite off the ball at relocating and attacking closeouts. He doesn’t have an insane burst, but has a bag of head, ball, and pump fakes that can open the lane for him and he’s a crafty finisher around the rim.

Weaknesses

Dick lacks elite athleticism and size which may hamper his ability to contain explosive wings and guards at the next level. Dick’s also a bit pigeonholed into a 3-and-D role, but his skillset should provide a long productive career as a role player in the NBA.

Immediate Role

Spot-up shot maker

Player Comparison

Franz Wagner

2023 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Wemby, Etc.

13. Toronto Raptors

Keyonte George

• SG, Baylor

• 15/4/3 on 38/34/79

• 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, ? wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How George fits with the Raptors

With a rebuild looming for the aging Raptors, I think they should swing for a potential future half-court scoring superstar. Alongside former Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, the Raptors could have two building blocks for the future.

Strengths

George has a buttery-smooth handle and is a patient operator out of the pick-and-roll that can score from everywhere on the court. George has effortless NBA range with a bevy of tough shots like pull-ups, step-backs, and fadeaways that he can turn to. He also isn’t afraid to get downhill, get physical and draw calls (4.5 FTA/G) which bodes well for him at the next level.

Weaknesses

George has a great handle and great change in pace but lacks insane burst and athleticism. Shouldn’t be a death knell for George, he just doesn’t blow by defenders as easily. George also has to grow as a playmaker and decision-maker — he had a 1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio this season, and that simply won’t cut it.

Immediate Role

Tough bucket getter

Player Comparison

Anfernee Simons

14. New Orleans Pelicans

Nick Smith Jr.

• PG/SG, Arkansas

• 13/2/2 on 38/34/74

• 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, 6-foot-8 wingspan

• 19 Y/O

How Smith Jr. fits with the Pelicans

With C.J. McCollum still on the roster, Smith Jr. likely won’t start but could fill an important void as the leader of the bench unit or a real spark plug off the bench. This Pelicans offense needs help scoring in the half-court and that’s right in the wheelhouse of Nick Smith Jr.

Strengths

Nick Smith Jr. has one of the softest touches I’ve ever seen – if that’s finishing at the rim, the non-restricted area, or in the mid-range, Smith has pillowy soft touch on finishes, floaters, and runners. Along with that, he’s a smooth jump-shooter that should be able to score at all three levels. He’s also wiggly and shifty with a tight handle and has a really quick first step. 

Weaknesses

Smith must improve his consistency and his shot selection. He’s got great touch and can make nearly every shot in the book but can force mid-range shots sometimes. Additionally, Smith has shown he is capable of making good decisions and playmaking at a high level but hasn’t shown it consistently enough. On defense, Smith has the length to be competitive, but his slight frame will lead to defenses attacking him. 

Immediate Role

Bench unit leader, playmaker and ball-handler

Player Comparison

C.J. McCollum

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