2023 NBA Draft: Live Grades for Every Pick
The Victor Wembanyama era starts now.
The French super-prospect is the obvious headliner of the 2023 NBA draft class, generating perhaps the biggest pre-draft buzz of any prospect since a baggy-suit-wearing LeBron James strolled across the stage some 20 years back.
Still, this class is about much more than one prospect. The draft board features a plethora of potential stars, high-end starters, plug-and-play reserves, risk-reward projects and, yes, probably a few busts along the way. It also features a boatload of intriguing inquiries, starting with which prospect will follow Wembanyama as the No. 2 pick.
We were here all night with red pens in hand evaluating each selection as it was made, weighing everything from talent and value to team fit and long-term potential.
Find all 58 grades below, with a complete look at each round at the end.
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (PF/C, Metropolitans 92)
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The Spurs locked in this pick the second they struck gold at the draft lottery. If Victor Wembanyama even approaches the full height of his towering potential, he could lead this franchise for a decade-plus, the way San Antonio's previous No. 1 picks Tim Duncan (1997) and David Robinson (1987) once did.
Wembanyama looks like the kind of player who could break the game of basketball. If all he had were his physical tools—an 8'0" wingspan jutting out of his 7'5" frame and agility no one his size should be allowed to possess—that alone could've made him the top selection.
When attached to his far-reaching skill set, though, that's what gives him once-in-a-generation appeal. He's basically a finesse, face-up big and an above-the-rim interior anchor all rolled into one. He can shoot, dribble, distribute, rebound, run the break, finish, block shots, defend on the perimeter—you name it, it's in his bag.
Injuries are a worry with any prospect, but the concern is magnified with a player this size. If he stays healthy, though, he should be on a Hall of Fame track and could one day enter the GOAT debate.
Grade: A+
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller (SF, Alabama)
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In the first pivot point of this draft, the Hornets went the direction most expected. Scoot Henderson deserved strong consideration here and seemingly got it, but Brandon Miller always looked like the cleanest fit in Charlotte.
When teams talk about what they want in a modern forward, they're talking about a player like Miller—or at least what he could become if he maxes out his development.
Miller is a 6'8" shot-maker with three-point touch, functional handles and the vision and passing arm to feed open teammates. If he hits his ceiling, he'll be no worse than a top-two offensive option.
He doesn't have a dizzying array of dribble moves or the fastest first step, so his ability to separate from NBA defenders will be something to monitor. He also needs to get stronger to maximize his defensive versatility. He'll have trouble maintaining leverage against players his size and bigger until he does.
Slotting alongside a dynamic playmaker like LaMelo Ball will lessen the creation duties on Miller, though, and should allow a more gradual ascension into the spotlight. I'm not convinced Miller is a better prospect than Henderson, but the gap between them is negligible.
Grade: B+
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson (PG, G League Ignite)
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The Blazers needed an injection of talent tonight, and they got it in a big way with Henderson. Whether he fits with Damian Lillard (and Anfernee Simons) remains to be seen, but the basic task on draft night is getting good players, and Portland might have just added a great one.
Henderson is a turbocharged lead guard who draws comparisons to some of the most explosive playmakers this sport has seen. Conjure up images of a fire-breathing Russell Westbrook in his prime or Derrick Rose before all of the injuries, and you'll see the kind of career that could be awaiting Henderson.
His tenacity and competitiveness are tone-setting traits, and he'll electrify an entire arena anytime he sniffs an open path to the rim. He'll thrive in ball-screen actions from opening night, because other than a trusty three-ball (it's a work in progress, but not at all a lost cause), he has everything needed to dismantle a defense.
His lack of size (6'2") will see him targeted on defense, but he competes on that end and makes plays off hustle alone.
This pick might put Lillard—or other Blazers—on trade watch, but Henderson's ceiling is so high, he might be a tremendous value even at the No. 3 pick.
Grade: A
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson (PG/SG, Overtime Elite)
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If you subscribed to the theory of this being a three-player draft at the top, then Houston was dealt a tough hand by getting the No. 4 pick. Categorizing this class that way does a ton of prospects a big disservice, though, starting with Thompson, who has a slew of desirable, translatable traits—and one enormous weakness.
As soon as this selection was cemented, he became one of the NBA's five best athletes. He has anti-gravity bounce, acceleration that Formula 1 drivers would envy and hang time you can measure in minutes. He wouldn't be more twitch-y if he was live-streaming video game content.
All of those physical gifts—plus maybe the best passing in this class—make him a nightmare in transition. On defense, he's an on-ball pest and an off-ball playmaker. He is a constant threat to tally steals and blocks, and he'll turn those into scoring chances in an instant.
But he can't shoot, and it's hard to say whether he ever will. Because he isn't a scoring threat outside of the paint, he can have a hard time navigating half-court offense. That will get immensely more difficult against the stoppers and tacticians he'll face at this level.
Houston needed a lead guard—all the James Harden talk was and is nonsensical—and much more defense. Thompson could become the best table-setter and stopper in this draft. The shooting is a huge question mark, but all of his winning traits make you want to overlook that.
Grade: A-
5. Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson (SG/SF, Overtime Elite)
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Back-to-back picks for the Thompson twins. You love to see it, and you love to think about the open-court potential of a young Pistons team with Jaden Ivey, Cade Cunningham and now Ausar Thompson leading the break.
Like his identical twin brother, Amen, Ausar Thompson is another elite athlete. He is a quarter-step behind his brother but still absurdly explosive. He is also a willing passer, but he is better as a finisher than a creator. He is a good rebounder for his position and a potentially great defender, both on and off the ball.
He is technically the better-shooting twin, but really that just makes him the least worse shooter of the two. He has cleaner mechanics and therefore a better chance of solving this puzzle, but his shot still needs serious work. And if he can't shoot, he'll have trouble finding a fit.
The modern NBA doesn't have a lot of openings for non-shooting wings who play off the ball, and Detroit doesn't really have a stretch big to alleviate the spacing concerns. Thompson's shooting is a huge swing skill in this draft, but there's a lot to like about this pick regardless.
Grade: B+
6. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black (PG/SG, Arkansas)
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The Magic arguably entered the night with more point guards than they needed, and they added another here. I actually like that, since it shows Orlando felt Black was the best player available and valued that more than anything. That's the smart move for any rebuilder to make.
Black arrives in the Association with an advanced understanding of the game of basketball. Fortune-tellers don't pick up on things as quickly as he can. And he's not just a step ahead of the defense, he's also often a few inches taller as a 6'7" floor general. That means he can already read and see the floor better than most. His playmaking will make him a quick favorite in the locker room.
There aren't many boxes he leaves unchecked, but the exceptions are worrisome. He can't shoot, and he isn't super shifty as a ball-handler. If he isn't a shooting threat and can't beat defenders off the bounce, how is he going to run an NBA offense? For someone with so many winning traits, his lowest-end outcome looks rough.
Still, his combination of size, smarts and skill is enough reason to buy in. Orlando will have to clear out its backcourt congestion at some point, but that's because Black might already be the best of the bunch.
Grade: B+
7. Washington Wizards (via Pacers): Bilal Coulibaly (SF, Metropolitans 92)
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Someone cue up the old Bill Simmons' "Whoa!" soundbite. The first stunner of the night has arrived, courtesy of the Wizards (by way of a trade with the Pacers). Couliably's stock had been climbing recently, but it was never expected to reach this high.
That doesn't automatically make this a bad pick, by the way. Coulibaly is a legitimate prospect with legitimate talent. Playing on the same team as Wembanyama surely bought Coulibaly some extra spotlight time, but he earned this draft slot. Scouts salivate more over his long-term outlook than his immediate-impact potential, but he'll arrive with NBA-ready strength, length and explosiveness.
He looks like a three-and-D wing with ample opportunity to grow beyond that label. He could be a high-level shot-maker and creator down the line, but it'll take time to get anywhere close to that. Bland foods complain about his lack of offensive seasoning at the moment.
Coulibaly is a fascinating long-term flier, and the Wizards need some of those after finally pivoting into a rebuild. Still, this feels at least a few picks early.
Grade: C+
8. Indiana Pacers (via Wizards): Jarace Walker (PF, Houston)
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The draft board broke in such a perfect way for the Pacers that Walker not only fell in their laps, but they were able to move back a spot and still get him. That's a big win for Indiana.
Walker looks like a 6'7" linebacker, so it's fitting his ceiling sits highest on the defensive end. He has switch-literally-everything potential with the quickness to keep in front of guards and the strength to battle bigs on the low block. Having him and Myles Turner in the same frontcourt could lead to a lot of sleepless nights for Indiana's opponents.
Off the ball, he's a chaos-creating playmaker who can change games with momentum-shifting steals, blocks and grab-and-go rebounds.
Walker can finish and feed open teammates, both of which will make him a strong pick-and-roll screener. The question is whether he'll add the threat of popping out as a perimeter shooter. His 34.7 percent splash rate with the Cougars seems fine, but a 66.3 percent connection rate at the foul line presents some cause for concern.
If Walker's shooting pans out, this could be a home-run pick. If it doesn't, he still looks like a snug fit for this roster.
Grade: B
9. Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks (PF, Central Florida)
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An already big, scary frontcourt in Utah just got bigger and scarier.
Stardom might be out of reach for Hendricks, but really good-dom seems doable. He is a 6'9" three-and-D forward who could slide between the 3 and 5 spots at either end. He has a satin-soft touch from distance and enough off-the-dribble juice to zip past closeouts. On defense, he can protect the paint and switch onto the perimeter.
He needs to get stronger, particularly if the Jazz envision him getting any run as a small-ball center. He also has to deepen his one-on-one arsenal to create shots and punish teams for switching smaller defenders onto him.
The Jazz could've perhaps taken a bigger upside swing here, but the fit of a Hendricks-Lauri Markkanen-Walker Kessler frontcourt looks like a good one.
Grade: B-
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Mavericks): Cason Wallace (PG, Kentucky)
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When the Thunder like a prospect more than most, it's usually smart trusting their assessment. If they felt Wallace was (at least) the 10th-best prospect in this class, history says they could easily be right.
His length (6'8" wingspan) and tenacity allow him to play bigger than his 6'2" frame, particularly on defense. He is a tone-setter both at the point of attack and off the ball as a pest in passing lanes.
His offense is more of a mixed bag, though that's been the case with a lot of guards coming out of Kentucky lately, and they all seem to grow their games at this level. Wallace takes care of the basketball and has good touch from mid-range to the rim. Tightening his handle, expanding his range and improving as an off-the-bounce scorer would all do wonders for his upside.
This isn't necessarily a reach, as weighing Wallace against similarly ranked backcourt prospects like Kobe Bufkin and Jalen Hood-Schifino requires some hair-splitting. Still, I'm not convinced Wallace will be a hand-in-glove fit with the guards Oklahoma City has already.
Grade: C+
11. Orlando Magic (via Bulls): Jett Howard (SF, Michigan)
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The Magic entered the night with a clear need for shooting, and using the No. 6 pick on Anthony Black did little to address that. Clearly, that was the motivation behind this pick, but it could be the night's first big reach.
Howard has NBA pedigree as the son of longtime pro (and his college coach) Juwan Howard, plus the size, shooting and basketball IQ to carve out a lengthy career of his own. He is a lights-out shooter with his feet set and a potential sharpshooter on the move. He is comfortable (though not dynamic) with the ball in his hands, either side-stepping for threes or making the simple, smart pass to an open teammate.
But he isn't a great athlete by NBA standards, and that could limit his utility as a defender. It's hard to project which players Orlando will even ask him to defend, since he's had trouble against both quickness and strength.
If the Magic were fine with a shooting specialist, why not Gradey Dick or Jordan Hawkins instead? If they wanted shooting and more, why not stop Cam Whitmore's skid here? This one is a puzzler.
Grade: D
12. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Dereck Lively II (C, Duke)
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Had the Mavericks stayed put at No. 10, Lively probably would've been the pick. To be able to add him here while also shedding the money owed to Dāvis Bertāns is front office movement at its finest.
Lively's game shouldn't feel very exciting, and in certain respects, he doesn't. Rim-running archetypes are well-defined at this point, and that'll be Lively's NBA calling card, at least early on. At Duke, he barely looked at the rim (5.2 points and 3.4 field-goal attempts per game), instead making his presence felt as a paint protector, capable defensive switcher, transition runner and point-blank finisher.
The possibility he could level up his game is what makes him more intriguing than the typical see-ball, dunk-ball center. He is already a slick passer, and there are hints he could one day become a shooter.
Dallas can plug him into a finishing role right now and let him clean things up behind Luka Dončić and (presumably) Kyrie Irving. Down the road, the Mavericks might be thrilled to find out what Lively has become.
Grade: A
13. Toronto Raptors: Gradey Dick (SF, Kansas)
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While it's unclear which direction the Raptors are heading, they could clearly use more shooting wherever they go. Dick provides that in spades—and that's not all he does.
The 6'8" swingman might be the best shooter in this draft. He hit 83 triples at a 40.3 percent clip across 36 games in college, and he checked another big analytical box by converting 85.4 percent of his foul shots. His jumper is pure, and that's the case no matter if he's spotting up or running full speed around an off-ball screen.
Dick's more than a specialist, too, as his cutting, finishing and secondary creating will all be helpful at this level. He'll get mercilessly targeted on defense, though. Even in college, his lack of strength and limited lateral quickness were noticeable.
Toronto loves length, especially when the size comes with skill. Dick fits the Raptors, even down to his…uh…eclectic embrace of the color red.
Grade: B
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Jordan Hawkins (SG/SF, Connecticut)
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New Orleans needs all of the breathing room it can get around Zion Williamson—as long as he calls the Big Easy home—and it just found an incredible source of it in Hawkins.
He might be the only player who could challenge Gradey Dick for the title of this draft's top shooter, and Hawkins can shred nets in any situation. He seems automatic as a stand-still shooter, but he's nearly as automatic while sprinting off the ball and catching and launching on the move.
Creation isn't a standout skill, but it won't need to be with Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum now around him. Hawkins will need to fill out his frame to offer more resistance at the defensive end. Still, his shot looks like an elite (or near-elite, at least) skill that should allow him to contribute right now and potentially spend a decade-plus in this league.
More than a few mocks had Hawkins slipping out of the lottery, and that never made sense to me. He's an instant-impact contributor with plenty of room to grow. Great pick.
Grade: A-
15. Atlanta Hawks: Kobe Bufkin (PG/SG, Michigan)
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The Hawks maybe didn't head into the night eyeing a guard, but they were smart to pounce on talent and value here. Bufkin had a chance to not only crack the lottery tonight, but perhaps nudge near the top 10. Getting him at No. 15 is a potential bargain.
He was a riser on the predraft circuit, though his stock was trending up even before workout season started. He got better as the year went on for the Wolverines, closing his college career by averaging 19.3 points on 51.9/45.0/89.7 percent shooting over his final eight outings.
He is a true combo guard, as he's capable of running an offense or adding value off the ball. He needs to get stronger and keep improving his jumper, but his limitations are things you can live with and maybe coach out of him.
He's a good enough defender to share the floor with Trae Young, a good enough shooter to slot alongside Dejounte Murray and a good enough creator to run the offense when both need a breather.
Grade: A-
16. Utah Jazz (via Timberwolves): Keyonte George (SG, Baylor)
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If the Jazz don't have a pressing need for backcourt scoring now, they could have one soon. Jordan Clarkson is likely to enter free agency, and Collin Sexton's name has bounced around the trade rumor mill of late. Utah just took a potentially big step to address this with George.
He is a scorer who can create separation and shoot under duress. Confidence is not at all an issue, though that can be an issue in itself. He'll take some—how can we put this lightly?—ambitious attempts and sabotage his efficiency in the process. For someone whose top selling point is putting the ball in the basket, you'd like to see him put the ball in the basket a little more often (37.6 field-goal percentage, 33.8 three-point percentage at Baylor).
He competes on defense, but if he's playing as an off-guard, he doesn't have a ton of size (6'4", 185 lbs). If he's going to run more point guard, then he has to level up his playmaking. In college, he averaged more turnovers (2.9) than assists (2.8).
There are warts in his game, and they're large enough to limit his floor time, at least early on. The fit looks promising at least, though.
Grade: C+
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG/SG, Indiana)
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The Lakers were likely to add a playmaker this offseason, and while they could search for more in free agency or trades, they at least started to scratch that itch with this pick.
Hood-Schifino aces the eye test as a big, physical playmaker, and his feel for the game might be even more impressive than his raw gifts. He can manipulate defenses, which makes him excellent in ball-screen situations. He competes on defense and maintains his focus away from the ball.
He comes with plenty of question marks, though, as he's not the best athlete, ball-handler or shooter around. He has some ignitable nights, but he isn't nearly consistent enough. If he's going to be a primary creator, he needs a more reliable pull-up shot. If he's going to be off the ball more, he has to level up his spot-up shooting.
If his shooting perks up, he's a good fit and a good find in this spot. If it doesn't, it could be hard for him to find minutes with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the floor.
Grade: B
18. Miami Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr. (SF/PF, UCLA)
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Evaluating picks like this is tricky, because it forces you to separate the prospect from the draft value. Jaquez checks a boatload of boxes as a prospect, but he wasn't a lock for the first round. Taking him in the top 20 is somewhere between bold and an outright reach.
That said, he'll be an easy fit in the Heat's system and their famed #culture. If they find him enough floor time, he'll compete for an All-Rookie spot. That should be the idea anyway, since the point of selecting someone like him—a 22-year-old, four-year player in college who isn't a great athlete—is to add instant-impact ability at the expense of long-term upside.
The UCLA product can hoop. He distributes, defends, plays hard and toys with defenders in the post. His footwork makes you think a significant part of his childhood was spent watching old Kevin McHale film. But Jaquez needs his perimeter shot to keep improving—especially alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo—because he'll almost always be at a disadvantage athletically.
The prospect-organization fit is a snug one. The value is a bit questionable, though.
Grade: C+
19. Golden State Warriors: Brandin Podziemski (PG/SG, Santa Clara)
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Golden State's backcourt overhaul continues. Jordan Poole is out, Chris Paul and now Brandin Podziemski are in.
Podziemski made the most of the predraft process and helped his stock with standout skills as a shooter, table-setter and herky-jerky creator. He has a great feel for the game and changes both speeds and directions like a well-maintained vehicle.
His physical tools are limited, though, and threaten to cave in his ceiling as a defender. He plays hard and typically puts himself in the right spot, but he lacks the quickness to hang with speedy guards and the strength to bang with bigger players.
His shooting stroke will shine, especially with all of the clean looks he'll find as teams focus on stopping Paul, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Saying that, Podziemski's athletic limitations are hard to overlook when Golden State often appeared a step slow defensively this postseason.
Grade: C+
20. Houston Rockets (via Clippers): Cam Whitmore (SF, Villanova)
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Whitmore's medicals apparently raised a few red flags and saw him slide from a potential top-five pick all the way to here. That's wild, and cause for some wild celebrations in Space City. Entering tonight, Rockets fans might've been glad to get him at No. 4. Having him, Amen Thompson and all of the young talent that was already on the roster could nudge Houston into embarrassment-of-riches territory sooner than later.
If the Thompson twins weren't in this draft, Whitmore might be the best athlete on the board. He offers a jaw-dropping blend of strength and explosion. He'll spark more than a few viral wildfires when the ball hits him in stride on the way to the rim. He'll also have nights where you swear the rim must have expanded a few inches with all the shots he's burying.
The game can come easily to him, but it might have been a little too easy to this point. Because he's such a gifted athlete, he hasn't needed to add the polish this league will require of him. His game needs refinement, and someone should tell him he's allowed to pass once in a while. In 26 games at Villanova, he had 255 field-goal attempts (plus 64 free throws) and just 19 assists.
Putting the Rockets' picks together, Thompson's passing can mask Whitmore's biggest weakness, while Whitmore's shot-making will cover for Thompson's top question mark. A truly great night in Houston.
Grade: A+
21. Brooklyn Nets (via Suns): Noah Clowney (PF/C, Alabama)
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The Nets needed to add size at some point, and it made sense to do it here. Clowney is a bit of a project, but with Brooklyn in an uncertain state, betting on upside was the move to make.
If the Nets ace Clowney's development and are patient enough to see that process through, they could have just found a versatile defender and ideal screen-setter.
He has both the mobility to switch on the perimeter and the length to protect the paint. He's a good roller off screens already, but the hope is his shot comes along and makes him a productive popper, too.
Clowney needs to add muscle to his 210-pound frame to really defend the post, and his shot is more of a theoretical weapon than an actual part of his arsenal. At Alabama, he shot just 28.3 percent from distance and 64.9 percent at the stripe.
If his offensive game grows to the point where he can share the floor with Nic Claxton, Brooklyn's frontcourt could get fascinating—and relentless defensively—in a hurry.
Grade: B
22. Brooklyn Nets: Dariq Whitehead (SG/SF, Duke)
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For the second time in as many picks, the Nets are making an upside play—as they should. They seem content seeing what this Mikal Bridges-led core can do for now, but they also recognize this club could need a major lift long-term to enter the championship race.
That's why a flier on Whitehead makes sense, even if it's unclear whether the foot injury that delayed the start of his college career and sent him back under the knife during the pre-draft process makes him a potential bargain or damaged goods?
His skill set intrigues, provided he's able to get back to the level he showed in high school. Back then, he was an athletic shot-maker and shot-creator with a sky-high ceiling. At Duke, though, he was more of a three-and-D wing, and his defense was a little uneven for that archetype.
The Nets are sufficiently stocked with three-and-D wings, so clearly they're hoping Whitehead can do more. That could prove a wise gamble.
Grade: B+
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via Knicks): Kris Murray (PF, Iowa)
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If the Blazers are going to try winning big with Damian Lillard, they need to find more winning players. Murray could be one of them right away.
He surely looks familiar to NBA fans, since he's the identical twin brother of Sacramento Kings swingman Keegan Murray, last year's No. 4 pick. While Kris shares some basketball traits with his brother—readiness, defensive versatility and shot-making chief among them—he isn't as athletic and doesn't offer the same high-end outcomes.
Murray should step into Portland's rotation on opening night, but pushing for a starting spot at any point could be tricky. He isn't the fleetest of foot, doesn't have a lot of creation in his game and can be bothered by physicality.
He's a support piece through and through. Role players don't make for the funnest draft picks, but they're essential to a winning roster.
Grade: B-
24. Dallas Mavericks (via Kings): Olivier-Maxence Prosper (SF, Marquette)
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For the second time tonight, the Mavericks added a defense-first player to their frontcourt. That's exactly what they'll need if they keep Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving together in the backcourt.
The predraft process proved plenty prosperous (sorry) for Prosper. He will smother his defensive assignments with length, athleticism and a motor that somehow stays perpetually filled. If he snags a starting role at any point, he could quickly rank among the league leaders in hustle stats.
His offensive outlook is a lot murkier and might hinge on the development of his outside shot. His three-ball was serviceable this past season (33.9 percent) and pretty forgettable before that (28.2 percent the previous two campaigns). Without much ball-handling or playmaking to offer, his becoming even an average shooter from range would be hugely helpful in finding an offensive niche.
Grade: B
25. Detroit Pistons (via Grizzlies): Marcus Sasser (PG, Houston)
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The Pistons see something they like enough in Sasser to move up to get him. It's hard to tell what that something is.
Sasser is undersized (6'1", 195 lbs) and may not have the vision or passing to operate as a traditional point guard. That limits his NBA appeal, even while accounting for his shot-making, tight handles and defensive effort.
He has spark-plug potential, but he needs to expand his offensive menu, because teams will hunt him out on defense.
Detroit could have doubled down on the wing spot here, or if it really wanted a guard, it could've gotten more mileage out of Ben Sheppard, Nick Smith Jr. or Brice Sensabaugh.
Grade: D+
26. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Ben Sheppard (SG, Belmont)
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The Pacers are quietly having a night. First, they filled their power forward void (while adding future assets in the process), and here they're getting a plug-and-play fire-thrower for their second unit.
Sheppard looks like an NBA role player. Is that a backhanded compliment that hints at less-than-flattering things about his upside? Maybe. But it also highlights how he plays within his own limits and never tries to do too much. That's important.
He never stops moving, and all of his off-ball movements are full speed. He can launch off screens or cut behind sleepy defenders, and he's always a target in transition. He doesn't have enough wiggle or strength to generate offense for himself, but he does have the vision and willingness to be a complementary passer.
Sheppard could be a play finisher with Tyrese Haliburton and a part-time initiator without him. Indy will feel his impact early and often.
Grade: A-
27. Charlotte Hornets (via Nuggets): Nick Smith Jr. (SG, Arkansas)
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Charlotte needs upside as much as any team in this league, so buying low on Smith makes a lot of sense.
A combination of injury issues and inefficiency led to a disappointing one-and-done season, which torpedoed the idea of his being a top-10 pick in this draft. The benefit of the doubt only forgives so much for a scoring guard who converted just 39.7 percent of his twos and 33.8 percent of his threes.
Still, if he fine-tunes his shot selection and bulks up his 6'5", 185-pound frame, he still has time to get everything back on track. And the Hornets absolutely have time to wait. At his best, he's a slippery scorer with deep range on his pull-up, the ability to throw live-dribble passes and a willingness to defend.
Grade: B+
28. Utah Jazz (via 76ers): Brice Sensabaugh (SG/SF, Ohio State)
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More perimeter firepower is en route to Salt Lake City.
Sensabaugh paved an unexpected one-and-done path with one bucket after the next. He is the proverbial professional scorer, armed with an outside shot, an in-between game and just enough shake to give himself room to fire.
Getting anything other than buckets out of him might be a bonus, though. Maybe someone can convince him to play without horse blinders on (410 shots with 38 assists and 67 turnovers this past season). He also must dramatically improve his level of engagement on defense, since quickness isn't an issue, and toughness isn't the asset his 6'6", 235-pound frame says it should be.
Of course, with all of the defensive ground Utah's frontcourt will cover, the Jazz might be able to deal with Sensabaugh's limitations on that end if he gives them bucket barrages at the other.
Grade: B
29. Denver Nuggets (via Celtics): Julian Strawther (SF, Gonzaga)
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Since winning the title, the Nuggets have stockpiled draft assets to safeguard themselves against the cap casualties of the new collective bargaining agreement. They are anticipating subtractions and seeking out plug-and-play additions to fill those voids. Strawther could be an offensive fit from the jump.
His name should pop up more in discussions of the draft's best shooter. His form is pure and machine-like in its repeatability, and he shot 40.8 percent from range this past season (38.4 percent for his career).
The Gonzaga product needs to be special as a shooter, though, because he just doesn't have much else to offer. He can make straight-line drives to the rim, toss in floaters and execute team defensive strategies, but that's about it. He is limited athletically and could have serious defensive issues on and off the ball.
For a lot of teams, Strawther's weaknesses might be hard to stomach. For a club as loaded as Denver, though, the Nuggets could already envision his razor-sharp strength fitting into a niche support role.
Grade: C+
30. LA Clippers (via Bucks): Kobe Brown (SF, Missouri)
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Win-now teams—or win-whenever-we're-healthy clubs like the Clippers—can afford to sacrifice upside in pursuit of readiness. Brown offers a reasonable amount of that.
He has a number of skills for a 6'7", 250-pounder, but it's tough to say how many are at an NBA level. He is a quick thinker and can theoretically dribble, pass and shoot, but there isn't a go-to part of his game. He played a lot of bully-ball in college, and he won't be bullying NBA defenders around.
You want to bet on Brown's size-skill-smarts combination, but there's a lot riding on his outside shot. He hit 45.5 percent from the perimeter this past season, but it wasn't on great volume (51-of-112). In his three previous seasons at Missouri, he only managed a 23.7 percent splash rate.
If his shot holds up, he could soak up minutes as soon as next season. If the efficiency falters, though, he could lost among the Clippers' deep collection of wings.
Grade: C
Picks No. 31-36
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31. Charlotte Hornets (via Pistons): James Nnaji (C Barcelona) — B+
32. Denver Nuggets (via Pacers): Jalen Pickett (PG/SG, Penn State) — C-
33. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Spurs): Leonard Miller (SF, G League Ignite) — A-
34. Sacramento Kings (via Hornets): Colby Jones (PG/SG, Xavier) — B+
35. Chicago Bulls (via Blazers): Julian Phillips (SF, Tennessee) — B-
36. Milwaukee Bucks (via Magic): Andre Jackson Jr. (SG/SF, Connecticut) — B+
Top Takeaways
Leonard Miller Could Be Among Night's Top Steals
If the Timberwolves stay patient with Miller and really invest in his development, they may have nabbed the night's top theft here.
He is far more fascinating in theory than reality for now, but that's fine. He doesn't have to enter this league as a finished product.
Instead, he'll go in as a possible jumbo-sized ball-handler who can finish, distribute, defend and knock down shots from distance. Some of those are theoretical skills, but the framework is in place for a pretty special player at some point.
Center is a Soft Spot in Charlotte No Longer
Remember when the Hornets had a perpetually glaring void on the interior? Consider that covered.
Between last season's selection of Mark Williams and now this addition of James Nnaji, the Hornets could count this position as an area of strength sooner than later. And let's emphasize the word strength, since the 6'11", 250-pound Nnaji plays with plenty of it.
Picks No. 37-42
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37. Denver Nuggets (via Wizards): Hunter Tyson (SF/PF, Clemson) — C
38. Boston Celtics (via Pacers): Jordan Walsh (SF, Arkansas) — B-
39. Atlanta Hawks (via Jazz): Mouhamed Gueye (PF/C, Washington State) — B
40. Los Angeles Lakers (via Mavericks): Maxwell Lewis (SF, Pepperdine) — B+
41. Charlotte Hornets (via Thunder): Amari Bailey (PG, UCLA) — C+
42. Washington Wizards (via Bulls): Tristan Vukčević (PF, KK Partizan) — C-
Top Takeaways
Lakers Take Fascinating Risk with Maxwell Lewis
L.A. paid a healthy sum to climb seven spots and grab Maxwell Lewis, who might be this draft's most extreme boom-or-bust prospect.
Lewis' highlights and measurements look great, and if they all translate to the NBA, he could have a lengthy career. He has size, length and a variety of shot-making moves. When committed on defense, he can cycle through multiple assignments.
His lack of polish is glaring, though, and it's worrisome to the point it could sink his career before it ever gets going. His tools can only do so much if they aren't developed. His defensive focus, playmaking, handle, decision-making and shot-selection all need work.
Celtics Found Their Next Perimeter Stopper
With Marcus Smart off to Memphis, Boston needed a new tone-setting, all-purpose defender. Enter Jordan Walsh.
He looks the part of an NBA player at 6'5 3/4" without shoes and a wholly absurd 8'11" standing reach, and he defends like an NBA player, too.
On offense, though, the resemblance falls short. Walsh has some ball skills and finishing ability, but he can't create his own chances, and he may not convert the ones created for him.
If Walsh does enough offensively for defenses to pay attention to him, he could find his way into a larger role than people expect next season. If he forces the Shamrocks to play 4-on-5 offense, though, he'll have a hard time getting off the bench.
Picks No. 43-48
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43. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks): Rayan Rupert (SG/SF, New Zealand Breakers) — A-
44. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors): Sidy Cissoko (SG/SF, Overtime Elite) — B
45. Memphis Grizzlies (via Timberwolves): GG Jackson (PF, South Carolina) — B+
46. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Seth Lundy (SF, Penn State) — C
47. Indiana Pacers (via Lakers): Mojave King (SG/SF, G League Ignite) — D+
48. Los Angeles Clippers: Jordan Miller (SF, Miami) — B
Top Takeaways
Portland Giving Dame Things to Think About
No one knows how Damian Lillard will react to the Trail Blazers' draft haul, but if he's at all open to teaming with young players, Portland has found a really interesting group.
Scoot Henderson could be a star. Kris Murray is ready for minutes on the wing right now. And Rayan Rupert had a chance to go in the first round; he even cracked the top 20 in some mocks. His shot needs work, but he has great dimensions (6'6" with a 7'2" wingspan) and knows how to use them on defense. His shot needs work, but the outline of an impact three-and-D wing is easy to see.
San Antonio's French Connection Could Keep Paying Dividends
The Spurs have as many international roots as anyone, but they're deeply connected to France. And that dates back way before they spent tonight's top pick on Wembanyama, then invested the 44th pick in his countryman, Sidy Cissoko. Tony Parker is a Spurs legend. Boris Diaw spent some of his best seasons in San Antonio. Ian Mahinmi got his NBA start in the Alamo City.
There's a reason the Spurs keep going back to France; it has treated them incredibly well.
That could be the case here with Cissoko, too. He needs to find a jumper, but he's stingy on defense and a blur in the open court. San Antonio will be a League Pass must-see.
Picks No. 49-54
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49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Warriors): Emoni Bates (SF, Eastern Michigan) — C+
50. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Heat): Keyontae Johnson (SF/PF, Kansas State) — A-
51. Brooklyn Nets: Jalen Wilson (SF/PF, Kansas) — C-
52. Phoenix Suns: Toumani Camara (SF, Dayton) — C
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Knicks): Jaylen Clark (SG/SF, UCLA) — B-
54. Sacramento Kings: Jalen Slawson (SF/PF, Furman) — C-
Top Takeaways
Cleveland's Creative Attempt to Fill Void at SF Worth Watching
The Cavaliers could be a difference-making wing away from crashing the league's contending ranks. Once upon a time, Emoni Bates was billed as a difference-making wing.
That feels like forever ago at this point, but he's still just 19 years old and in possession of some of those traits that once had scouts salivating. He has an absurdly deep bag of dribble moves and all the shot-making maneuvers in the books. He's also 6'8". That combo alone feels drool-worthy.
Right now, though, he does nothing other than scoring—and his scoring isn't efficient. He isn't a great athlete and doesn't defend or pass.
More likely than not, this pick will be forgotten with time. Still, there's the tiniest sliver of a chance that Bates reminds the hoops world why it once loved him and fills Cleveland's biggest need (by a mile) in the process.
From the 52nd Pick to the Pressure-Cooker
How many players get taken in the 52nd spot and enter the league with legitimate expectations on their shoulders? Maybe none. Until tonight.
Toumani Camara is the exception, and it has almost nothing to do with him. His outlook is…well, about what you'd expect from someone who lasted this long. He offers versatility on defense, off-ball value as a screener and slasher and major question marks surrounding his creation and shooting.
So, why would he have pressure on him? Because the extremely top-heavy Suns have almost literally depleted their depth to bring Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to town, and their payroll is enormous. This is Phoenix's one opportunity to add a cost-controlled contributor, and it really needs him to deliver.
Picks No. 55-58
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55. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Isaiah Wong (PG/SG, Miami) — C+
56. Memphis Grizzlies: Tarik Biberović (SG/SF, Fenerbahçe) — C-
57. Golden State Warriors: Trayce Jackson-Davis (PF/C, Indiana) — A+
58. Milwaukee Bucks: Chris Livingston (SF, Kentucky) — B
Top Takeaways
Warriors Snagged 1st-Round Talent with Draft's Penultimate Pick
A draft slide for Trayce Jackson-Davis was always possible, as he's older (23), undersized (6'8") and not a shooter. But dropping all the way to No. 57 was ridiculous, and the Warriors were wise to pounce on that.
He'll fit their system like a tailored suit. He has functional handles and phenomenal footwork. He can finish above the rim and has soft touch around it. His expanding that shooting range to the perimeter is possible at some point. He's a clever passer who could be tremendous on the short roll.
It'll take creativity to bring out his best, but Golden State could carve out a role for him the same way it once did for Draymond Green. Jackson-Davis is a keeper. Those are almost impossible to find this late in the draft.
Don't Sleep On The Undrafteds
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Undrafted free agents can be incredibly valuable. Just ask the reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, who had seven undrafted players on the roster and five in the postseason rotation.
Talent slips through the cracks every year, and this will be no exception. There are some interesting prospects who didn't get their names called Thursday but could make noise in this league at some point.
NC State's scoring guard Terquavion Smith is a walking bucket. UConn center Adama Sanogo is a relentless worker and budding shooter. Kentucky center Oscar Tshiebwe rebounds all errant shots in his zip code. Florida big Colin Castleton has mobility, switchability and some off-the-bounce attacking.
There's more talent than there are draft slots. The good news for these players and more that the draft isn't their only path to the league.
Complete Round 1 Grades
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1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama — A+
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller — B+
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson — A
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson — A-
5. Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson — B+
6. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black — B+
7. Washington Wizards (via Pacers): Bilal Coulibaly — C+
8. Indiana Pacers (via Wizards): Jarace Walker — B
9. Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks — B-
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Mavericks): Cason Wallace — C+
11. Orlando Magic (via Bulls): Jett Howard — D
12. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Dereck Lively — A
13. Toronto Raptors: Gradey Dick — B
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Jordan Hawkins — A-
15. Atlanta Hawks: Kobe Bufkin — A-
16. Utah Jazz (via Timberwolves): Keyonte George — C+
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Jalen Hood-Schifino — B
18. Miami Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr. — C+
19. Golden State Warriors: Brandin Podziemski — C+
20. Houston Rockets: Cam Whitmore — A+
21. Brooklyn Nets: Noah Clowney — B
22. Brooklyn Nets: Dariq Whitehead — B+
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Kris Murray — B-
24. Dallas Mavericks (via Kings): Olivier-Maxence Prosper — B
25. Detroit Pistons (via Grizzlies): Marcus Sasser — D+
26. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Ben Sheppard — A-
27. Charlotte Hornets (via Nuggets): Nick Smith — B+
28. Utah Jazz (via 76ers): Brice Sensabaugh — B
29. Denver Nuggets (via Celtics): Julian Strawther — C+
30. LA Clippers (via Bucks): Kobe Brown — C
Complete Round 2 Grades
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31. Charlotte Hornets (via Pistons): James Nnaji — B+
32. Denver Nuggets (via Pacers): Jalen Pickett — C-
33. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Spurs): Leonard Miller — A-
34. Sacramento Kings (via Hornets): Colby Jones — B+
35. Chicago Bulls (via Blazers): Julian Phillips — B-
36. Milwaukee Bucks (via Magic): Andre Jackson Jr. — B+
37. Denver Nuggets (via Wizards): Hunter Tyson — C
38. Boston Celtics (via Pacers): Jordan Walsh — B-
39. Atlanta Hawks (via Jazz): Mouhamed Gueye — B
40. Los Angeles Lakers (via Mavericks): Maxwell Lewis — B+
41. Charlotte Hornets (via Thunder): Amari Bailey — C+
42. Washington Wizards (via Bulls): Tristan Vukčević — C-
43. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks): Rayan Rupert — A-
44. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors): Sidy Cissoko — B
45. Memphis Grizzlies (via Timberwolves): GG Jackson — B+
46. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Seth Lundy — C
47. Indiana Pacers (via Lakers): Mojave King — D+
48. Los Angeles Clippers: Jordan Miller — B
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Warriors): Emoni Bates — C+
50. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Heat): Keyontae Johnson — A-
51. Brooklyn Nets: Jalen Wilson — C-
52. Phoenix Suns: Toumani Camara — C
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Knicks): Jaylen Clark — B-
54. Sacramento Kings: Jalen Slawson — C-
55. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Isaiah Wong — C+
56. Memphis Grizzlies: Tarik Biberović — C-
57. Golden State Warriors: Trayce Jackson-Davis — A+
58. Milwaukee Bucks: Chris Livingston — B
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