2023 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: How the Utah Jazz Can Come Out as Winners
It’s about that time. Despite the NBA Draft officially upon us, there’s still no clear consensus past the top pick. In many years, you’ll see a solidified top two, three, or maybe even five picks set to go within the first few selections. This year is far from that.
The Utah Jazz are in a perfect position to come out tonight as the draft’s biggest winners. With three total first-rounders, it’s more than any other team possesses. There’s a lot of pressure on this front office to execute on these valuable assets, especially these picks being a product of trading two franchise cornerstones.
Luckily, they’ve strategically positioned themselves to where they have multiple options to go and still find success. With only a few hours to go until the draft officially kicks off, the anticipation is building quicker than ever.
Without hyping it up any further, here’s the final version of our mock for all 30 teams, and how the Jazz can end up on top.
Inside the Jazz 2023 NBA Mock Draft 5.0
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, C, France
We’ve known that Wemby is the first selection here for about half a calendar year at this point. Simply put, there hasn’t been a prospect to enter the draft with this type of unique skillset in NBA history.
Wembanyama is like if you created an NBA 2K player with the intent of making him so good that the game is borderline unplayable for anyone matching up against him. If he can remain healthy for the entirety of his career, the sky’s the limit.
2. Charlotte Hornets: Scoot Henderson, PG, G-League Ignite
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Henderson is “gaining serious momentum at No. 2”. At this point, it’s anyone’s best guess as to who ends up going in this slot. Considering that Scoot Henderson is seen as the better player overall than Miller per most scout’s evaluations, this selection overall makes a bit more sense to make.
The fit isn’t perfect between LaMelo Ball and Henderson, but it’s not terrible either. Pairing a stellar shooting and playmaking guard with an opposite slashing and defending one could be a great match in the backcourt. Ultimately, BPA is the best strategy to take here no matter what.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Miller, SF, Alabama
It’s still unknown if this pick will be made by Portland or the highest bidder to trade for it, but Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson will be selected here no matter what Charlotte’s plans may be. While Miller has had some concerns surrounding his finishing at the rim and overall athleticism, his impressive college production in the SEC leads scouts to believe it’ll be a non-issue long-term.
Regardless, there’s likely to be some kind of substantial move made by the Blazers based on the outcome of this pick. Whether it’s a Damian Lillard move or a draft pick move remains to be seen.
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, PG, OTE
According to reports from Houston, Thompson’s workout with the Rockets went insanely well. Some within the organization have even mentioned him as "the best athlete anyone has ever seen.”
You don’t hear that type of praise come around often about these prospects. Even without a James Harden signing, Thompson can be the perfect pairing to Jalen Green in the backcourt with a hopeful new era in Houston basketball.
5. Detroit Pistons: Jarace Walker, SF, Houston
This selection could go a multitude of ways, but Detroit ultimately ends up with Walker at 5 in this scenario. Walker is an extremely versatile defender who can compliment the team’s existing high draft picks better than anyone projected here.
Instead of finding a player that’ll take touches and limit development for guys like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, taking potentially the best player and fit available would be the best decision for Detroit.
6. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black, PG, Arkansas
Black’s rise in the class has been pretty significant within the past few weeks. The Jazz have been rumored to try to trade up ahead of the Magic for Black, so it seems like there’s some league-noted interest here. With elite scorers like Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, selecting a fantastic passer to get the ball in their hands would be a very wise decision for Orlando going forward.
7. Indiana Pacers: Taylor Hendricks, PF, Central Florida
The Pacers have a ton of building blocks on hand for this team’s future, but adding that connector piece at the four could ultimately be how Indiana attacks the draft. With a starting lineup and core of Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner, that PF spot is the lone missing piece. Hendricks can easily mesh well in any lineup with his valuable shooting and defensive ability.
8. Washington Wizards: Cam Whitmore, SF, Villanova
After the Wizards decided to get rid of their best two players and potentially a third in Kyle Kuzma, this team needs a ton of help, especially scoring the ball. The new addition of Jordan Poole helps this, but Whitmore can help elevate this to a whole new level.
While Whitmore has concerns about his absurdly low playmaking numbers, it will not be an issue on this roster. He can be an immediate impact player for a new rebuild in Washington.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
9. Utah Jazz: Ausar Thompson, SG, OTE
Securing Ausar without giving up any additional assets would be a dream-like scenario for Utah. There is a divide between the top nine picks in this draft from the rest, meaning the Jazz will end up with one of the premier prospects in the draft. This time, Thompson was the lone survivor, and it was a perfect fit.
Ausar has proclaimed himself a shooting guard, given his play next to his more ball-dominant brother, Amen. However, with an average of over six assists while being the secondary ball-handler, he’s got the build and skillset to easily transition to PG. With the Jazz’s reported interest in a prospect like Anthony Black, you could argue Ausar could develop into a similar, even better player than him while selecting at a lower draft position.
His shooting is still an area of concern, but pretty standard for most of the top guards on the board during this draft. Thompson’s skills as a finisher, defender, and playmaker give him enough of a case for the selection here.
10. Dallas Mavericks: Dereck Lively II, C, Duke
Without a true rim protector on the current Mavs’ roster, Lively is a match made in heaven. Not only does Lively have among the best size in the draft, but his recent combine showings have proven he has more shooting range than fans have recognized. Pairing a player with that skillset next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving makes too much sense considering the Mavericks’ horrific defense.
11. Orlando Magic (via CHI): Gradey Dick, SG, Kansas
One knock on the Magic’s previous pick of Anthony Black is his inconsistent shooting and scoring ability. Luckily with Dick on the board, he can be the perfect compliment as one of the best shooters in the class with room to grow in other areas. The Magic have had consistent struggles with their shooting overall, so this is a worthwhile remedy.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Bilal Coulibaly, SF, France
Bleacher Report’s Johnathan Wasserman previously reported on a draft promise handed out to Coulibaly before pick 14. Oklahoma City fits that mold and could utilize a Coulibaly as an immediately impactful wing defender off-rip. With his gifted athleticism and youth, the ceiling we have here with Wembanyama’s French teammate is amongst the best in the class.
13. Toronto Raptors: Kobe Bufkin, PG, Michigan
Among the teams reportedly “strongly” interested in selecting Bufkin is the Raptors according to a recent report from Draft Express’s Jonathan Givony. Considering Bufkin’s cancellation of workouts with Utah, New Orleans, and Atlanta, the Raptors may have given a promise to Bufkin. He provides a lot of the physical tools Toronto historically values, slotting in as the potential future PG of the 6.
14: New Orleans Pelicans: Cason Wallace, PG, Kentucky
Another draft workout cancellation that stands out is Cason Wallace canceling with Atlanta a few weeks back according to Global Scouting. After some underwhelming guard selections of Dyson Daniels and Kira Lewis Jr. in years past, taking a safe, yet high-upside selection of Wallace might be the best course of action for NOLA.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Leonard Miller, PF, G-League Ignite
Three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and John Collins being in trade rumors. Selecting an athletic big like Miller to replace Collins if he’s dealt could be a great way to plug the gap at power forward.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
16. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Jordan Hawkins, SG, UConn
If the Jazz wanted to tackle some shooting issues in this draft, Hawkins would be the ideal solution here at 16. Whether you think the best shooter in the class is Gradey Dick or Jordan Hawkins, the gap is both small and insignificant. At the end of the day, you’re getting a guy that can plug in as an effective shot maker in a variety of roles for Utah.
Hawkins has a winning pedigree and experience on his side as well, something that a lot of players in this class fail to have. Securing a high-floor, contributing piece like Hawkins might not be a pick that gives you an All-NBA level player, but plays a crucial role on any team.
The Jazz were top five in three-pointers attempted in the league last season while being the 11th worst efficiency-wise. Drafting Hawkins here is a great step in the right direction to have a much better offensive output going forward.
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Jett Howard, SG, Michigan
Howard projects as one of the most NBA-ready prospects in this draft with the combination of his intangibles and size alone. The Lakers needing to maximize their championship window with an almost 40-year-old LeBron could utilize a prospect like Jett.
18. Miami Heat: Keyonte George, SG, Baylor
The Heat’s failure to acquire Bradley Beal this past week at least shows that Pat Riley is emphasizing the addition of more contributors on offense. While George wasn’t the most efficient player at Baylor, the Heat is a team very capable of developing him further.
19. Golden State Warriors: Oliver-Maxence Prosper, PF, Marquette
Draymond Green’s recent player option decline puts his future in San Francisco in jeopardy at the moment. Prosper’s had a meteoric draft rise as a multi-positional, NBA-ready defender which could be exactly how the Warriors could transition past the Draymond era.
20. Houston Rockets (via LAC): Kris Murray, PF, Iowa
Ime Udoka has every intention to win quickly in Houston. Adding an experienced college player with a versatile skillset like Murray could be a helping factor to get Houston’s rebuild back on track.
21. Brooklyn Nets (via PHX): Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG, Indiana
The fall of Hood-Schifino stops here with Brooklyn. The Nets simply need to add talent to their newly constructed roster, and adding a high-impact defender and passer at the point is a great start.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Ohio State
With back-to-back picks, Brooklyn can capitalize on two draft-day fallers here with Sensabaugh. As one of the best pure scorers in the draft, he can plug into Brooklyn as a bench spark plug, or even a starting wing with a more immediate offensive workload.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via NYK): Rayan Rupert, SG, France
To bring in readily contributing talent to Portland for Damian Lillard, Rupert is a great defender that has a translatable skillset to the NBA. While his shot is far from a finished product, his defense nets him some great value.
24. Sacramento Kings: Noah Clowney, PF, Alabama
A lengthy stretch four could help alleviate some of Domantas Sabonis’s weaknesses going forward, and Clowney’s exactly that. Harrison Barnes’ impending free agency also puts some urgency on adding another forward to the roster, so Clowney ends as the pick here.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Nick Smith Jr., PG, Arkansas
A steep, steep fall for Smith Jr. considering his recent projections, but it’s a bit difficult to find a perfect fit for him anywhere past pick 16. For the Grizzlies though, this is a home run selection, giving Ja Morant a capable substitute while out with his 25-game suspension.
26. Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Dariq Whitehead, SG, Duke
Recent injuries have put Whitehead’s stock up in the air, but the Pacers can afford to take a chance on his upside with their collection of second-rounders and existing young talent.
27. Charlotte Hornets (via DEN): G.G. Jackson, PF, South Carolina
A far from polished product after one year at South Carolina, but was one of the best recruits coming out of high school. In this scenario, the Hornets end up keeping him in the Carolinas with the chance to develop into what he was once projected.
28. Utah Jazz (via PHI): Maxwell Lewis, SF, Pepperdine
At this point in the draft, Lewis is likely the best player left on the board, and with the selections of Ausar Thompson and Jordan Hawkins, the team has their guard situation filled out. Now, the front office can look for other prospects to add in supporting roles, and Lewis can be just that.
For being a forward, he’s got great size and handle of the ball with the ability to create his shot. While he’s known to have some decision-making flaws at least at the college level, the talent is abundantly clear. Limiting his offensive workload initially can allow Lewis to find a better role in an NBA offense rather than force unnecessary mistakes, and the Jazz is in a position to do that.
While it’s unclear if Utah will even retain all three of their first-rounders, taking the best player available, even at 28 is a wise move for any front office.
29. Denver Nuggets (via BOS): Andre Jackson Jr., UConn
The league champions bolster their young core by adding another champion who’s both a physically and technically sound player with the ability to flourish with Denver’s development and culture.
30. Los Angeles Clippers (via MIL): James Nnaji, C, Nigeria
There’s a lack of big-man depth within the class, but Nnaji is still capable of being a first-round talent. His impactful defensive presence is exactly what the Clippers need down low as an immediate impact player.
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