NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Jazz Shake Up First Round At Pick 9
All of the Utah Jazz’s hard work scouting this year’s draft class will finally be payed off in two weeks. The wait will finally be over for Jazz fans, who have been waiting to see what direction the team will end up going since finding out their draft positioning in late May,
With their three first rounders, it makes this draft way different than those in the franchise’s past. The last time the Jazz held this much draft capital, it was all the way back in 2004. Now, Utah looks to make a huge jump in terms of the team’s rebuild almost twenty years later.
Things are continuing to heat up with each passing day in the league. Here’s our fourth official mock for the 2023 NBA Draft:
Inside the Jazz 2023 NBA Mock Draft 4.0
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, C, France
We’ve known this pick since the lottery balls fell in the Spurs’ favor in May. At this point, everyone's accepted it and moved onto debating who ends up going at number two.
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, SF, Alabama
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Conner recently said in his mock draft, “all indications suggest” Miller being the pick for Charlotte. If so, pairing a versatile, two-way wing with a great passer and ball handler like LaMelo Ball could develop into one of the league’s best duos in due time.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, PG, G-League Ignite
At this point, Scoot is pretty handedly the best player available here. Even if Portland fails to find a trade out of this pick they like, a Damian Lillard-Scoot Henderson backcourt is at the very least an interesting and talented core.
4. Houston Rockets: Jarace Walker, SF, Houston
The Rockets desperately need a culture change. By signing Ime Udoka, as well as potentially bringing in a player like James Harden, they’re on a great track. Instead of adding one of the more ball-dominant Thompson twins at this spot, the Rockets can add a great fit at their small forward in Walker, adding great athleticism and defense.
5. Detroit Pistons: Cam Whitmore, SF, Villanova
Despite the immense upside Whitmore brings as an athlete, scorer, and defender, his playmaking is zero to none. Luckily, bringing him into a team with distributors like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey should help mold around his game nicely.
6. Orlando Magic: Amen Thompson, PG, G-League Ignite
Despite the consistent hype surrounding both the Thompson twins, we see Amen slide to six for the Magic. However, adding him to a team with great scorers like Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero couldn’t be better for his development as a playmaker.
7. Indiana Pacers: Ausar Thompson, SG, G-League Ignite
Ausar is a much more complimentary fit to most teams than his twin brother, and could fit perfectly next to an elite passer like Tyrese Haliburton. His skillset as a shooter, driver, and defender makes this a home run pick for Indiana.
8. Washington Wizards: Cason Wallace, PG, Kentucky
The abysmal start we saw from 2022 first round pick, Johnny Davis, there’s a chance we see Washington cut their losses and draft another point guard. Besides, adding an all-around guard like Wallace is a safe, low-risk pick that can still exist well with the current Wizards’ team.
9. Utah Jazz: Bilal Coulibaly, SF, France
The meteoric rise of Coulibaly has him as the surprise pick here for the Jazz. While the name recognition isn’t there like some other players on the board, the upside Coulibaly has is top tier amongst other prospects. He has great size (listed at 6’8”, along with a 7’3” wingspan) and athleticism, combined with both elite speed and vertical ability.
Hmm...this kind of sounds like the formula for a perfect NBA wing defender...
And he might be...in due time. The thing is, Coulibaly isn’t just a defender, and that’s what’s boosted his stock so highly as of recent.
His offensive development was what held him back from being a lottery pick initially, but that’s all changed now. Coulibaly has progressed extremely nicely as a shooter, driver, passer, and ball handler, only at 18 years old.
If the Jazz want to take some big swings in this rebuild, a pick like this would be one of them. However, if all goes right, Coulibaly has unlimited potential if his development stays on the track it’s on right now.
10. Dallas Mavericks: Taylor Hendricks, PF, Central Florida
The Mavericks desperately need players that can play off-ball well next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, along with adding some much-needed defensive ability. Hendricks could be the perfect selection here to meet the criteria.
11. Orlando Magic (via CHI): Jordan Hawkins. SG, UConn
Being touted as one of the best shooters in the class, along with having some college championship success, Hawkins could be exactly what the Magic are looking to add to their group of young stars.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: G.G. Jackson, PF, South Carolina
Considering the amount of draft capital the Thunder have over maybe the next decade, the front office can afford to take some swings on one of the most high-risk, high-reward prospects.
13. Toronto Raptors: Anthony Black, PG, Arkansas
The Raptors love to draft players with great size for their position, and Black fits just that. With Fred VanVleet’s impending free agency, Toronto can revitalize their backcourt with a high-level passer and defender.
14: New Orleans Pelicans: Gradey Dick, SG, Kansas
The Pelicans can utilize Dick’s shooting off the bench in a seamless role. With the right development in place, he can eventually become the starting two or three as a perfect fit to any team in the modern NBA.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG, Indiana
One thing the Hawks have lacked over the past few seasons is solidified guard depth. A player such as Hood-Schifino can provide what Trae Young can’t: size and defense.
16. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Nick Smith Jr., PG, Arkansas
The Jazz have to target a guard within their first two picks. Without any franchise cornerstone in the backcourt, along with two existing guards being free agents, investing in a young guy to add to the roster would be a good decision.
In this case, Smith is the pick. He’s an offensive weapon who can handle the ball well and create his own shot. He’s 6’5” with a 6’9” wingspan, giving him some respectable physical traits along with his technical skills with the ball in his hand.
He does have a few concerns when it comes to how well his passing ability is, his impactfulness as a defender, and some health issues from this past season. However, you’re getting a great scoring, offense initiator at the very least, with room to grow as a passer and defender with Utah’s development.
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Keyontae George, SG, Baylor
An all-around scorer could be exactly what the Lakers could use to pair next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and George is exactly that.
18. Miami Heat: Dereck Lively II, C, Duke
Size is currently a big struggle for the Miami Heat in these Finals. Therefore, adding a 7’2” giant like Lively could be a great solution for the issue.
19. Golden State Warriors: Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Ohio State
Depth has been a persistent issue for Golden State. Bringing in one of the best pure scorers in the class would be the perfect spark plug for the Warriors.
20. Houston Rockets (via LAC): Kobe Bufkin, PG, Michigan
If the James Harden-to-Houston pitch fails to succeed, securing a point guard to run this offense will be crucial to acquire. Luckily, Bufkin is a great two-way fit that could be a perfect piece for the Rockets' core.
21. Brooklyn Nets (via PHX): Jett Howard, SG, Michigan
Howard is a versatile, NBA-ready wing that could be a safe pick for Brooklyn, who’s currently in an odd state as a franchise.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Leonard Miller, SF, G-League Ignite
In back-to-back picks, Brooklyn can afford to take a bigger swing here. Miller possesses a great combination of size and ball handling that could be dangerous if developed correctly.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via NYK): Maxwell Lewis, SF, Pepperdine
Regardless of if the team wants to keep Damian Lillard or not, Lewis can pair well with the team regardless due to his shooting and offensive ability.
24. Sacramento Kings: Kris Murray, PF, Iowa
If Murray is available here, we may see some fans screaming to make this pick happen. Pairing brothers Kris and Keegan Murray on the same team once again could be the route the Kings eventually take.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Sidy Cissoko, SG, France
Known for his playmaking and passing ability, Cissoko could be the selection for Memphis. Considering Ja’s pending suspension, the team will be in need of someone able to make plays with the ball in his hand.
26. Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Dariq Whitehead, SG, Duke
While recent injuries have put Whitehead’s stock in question, the Pacers can afford to take a chance on the Duke’ product with one of their three first rounders.
27. Charlotte Hornets (via DEN): Noah Clowney, PF, Alabama
After selecting Brandon Miller early on, the Hornets opt to pair their new young star with one of his college teammates.
28. Utah Jazz (via PHI): Ben Sheppard, SG, Belmont
One of the greater risers during this pre-draft process, Sheppard’s worked out with the Jazz already. With this initial interest, maybe he’s even being eyed as the pick here at 28. While he’s coming from a smaller school in Belmont with lesser competition, Sheppard possessed a lot of tools that could translate well in the league.
One of the issues Danny Ainge can tackle during this draft is the team’s shooting. Sheppard is a big boost in the department, providing great catch and shoot ability playing off the ball. He’s got nice size at the position at 6’5”, and can hold his own on the defensive side
He’s an intriguing guy to take a chance on. His athleticism is questionable, he’s not extremely explosive, and he’s already 22. Realistically, he’ll likely project as a role player for his career. But, NBA teams today value shooting more than ever, and players that can mesh well off the ball are what make good teams successful. Sheppard would be an underrated, yet valuable selection for Utah here.
29. Indiana Pacers (via BOS): Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
After going two wings with their first selections, Indiana opts to go with the local Hoosier option as a big with Jackson-Davis.
30. Los Angeles Clippers (via MIL): Colby Jones, SG, Xavier
Jones is a flexible fit for any team in the league. Jones provides shooting as an immediate contribution for the Clippers continuing in win-now mode.
Follow Inside The Jazz on Facebook and Twitter.
Subscribe on YouTube for breaking Jazz news videos and live-stream podcasts!
