The 2023 NBA Draft is just two days away and there is still heated debate about what the Detroit Pistons are going to do with the 5th pick.
We did a mock draft with possible trades we could see happening, but for the final version we are just going with the picks, even though this is an NBA Draft that could have a lot of trade action.
In this version, the Pistons don’t go with the safer pick but instead take a big swing for the fences on upside. Anyone who says they know for certain what Detroit is going to do is probably trying to sell you something, so there are still a number permutations that could happen leading up to draft day.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
I’m already sick of the Spurs and their never-ending string of draft luck. They’ve only really tanked twice in my lifetime and both times yielded a possible generational big man in the draft. Wembanyama looks every bit the part of a superstar and as long as he can stay healthy, is going to immediately improve the Spurs on both ends.
The only good thing about this pick is at least the Houston Rockets and their insufferable fans didn’t get it.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The Charlotte Hornets tried to convince everyone that they were all-in on Brandon Miller, but I never really believed that was anything more than a way to drive up the price for a trade.
Henderson is not the clearest fit with LaMelo Ball, but who cares? When you have sucked as long as Charlotte has, and you have a new ownership group coming in, you want to swing for the fences, not go with the “best fit” with the second pick.
This became even clearer when Henderson was very impressive in workouts, was in peak physical shape and showcased an improving jumpsuit. The Hornets may still trade out of this spot (they’d be nuts not to explore the Zion Williamson trade rumors), but it’s very difficult to see them just taking Miller outright, as it would be a crime of asset management with so many teams interested in Scoot.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
It’s always interesting to see which players’ hype cools off in the days leading up to the draft, and that guy is probably Miller this year. This is a spot I still expect the Trail Blazers to trade out of, but if Miller falls here instead of Scoot, it could make that decision a little tougher, as he is a good fit with Damian Lillard and probably ready to contribute fairly soon.
This is really where the draft starts, as there is a good chance that Miller falls from this spot or that someone wants to trade up to 3rd to get one of the Thompsons.
Portland is in a tough spot and should probably start to rebuild, but if they are going to run it back with Dame, this pick will be on the trade block.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
This is really where the NBA Draft starts for the Detroit Pistons, as Houston’s pick will somewhat dictate Detroit’s. If the Rockets are serious about signing James Harden, then it makes little sense to grab another playmaker like Amen Thompson, as between Harden and Jalen Green, he’s not going to touch the ball.
Whitmore is the more natural fit with Harden and Green and would give them an explosive athlete with some defensive upside to build around long term. If they don’t plan on pursuing Harden, or think it’s a long shot, then one of the Thompson twins make more sense here.
Reports indicate that Houston is leaning towards Whitmore or Ausar Thompson if they think Harden is a real possibility.
2023 NBA Mock Draft: Detroit Pistons swing for the fences on upside
I know there are a lot of Pistons’ fans out there who would be jumping with joy if this actually happened, but I have little faith that it actually will. If both Thompson twins and Jarace Walker are there when the Pistons choose it is the best-case scenario, as they don’t really need another playmaker like Amen, so could potentially trade back with a team like the Pacers and still get one of those three players.
Recent reports claim the Pistons are souring a bit on Whitmore, and I’ve thought all along that Detroit would end up with Jarace Walker no matter what, as he just seems like Troy Weaver guy, has a very high floor and is a natural fit at power forward.
But if this is really going to be the last time the Pistons tank, then to me, you forget about fit and just go for the player with the highest upside, and that is Amen Thompson, who is arguably the best athlete in this class.
His fit isn’t as clear as Walker’s or even Ausar Thompson’s but Amen is an electric athlete, great passer and has huge potential on defense, an area that he takes seriously. Even if he can’t shoot, teams can never have too many playmakers and he does things that can’t be taught.
Just look at these highlights:
I have heard some rumblings that some in the Pistons’ front office are actually higher on Ausar Thompson, in which case, I expect Detroit will trade back with someone and just take the brother later.
I know the fit isn’t as clean as that with Jarace Walker, but this seems like one of those that the Pistons may regret if they decide to draft for fit over ceiling. There are some reasons to be leery of the Thompsons, as they can’t shoot and have mostly played against sub-par competition, but you have to take risks to get the big rewards.
If I had to bet right now, I would not bet on this happening (Houston may still take Amen) but I would bet on the Pistons ending with one of the Thompson twins or Jarace Walker.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
I do think both of the Thompson twins have helped themselves in pre-draft workouts, especially Ausar, who some now have ranked above his brother.
Unlike Amen on the Pistons, Ausar is a clean fit on an Orlando team that already has scoring and needs defense on the wing. Ausar is at least going to be a very good defender at the next level and one thing I love about both him and his brother is that they take pride in their defense and talk about it a lot compared to other draft prospects.
Orlando would be happy if one of them fell to them at six.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
Another reason I hope the Pistons don’t take Jarace Walker is that my computer auto-corrects his name to “garage” every time I type it, which is pretty annoying.
I think the Pacers would be happy with this, as Walker is going to be a player in the NBA, has upside, but also has one of the most reliable floors in the draft as a guy who can defend multiple spots and act as a passing connector on offense.
He’s a natural fit at power forward with Myles Turner, as he is also a very good defender and has the strength to defend centers as well as forwards.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The Wizards are such a mess. Their current front office was handed a turd in the form of Bradley Beal’s contract (which should serve as a cautionary tale to the league) and had to trade it for two cents on the dollar just to get it off the books.
So the Wiz appear to be starting their rebuild and they could easily be the worst team in the NBA next season, especially if both Porzingis and Kuzma flee, which is expected. If that happens, they will roll the dice on potential or try to trade up, possibly with the Detroit Pistons.
Black is hardly a guy who is going to have fans excited, especially after the way they have been treated over the years, but he at least gives them a solid playmaker and defender to start to build around.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
Hendricks is another name we’ve seen rise up draft boards, as he is a big, two-way wing who should be able to make an impact on both ends.
The Jazz already have plenty of soft forwards, so they could use a defender here, and luckily for them, Hendricks profiles as one of the best in the draft and is still a very efficient shooter.
Hendricks had a workout recently with the Pistons, and if they do decide to trade back, I expect he is one of their targets, but he’d be a nice get for the defensively-challenged Jazz, who finished 25th in opponents’ points allowed this past season.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
Gradey Dick will probably be a very nice player in the NBA, but if the Mavericks tanked away a chance at the playoffs just to end up with a “nice player,” their fans might revolt.
Dallas is probably the team that is most likely to trade their pick, as there is no one available here that is going to help their chances to win a title next season and they are desperate to put a better roster around Luka Doncic.
But how exactly are they going to do it? Teams aren’t going to give them a king’s ransom in terms of draft assets or players for this pick, as many teams believe you can get a similar talent much later in the draft.
This trade with the Pistons might be around what they will get, which would not be inspiring for their chances of making a big leap next season.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
Lively is one of the prospects that has really shot up draft boards in recent days. He reportedly had a very good workout for Orlando and he would give them the shot blocking and lob threat that they currently lack.
After Walker Kessler made such an impact last season with his rim protection, teams are going to be looking for the next overlooked defensive talent and Lively might be it. This would give Orlando one of the biggest teams in the NBA, and along with Ausar Thompson, a big boost to their defense.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The Thunder can go in so many directions here that thinking about it might make your head spin. Do they really need more young players? Is now the time that they finally cash in their huge pile of draft picks and make a splashy trade?
Possibly, but if not, Wallace makes sense as a no-ego player who will come in and defend right away. He can be effective without the ball in his hands, plays tough defense and would be an instant boost to their bench depth.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
Toronto is another mystery team that could blow up their roster and start a rebuild. It’s starting to look like they will lose Fred VanVleet and possibly Gary Trent Jr. this offseason, and if they decide to trade OG Anuoby or move Pasal Siakam in a big deal, they could end up with a higher pick (or picks) in this draft.
George can play either guard spot and get buckets and seems to fit the Toronto ethos.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
The New Orleans Pelicans like wing players who can defend and none have risen faster on draft boards this year than Coulibaly, who put up big numbers down the stretch in France and whose athleticism has scouts drooling.
This is another team that I could see trading their pick, as the Pelicans are trying to move up to draft Scoot Henderson, or at least high enough to get a player who can impact winning right away.
Coulibaly may not be one of those guys, but the Pelicans love their position-less wings and try to grab the best one available here.
2023 NBA Mock Draft
15: Atlanta Hawks-Jalen Hood-Schifino
16: Utah Jazz-Jett Howard
17: LA Lakers-Brice Sensabaugh
18: Miami Heat-Leonard Miller
19: Golden State Warriors-Kobe Bufkin
20: Houston Rockets-Jordan Hawkins
21: Brooklyn Nets-Rayan Rupert
22: Brooklyn Nets-Nick Smith Jr.
23: Portland Trail Blazers-Colby Jones
24: Sacramento Kings-Kris Murray
24: Memphis Grizzlies-Noah Clowney
26: Indiana Pacers-Jaime Jaquez Jr.
27: Charlotte Hornets-Dariq Whitehead
28: Utah Jazz-Maxwell Lewis
29: Indiana Pacers-Marcus Sasser
30: LA Clippers-Sidy Cissoko