2023 NBA Draft Grades

The 2023 NBA Draft is now over. Each team will be given a grade for their picks in the draft. Here are the 2023 NBA Draft Grades.

Eastern Conference

Atlanta Hawks: B

Draft Picks: G Kobe Bufkin, G Seth Lundy,

The fit of Bufkin in a backcourt with Trae Young is questionable, but Bufkin really improved last season at Michigan and can play on or off the ball. Lundy gives the Hawks another great shooter.

Boston Celtics: B

Draft Picks: F Jordan Walsh

Walsh has good athleticism and plays solid defense, which can make him a good role player.

Brooklyn Nets: B

Draft Picks: F Noah Clowney, G Dariq Whitehead, F Jalen Wilson

The Nets need some more help on the interior and Clowney can provide a good rebounder. Whitehead will really help stretch the floor for the Nets, as he shot over 40 percent from deep at Duke. Wilson improved all-around last season, but is an older prospect. He could contribute right away, but his ceiling could be limited.

Charlotte Hornets: A

Draft Picks: F Brandon Miller, G Nick Smith, F James Nnaji, F Mouhamed Gueye, G Amari Bailey

The Hornets already have a ball-dominant guard in LaMelo Ball, so they took Miller to give their team some more scoring from the wing. It should help open things up for the entire team. Smith was a steal of a pick as a player who can play on or off ball and create for himself. Nnaji has good athleticism for his size and can protect the rim. Gueye can be a good interior defender. The shooting will be improved by Bailey.

Chicago Bulls: B

Draft Picks: F Julian Phillips

Phillips has good athleticism and can be a good defender, but needs to work on his shot.

Cleveland Cavaliers: B

Draft Picks: G Emoni Bates,

While his college career didn’t go quite as planned for Bates, he has some serious scoring potential for the next level.

Detroit Pistons: B

Draft Picks: G Ausar Thompson, G Marcus Sasser

The Pistons took Ausar Thompson, who can play off-ball and complement their other players, but there were a few better players on the board. Sasser has made some big plays on both ends of the floor in his college career, but it might be hard for him to see the floor with how many guards the Pistons have now.

Indianapolis Pacers: A-

Draft Picks: F Jarace Walker, G Ben Sheppard, G Jalen Pickett, G Mojave King, G Isaiah Wong

Walker was a great pick, as he could’ve gone top five and the Pacers traded down to get him. He can score in the post and from outside as well as protect the basket. Sheppard was a late riser in the process an can help the shooting, although it may have been a tad of a reach. Pickett had a great season for Penn State, but may have been picked a little early given his age and defensive ability. Mojave King will take a while to develop before being able to make an impact in the NBA. Wong can create his own shot.

Miami Heat: D

Draft Pick: F Jaime Jaquez,

Jaquez was a good college player who was a mismatch as an undersized four. It may not be as easy to fill that role in the NBA.

Milwaukee Bucks: A

Draft Picks: F Andre Jackson, F Chris Livingston

Jackson may never be a star, but he can be a glue guy on a championship team, which is exactly what Milwaukee needs. Livingston is a good athlete who can rebound well for a wing.

New York Knicks:

Draft Picks:

Orlando Magic: C

Draft Picks: G Anthony Black, F Jett Howard

While he was one of the best players available, Black will bring another player who handles the ball to Orlando, which they already have. In today’s game, it can all work, but it may take some time to gel. Howard won’t provide much defense and Orlando could’ve acquired a more impactful player on that end.

Philadelphia 76ers:

Draft Picks:

Toronto Raptors: B

Draft Picks: G Gradey Dick,

The Raptors have improved their shooting by drafting Dick, who presented good value at number 13.

Washington Wizards: C

Draft Picks: F Bilal Coulibaly, F Tristan Vukcevic,

The Wizards traded up to pick seven to get Coulibaly, which was a bit of a reach. Coulibaly is still young and played well in France, but still has to develop an offensive game. Vukcevic can score well for a big man, but may stay overseas for a year or two.

Western Conference

Dallas Mavericks: C

Draft Picks: F Dereck Lively, F Olivier-Maxence Prosper

The Mavericks had a salary dump and moved down two spots to get Lively. He didn’t produce at the college level, but was a highly-touted recruit. They also reached on Oliver Maxence-Prosper who took a while to develop at the college level.

Denver Nuggets: B

Draft Picks: G Julian Strawther, F Hunter Tyson,

Strawther will provide Denver with additional shooting and should space the floor for their stars. Tyson is a versatile forward who also can provide some outside shooting.

Golden State Warriors: B-

Draft Picks: G Brandin Podziemski, F Trayce Jackson-Davis

The Warriors reached on Podziemski, who did have a solid year at Santa Clara, but didn’t produce much at Illinois the season before that. Jackson-Davis was a steal late in the second round and can provide great rebounding.

Houston Rockets: B+

Draft Picks: G Amen Thompson, F Cam Whitmore

There was a huge dropoff after the top three players in the class. He has potential as a bigger point guard, but will have a big adjustment going from the quality of the Overtime Elite to the NBA. Whitmore will help stretch the floor, which is something the Rockets desperately need.

Los Angeles Clippers: C

Draft Picks: F Kobe Brown, F Jordan Miller

Brown can be a stretch four for the Clippers, but there were some better players on the board. Miller can be a good defender and rebounder in the NBA for his position.

Los Angeles Lakers: B

Draft Picks: G Jalen Hood-Schifino, G Maxwell Lewis

Hood-Schifino can help handle the ball and run the pick and roll. How he’ll be used by the Lakers will be key, as he could be limited if LeBron James handles the ball as much as he has recently. Lewis fits the Lakers right now very well, as he has the potential to be a good 3-and-D prospect.

Memphis Grizzlies: A

Draft Picks: F GG Jackson, F Tarik Biberovic

Jackson can become a three-level scorer in the NBA and gives Memphis a unique player not like any other on their roster. Biberovic is a draft and stash player.

Minnesota Timberwolves: A

Draft Picks: F Leonard Miller, G Jaylen Clark

Miller is a taller player, but has some guard-like skills. He was a steal in the second round for the Timberwolves. Clark is one of the best perimeter defenders in the class.

New Orleans Pelicans: B

Draft Picks: G Jordan Hawkins,

If Zion Williamson is healthy, the Pelicans will need to spread the floor for him. Hawkins is one of the best shooters in the class and will help provide that spacing.

Oklahoma City Thunder: A

Draft Picks: G Cason Wallace, F Keyontae Johnson

The Thunder had to trade up to get him, but Wallace was the best player on the board. He can play either guard spot and is a great perimeter defender. Johnson is a great scorer, but did have some health issues that delayed his career in college from progressing to the professional level.

Phoenix Suns: C

Draft Picks: F Toumani Camara

The Suns didn’t get a player that will immediately help them win, but Camara can be a good rebounder and defender.

Portland Trail Blazers: A

Draft Picks: G Scoot Henderson, F Kris Murray, F Rayan Rupert

While the Trail Blazers did get the best player available, it is interesting to see how Henderson fits in with the team and what the future holds for Damian Lillard. Murray can play much like his brother Keegan, who had a nice rookie season with the Kings. Rupert will have to work on his shooting to be impactful in the NBA, but he has solid defensive potential.

Sacramento Kings: A

Draft Picks: G Colby Jones, F Jaylen Slawson

The Kings moved up to get Jones, but it was worth it, as he was a potential lottery pick and they drafted him in the second round. He can handle the ball and spread the floor for the Kings. Slawson can shot the rock well for a forward.

San Antonio Spurs: A+

Draft Picks: F Victor Wembanyama, G Siddy Cissoko

The Spurs had an easy pick with the first selection, but they aced it by taking Wembanyama. He has guard-like skills, but can also protect the rim. While he’ll need to add strength and prevent injury, it was the right pick. Cissoko can be a good defender in the league.

Utah Jazz: A

Draft Picks: F Taylor Hendricks, G Keyonte George, G Brice Sensabaugh

Hendricks has the potential to be a good player that is capable of playing either forward spot. He can fill in nicely with the young players on the Jazz. Getting good value at both their lottery picks happened, as George can score in a variety of ways. Sensabaugh can score from deep, but also gets to the basket well.

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