2023 NBA Mock Draft: Can the Toronto Raptors draft a star?
By Mike Luciano
Pick Analysis. SG/PG. Overtime Elite. Amen Thompson. player. Scouting Report. 4. 29
Both Thompson twins will be future stars in the NBA and have nearly identical athletic skillsets, so the level of competition questions don’t hold up. Of the two brothers, Amen is more of a ball-handler, which could interest a San Antonio team looking for a leader at the point guard position. This could be the selection that finally pulls them out of the gutter.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. SG/SF. player. Overtime Elite. Ausar Thompson. 5. 38
Ausar is more of a wing and better isolation scorer than his brother, which might make him more tuned to what Orlando needs. With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner establishing themselves as stars, they need shooters who can supplement what those two bring. If Thompson manages to light up the scoreboard as he did in Overtime play, the Magic would be well on their way to assuming a playoff spot.
SG/PG. Arkansas. player. 142. Scouting Report. Nick Smith. 6. Pick Analysis
While Smith has dealt with some injuries during his time in Fayetteville, he should be picked in the Top 10 if he stays healthy for the rest of the year. Smith can be the point guard of the future in Washington, using his propensity for unusual shot-making and tremendous court vision.
NBA Mock Draft: Will Cason Wallace fix the Toronto Raptors?
Scouting Report. 7. PG/SG. Kentucky. Cason Wallace. player. 81. Pick Analysis
With the Raptors potentially bracing for a Fred VanVleet exit, why not draft someone with a similar skillset and better efficiency? Wallace is a lethal shooter that is an absolute pest on the defensive end. Both of those traits will convince Ujiri that he can help lead them in their post-VanVleet era.
69. Scouting Report. Keyonte George. SG. Baylor. 8. player. Pick Analysis
George can make some spellbinding passes and convert some truly outrageous shots. Even though New Orleans has CJ McCollum instilled at point guard, George and fellow top pick Dyson Daniels can make sure that the Pelicans’ backcourt is locked for the next half-decade.
Houston. 9. player. 38. Pick Analysis. PF. Jarace Walker. Scouting Report
Orlando might be in a position to go for the best player available with the pick they acquired from the Bulls. Walker is a bulky 6-8 forward who is a genuinely positionless defender. He’ll be a nice defensive chess piece for Jamahl Mosley while he sands off the rough edges of his game.