2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Spurs, Raptors land star guards
By Mike Luciano
PG/SF. Arkansas. 15. 125. Pick Analysis. Anthony Black. player. Scouting Report
Black is one of the most positionless players in this draft, as his ball-handling screams point guard while his size screams traditional wing. With a lack of backcourt depth behind Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, Black is an easy fix to a variety of roles.
Pick Analysis. C. Duke. 16. player. Scouting Report. Kyle Filipowski. 27
Filipowski is not going to be the most impressive athlete in the world, but the fact that he beat out Dereck Lively II for playing time and dominated the glass will likely be enough to draw the wandering eye of a Knicks team who could look for a Mitchell Robinson upgrade.
UCF. Taylor Hendricks. 17. Pick Analysis. SF. 118. Scouting Report. player
A springy forward with shooting and athleticism, Hendricks profiles as either an oversized wing or matchup nightmare at power forward. Will Hardy could have fun running lineups that feature Hendricks, Markkanen, and Walker Kessler all on the floor at once.
SG. Gradey Dick. 18. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Kansas. player. 169
Dick’s defense is poor right now, and no one will mistake him for Kyrie Irving with the ball in his hands. At the same time, Rockets fans will likely get a kick out of a solid athlete like the Jayhawks sniper being on the receiving end of multiple Scoot Henderson kick-outs.
Duke. 19. Scouting Report. C. Dereck Lively II. player. 41. Pick Analysis
Lively will not be a productive scorer in the NBA, but having someone that averaged 4.5 blocks per game protecting the rim is exactly what Golden State needs from their center. An elite athlete, Lively could be an immediate or long-term Kevon Looney replacement for the Warriors.
Pick Analysis. 20. 110. Scouting Report. PG. Indiana. Jalen Hood-Schifino. player
Hood-Schifino is a gigantic point guard at 6-6, and his combination of leadership and defense will likely make him a fan favorite right away in Miami. He fits a lot of schemes well, but very few may actually suit him better than what Erik Spoelstra and the Heat are doing.
NBA Mock Draft: Dariq Whitehead could star for the Brooklyn Nets.
Pick Analysis. Dariq Whitehead. player. Scouting Report. SF. Duke. 21. 147
The Nets have tons of defense-first wings, so Whitehead will fit right in on the squad. While his offense never really took off at duke, he’s shown enough efficiency as a shooter and creativity when Jon Scheyer let him cook to warrant being picked by Brooklyn here.
Indiana. 22. 147. Scouting Report. PF. Trayce Jackson-Davis. player. Pick Analysis
Jackson-Davis is averaging a 20-point, 11-rebound per game double-double with nearly three blocks per game in his final season with the Hoosiers. Brooklyn could use this pick to add a backup center that can be a high-end reserve behind the emerging Nic Claxton.