2023 NBA Draft tracker: Victor Wembanyama selected 1st overall by Spurs

Welcome to Sactown Sports‘ live tracker for the 2023 NBA Draft.

This feed will be updated throughout the day with all of the latest Sacramento Kings news, breaking news from around the Association, every first-round pick in the draft and more.

2023 NBA Draft Results & Grades

1.  C Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs

Team: Metropolitans 92

Grade: A+

The easiest N0. 1 overall pick since LeBron James.

With the inclusion of Wemby in San Antonio, the Spurs have a real chance to be good right away. The 7’5″ French phenom will be a force on defense right away, making it impossible to get a layup with ease. His offense is only growing as well, already having an arsenal of moves stretching to the there-point line.

Watch out for San Antonio later in the lottery, reports are that they could be moving up tonight. If they keep adding talent, they’ll be a playoff team very quickly.

2.  SF Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets

College: Alabama

Grade: A-

And here we go.

After much debate, the Hornets & outgoing owner Michael Jordan are picking Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson. And they got it wrong.

While Miller is a stellar prospect, passing on Henderson could haunt Charlotte for a decade. But again, at 6’9″ with a very nice shot, the talent is there for Miller to be an All-Star.

But there’s far more risk as well.

3.  PG Scoot Henderson – Portland Trail Blazers

Team: G League Ignite

Grade: A

Let the games begin.

Despite fielding offers, Portland decides to keep the No. 3 pick and take Scoot Henderson. A hyper-athletic guard, the G League Ignite product is a culture setter from Day 1. His on the court play, mixed with off the court leadership, makes him likely to be a face of a franchise in only a few years. While there are concerns about his outside shot, he’ll continue to work at it until he gets it down.

Point being: Portland got a franchise PG.

We’ll see what happens with Damian Lillard now, rumored to want to play with only veterans as he looks for a title.

4.  G Amen Thompson – Houston Rockets

Team: Overtime Elite

Grade: B+

Probably the most unique prospect in the 2023 class.

This Thompson twin, Amen, enters the league as one of the best athletes in the game today. Able to dunk from a variety of spots on the floor, he is an all-around athlete. But he’s also very skilled as well.

Playing the point for Overtime Elite, Amen is an electric facilitator, averaging six assists last season. He makes plays from everywhere, and sees the court like few prospects do. He needs to improve his shot though, very shaky mechanics could limit his upside at first.

For Houston it’s about finding young talent each year, Amen Thompson could be their big point guard to pair with Jalen Green.

5. G/F Ausar Thompson – Detroit Pistons

Team: Overtime Elite

Grade: B

The Thompson Twins go back-to-back!

Ausar is a little different than his brother, more of a Swiss army knife on the court.

His defense is phenomenal, using his seven foot wing-span to keep opponents in check. He also has a decent shooting stroke, able to hit corner threes last year.

The Pistons certainly have a type, and while I would have preferred a more natural wing/forward to pair with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, Thompson has a chance to be special.

6. G Anthony Black – Orlando Magic

College: Arkansas

Grade: B+

The Magic also have a type: Long, athletic guards that can’t shoot.

Black was a phenomenal teammate at Arkansas, a floor general for the Razorbacks last season. While his assist numbers are lower than expected (3.9 APG), his willingness to make the right basketball plays was apparent when watching film. He thrives in the set-up role thanks to his size as well, standing 6’6″ as the primary ball handler.

The key for Black’s development will be his jumper, only shooting 30.1% from the outside in college.

But that’s a problem for another day. For now, they have a point forward who can get the ball to primary scorers Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. They may need to trade a guard or two though.

7. TRADE; F Bilal Coulibaly – Washington Wizards via Indiana Pacers

Details: WAS gets Bilal Coulibaly; IND gets Jarace Walker, two 2028 second-round picks 

Team: Metropolitans 92

Grade: A-

Our first trade of the night sees Washington and Indiana flip picks. And with the seventh pick, the Wizards take Bilal Coulibaly, the biggest riser of the 2023 draft class.

The gifted 18-year-old stands at 6’7″, with a 7’3″ wingspan, allowing him to be a pest on the defensive end. He also has fluid movement and quick feet laterally to stay in front of his opponent. The Frenchman also uses instinct and angles to swipe the ball away, often taking it to the rim in transition.

This is a home-run swing for Washington, and one they can afford as a new rebuilding team.

8. TRADE; PF Jarace Walker – Indiana Pacers via Washington Wizards  

Details: WAS gets Bilal Coulibaly; IND gets Jarace Walker, two 2028 second-round picks

College: Houston

Grade: A-

The second half of the first trade of the night sees the Pacers take Houston’s Jarace Walker.

Walker is a wrecking ball on the court, able to muscle his way to the basket at will. But he also has a soft touch and quality shot that makes him more dynamic as a scorer. He averaged 11.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG on 34.7% shooting from three in his lone season at Arkansas.

His defensive versatility will make him rotational piece right away, able to play the four and small-ball five for any team. Indiana have been looking for an all-around guy, helping Myles Turner out in the frontcourt. Not to mention playing with Tyrese Haliburton and Benedict Mathurin.

A lot to like in Indy.

9. F/C Taylor Hendricks – Utah Jazz

College: UCF

Grade: B+

The Jazz are LONGGGGG in the frontcourt.

By adding Hendricks to the lineup, Utah has a young core that can play defense. Walker Kessler was a revelation as a rookie, a true rim protector in Salt Lake City. The Jazz were even contending at one point, before realizing they could be tanking instead.

And they get rewarded with Hendricks.

Hendricks blossomed last season at UCF, averaging 15.1 PPG and seven rebounds in his freshman year. He was also lethal from deep, shooting 39.4% from behind the arc.

His physical traits are what makes him so enticing, standing 6’8” with a 7’1” wingspan. And frankly, he looks bigger than that. Hendricks excelled as a weak-side help defender in college, routinely making jaw-dropping defensive stops for the Knights.

10. TRADE; PG Cason Wallace – Oklahoma City Thunder via Dallas Mavericks

Details: OKC gets Cason Wallace, Davis Bertans; DAL gets No. 12 overall pick

College: Kentucky

Grade: B

11. G/F Jett Howard – Orlando Magic

College: Michigan

Grade: C-

12. TRADE; C Dereck Lively – Dallas Mavericks via Oklahoma City Thunder

Details: OKC gets Cason Wallace, Davis Bertans; DAL gets Dereck Lively

College: Duke

Grade: B+

13.  SG Gradey Dick – Toronto Raptors 

College: Kansas

Grade: A-

Love the pick, Dick falls to the Raptors and it’s a great fit long-term next to Scottie Barnes.

14.  G Jordan Hawkins – New Orleans Pelicans 

College: UConn

Grade: B

15.  G Kobe Bufkin – Atlanta Hawks

College: Michigan

Grade: B+

16.  G Keyonte George – Utah Jazz

College: Baylor

Grade: B+

17.  G Jalen Hood-Schifino – Los Angeles Lakers

College: Indiana

Grade: A-

A big pick for the Lakeshow and an excellent one at that. JHS is a bucket getter, and will be for the next decade. Don’t be surprised to see him making an impact for LA right away.

18.  F Jaime Jaquez Jr. – Miami Heat

College: Gonzaga

Grade: B

19.  G Brandin Poziemski – Golden State Warriors

College: Santa Clara

Grade: B-

20.  F Cam Whitmore – Houston Rockets

College: Villanova

Grade: A

The steal of the draft.

Whatever the medicals say, seeing a guy like Whitmore drop out of the top-5 to 20th is unreal. Houston is doing backflips in their war room right now. Snagging Amen Thompson AND Whitmore; wow, what a night.

21.  F/C Noah Clowney – Brooklyn Nets

College: Alabama

Grade: B

22. G/F Dariq Whitehead – Brooklyn Nets

College: Duke

Grade: B+

23. F Kris Murray – Portland Trail Blazers

College: Iowa

Grade: B

Boo.

24.  TRADE; F Olivier-Maxence Prosper – Dallas Mavericks via Sacramento Kings

Details: DAL gets No. 24 overall, Richaun Holmes; SAC gets cap space  

College: Marquette

Grade: B+

Click here for more on the Kings trade with Dallas.

25. TRADE; G Marcus Sasser – Detroit Pistons via Boston Celtics 

Details: DET gets No. 25 overall; BOS No. 31, future second-round picks   

College: Houston

Grade: C

26. G/F Ben Sheppard – Indiana Pacers

College: Belmont

Grade: B

27. G Nick Smith Jr. – Charlotte Hornets

College: Arkansas

Grade: B

28. G/F Brice Sensabaugh – Utah Jazz

College: Ohio State

Grade: B+

Utah is one of the biggest winners of the 2023 NBA Draft, a lot of young talent in Salt Lake City now.

29. F Julian Strawther – Denver Nuggets via Indiana Pacers

College: Gonzaga

Grade: C

30. F Kobe Brown – LA Clippers

College: Missouri

Grade: D+

Terrible value by the Clippers to round out the first round, especially with Leonard Miller and Colby Jones still on the board.

Draft season trades

12:15 p.m.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports the Golden State Warriors are sending Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards and multiple picks for Chris Paul. The Warriors will send a top-20 protected first round pick in 2030,  and a second-rounder in 2027 for the veteran point guard.

Golden State is also trading 2022 second-rounder Ryan Rollins to Washington as part of Poole-CP3 deal, sources said. https://t.co/sI1L23FPrE

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2023

9:50 a.m.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been active early on draft day, trading No. 47 overall & cash considerations to the Indiana Pacers for the 40th pick tonight. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the deal. Los Angeles has two draft picks currently (No. 17, 40), while Indiana has four selections Thursday (No. 7, 26, 47, 55).

Wednesday 

Along with shipping guard Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns, the Washington Wizards are also reportedly moving Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics. In the three-team deal, the Celtics would ship guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies while the Wizards would receive guard Tyrus Jones from the Grizzlies and forwards Mike Muscala and Danilo Gallinari from Boston. The Celtics would also receive two future first-round picks from the Grizzlies.

Here’s @wojespn with the latest trade between the Celtics, Grizz and Wizards pic.twitter.com/wFKVpZMz6n

— Stanford Steve (@StanfordSteve82) June 22, 2023

Kings coverage

Follow Kings beat reporter Frankie Cartoscelli for the latest Kings news and information throughout the NBA draft and offseason.

Want more Kings coverage? The Return of the Roar podcast, hosted by Chris Watkins and Frankie Cartoscelli, is a Sacramento Kings podcast following all of the latest news and storylines in the Kingdom.

 

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