The NBA draft has come and gone, folks. As first-round picks, there were 30 players in total who had their lives changed on draft night.
The thing about this draft, in particular, is that there was so much uncertainty. Of course, we knew Victor Wembanyama was going to be the first player selected by the San Antonio Spurs. But we still had so many questions that we needed answered.
Ultimately, we got the answers we were looking for. Brandon Miller is a Charlotte Hornet. Scoot Henderson is a Portland Trail Blazer. The Thompson twins went back-to-back.
We watched it all just for you. Here are our complete grades for the first round of the NBA Draft.
MORE NBA DRAFT:
- The winners and losers from the night
- Tracking where the top undrafted free agents are going
- 2023 NBA Draft: Tracking and grading every major trade from the NBA Draft
- Gradey Dick wowed fans with the shiniest, Wizard of Oz-themed suit for the NBA Draft
1
San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, Metropolitans 92 (France) center
Victor Wembanyama was the most obvious choice for a No. 1 overall pick since LeBron James was selected by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Wembanyama said that if he had his choice of any team to win the lottery, it would have been San Antonio, and he got his wish. I think the Spurs are legitimate contenders for the playoffs next season with Wemby on the roster. — Bryan Kalbrosky
GRADE: A++
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2
Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, Alabama forward
After waffling between Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson for the entirety of the draft process, the Hornets ultimately chose Miller. It’s easy to see why: Miller is a tantalizing talent. He’s an incredible shooter with size at 6-foot-9 and has guard skills. He could be an elite scorer in the NBA with the potential to be a beast on defense as well. Personally, I would’ve gone with Henderson here. But Miller is going to be solid next to LaMelo Ball. — Michael Sykes II
GRADE: A-
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3
Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite guard
Scoot Henderson is a fascinating selection for Portland. This was the right move for the franchise, although it’s unclear what it means for Damian Lillard, because Henderson is such a special talent at the guard spot. Portland is developing a nice young core with Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe in the mix. — BK
GRADE: A
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4
Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, Overtime Elite guard
Amen Thompson might walk into the NBA as the best athlete in the league on Day One. That’s saying a lot for a 20-year-old rookie, but his end-to-end athleticism and vertical explosiveness is elite. He’s a cerebral player who sees the floor extremely well — even without a reliable jump shot. At 6-foot-7, he’s got the size to see the entire floor, whether defenses sag off or not. Houston is going to enjoy having him run their team. — MS
GRADE: A
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5
Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson, Overtime Elite guard/forward
Ausar Thompson is an excellent home run swing for the Pistons. I love the athleticism of the core they’re building in Detroit, and I think that Ausar is going to have a lot of success playing alongside Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. If his shooting develops, this is a great value at No. 5 overall. If it doesn’t, it’s still a worthwhile gamble for a team that already has multiple ball handlers and scorers. — BK
GRADE: A-
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6
Orlando Magic: Anthony Black, Arkansas guard
Orlando needs a floor general. The Magic have been searching for a legitimate long-term option at point guard for years, and they believe they’ve found one here in Anthony Black. Outside of Amen Thompson, he’s the best passer in this draft. He’ll do a great job of organizing things in Orlando. The issue of shooting will certainly come up; Black isn’t a good shooter, and when he’s open, he’s reluctant. But if he can rework his jump shot, he could be a legitimate star. — MS
GRADE: B-
7
Washington Wizards (via Indiana Pacers): Bilal Coulibaly, Metropolitans 92 forward
Immediately after drafting Coulibaly, the Pacers traded him to the Wizards. So at least so far, this trade was the biggest surprise of the 2023 NBA Draft. Coulibaly dramatically improved his draft stock during the pre-draft process and leapfrogged over several high-level collegiate players who had far more hype just a few months ago. But during his run to the title in the French League alongside Victor Wembanyama, Coulibaly showed why he is a tremendous talent on both sides of the ball. For a franchise rebuilding, this is a fascinating decision. — BK
GRADE: B
8
Indiana Pacers (via Washington Wizards): Jarace Walker, Houston forward
After a reported trade between the Pacers and the Wizards, Indiana landed its power forward of the future with Jarace Walker. He is one of the most switchable defenders in this draft class and can provide tremendous athleticism on both sides of the ball. If his offensive playmaking comes along like we saw in high school, and his jumper continues to develop, this was exactly the right move for Indiana. — BK
GRADE: A
9
Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, UCF forward
Taylor Hendricks wasn’t expected to fall this far to the Jazz, but he fell right in their laps, and they should be thrilled about it. Hendricks is one of the better shooters in this draft at 6-foot-9 and is solid defensively. He’ll be able to play in super-sized lineups with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler while also still providing the solid spacing a modern NBA offense needs. — MS
GRADE: B+
10
Oklahoma City Thunder (via Dallas Mavericks): Cason Wallace, Kentucky guard
The Mavericks reportedly traded the draft rights to Cason Wallace to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it was a bit surprising. Wallace is a defensive-oriented guard who can provide solid depth to the backcourt rotation for the Thunder. The organization looks to improve their odds of making a playoff run with Chet Holmgren set to make his professional debut next season, and Wallace is a good fit. I love adding a low-usage, pass-first player like Wallace who can help defend at the point of attack. — BK
GRADE: A
11
Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls): Jett Howard, Michigan guard
This is probably the most confusing pick of the draft to this point. Jett Howard’s fit makes sense from a basketball standpoint — he’s one of the better shooters in this draft. Orlando needs floor spacers. But this quite a bit of a reach for a player who most seemed to anticipate would be there a bit further back in the first round. The Magic got their guy, but they probably could’ve traded back a bit for him. — MS
GRADE: C+
12
Dallas Mavericks (via Oklahoma City Thunder): Dereck Lively II, Duke center
I really like this move for the Mavericks, who reportedly traded down to land Duke big man Dereck Lively. If you want to contend in the Western Conference, you need to have players who can defend against big men like Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic. The Mavericks took a big step back defensively when they traded Dorian Finney-Smith. But they have now added the best non-Wemby rim protector in this draft class, and he’s going to provide wonderful value as soon as he steps on the floor. — BK
GRADE: A+
13
Toronto Raptors: Gradey Dick, Kansas guard
Gradey Dick is one of the best shooters in this draft. He shot 40 percent from deep in his one season at Kansas. He proved not only is he a spot-up threat, but he can also shoot the ball on the move and off of the dribble, which is something the Raptors sorely need. He’s also got a great personality, for what it’s worth, which is a huge need for a Raptors team that just didn’t seem to vibe that well at all during the 2022-23 season. — MS
GRADE: B+
14
New Orleans Pelicans: Jordan Hawkins, UConn guard
So long as you have Zion Williamson on your roster, you need to surround him with shooting. UConn’s Jordan Hawkins is the best movement shooter in this draft class, and he proved as much en route to winning the NCAA men’s national championship for the Huskies this year. Hawkins is a perfect fit for any offensive system and alongside Pelicans forward Trey Murphy, New Orleans suddenly has outstanding floor spacing. — BK
GRADE: A
15
Atlanta Hawks: Kobe Bufkin, Michigan guard
Kobe Bufkin’s range in this draft was anywhere from the lottery to the tail end of it, so it’s fitting that he’s going right in the middle. He came on late in the season for Michigan as the team’s offensive hub. He can play both on and off the ball and is an excellent defender at 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. If he can find a consistent jump shot, Atlanta might have a star on its hands. — MS
GRADE: A
16
Utah Jazz (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Keyonte George, Baylor guard
The Jazz reportedly really liked Baylor’s Keyonte George during the pre-draft process, and after transforming his body during the offseason to get in the best shape of his life, this pick makes a lot of sense for the Jazz. George was a promising shot creator during his one-and-done season in the NCAA and an above-average rebounder for his position. This is a solid piece to add to the rotation for a young team like Utah. — BK
GRADE: B+
17
Los Angeles Lakers: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana guard
One of the things the Lakers have prioritized as LeBron James has aged is having multiple ball handlers who can score and defend around him and Anthony Davis. Hood-Schifino fits that profile in theory. He’s still got a ways to go on defense, but having a 6-foot-10 wingspan certainly helps. His shot creation ability is up there with some of the better scorers in this draft. Though the Lakers probably needed to find themselves a wing here, this is a solid pick for L.A. — MS
GRADE: C+
18
Miami Heat: Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA forward
UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez fits the #HEATCulture they have built over the last several years. He was one of the biggest riders during the pre-draft process, and he is an NBA-ready contributor who is able to do a little bit of everything on the court. Jaquez isn’t a home-run swing, which makes sense because that’s not what Miami needed after making it to the NBA Finals. But he is the epitome of a competitor, and he is a player that is going to play in the league for a very long time. — BK
GRADE: B+
19
Golden State Warriors: Brandin Podziemski, Santa Clara guard
Brandin Podziemski is exactly the sort of player the Warriors covet. He’s an elite shooter who shot 43 percent from deep in his final season at Santa Clara. He’s also a solid passer who can read the floor off the catch and knows how to properly attack a closeout. He’s solid on the glass and is willing to get mixy when his team plays small. He’s going a bit higher than anticipated, but the Warriors get their guy here. — MS
GRADE: B
20
Houston Rockets (via LA Clippers): Cam Whitmore, Villanova forward
There are valid reasons why Cam Whitmore fell in the 2023 NBA Draft. But no matter why he fell out of the lottery, the Villanova standout was a good value at No. 20 overall for the Rockets. Whitmore and Amen Thompson are arguably the two most athletic prospects in this class, and somehow, Houston was able to select them both. Even if he doesn’t materialize into a star at the next level, this was genuinely the right call for Houston. — BK
GRADE: A-
21
Brooklyn Nets (via Phoenix Suns): Noah Clowney, Alabama forward
Noah Clowney has the tools to be an elite defender in today’s NBA. He’s a 6-foot-10 forward with a 7-foot wingspan. He’s very switchable, he can block shots and maybe even play some small-ball center if needed in Brooklyn. His jumpshot is streaky — he’ll need to figure that out if he wants to be a key piece in Brooklyn in the long run. But he’ll immediately help their defense. — MS
GRADE: B+
22
Brooklyn Nets: Dariq Whitehead, Duke guard
If any team was going to take a risk on Duke freshman Dariq Whitehead, it was always going to be the Brooklyn Nets. Earlier this offseason, Whitehead reportedly had an operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. The surgeon was Dr. Martin O’Malley, the team orthopedist for the Nets. They had access to his medical background and clearly were not concerned. Whitehead is a hometown kid from nearby in New Jersey and he has enough of a promising shooting touch that this was a good bet this late in the first round. — BK
GRADE: A-
23
Portland Trail Blazers (via New York Knicks): Kris Murray, Iowa forward
Kris Murray is one of the older players in this year’s draft, but he’s certainly one of the more skilled players as well. He doubled his scoring every single season at Iowa. After his brother, Keegan, was drafted by the Kings in 2022, the Hawkeyes relied heavily on Kris’ offense to carry them this season. He’s the exact sort of big 3-and-D wing the Trail Blazers need. — MS
GRADE: A-
24
Dallas Mavericks (via Sacramento Kings): Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Marquette forward
Olivier-Maxense Prosper was the biggest winner from the 2023 NBA Draft Combine. He drastically improved his draft stock during the pre-draft process, and he projects well as a plug-and-play option for the Mavericks, who reportedly traded for his draft rights from the Kings. O-Max contributed to winning at a high level while at Marquette and should help solve some of the defensive issues the Mavericks faced last season. — BK
GRADE: A+
25
Detroit Pistons (via Boston Celtics via Memphis Grizzlies): Marcus Sasser, Houston guard
The Celtics have reportedly traded this pick to the Pistons for the 31st overall pick in the draft. Sasser wasn’t seen as a first-round talent coming into the draft. He’s one of the smaller guards in the draft at 6-foot-1 and is older at 22 years old. But he can score with the best of them and has a solid 3-point shot off of the dribble. Detroit needs that sort of shot creation. This pick feels like a bit of a reach, but considering the Pistons didn’t give up much for it, it’s a fine move. — MS
GRADE: C+
26
Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland Cavaliers): Ben Sheppard, Belmont forward
After dominating during the 2023 NBA Draft Combine scrimmages, Belmont’s Ben Sheppard managed to play himself into the first round on draft night. Sheppared shot 41.5 percent from beyond the arc last season, and at this point in the draft, it’s smart to add someone who has a specialty skill as important as sharpshooting. He could potentially outperform his draft position this late in the first round. — BK
GRADE: B
27
Charlotte Hornets (via Denver Nuggets): Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas guard
Smith was projected to be a lottery pick at the start of his freshman season at Arkansas, but after battling injuries and seeing some inconsistent play on the court, he fell to the bottom of the draft. But the Hornets are a solid spot for him. The Hornets don’t necessarily need more help at guard, but he’ll back a bit of a microwave scoring punch off of their bench behind LaMelo Ball if he can stay healthy. — MS
GRADE: B-
28
Utah Jazz (via Philadelphia 76ers): Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State forward
There were medical concerns surrounding Brice Sensabaugh leading up to the draft, which is likely why he slipped a bit. But the Ohio State freshman was genuinely one of the most efficient three-level scorers in college basketball last season. So long as he can stay healthy, I’d expect Sensabaugh to exceed this draft position fairly comfortably. He is able to score in too many ways to not find a spot in the NBA. — BK
GRADE: B+
29
Denver Nuggets (via Indiana Pacers via Boston Celtics): Julian Strawther, Gonzaga forward
Strawther profiles as the exact sort of prospect the Nuggets love. He’s a forward with size at 6-foot-7 and a solid shooter who knows how to move without the ball. Strawther is going to struggle to find his way on the floor because of his inconsistent defense, but in a few years he could be a legitimate player for Denver’s wing rotation. — MS
GRADE: C
30
LA Clippers (via Milwaukee Bucks): Kobe Brown, Missouri forward
Although he is one of the older players who heard his name called in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, Missouri’s Kobe Brown is a tailor-made “glue guy” who can contribute positive value for the Clippers. He is a plug-and-play type of prospect who can immediately help with rotational depth for a contending team. — BK
GRADE: B+
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