The dust is just settling, the first-round grades have been handed out, the undrafted free agents are already getting inked, and we’re now getting to see the results of the 2023 NBA Draft, which didn’t have a ton of surprises (more on that in a minute) but was fun nonetheless.
So, as you’re probably wondering: Who won and lost from the event we all love to dissect the day after and beyond?
Great question. We have answers.
Let’s run through some teams, players and others who landed on either end of that question, starting with the Captain Obvious pick for a winner:
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Winner: San Antonio Spurs
WHOA HUGE SURPRISE AT NO. 1 WOW.
I kid. We knew it was coming, but to get a once-in-a-generation talent means you land on the winners list. That said, grabbing Sidy Cissoko in the second round was a great pick too.
Winner: Dallas Mavericks
A big night for making Luka Doncic happy, which is priority No. 1 this offseason. Not only did they trade down to get big man Dereck Lively to help defense in the paint — something the Mavs DESPERATELY need — but they got rid of Davis Bertans’ salary in the process. Then? They acquired Richaun Holmes from the Kings and drafted Olivier-Maxence Prosper, another set of moves I really like for depth on a team that needs it.
Winner: Portland Trail Blazers
OK, so: The Blazers are at a bit of a fork in the road, right? Either they go with a youth movement and trade Damian Lillard, or they shove all-in and deal some of their kids to help Dame right away.
But when Scoot Henderson, who might be the second-best player in the draft, drops to you at third, that makes you a winner. The Kris Murray and Rayan Rupert picks were also pretty great.
All in all: Whatever direction the Blazers decide to go in, they’re set up for success.
Winner: Non-college talent
Overtime Elite got its first-ever picks in the Thompson twins. G League Ignite saw four players taken on Thursday. Three French players went.
Losers: Fans who like trades
Fine, fine. There was the Chris Paul trade and the chaos of Kristaps Porzingis finally going to the Celtics. But other than a few minor moves during the actual draft, it was mostly a snoozer after those big ones. Yawn.
Loser: Cam Whitmore
The Villanova player had a rough lead-up to the draft, with medical questions and workout struggles. So he dropped all the way from a possible top-10 pick to No. 20, where the rebuilding Rockets smartly scooped him up.
That’s the positive news here! He could use the slide as motivation and whatever concerns there were come with no pressure now that he’s a pro.
Loser: Draft hats on players who got traded
Just a perpetual complaint. Can we do something about this, like with Jarace Walker having to wear a Wizards hat when he’s going to be a Pacer? Thanks.
I can't decide: Washington Wizards
They didn’t get the best of returns for Bradley Beal. They did turn Chris Paul into Jordan Poole, a player with a big contract but motivation to flip the script from a rough year by the Bay. And Bilal Coulibaly COULD turn out to be a player that was worth trading up one pick for.
It’s just hard to say if that means this rebuild started off right. Maybe it’s just nice to see the team tanking after years of staying in the middle.
