The 2023 NBA draft is finally approaching on Thursday, June 22. Many Portland Trail Blazers fans have been looking forward to the draft since the organization shut down Damian Lillard toward the end of the regular season.
Most of the focus is on what the Blazers decide to do with their No. 3 overall selection and whether or not they ultimately decide to keep or trade the pick.
Regardless of which team makes the selection, the player is somewhat solidified, likely being either Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson. However, the Blazers’ No. 23 overall pick, which they received from the New York Knicks in February’s Josh Hart trade, could go in various directions.
What Portland decides to do with the No. 3 overall pick could also dictate what it does with the No. 23 selection.
For example, if they choose to trade the No. 3 pick to go all-in with Lillard in an attempt to contend for a championship, an NBA-ready type player who is more developed would make more sense at No. 23.
If the Blazers keep their pick at No. 3, then they could be more patient with the development of their pick No. 23 prospect and swing for someone who is more raw with higher upside.
Some intriguing prospects are projected to be available at No. 23 that could help fill some positional needs and weaknesses. Here is a compilation of recent mock drafts from various sites for the No. 23 pick.
Yahoo Sports: Kris Murray, Iowa, Forward
Kris Murray is a 6-foot-8 junior from the University of Iowa. He’s the brother of Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, who had an extremely productive rookie season after being selected No. 4 in last year’s draft.
Kris had a breakout junior season, averaging 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game on 48/34/73 shooting splits. At 22 years old, he’s already more developed than other prospects entering this year’s draft, with his stats reflecting his well-balanced game.
Yahoo Sports’ Krysten Peek wrote: “The Iowa forward showed a lot of improvement over the last two seasons and capped off his junior year with first-team All-Big Ten honors. His defense is what separates him from other forwards in this draft class, being able to guard multiple positions.”
Murray could be an excellent fit for Portland, given his NBA readiness and two-way game.
Bleacher Report: Maxwell Lewis, Pepperdine, Forward
Lewis is a 6-7 forward from Pepperdine. In his sophomore season, Lewis averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game on 47/35/79 shooting splits.
Here’s what Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman had to say regarding Lewis: “Scouts have been trying to weigh Lewis’ NBA physical profile, three-level shot-making and enticing creation flashes versus Pepperdine’s 9-22 record and the sophomore’s inconsistent defense against lower-level competition. He should ultimately look enticing in a workout setting with the body of a wing and the shooting versatility to hit different types of jumpers from all over. ”
Lewis has a similar skill set to Cam Reddish, a restricted free agent that could cost around $8 million a year to retain. As a result, one option here would be to let Reddish walk and draft his cheaper replacement in Lewis.
Lewis’ length and scoring ability are certainly intriguing, but what Wasserman mentioned regarding his inconsistent defense is concerning. Portland needs help defensively and should be convinced about his potential as a two-way wing if they decide to go this route.
The Ringer: Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Marquette, Forward
Prosper averaged 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game on 51/34/74 shooting splits during his junior season at Marquette. He played his freshman year at Clemson before transferring.
Prosper’s draft stock received a boost following his impressive NBA draft combine performance and is someone who could continue to rise in the upcoming weeks before the draft.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor wrote: “Bolstering the wing and forward spots with someone like O-Max should be a priority for the Blazers, regardless of what they do with their lottery pick.”
His comparison for Prosper is “shades of PJ Tucker” as a “disruptive defender.” That sounds like someone Portland could use, both from a positional and a strength standpoint. At 6-8 with a 7-foot-1 wing span, Prosper could add much-needed length, athleticism, and defensive versatility.
Prosper could be the glue-guy role player this Blazers team has been missing; he does the intangibles associated with winning basketball. While Prosper doesn’t project to be an elite scorer at the next level, Portland already has enough scoring. He’s a respectable enough spot-up shooter to be a threat and space the floor.
If Portland re-signs restricted free agent Matisse Thybulle and pairs him alongside a defensive-minded prospect like Prosper, they could form an intriguing defense with size and versatility at the wings.
He’s a pick that could reshape the team’s identity.
CBS Sports Mock No. 1: Dariq Whitehead, Duke, Forward
Dariq Whitehead was among the top college recruits in the class of 2022 and was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year as a high school senior. During his freshman year at Duke, Whitehead averaged 8.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.8 steals per game on 41/41/89 shooting splits.
Although his numbers at Duke weren’t overly impressive, Whitehead still flashes the upside that made him a top recruit. He utilizes his 6-7 frame and elite shooting to score, which should translate well to the next level.
The main question surrounding Whitehead will be his injury history, as he recently had his second foot surgery. He’s “expected to be fully recovered for the start of NBA training camp,” according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
However, that still has to be a concern for most teams heading into the draft regarding Whitehead’s agility, ability to defend, and the chance of recurrence.
CBS Sports analyst Kyle Boone wrote: “Whitehead had a topsy-turvy season at Duke and didn’t quite live up to expectations as a five-star, consensus top-five recruit, in part because of injuries and inconsistencies that resulted from that.”
If Whitehead is still available at pick No. 23, he certainly could warrant the pick as a high-risk, high-reward prospect.
CBS Sports Mock No. 2: Kris Murray, Iowa, Forward
Of the five NBA mock drafts listed, Murray is the only player listed on two sites as the Blazers projected pick at No. 23.
Portland is rumored to be going all-in around Lillard this season, meaning if they make a selection at No. 23, it would likely be for someone that is NBA-ready. Murray would also fill the Blazers’ most dire positional need as a two-way wing.
The Blazers have been lacking two areas: positional size and two-way versatility at the wing. Because of this, Murray could make a lot of sense for the Blazers here.
Second CBS Sports analyst Gary Parrish mentioned, “Much like his brother who plays for the Kings, Murray projects as a combo forward who can stretch the floor on offense and guard multiple positions on defense. ”
The main concern isn’t Murray’s talent or fit with Portland’s roster; it’s whether or not he’ll be available at pick No. 23, given his skill set and NBA readiness.