Winners and Losers of the 2023 NBA Draft
Unveiling the Future: Triumphs and Trials of the 2023 NBA Draft
The night we've all been waiting for for months has finally come and gone, with some as winners and others as losers.
The night started out uneventful, with the Top 5 picks going accordingly before the night sprung with action. After the Anthony Black pick had been decided, chaos began. Rattling off selections that included trades revolving around teams such as the Pacers, Wizards, Jazz, Thunder, Magic, Mavs, Raptors, and Pels before the lottery concluded with lots of talent still on the board.
Let's break down the winners and the losers of the Draft:
Winners
San Antonio Spurs
For obvious reasons, the Spurs are an absolute must as a winner of this Draft. To come out of the 2023 Draft with Wembanyama, you guarantee you will win a championship in the next 15-20 years barring injuries. Wembanyama from Day 1 is not only your franchise player down in San Antonio, but he also has a great case to be the face of the league once LeBron James retires. That would make me ecstatic if I was a Spurs fan.
As for Wembanyama's fit alongside the current roster, he fits in really nicely. 2022 First-Rounder Jeremy Sochan is a nice pairing to Wemby, bringing his toughness and defensive versatility. Although I think the Spurs should get rid of Keldon Johnson, he's there for the time being, and you got to continue to build with him, Vassell, and Branham, in addition to Wemby and Sochan. That's a nice core right there, but the Spurs Front Office must be careful and properly navigate the rebuild. I would suggest taking a little time. There's no need to accelerate the rebuild at this point. Although all of that could change depending on how dominant Wembanyana is in his Rookie Season. I expect around 25 PPG from him, so we'll see how it plays out.
Lastly, I can't go without mentioning one of my favorite prospects of this cycle in Sidy Cissoko. Sidy brings defensive versatility standing at 6'6" with a chiseled frame, leaving me with thoughts of a Lu Dort-esque upside with him. Last year, the Spurs were the worst defensive team in the league. Last night, the Spurs improved tremendously on that end and have an extremely bright future ahead of themselves with multiple championships in the cards.
Utah Jazz
Danny Ainge provided a masterclass on drafting with this Draft class. Taylor Hendricks at #9 gives Ainge a perfect forward pairing with Hendricks and Markennen, as Hendricks provides the defensive contrast to Lauri's offense. Keyonte George at #16 is an interesting pick, to say the least. Although I'm not the biggest believer in George's shot selection, I will admit there is talent there, and I do consider him a part of the "winner" section because he's going to get lots of playing time from Day 1, considering the Jazz's backcourt at the moment. Lastly, Ainge took Sensabaugh, the best scorer in the Draft to cap it off. That could end up being the biggest steal of the Draft, considering Sensabaugh's lottery type of talent and upside, which could end up taking him far in the league.
The fit for these young guys is intriguing alongside what the Jazz already have. Markennen and Walker Kessler are the main pieces, and adding George, Sensabaugh, and Hendricks to them only increases my belief that the Jazz have a bright future ahead.
The Jazz are also interesting for this upcoming season, as I don't believe Lauri will make it past the Trade Deadline. It makes sense for Ainge to sell high, considering he bought low from the Donovan Mitchell trade. Get what you can get and build for the future alongside the guys mentioned above while continuing to build off of the picks from Cleveland and Minnesota in addition to your own. Also, don't forget to get a true Lead Guard next year! Maybe a Stephon Castle? Be on the lookout for a 2024 look ahead article soon!
P.S. ⬇️
I want to give a quick shout to the Pacers too. Phenomenal Draft in my opinion. Jarace Walker was in the cards all along but to add Ben Sheppard as well is a perfect complement to Ben Mathurin and Tyrese Haliburton. This turnaround is happening a lot faster than some expected. I expect them to be competing for a slot in the play-in this year. Exciting years are ahead Pacers fans!
Losers
Damian Lillard
It's time. The Damian Lillard era in Portland is officially coming to a close after 11 seasons. Lillard was adamant that he wanted to see the #3 pick traded for players that helped them try and content, but instead, they drafted his replacement. And for a good reason, Scoot Henderson has tremendous upside being a lead guard alongside Shaedon Sharpe, who, in my opinion, has a Hall of Fame career ahead of him.
Lillard will reportedly stall until free agency before making a decision regarding his future. While Lillard's unwavering loyalty is admirable, he has to decide if he wants to win championships or not, and no matter which way you spin it, it's not happening in Portland. I expect Miami and some of the teams in the Northeast to be players, such as Boston, Philly, and New York.
The Damian Lillard saga will unfold all over your TV screens for the next few weeks, so get ready for lots of fun trade rumors!
Cam Whitmore
Whitmore is undoubtedly a loser in this Draft, but all it does is add a massive chip on his shoulder going into the league. Whitmore's fall was unmatched in this class, falling from a potential Top 5 pick to being taken 20th by Ime Udoka's Rockets. Losing that type of money in the span of an hour, give or take, is heartbreaking, but Whitmore is more than ready for the league, and he'll definitely be out to prove something against all of the teams that passed on him.
Whitmore's lack of focus and medical red flags were the primary reason for his fall. It was said numerous times by Jonathan Givony that Whimore's effort and focus in individual workouts, combined with poor interviews, led teams to believe he wasn't the player they once thought he was.
Despite all this, Whitmore has an NBA-ready frame to go along with improving shot creation, phenomenal athleticism, and good finishing. It'll be exciting to see what he accomplishes in this league going forward and how he plans to make teams regret passing on him.
Wrap-Up
The dust has settled after the much-anticipated 2023 NBA Draft, leaving us with a mix of winners and losers and enough drama to keep fans buzzing. Among the winners, the San Antonio Spurs stand tall, flashing a mischievous grin as they walk away with the crown jewel of the Draft, Wembanyama. It's a move that guarantees a championship reign in the next couple of decades, barring any cruel twists of fate. Spurs fans, rejoice! You've got yourselves a franchise player who might just become the face of the league once King James hangs it up. The Spurs' front office must be doing cartwheels of joy, as they've not only found their centerpiece but also added defensive versatility with Lu Dort-esque Sidy Cissoko. The future looks bright in San Antonio, and multiple championships seem within reach.
On the flip side, we have the Portland Trail Blazers and their beloved Damian Lillard, who find themselves on the losing end of the draft night roller coaster. Despite Lillard's vocal desire for win-now moves, the Blazers opted to select his potential successor, Scoot Henderson, leaving Dame feeling a tad bit betrayed. The clock is ticking, and the Lillard era in Portland appears to be coming to an end after a remarkable 11 seasons. As trade rumors swirl like wildfire, Lillard faces a monumental decision: prioritize loyalty or chase championships elsewhere. Brace yourselves for an exciting saga that will dominate the headlines in the coming weeks. Miami, Boston, Philly, and New York—get ready to roll out the red carpet because Dame Time might be coming to your town.
With the winners basking in their victories and the losers licking their wounds, the 2023 NBA Draft has left us with no shortage of storylines. The league's landscape has shifted, and the repercussions will echo throughout the years to come. As fans, we buckle up and eagerly await the next chapter of this thrilling basketball tale.