Best Picks of the 2023 NBA Draft

Prior to free agency starting, I thought I would share my favorite picks from the 2023 NBA Draft. I chose these players because of the current skills they have and the situation they will be in over the next NBA season.

Charlotte Hornets - Round 1, Pick 2: Brandon Miller

Everyone knew Victor Wembanyama would be the first pick, so the draft really started at pick 2 when the Hornets had to decide between selecting Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson. Miller was definitely the right pick as he will be a better fit alongside LaMelo Ball. Miller's shooting ability will help spread the floor, and the Hornets can even put the ball in his hands at times when they need to get a bucket. His playmaking skills will also take pressure off LaMelo as the primary ball handler and allow the team to run off-ball action for him to get good catch-and-shoot opportunities. Additionally, the Hornets' wings were plagued with injuries this year, so selecting someone who can play minutes at the small forward position helps strengthen that position group.

Toronto Raptors - Round 1, Pick 13: Gradey Dick

The Raptors are in the middle of an interesting off-season. We may be looking at an entirely new Raptors team in a year - it seems like Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby have been in trade talks since the middle of last season. In my opinion, I think Gradey Dick was the most talented player on the board, so Toronto did a good job in taking him. Gradey is a pure shooter with perfect form and has a great feel for the game. He immediately helps the Raptors get better at something they struggled with last season - perimeter shooting. The Raptors were amongst the league's worst teams in three-point shooting percentage (28th). Shooting 40% from the three-point line on nearly six attempts per game, Dick will immediately help the Raptors on the offensive end of the floor. Gradey Dick has all the tools to become one of the league's premier scorers, and I think when we look back at this 2023 draft, he will be a top-five player in his class.

Miami Heat - Round 1, Pick 18: Jaime Jaquez Jr.

After the Miami Heat's NBA Finals run, the Heat came into the draft looking for a player who would embrace their culture and help them win now. Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been competing at a very high level over his collegiate career by being the best player on a successful UCLA team. He defends well and shows great hustle on the court - what more could Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra want in a player? Jaquez just has to work on his three-point shooting if he wants to have a good, long career in this league. He is a part of the right organization and has the talent and dedication to build long-lasting skills as a player. If Jaquez can prove to consistently knock down jump shots from behind the arc and be a pivotal role player, this will be one of the steals of this NBA Draft.

Portland Trail Blazers - Round 1, Pick 23: Kris Murray

With all of this uncertainty surrounding Damian Lillard, the Trail Blazers must commit to a direction for the organization. The team needs to decide if they will trade Lillard and start rebuilding or stay competitive and strengthen their current roster. Whichever route the franchise takes, Kris Murray was a phenomenal pick in the late first round. Murray has played vastly different roles throughout his three years at Iowa. Over his collegiate career, he went from not being in the rotation to becoming a key bench player, then playing as the number one option. In the case that Lillard wants to stay in Portland, Murray can be a solid role player and help create space given his ability to knock down catch-and-shoot three-pointers. On the other hand, if the team goes into a rebuild, he can spread his wings more offensively and get more minutes on a young team. Given his shooting and rebounding abilities, Murray will prove to be a good professional who excels in his role.