Draft Recap: 2023

Heading into the 2023 NBA draft, there were three clear prizes: Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jabari Smith Jr., with a drop off afterwards. What would the SlamNation owners make of these rookies? [ 2023 Draft Order  | 2023 RD1 Grades ]

Winning the Toilet Bowl in a year with no clear cut number one pick meant CHMK had to take a gamble and they decided to roll the dice on Jabari Smith Jr., who projects as an incredible two-way player who lands in Houston with plenty of playing time ahead. Still it was a bit of a surprise to see CHMK go this direction, as Paolo Banchero was the NBA’s top selection.

SPDE wasted no time pouncing on Chet Holmgren, who already feels like a Spade, with one year of injury under his belt, before he even hits the floor! That meant Toilet Bowl runner-up ILCN fell into Banchero at number three overall, which could perhaps be another Luka moment if Banchero turns out to be the All-Pro out of the bunch.

The first round was light on rookies actually, with only Keegan Murray (TRUO, RD1.4), Jaden Ivey (FOBS, RD1.6), and Benedict Mathurin (ABCX, RD1.13) joining the party. Rookie Tari Eason was the first pick of round two by SQSQ.

BUFF took high-value Collin Sexton (RD1.5) as the first non-rookie and youngish previous keepers like Kevin Porter Jr. (MELO), D’Angelo Russell (KSKT), and RJ Barrett (TRUO) came off the board in the first half of round one as well.

Let’s take a look at some quick team draft highlights—and lowlights?

• FJUB is going for more win-now, as PJ Washington, Gary Trent Jr., Kelly Olynyk, De’Anthony Melton, Brook Lopez, and TJ McConnell should all be useful rotation players.

• FUNK only had four picks, with none in the first three rounds.

• FOBS enjoyed two first rounders and seven overall picks, grabbing Ivey, Jalen Smith, and Luguentz Dort early.

• SWMP filled out their starting lineup with Marcus Smart and Monte Morris, and then moved to grab super youngsters Aleksej Pokusevski and Joshua Primo.

• MELO got some sneaky great picks in Kevin Porter Jr., Malcolm Brogdon (RD2.16), Lonzo Ball, Chris Duarte, and Norman Powell.

• KSKT had an enviable nine total picks, and their scouting department worked hard, nabbing rookies Jalen Williams (RD5.5), Shaedon Sharpe (RD5.12), and Jeremy Sochan (RD6.12) with their extra picks. Their two first rounders were D’Angelo Russell and Buddy Hield, who should bolster their roster significantly.

• ABCX likely got a steal in rookie Bennedict Mathurin, but they also scooped up RD5.10 Kevin Love, who turned in a very useful season last year.

• BUFF took all the keeper-esque leftovers he could get his hands on in Sexton, Tobias Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Steven Adams. Roger also took a spin on Miles Bridges…shame shame!

• SOUR had an outstanding draft, with Herb Jones, Josh Hart, Isaiah Stewart, rookie Jalen Duren, and Cam Reddish.

• SPDE took two Isaiahs—Jackson (RD3.2) and Hartenstein (RD5.2)

• ILCN got not only Paolo Banchero, but fellow rookie Walker Kessler (RD3.11) and then took injury fliers on Jonathan Isaac, De’Andre Hunter, and Patrick Williams as well.

• SCRM is looking for a win-now composition, as they took Jakob Poeltl, Gordon Hayward, Cam Johnson, Jordan Clarkson, and Aaron Gordon. That’s quite the bench mob!