Bryant West’s 2023 NBA Draft Big Board

The 2023 NBA Draft is here, and things are different in Sacramento this time around. After directing the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 16 years, Monte McNair and his front office hold the 24th, 38th, and 54th pick in the draft. Gone is the need for the Kings to draft saviors in the lottery. For the first time in nearly two decades, the Sacramento organization may just have the infrastructure, roster depth, and coaching staff in place that would allow them to be patient with all their young rookies, without the need to find an immediate contributor.

But that isn’t to say that the Kings, or any team in the back half of the first round, cannot find good role players or surprise stars who blossom early in their careers. The 2023 NBA Draft is deep. Players ranked in my 30s and 40s will go much earlier than that, and could earn meaningful roles quickly. The Kings aren’t likely to draft a player anywhere near as impactful as Keegan Murray was last season, but they’ll have a ton of options of talented players if they opt to keep their selection at 24.

Below are my KingsCentric rankings, with short write-ups for the lottery prospects, longer bios for the players in my top 30 who I think may be in the Kings range for the 24th pick, and a full list of my top 45 prospects. I think the Kings realistically could draft a player at pretty much any position, and I’ll always prioritize talent over fit, especially since my primary goal when drafting in the 20s would just be to ensure I get an NBA contributor. That said, when it comes to tie-breaking between players in the same tier, I’ll give the edge to wings and forwards given Sacramento’s ever-present, long-standing needs for wings and forwards. That means that some guards will be lower on my board than they will on Brett Huff’s Consensus Big Board (hat tip to our friends over at the beautiful new NBADraftNetwork.com).

In my opinion, the tier of players outside of the lottery—from 18 onward on my board—is the deepest, and toughest to rank group of prospects that I’ve seen. It feels to me like NBA teams and armchair scouts alike could make a real case to use a 1st round pick on any of around 40 players. If McNair snagged Sidy Cissoko or Dariq Whitehead at 24—two of my favorites in this group—I would obviously be excited. But if they selected Tristan Vukcevic or Ben Sheppard at 24, the two players who end my top 40, I’d still understand the selection. This class is that deep, and being a fan of a good team drafting in the 20s means trusting the folks who are doing more research than we are.

Note that if a player’s name is in purple, you can follow that link to a full player profile. Thanks for reading!

Tier 0

1. Victor Wembanyama, Big, Metropolitans 92, 19 years old, 7’4

The most intriguing and game-changing prospect I and most of us have ever scouted. Will enter the league as the biggest and longest player in the league, and will make full use of those physical tools on both ends of the court, but he also has the handle, driving ability, and pull-up shot of a guard. Congrats to the San Antonio fans for snagging another once-in-a-generation big man.

Tier 1

2. Scoot Henderson, Guard, G League Ignite, 19 years old, 6’2

The no-doubt No. 2 prospect in this draft class in my book. As an on-ball creator, scorer, and playmaker, he will be a near-immediate gamechanger for whoever snags him. His size is not a concern to me and I think the “tiny guards don’t make it” narrative is a weak argument given his other dominant physical tools. Bet against him at your own risk.

Tier 2

3. Amen Thompson, Guard/Wing, Overtime Elite, 20 years old, 6’7

Top-tier NBA athlete (saying that risks underselling him) who can excel in a high-paced offense and is the best passer and playmaker in the lotto. But of all the guys in the top 10, he’s the one whose biggest red flag—his shooting ability—needs to pan out in order to return this draft value.

4.  Brandon Miller, Forward, Alabama, 20 years old, 6’9

The NBA allure is obvious; at 6’9, few forwards have Millers’ combination of size, fluidity, quickness, deep shooting ability, and pre-NBA production. I do think there’s a real chance he’s not a primary scorer in the NBA, which is why he’s a tier below Henderson and ranked below Amen on my board. But he has the size and shooting touch that teams will always be happy to gamble on.

In January, Tuscaloosa police testified in court that Miller brought his then-Alabama teammate Darius Miles a gun that was used in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris. Miller and his lawyer insist that he was not aware that Miles had stored the gun in Miller’s vehicle. He was not charged or arrested. Some fans and teams may consider this a bigger factor in their evaluation of Miller than others.

Tier 3

5. Taylor Hendricks, Forward, UCF, 19 years old, 6’9

In early January, Hendricks was my favorite mid-1st round target for Sacramento… and now he’s going in the lottery. A true 3-and-D big man prospect who shot 39.4% from three, was a force protecting the rim, and switched out onto and handled a range of perimeter players. Doesn’t have a ton of on-ball creation evidence to this point, and isn’t the rebounder that many of the bigger 4s in his range are.

6. Jarace Walker, Forward/Big, Houston, 19 years old, 6’8

A power wing who has all the makings of an elite two-way role player. Walker’s defensive switchability and effort level were off the charts all season; his fluidity and quickness don’t really make sense for a 6’8, 250 lbs brickhouse. He’s somewhere on the solid-to-good range for low-post touch, secondary playmaking, and shooting touch, so his ceiling in a half-court offense is a question mark. But I’ll always bet on kids with his physicality and motor.

7. Cam Whitmore, Wing, Villanova, 18 years old, 6’6

A near-nuclear athlete with a ridiculous combo of size, power, and pop, Whitmore was a force this year in transition, attacking the basket in the half court, and on the defensive end. His assist numbers and overall decision-making process for a high-usage player scare me, but he could make my ranking here look foolish if he figures it all out.

8. Ausar Thompson, Wing, Overtime Elite, 20 years old, 6’7

Like his twin, Ausar is an elite NBA athlete, and he has everything teams would want in a wing prospect aside from a reliable, consistent jumpshot. Will find many ways to impact the game on both ends; excellent off-ball mover, secondary playmaker, and strong defensive instincts to pair with his elite toolset.

9. Cason Wallace, Guard, Kentucky, 19 years old, 6’4

My bet for the next great Kentucky guard to excel once they leave Lexington. His 3-and-D upside (emphasis on the defense), as well as his underrated playmaking ability, will make him an ideal fit on any team that already has their offensive focal point in place—I bet in a few years, he’ll be having a Jrue Holiday-ish career making key plays on both ends. That said, he went on a major cold streak from deep in the back half of Conference play, so he needs to prove that shot is real to live up to this ranking.

10. Anthony Black, Big Guard, Arkansas, 19 years old, 6’7

A big guard who can play the connector role on offense, assess the floor at top speed, destroy defenses in transition, and guard the perimeter at a high level. Also a very questionable shooter, and that deep shot needs to improve if he’s going to be either a true offensive engine or a no-knee-injury Lonzo Ball-level playmaker next to other creators.

Tier 4

11. Dereck Lively II, Big, Duke, 19 years old, 7’1

A dominant defensive prospect, both protecting the rim (2.4 blocks per game, 4.7 per 40) and on the perimeter for a big man. His size, length, quickness, and explosiveness give him great defensive range and potential as a rim running, pick-and-roll, and vertical spacing threat. While he flashed enough of a deep shot at the Combine to get us all talking about it, needs to prove he can be a consistent offensive threat before he’ll earn NBA minutes. But his defensive upside is special.

12. Leonard Miller, Forward/Big, GLeague Ignite, 19 years old, 6’10

A truly versatile defense-first big man who was great defending forwards, wings, and some bigs in the GLeague. His athleticism and fluidity are somewhat hurky-jerky, but he had truly impressive moments against a range of GLeague opponents while also being one of the best rebounders in the league. On offense, he can finish around the basket with strong touch, be a tertiary ballhandler and playmaker, and hopefully continue to improve as a shooter (shot just 30.4% from three but 79.2% from the line). Closed out the season by averaging 22.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.8 stocks per game in March for the Ignite.

13. Bilal Coulibaly, Wing, Metropolitans 92, 18 years old, 6’6

The best—and maybe riskiest, given his draft stock—upside swing at the small forward position. Combined with Wembanyama on the Metro92 squad to form a duo with an unfair combo of length and athleticism. Needs to improve his handling and driving ability, as well as prove his on- and off-ball shooting touch, which was massively inconsistent across the season. Will almost certainly be gone long before #24, but Kings fans should dream.

14. Brice Sensabaugh, Forward, Ohio State, 19 years old, 6’6

Sensabaugh was an unreal shotmaker in his lone year at Ohio State. He could play immediately for better teams as a floor spacer, but his on-ball ability to hit deep and mid-range shots regardless of how Big 10 defenses stuck to him makes me think he could be much more than a catch-and-shoot player. He suffered multiple knee injuries from high school through Ohio State, and it shows in his functional athleticism—he struggles to get to the rim and finish when he gets there. He’s also one of the more inconsistent defenders in this range and needs to prove he can be more than just a shooter. But at 6’6 and built like a linebacker, he can probably play up lineups in the NBA.

15. Jalen Hood-Schifino, Guard/Wing, Indiana, 20 years old, 6’5

A versatile combo guard with a promising ability to shoot off the bounce, attack in the pick-and-roll, and play tenacious, smart defense. Paired with Trayce Jackson-Davis exceptionally well on offense at Indiana, but absolutely needs to prove himself a reliable catch-and-shoot option (shot just a 38.1% true shooting percentage in C&S shots in the half court) to be a reliable on- and off-ball scorer at the next level.

16. Gradey Dick, Wing, Kansas, 19 years old, 6’6

An ideal off-ball shooting threat who will thrive in the NBA if paired with smart creators and playmakers. Dynamic off the catch, knows how to move off the ball to get open, can score at the basket off of cuts, and has great balance and touch on his jumper. Shot an insane 53.5% on off-the-dribble three pointers this season. Not a great NBA athlete, and teams will go at him on defense, but on a team that can help cover I think he’s a smarter defender than he gets credit for. A perfect role player for any team that needs high-end floor spacing.

17. Kobe Bufkin, Guard, Michigan, 19 years old, 6’5

A do-it-all guard who was sneakily Michigan’s best prospect long before we all caught up to the fact. Shot an insane 66.7% at the rim in the half court, and was a solid shooter both off the bounce and off the catch. He’ll need to bulk up, but he’s already a strong on- and off-ball defender. Will have to prove that he can create offense for himself at the next level, but if he’s put into a secondary creator role I think he can shine fairly quickly.

Tier 5

18. Sidy Cissoko, Wing, GLeague Ignite, 19 years old, 6’7

Playing in the GLeague against near-NBA talent on a nightly basis, Sidy’s defensive instincts and potential versatility are more than just hypewords. At 6’7 and 223 lbs, his intersection of strength and speed let him guard a range of opponents for Ignite, and he has all the tools to look for in a future defensive difference maker. Genuinely plays with more force and physicality that a majority of prospects. His questions are all on offense, and teams may not want to spend a 1st rounder on a questionable shooter (31.4% from deep, 33.3% on all catch-and-shoot shots) whose on-ball role in the half-court offense is truly a question mark. But as a role player on the Ignite, Cissoko showcased passing flare (3.6 assists per game) that few bigger wings show at his age, and his physicality could let him body up or be a pick-and-roll playmaker if teams try to stick their worst defenders on him. Selecting him is a gamble, but if the Kings are willing to toss the dice, Sidy is one of my favorite prospects in the class.

19. Dariq Whitehead, Wing, Duke, 18 years old, 6’6

An exceptional shooter who shot 42.9% from three last year on good volume, and can hit shots off the catch, off the bounce, and off balance. The gamble on Whitehead is all about upside. A year ago he was considered a lottery lock thanks to his athleticism and scoring ability, but after a foot injury in August apparently never healed right, he struggled to attack the basket or defend the perimeter at a high level. Had a second foot surgery in May to address the issue; if the team’s medical staff signs off on him, I think he could be a real steal of the draft. He won’t be the next Harry Giles because, even if his athleticism doesn’t return to Montverde Academy form, you know for sure he will be a top-notch shooter and will have a clear role moving forward.

20. Kris Murray, Forward, Iowa, 22 years old, 6’9

Forget the last name for a minute; if you just look at this kid’s production and tape, he arguably has the best combo of shooting, finishing at the rim, rebounding, defending, and overall basketball instincts of anyone in this range. He’s not the best prospect at any one of those skills, but I’m very confident he’s going to be a meaningful role player for years to come, playing at a size and position that every single team (Kings very much included) always need depth at. But none of this matters, as I’m still irrationally confident he’s getting drafted at #17 (Lakers) or #19 (Warriors). We talked about him too much all season and the basketball gods love mocking us.

21. Noah Clowney, Big, Alabama, 18 years old, 6’10

The biggest (literally) upside swing for me in this draft class. Clowney is the prospect equivalent of Schrodinger’s Unicorn—he can maybe shoot, maybe threaten as a pick-and-roll and vertical threat, maybe protect the basket, and maybe guard out to the perimeter against smaller players. But teams will have to trust in their ability to turn as many of those maybes into yeses as possible; he could be a true two-way force, but those are a lot of swing skills that will likely keep him as a developmental project for multiple years. Given Sacramento’s needs for a floor spacing, defense-first big man, he seems an ideal gamble.

22. Jordan Hawkins, Wing, UConn, 21 years old, 6’5

A dynamic deep shooter and a very promising off-ball threat, Hawkins was the 2nd leading scorer for the Huskies’ title run. His catch-and-shoot shot is absurdly quick and rhythmic, and he knows how to get himself open when playing off good passers. Contends with Whitehead and Gradey (and arguably Brandin Podziemski) for best shooter in the 1st round. While he’s a fluid and quick athlete, his on-ball creation in the half court, both as a driver (47.6% shooting at the rim) and as a pull-up shooter (33%), is a work in progress. While he’s a high-effort defender, at 6’5 and 186 lbs at the combine, NBA teams will absolutely hunt him on defense until he does something about it.

23. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Wing/Forward, Marquette, 20 years old, 6’8

OMax (his officially approved nickname) exploded at the Draft Combine, and his energy and defensive tenacity will make him a fan favorite anywhere. He’s got the toolset—great length, size, quickness, and fluidity—to be a true switchable defender. And, most importantly, he’s locked in on defense every possession (even if he does so like he’s a wacky inflatable arm flailing tube man). He’s a member of the questionable-shot club (33.9% from deep, 33.6% on catch-and-shoot shots, 73.5% from the line), and while he was great at the rim as an off-ball, cutting threat, I’m less sure of his versatility in a half-court offense than some of the guys above him. All of his perimeter defensive efforts did pull him away from the glass, but if his future team wants him to play as a power wing moving forward, he needs to prove that he can rebound at a high level (just 6.4 per 40 minutes on a team that was 318th in the nation for rebounds).

24. Nick Smith Jr., Guard, Arkansas, 19 years old, 6’5

A multi-level scoring guard—although with way more focus in the mid-range—who wants to light it up at every opportunity. A master with wonky runners and floaters. If he continues to improve as a playmaker, he could be a sneaky secondary initiator given his size. Fought through a knee injury that cost him almost two months of action and plenty of prep-time, so some smart team might gamble that he’d have stuck around in the lottery if he’d been healthy all year.

25. Maxwell Lewis, Wing, Pepperdine, 20 years old, 6’7

A promising on- and off-ball shooter whose efficiencies—and effort and consistency on defense—came and went throughout his last season at Pepperdine. He shot 43.1% on catch-and-shoot shots, which gives him a clear role early while the rest of his offensive responsibilities ramp up. He improved his dribble drive game and willingness to attack the basket later into the season. Needs to prove he can be a consistent player on both ends, especially on defense. He has the physical tools to be a three-level scorer and a solid defender if he lands with the right, patient, organization.

26. Keyonte George, Guard, Baylor, 19 years old, 6’5

This will probably be one of those rankings I regret in a few years, because George has the scoring ability to be a big-time baller. He’s a dangerous pull-up shooter and can beat defenders off the bounce in a bunch of different ways. But his efficiency (especially from deep) over the whole of the season, even as a freshman working as the primary offensive option for a Big 12 team, was worrying – as is his playmaking and decision making consistency. Will be fascinated to see how his offense scales up in the NBA.

27. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Big, Indiana, 23 years old, 6’9

One of the best players in college over the past few years, Jackson-Davis took it to a new level this year as the best scorer, rebounder, play-maker, and rim-protector for the Hoosiers. Will need to adapt his low-post-centric game from college into a new role in the NBA, but he’s an excellent athlete who could thrive as a vertical/pick-and-roll threat while also keeping the offense running as a backup, small-ball 5. But it’s also fair to wonder at the value of using a 1st round pick on a playmaking big man who lacks the size—and unfortunately, the jump shot—to fall back on if offenses start daring him to be an on-ball creator. The Kings seem to gravitate towards smart, high-instinct players, a label Jackson-Davis absolutely deserves.

28. Colby Jones, Wing, Xavier, 21 years old, 6’6

Jones is a two-way floor riser who will fit on any good team. Jones had an excellent balance between scorer and playmaker for an offensively-balanced Xavier team, and had a massive jump in deep shot and catch-and-shoot shot success this year. He’s also a quick, tough defender who handled a range of guards and forwards, and always has his head up looking to jump passing lanes. His on-ball creation is a concern, but as a role player Jones will help any team that snags him. Will end up a more meaningful NBA player than some of the gambles I have ranked above him.

29. Jett Howard, Wing, Michigan, 19 years old, 6’8

The allure for Howard is obvious; Howard is one of the smoother shot makers in the class, and plays at an elusive size for his quick, effortless shooting stroke. Will be a danger immediately in the NBA off the catch and off the bounce (given space). Solid passer who can keep the offense flowing when he wants too. I’m much less confident in the rest of his game; his shot selection was worrying across the games I watched, his underwhelming athleticism and drive game may keep him from being a real threat on close-outs, and he got hunted on defense in college to the point where I’m not sure who he guards at the NBA level. If a playoff team bets that they can help him find a defensive role, he could make this ranking look absurd very quickly – especially if said team is in Sacramento and loves to add smooth, tall shooters.

30. Julian Strawther, Wing, Gonzaga, 21 years old, 6’6

Gonzaga’s latest dynamic shooting prospect who shot 40.8% from deep and a wicked 44.5% on catch-and-shoot shots. Not the most intimidating driver and needs to improve his pull-up game, but he does have a nasty floater shot when he gets into the paint. Good size for his role, but not a great NBA-level athlete. He’s not consistent on the defensive end, but I’m not sure why that’s hurting his draft stock more than it has for other Bulldog shooters in the past.

31. Rayan Rupert, Wing, New Zealand Breakers, 19 years old, 6’7

32. Brandin Podziemski, Guard/Wing, Santa Clara, 20 years old, 6’5

33. Marcus Sasser, Guard, Houston, 22 years old, 6’2

34. Jamie Jaquez Jr., Wing, UCLA, 22 years old, 6’6

35. Julian Phillips, Wing, Tennessee, 19 years old, 6’8

36. Jordan Walsh, Wing, Arkansas, 19 years old, 6’7

37. James Nnaji, Center, Barcelona, 18 years old, 6’11

38. Kobe Brown, Forward, Missouri, 23 years old, 6’7

39. Andre Jackson, Wing, UConn, 21 years old, 6’6

40. Ben Sheppard, Wing, Belmont, 21 years old, 6’6

41. Tristan Vukcevic, Center, KK Partizan (Serbia), 20 years old, 6’11

42. Amari Bailey, Guard, UCLA, 19 years old, 6’4

43. Emoni Bates, Wing, Eastern Michigan, 19 years old, 6’9

44. G.G. Jackson, Forward, South Carolina, 18 years old, 6’8

45. Jalen Wilson, Forward, Kansas, 22 years old, 6’6