2023 NBA Draft: Writers mock the top-5 picks after one Tankathon spin (2024)

— James L. Edwards III, Kelly Iko, Eric Koreen, Josh Robbins

For another three weeks, 14 NBA fan bases can keep dreaming.

Victor Wembanyama can still be yours, Dallas. He can be yours, Orlando. Detroit? Yep. Wembanyama can still belong to you, New Orleans.

The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is May 16, and that’s when the basketball world will learn which organization is blessed by Lady Luck with the opportunity to draft one of the most hyped prospects over the last 20 years.

Until that’s set in stone, though, there are possibilities. And we’re going to explore those.

The Athletic did one Tankathon spin to determine the top five of the 2023 draft, and then asked writers to make a selection. Ages listed below are as of draft night (June 22).

Let’s get into it:

1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama | 7-4 center | 19 years old | Metropolitans 92

Start coloring the River Walk blue, white and red, San Antonio.

Landing Wembanyama potentially sets up the legendary franchise for another 15-plus years of success. Wembanyama has the possibility to be Tim Duncan 2.0 in regards to how his presence catapults the organization. Maybe we see Gregg Popovich coach another 20 years in this scenario.

No one else will go No. 1. Wembanyama has the size and skills to single-handily turn a franchise around if health and physical development work in his favor. He can create off the dribble, can be an elite pick-and-pop or pick-and-roll threat, can defend the rim and in space. Now, what he’s shown in Europe won’t necessarily translate to the NBA, but the possibilities of what he can be if all breaks right are too much for any organization to pass up.

Wembanyama is the pick here, and it’ll be called in as soon as the draft order is decided. — James L. Edwards III

2. Washington Wizards: Scoot Henderson | 6-2 lead guard | 19 years old | G League Ignite

If the Wizards were to jump up to the second spot, the delirious cheers out of the DMV region might build to such heights that they would register on the Richter scale. Faced with a choice between G League Ignite point guard Scott Henderson and Alabama wing Brandon Miller, which might not be an easy choice within some front offices, as The Athletic’s NBA Draft expert Sam Vecenie has written, I believe the Wizards would go with Henderson. Henderson would give Washington the long-term answer at point guard it has so desperately needed since injuries derailed John Wall’s career — someone who, as Vecenie also has written, figures to be “an instant impact player” projected as a “potential All-NBA guard down the road.”

Arguably more interesting than whom the Wizards would draft at No. 2, would be the impact this would have on the team’s roster-construction strategy. Would Tommy Sheppard’s successor and team owner Ted Leonsis determine that, with Henderson onboard, a roster teardown would not be necessary? — Josh Robbins

3. Toronto Raptors: Brandon Miller | 6-9 wing | 20 years old | Alabama

The most consistent organization in the Eastern Conference continues to roll. That’s 10 straight years the Raptors have either made the playoffs or moved up in the lottery. Beat that, Celtics, Bucks and Heat! The Raptors would obviously need to do a lot of due diligence on this pick, the scope of which cannot be fully encapsulated in a blurb like this one. Assuming the Raptors are ultimately OK with Miller, he makes the most sense. Sure, he’s another 6-foot-9 wing, but Miller comes in with a proven jumper. The other consideration, Amen Thompson, seems like he would clash with Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes. Miller starts off as a floor-spacer with some more juice and slowly takes a bigger playmaking role as the reps become available in Toronto.

(Low key, the Raptors might engage in some light discussions with Washington for the No. 2 pick and Henderson.) — Eric Koreen

4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson | 6-7 lead guard | 20 years old | Overtime Elite

On paper — and if the Rockets were in Year 1 or 2 of their rebuild with Jalen Green already in tow — taking Thompson makes a ton of sense at No. 4.

He’s arguably the most explosive athlete in his class, and pairing that with Green would give the Rockets quite the powerful backcourt combo. The potential in the open court and on the break for a team that wants to play fast would be dizzying, especially considering Thompson’s penchant for attacking the glass at 6-foot-7. He’s also a smart passer of the ball and understands how to move through his reads and progressions. Defensively, he’s shown enough to be impactful with some tweaks and adjustments. There are concerns about his shot-making ability at the next level, but let’s not act like Houston’s roster is brimming with elite shooting.

In this scenario, if we’re being honest, the Rockets are picking fourth means they’ve known their fate for a while — which means they already started making calls weeks ago shopping it. Maybe there’s a funky three-team package that gets the No.4 pick, future firsts and players to Portland, Damian Lillard and picks to Boston and Jaylen Brown to Houston? — Kelly Iko

5. Detroit Pistons: Jarace Walker | 6-8 forward | 19 years old | Houston

Sheesh. This outcome would be a heartbreaker for an organization that nearly finished the season with the least amount of wins in franchise history. Not being able to pair Wembanyama, Henderson nor Miller with Detroit’s very-promising 22-and-under core would be a tough pill for a lot of people to swallow given the odds to pick in the top three.

However, it is a lottery, and the Pistons will (and have been) preparing for all outcomes.

I think there’s a real possibility Detroit would look to trade the No. 5 pick if that’s where it landed. Would I bet money on it? No. However, the organization may be more interested in getting a more-proven commodity and/or move a contract (and get a later pick) over selecting at No. 5. (Maybe there’s a DeAndre Hunter trade the Pistons could work out with Atlanta, assuming the Hawks consider shaking things up.)

If Detroit does keep the pick, I think it goes with Walker, who is the best player on the board and fits what the Pistons want to be about culturally. He defends, can play across the frontcourt, put the ball on the floor and has potential shooting chops at the NBA level. There’s a little bit of a crossover with Isaiah Stewart, but you can’t go wrong with multiple guys like that on your basketball team.

It is possible the Pistons shy away from adding another young frontcourt prospect (which is why I think they trade the pick) and look to address a hole on the wing in the draft.

Ultimately, though, I think Detroit doesn’t select at No. 5 for itself if this scenario becomes reality. — James L. Edwards III

(Photo of Scoot Henderson: Adam Hagy / NBAE via Getty Images)