2023 NBA Draft

Community Shootaround: Best Potential Landing Spot For Wembanyama

There were more than 200 NBA scouts and executives in attendance on Tuesday to watch the projected top two picks in the 2023 draft square off, as Victor Wembanyama and French club Metropolitans 92 faced Scoot Henderson and the G League Ignite, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.

Henderson, widely viewed as the second-best prospect in next year’s draft class, lived up to that billing, racking up 28 points to go along with nine assists and five rebounds. He led the Ignite to a 122-115 victory.

But it was Wembanyama who stole the show, even in a losing cause. The 7’3″ Frenchman poured in 37 points on just 20 field goal attempts, knocking down seven three-pointers and blocking five shots. According to Matt Williams of ESPN (Twitter link), only one player in NBA history has ever made seven threes and blocked five shots in a single game before — Danny Green did it in a triple-overtime game in 2014.

Wembanyama admitted after Tuesday’s game that the longer G League quarters affected his stamina, but his incredible performance showed why he’s considered one of the best NBA prospects in years.

“He was amazing,” Metropolitans 92 coach Vincent Collet said, per Myron Medcalf of ESPN. “What he can do with his size, his agility, mobility, not only his ability to shoot the three, moving very well. He even made a couple of very good passes. I think he (had) a real good game but he also will learn from the first half. He has to fight more because he knows to expect that kind of aggressive defense.”

As Jeremy Woo of SI.com writes, after Tuesday’s game, the idea of tanking for a shot at Wembanyama may look even more appealing to a handful of the NBA teams likely headed for a lottery spot this season.

As we outlined when we conducted our over/under polls last month, the Thunder, Pacers, Spurs, Rockets, Jazz, and Magic are projected to be the NBA’s bottom-feeders in 2022/23. But even the league’s very worst team will only have a 14% shot at the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery, so a number of clubs will be in play for Wembanyama.

In the wake of Tuesday’s impressive showcase, we want to know what you think. Which lottery-bound team would be the best landing spot for Wembanyama?

You can interpret that question in any way you like — there are, of course, certain teams that might be more ideal for the big man’s development, while certain landing spots would just be flat-out entertaining. For instance, as Tom Ziller notes on his Substack, if the Lakers’ 2023 first-round pick lands at No. 1, the Pelicans would be able to swap their own first-round pick for it and pair Wembanyama with Zion Williamson.

Does that Pelicans scenario sound like one you’d want to play out? Or would you rather see Wembanyama join forces with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren in Oklahoma City; Jalen Green and Jabari Smith in Houston; Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in Orlando; Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren in Detroit; or Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin in Indiana?

Head to the comment section to weigh in with your thoughts!

And-Ones: Wembanyama, High School Prospects, EuroBasket, More

Victor Wembanyama is projected to be the top pick in the 2023 draft, but he’s more concerned about landing with the right team than being taken No. 1 overall, writes Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohoops. Wembanyama, who plays for Metropolitans 92 in France, discussed his prospects during Media Day for his team’s new season, which starts this weekend.

“Sports-wise, the most interesting thing is always to find an organization that will take care of the project and the player,” Wembanyama said, as reported by the French outlet BasketSession. “So it’s better to be second, third, or 20th in the Draft if you have a better career afterward. But I don’t know if it’s pride, I have a part in me that says that there must be no one (drafted) in front of me.”

The 18-year-old center stands 7’4″, but he only weighs a little over 200 pounds, so durability is one of the few questions surrounding him as he prepares for his NBA career. Scouts are nearly unanimous in raving about his talent, and he has been a star in international competitions for the past three years.

“What matters to me this season is above all to consolidate a place as a possible No. 1 pick in the draft,” Wembanyama added. “That’s my goal, rather than trying to put on 15 kilos and take risks. I want to strengthen myself, but above all to move towards a favorable situation for the NBA.”

  • With the possibility looming that high school players will be allowed to go straight to the NBA in a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Jacob Polacheck of ZagsBlog talks to some of the top prospects in the Class of 2024 about how that might affect their decisions. “I think it’s an amazing opportunity for players who have the ability to go out of high school and follow their dream of playing in the NBA,” said Ian Jackson of Cardinal Hayes in New York, who is considered one of the top prospects in the class. “I think it’s great and the best part is that it gives high school athletes more choices.” It’s possible that the one-and-done rule could remain in place beyond 2024 even if the NBA and NBPA aim to eventually get rid of it, as Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday.
  • Willy Hernangomez and Juancho Hernangomez stood out while leading Spain to the EuroBasket championship, Michael Scotto said in a HoopsHype podcast. Scotto also believes Finland’s Lauri Markkanen showed that he’s ready for a breakout season with the Jazz and that Italy’s Simone Fontecchio could be productive in Utah as well.
  • Raptors representative Larry Tanenbaum was unanimously re-elected as chairman of the NBA Board of Governors, the league announced this morning (Twitter link).

Former No. 1 Recruit Emoni Bates Arrested On Gun Charges

Former No. 1 recruit Emoni Bates, who spent last season with Memphis but transferred to Eastern Michigan for 2022/23, was arrested on Sunday night in Michigan for felony gun charges, according to WXYZ Detroit.

Bates was originally pulled over for failing to stop at an intersection, and police offers subsequently discovered a firearm. He has been charged with felony counts of carrying a concealed weapon and altering the serial number on a gun, per WXYZ.

The 18-year-old was arraigned and released on Monday after the judge granted him a nonmonetary personal recognizance bond, Bates’ lawyer, Steve Haney, told Pete Thamel and Myron Medcalf of ESPN. Haney requested a plea of not guilty on Bates’ behalf, and his next court date is October 6.

Bates told his attorney that he was driving a borrowed vehicle, ESPN’s duo relays.

Reserve judgment on this,” Haney said via a statement. “There’s way more to the story. He borrowed someone’s car, was pulled over and a gun was located in the car.”

Bates, who is from Ypsilanti, Michigan, where Eastern Michigan is located, has been suspended by the school.

We are aware of a situation involving men’s basketball student-athlete Emoni Bates,” the school said in a statement. “Eastern Michigan University takes all allegations of this nature very seriously. Per department policy, he has been suspended automatically from practice and playing privileges until the legal process is resolved. Because this is an on-going legal matter, the University will have no further comment at this time.

Bates was the No. 1 recruit of the 2022 class before reclassifying and leaving high school a year early, finishing as the No. 3 recruit in 2021, per Thamel and Medcalf. However, his draft stock has taken a hit after an injury-plagued freshman season saw him average 9.7 PPG and 3.3 RPG on .386/.329/.646 shooting in 18 games (23.4 MPG) for the Tigers.

Most early 2023 mock drafts have Bates as a late-first round pick or an early second-rounder.

And-Ones: McCaw, Cole, LeBron, D. Whitehead, League Pass

Team USA isn’t filled with stars for this summer’s competition, but their absence could help players like Patrick McCaw and Norris Cole get another shot at the NBA, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. They’re part of the American team participating in the FIBA AmeriCup tournament, which begins Friday in Brazil.

“I think it’s more about representing the USA for me right now,” said McCaw, who played for three teams in five years and won championship rings in his first three NBA seasons. “I want to make it back to the NBA. I know that’s a process. And I know one day, whenever, next week, next month, next year, when it’s supposed to happen, it’ll happen. But right now, I’m just focusing on this USA, wearing these three letters, giving my all to this team and representing the United States of America.”

The odds may be even longer for Cole, who went to the NBA Finals with the Heat during his first three seasons in the league. Cole has been out of the league since 2017 and has been trying to revive his career with a long list of overseas teams.

“I still have the ability,” said Cole, who will turn 34 in October. “God has still blessed me with the ability. I still have the fire, the hunger and I still feel like I have something to prove, things that I would like to accomplish as a player. That feeling of winning a championship, the mission, the goal, the work to try to get to that point again, that’s what drives me as a competitor. And I want that feeling again.”

There’s more news from around the basketball world:

  • LeBron James talks to Chris Ballard of Sports Illustrated about his desire to eventually play in the NBA with his teenage sons. Bronny is a high school senior and will be eligible for the draft in 2024, but Bryce is only 15 and can’t get to the league until 2027, raising questions of whether LeBron has that many years left. “I feel like I could play for quite a while,” he said. “So it’s all up to my body, but more importantly, my mind. If my mind can stay sharp and fresh and motivated, then the sky’s not even a limit for me. I can go beyond that. But we shall see.”
  • Duke’s Dariq Whitehead, projected as a top-10 pick in next year’s draft, had surgery on Tuesday for a fracture in his right foot, per Myron Medcalf of ESPN. Whitehead is out indefinitely and the school says he will return sometime “this fall.”
  • The NBA has reduced the price of League Pass by more than half for the upcoming season, according to Jacob Feldman of Yahoo. The standard price has been cut from $230 to $100, and the premium package has fallen from $280 to $130.

And-Ones: Bjelica, Offseason Business, 2023 Draft, More

Serbian forward Nemanja Bjelica has been ruled out for this week’s World Cup qualifiers due to a calf injury and is considered questionable for the upcoming EuroBasket tournament, as Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops details.

Bjelica, who signed with Turkish club Fenerbahce this offseason after winning a title with Golden State, will miss Serbia’s contest against Greece today, as well as Sunday’s game vs. Turkey. Serbia’s EuroBasket schedule will tip off on Friday, September 2 against the Netherlands.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

  • With the Kevin Durant saga settled, at least for now, John Hollinger of The Athletic considers what leftover offseason business we could see addressed in the coming weeks. The Lakers, Pacers, Jazz, Heat, Raptors, and Nets are among the teams that may still have some roster moves to make, Hollinger writes.
  • Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report shares scouting reports for his top 15 prospects in the 2023 NBA draft class, breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of players like Texas big man Dillon Mitchell and Duke center Dereck Lively in addition to the usual suspects like Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson.
  • Exactly how much does an NBA win cost? Mike Vorkunov and Seth Partnow of The Athletic make an effort to answer that question, with Partnow outlining a “wins/dollars efficiency model” and then explaining why such a model has its shortcomings.
  • Katie Heindl of GlobalSportMatters.com takes a look at how the NBA has increased the diversity in its coaching ranks without the need for a rule like the NFL’s “Rooney Rule.”

And-Ones: Kurucs, Smith, Iguodala, Brooks, Trent Jr.

Former NBA forward Rodions Kurucs has officially signed a one-year contract with Real Betis Baloncesto in Seville, Spain, according to a team press release. The Spanish team’s interest in Kurucs was reported earlier this month.

Kurucs has appeared in 131 NBA games, including a total of 21 with Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Houston during the 2020/21 campaign. He played with KK Partizan in Serbia last season. Kurucs also saw action in four Summer League contests with the Raptors in July.

We have more from the basketball world:

  • French big man Victor Wembanyama and G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson are the early favorites to go 1-2 in next year’s draft. Who’s No. 3? Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo chooses Arkansas freshman guard Nick Smith. Woo unveils his early first-round mock for 2023, which is filled with wings and guards.
  • Andre Iguodala believes the NBA should continue to play 82 regular season games, Lee Tran of FadeAwayWorld.net relays. On his Point Forward podcast, Iguodala says the grind of an NBA season “separates the men from the boys,” adding “We can’t change 82 games. 82 games … there’s a mental side of it. That’s why we talk about rookie wall. Records are made to be broken, and as we get better over time we’ll break more records. But I do think that there’s a foundation in all sports, you have to carry on that tradition.”
  • Dillon Brooks, Gary Trent Jr. and Victor Oladipo are among the potential free agents in next year’s class who could pump up their value during the upcoming season, Dan Devine of The Ringer writes. Devine takes a closer look at eight “compelling” players to watch as they head into possible contract years.

Mojave King Signs With G League Ignite

Mojave King has signed with the G League Ignite, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony tweets.

King, 20, averaged 18.0 PPG and 3.3 APG in the New Zealand NBL for the Zerofees Southland Sharks this summer. He’s also played for Adelaide and Cairns in the Australian NBL.

King, who was born in New Zealand, is an NBA Academy alumnus looking to improve his draft prospects by joining the Ignite.

Projected 2023 No. 2 overall pick Scoot Henderson has committed to play for the Ignite, as well as French wing Sidy Cissoko, 6’10” Canadian forward Leonard Miller and Nigerian Efe Abogidi.

At the NBA Academy Games in Atlanta in July 2019, King averaged a tournament-high 19.2 PPG. He turned down several Division I schools before signing with the NBL.

Traded Second Round Picks For 2023 NBA Draft

We’re using the space below to keep tabs on each NBA team’s second round pick for 2023, continually updating it as necessary throughout the year. Our list of traded first round picks for 2023 can be found right here.

We’ve listed all 30 teams here, so even if a team hasn’t traded its second round pick, that will be noted. We’ll also provide details on protections for each traded pick, including what happens to the pick in 2024 if it doesn’t change hands in 2023.

Here’s the full breakdown on the status of each 2023 second-round pick:


Atlantic

  • Boston Celtics: Traded to Hornets or Wizards.
    • The Hornets will receive this pick if it lands between 31-45; the Wizards will get it if it lands between 46-60. Whichever team doesn’t receive this pick will instead receive the Celtics’ 2024 second-round pick.
  • Brooklyn Nets: Traded swap rights to Trail Blazers.
    • The Hornets will receive either their own 2023 second round pick, the Hawks’ pick, or the Nets’ pick (whichever is most favorable). The Trail Blazers will receive the second-most favorable of the three, and the Nets will receive the least favorable.
  • New York Knicks: Traded to Timberwolves.
  • Philadelphia 76ers: Own pick.
  • Toronto Raptors: Traded to Spurs.

Central

  • Chicago Bulls: Traded to Wizards.
  • Cleveland Cavaliers: Own pick.
    • The Cavaliers have the right to swap their own 2023 second-round pick for the Warriors’ pick.
  • Detroit Pistons: Own pick.
  • Indiana Pacers: Traded to Kings or Spurs.
    • The Kings will receive this pick if it lands between 31-55; the Spurs will get it if it lands between 56-60. The Pacers’ obligation to whichever team doesn’t receive this pick will be extinguished.
  • Milwaukee Bucks: Traded swap rights to Pacers.
    • The Bucks will receive the least favorable of the Cavaliers’ and Warriors’ 2023 second round picks. The Pacers will then receive either that pick or the Bucks’ own pick (whichever is more favorable).

Southeast

  • Atlanta Hawks: Traded to Hornets, Trail Blazers, or Nets.
    • The Hornets will receive either their own 2023 second round pick, the Hawks’ pick, or the Nets’ pick (whichever is most favorable). The Trail Blazers will receive the second-most favorable of the three, and the Nets will receive the least favorable.
  • Charlotte Hornets: Own pick.
    • The Hornets have the right to swap their second round pick for the Hawks’ or Nets’ pick.
  • Miami Heat: Traded to Thunder, Celtics, Pacers, Nuggets, or Hornets.
    • Details outlined at bottom of story.
  • Orlando Magic: Traded to Celtics (top-55 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Magic’s obligation to the Celtics would be extinguished.
  • Washington Wizards: Traded to Thunder, Nuggets, or Hornets.
    • Details outlined at bottom of story.

Northwest

  • Denver Nuggets: Traded to Bulls (top-46 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Nuggets’ obligation to the Bulls would be extinguished; if it changes hands, it will be forfeited due to the Bulls’ free agency gun-jumping penalty.
  • Minnesota Timberwolves: Traded to Grizzlies.
  • Oklahoma City Thunder: Own pick.
    • The Thunder have the ability to swap their own 2023 second-rounder for a more favorable pick. Details outlined at bottom of story.
  • Portland Trail Blazers: Traded to Celtics or Thunder.
    • Details outlined at bottom of story.
  • Utah Jazz: Traded to Hornets.

Pacific

  • Golden State Warriors: Traded to Cavaliers, Bucks, or Pacers.
    • The Cavaliers have the right to swap their own 2023 second round pick for the Warriors’ pick. The Bucks will receive the least favorable of the two picks. If the least favorable of the Cavaliers’ and Warriors’ picks is more favorable than the Bucks’ pick, Milwaukee will send it to the Pacers.
  • Los Angeles Clippers: Own pick.
  • Los Angeles Lakers: Own pick.
  • Phoenix Suns: Own pick.
  • Sacramento Kings: Own pick.

Southwest

  • Dallas Mavericks: Traded to ThunderCeltics, Pacers, Nuggets, or Hornets.
    • Details outlined at bottom of story.
  • Houston Rockets: Traded to Thunder, Celtics, or Pacers.
    • Details outlined at bottom of story.
  • Memphis Grizzlies: Own pick.
  • New Orleans Pelicans: Traded to Hawks (top-45 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Pelicans’ obligation to the Hawks would be extinguished.
  • San Antonio Spurs: Traded to Pacers (top-55 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Spurs’ obligation to the Pacers would be extinguished.

While the conditions that apply to the majority of this year’s traded second round picks are relatively straightforward, there’s one quagmire involving the Mavs’, Heat’s, Wizards’, Thunder’s, Trail Blazers’, and Rockets’ selections.

The Celtics, Pacers, Nuggets, and Hornets will each receive one of those picks, while the Thunder will receive two, but the protections and swap rights are extremely complicated. Here’s our best attempt at breaking it all down:

The Thunder will receive the most favorable of the following 2023 second round picks:

  1. Their own pick
  2. The Wizards’ pick.
  3. The Mavericks’ pick.
  4. The Heat’s pick.

The Nuggets will get the second-most favorable of the following 2023 second round picks, while the Hornets will get the least favorable:

  1. The Thunder’s pick.
  2. The Wizards’ pick.
  3. The most favorable of the Heat’s and Mavericks’ picks.

The Celtics will get the most favorable of the following 2023 second round picks:

  1. The Rockets’ pick (top-32 protected).
  2. The Trail Blazers’ pick.
  3. The least favorable of the Heat’s and Mavericks’ picks.

The Pacers will get the least favorable of the following 2023 second round picks:

  1. The Rockets’ pick (top-32 protected).
  2. The least favorable of the Heat’s and Mavericks’ picks.

Note: If the Rockets’ pick is No. 31 or No. 32, that would be the pick the Pacers receive instead.

The Thunder will get the leftover pick not claimed by the Celtics or Pacers. It could be one of the following three:

  1. The Rockets’ pick (top-32 protected).
  2. The Trail Blazers’ pick.
  3. The least favorable of the Heat’s and Mavericks’ picks.

Got all that?

Just to be sure, let’s apply all those conditions to a hypothetical draft order based roughly on current projections for the 2022/23 season. Let’s say the Rockets’ pick comes in at No. 33, the Thunder’s is No. 39, the Wizards’ is No. 40, the Trail Blazers’ is No. 42, the Mavericks’ pick is No. 49, and the Heat’s is No. 51.

In that scenario, based on the scenarios described above, the Celtics would receive Houston’s pick, the Thunder would keep their own pick and acquire Portland’s, the Nuggets would get Washington’s pick, the Hornets would get Dallas’ pick, and the Pacers would get Miami’s pick.

However, if we hypothetically bump Houston’s pick up to No. 31, it would be Indiana receiving that pick, while the Celtics would get the Blazers’ pick 11 spots later and the Thunder would get Miami’s pick (in addition to their own). In other words, the Pacers will be rooting for the hard for Houston to be a bottom-two team this season, while Boston and Oklahoma City will want to see the Rockets avoid that fate.


Information from RealGM was used in the creation of this post.

Traded First Round Picks For 2023 NBA Draft

The 2023 NBA draft is still over 10 months away, but a number of teams have already traded away their first round picks for ’23, and more clubs may do so before this season’s trade deadline.

We’ll use the space below to keep tabs on each team’s first round pick for 2023, continually updating it as necessary throughout the year.

We’ve listed all 30 teams here, so even if a team hasn’t traded its first round pick, that will be noted. We’ll also provide details on the protections for each traded pick, including what happens to the pick in 2024 if it doesn’t change hands in 2023.

Here’s the full breakdown on the status of each 2023 first round pick:


Note: Teams marked with an asterisk (*) have traded away their 2024 first round pick (either unprotected or with protection) and can’t freely trade away their 2023 first rounder due to the Stepien rule.

Atlantic

  • Boston Celtics: Traded to Pacers (top-12 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Celtics would send the Spurs a 2023 second round pick.
  • Brooklyn Nets (*): Traded swap rights to Rockets.
    • The Nets will have either their own first round pick, the Rockets’ pick, or the Sixers’ pick. They’ll receive the Sixers’ pick if it’s the most favorable of the three; otherwise, they’d get the second-most favorable pick of the three. The Jazz will receive the least favorable of the three.
  • New York Knicks: Traded to Trail Blazers (top-14 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Knicks would send the Trail Blazers the Pistons’ 2024 second-round pick, either the Timberwolves’ or Knicks’ 2026 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable), and the Knicks’ own 2027 and 2028 second-round picks.
  • Philadelphia 76ers: Traded to Nets or Jazz.
    • The Nets will receive the Sixers’ first round pick if it’s the most or second-most favorable of the Sixers’, Nets’, and Rockets’ 2023 first rounders. If it’s the least favorable of the three, the Jazz will receive it.
  • Toronto Raptors: Own pick.

Central

  • Chicago Bulls: Traded to Magic (top-4 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Bulls would owe the Magic their 2024 first round pick (top-3 protected).
  • Cleveland Cavaliers: Traded to Pacers (top-14 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Cavaliers would send the Pacers their 2025 second round pick and the Lakers’ 2026 second round pick.
  • Detroit Pistons: Traded to Knicks (top-18 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Pistons would owe the Knicks their 2024 first round pick (top-18 protected).
  • Indiana Pacers: Own pick.
  • Milwaukee Bucks: Traded to Rockets or Clippers (unprotected).
    • The Rockets have the ability to swap the Bucks’ pick with the Clippers’ 2023 first rounder (top-six protected).

Southeast

  • Atlanta Hawks: Own pick.
  • Charlotte Hornets: Traded to Spurs (top-16 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Hornets would owe the Spurs their 2024 first round pick (top-14 protected).
  • Miami Heat: Own pick.
  • Orlando Magic: Own pick.
  • Washington Wizards: Traded to Knicks (top-14 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Wizards would owe the Knicks their 2024 first-round pick (top-12 protected).

Northwest

  • Denver Nuggets: Traded to Hornets (top-14 protected).

    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Nuggets would owe the Hornets their 2024 first round pick (top-14 protected).
  • Minnesota Timberwolves: Traded to Jazz (unprotected).
  • Oklahoma City Thunder: Own pick.
    • The Thunder have the ability to swap their pick with the Clippers’ 2023 first rounder.
  • Portland Trail Blazers: Traded to Bulls (top-14 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Trail Blazers would owe the Bulls their 2024 first round pick (top-14 protected).
  • Utah Jazz (*): Own pick.

Pacific

  • Golden State Warriors (*): Own pick.
  • Los Angeles Clippers (*): Traded swap rights to Thunder.
    • The Clippers will have either their own first round pick, the Thunder’s pick, or the Bucks’ pick, whichever is least favorable. If the Thunder’s and Clippers’ picks both land in the top six, the Clippers would instead receive the second-most favorable of those three picks.
  • Los Angeles Lakers (*): Traded swap rights to Pelicans.
    • The Lakers will have either their own first round pick or the Pelicans’ pick, whichever is least favorable.
  • Phoenix Suns: Traded to Nets (unprotected).
  • Sacramento Kings (*): Own pick.

Southwest

  • Dallas Mavericks: Traded to Knicks (top-10 protected).
    • If this pick lands in its protected range, the Mavericks would owe the Knicks their 2024 first round pick (top-10 protected).
  • Houston Rockets: Own pick.
    • The Rockets have the ability to swap their pick with the Nets’ 2023 first rounder.
  • Memphis Grizzlies: Own pick.
  • New Orleans Pelicans: Own pick.
    • The Pelicans have the ability to swap their pick with the Lakers’ 2023 first rounder.
  • San Antonio Spurs: Own pick.

Information from RealGM was used in the creation of this post.

And-Ones: T. Scott, 2023 Draft, ’23 Cap, Freedom

NBA and G League veteran Tre Scott is headed overseas for the 2022/23 season, having signed with Fos Provence Basket, the French team announced in a press release.

Scott, who went undrafted out of Cincinnati in 2020, has spent most of his first two professional seasons in the NBAGL, playing for the Salt Lake City Stars, the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, and the Cleveland Charge.

The 6’8″ forward earned a call-up to the NBA last December during the league’s COVID-19 outbreak, signing a 10-day hardship deal with the Cavaliers. He appeared in two games for the Cavs during his brief NBA stint, scoring six points and grabbing a couple rebounds in 11 total minutes of action.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

  • Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report shares his first 2023 mock draft, headed by French big man Victor Wembanyama and G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson. Overtime Elite wing Amen Thompson, Duke swingman Dariq Whitehead, and Villanova forward Cam Whitmore round out Wasserman’s initial top five.
  • Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype takes a look at the teams currently projected to have the most cap room in 2023, including the Spurs, Rockets, Pistons, and Magic.
  • In an interview with Israeli outlet Walla, free agent center Enes Freedom said he hasn’t received any offers from NBA teams this offseason (hat tip to Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops). Freedom attributed that lack of NBA interest to the comments he has made denouncing China, though it’s worth noting that his minutes were already on the decline due to his subpar outside shooting and defense.