The future of the Cleveland Cavaliers is bright, especially since two of their core players are still yet to enter their primes. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are two of the best players 23-and-under in the entire NBA, and they form the foundation of why the Cavs will be good for a very long time.
Garland and Mobley are just part of a youth movement in the NBA, one illustrated by the young players breaking into NBA award voting and All-Star rosters, or even the age of the FIBA World Cup roster Team USA is fielding this summer. That doesn’t even include a generational prospect in Victor Wembanyama entering the league this season.
That depth of rising stars led the team here at King James Gospel to consider what it would look like to put together a series of rosters made up only of players 23 years old or younger. Eight of our NBA Insiders took turns drafting a roster of five players. In a unique twist unlike most of these types of drafts, each “team” has to have a lineup balanced enough to play. The exercise was to build the best lineup for a team that could play now and be good for a decade. Build the best franchise, but fit does matter.
The definitive 23-and-under NBA draft
How did the draft go? Which players were in demand in the first round, and who slipped down the board to be a late-round steal? How highly did this group of writers on a Cavaliers website draft Evan Mobley and Darius Garland? Let’s go round-by-round to show how the definitive 23-and-under draft went down.
Round One of the 23-and-under draft
The format of the 23-and-under draft was a snake draft, with the order generated randomly. Quinn Minnich kicked off the team, answering the question of whether any player would be more valuable than a certain French big. Each pick will come with analysis courtesy of the player making the selection.
Pick No. 1, Team Quinn – Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
For my first pick, I will take Anthony Edwards. He was a first-time All-Star last year, and really carried the load offensively for the Timberwolves. He’s going to get some run at the point guard spot, which should help his already solid playmaking. He’s a good perimeter defender, a solid shooter, and an amazing finisher. And he still has so much room to grow and could be a Hall-of-Fame player someday.
Pick No. 2, Team Dan Gilisnky – Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
With him still there, how could I NOT go with Victor Wembanyama? Sure, he’ll have to get stronger over time, and he’ll have to stay healthy for the most part in the early years for his development. Those concerns aside, the youngster is the best prospect to come to the NBA since LeBron. Wembanyama’s combination of skill level, post polish, shooting touch, shot-making potential, rim protection, length and athleticism make him the no-brainer pick here.
Pick No. 3, Team Gibson Lowenberg – Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland is my pick. While there is another player I weighed heavily here, he is far healthier in comparison. He already has an All-Star appearance under his belt and there’s an argument to be made that he should have two after another strong performance last season.
He is an effortless scorer while also being one of the best playmakers in the league. The closest we’ve seen to replicating the skills of Steve Nash, the future is bright for the Cavaliers and Darius Garland.
Pick No. 4, Team Matt Fagan – Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Following suit, I’ll keep things close to home with my pick and go for Evan Mobley. Finishing his first year in the league as the rookie of the year runner-up, and last year at third place among all defensive player of the year candidates – Mobley is certainly one of those foundational pieces a team looks for to build around. He led his team in blocks and was second in boards last year, further cementing himself as a formidable defensive anchor.
That being said, his 16.2 points per game and 2.8 assists last year show he’s a force on the offensive side of the ball as well. Mobley has drawn comparisons to NBA greats like Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan. With a player like him in your frontcourt you can’t go wrong.
Pick No. 5, Team Alex Knodel – Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Although he comes with some notable red flags, namely his health, the upside is too tantalizing to pass up at this point in the draft. I will be selecting Zion Williamson with the fifth overall pick. Touted as a generational prospect, Zion has backed up the hype when on the court. In his 114 career games, he has averaged 25.8 points on over 60 percent shooting, absolutely punishing teams around the basket.
His elite rim finishing, in combination with his ever-evolving skill as a passer, gives him the capability to be the true focal point of an offense. His defense, while the weaker area of his game, has shown rapid growth throughout his young career and given his physical tools, there’s little reason to believe he won’t soon be a plus defender if he isn’t already. To win championships you’ve got to roll the dice, and I’d be kicking myself if I passed up on a player of Zion’s caliber and he ever put it all together.
Pick No. 6, Team Caleb Crowley – Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Similar to Zion, this player has had some unlucky bouts with injury but has tremendous upside. In a world with injuries turned off, Cade Cunningham could have a compelling case for the top spot. In his draft profile, Cunningham drew a number of comparisons to Luka Doncic as a tall, intelligent point guard. The future for Detroit is bright with Cade Cunningham at the helm. In his dozen games played last year, the emerging star averaged 19.9 points and 6 assists in 33.3 minutes a game. This came alongside 6.2 rebounds. Cunningham’s skill set is mature beyond his years. Picking Cunningham almost guarantees multiple All-Star appearances and constant contention for the Playoffs.
Pick No. 7, Team Josh Cornelissen – Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
This is a tricky decision, because I have two Tier-3 players left on the board (I would put Vic in his own tier, and Anthony Edwards alone in Tier 2 [if I knew Zion was healthy he would be Tier 2]). I’m going to go with the more proven commodity and take Tyrese Haliburton. He’s a lead guard with exceptional passing vision and a penchant for playing up-tempo, which is my preferred approach. He shoots the ball extremely well, and locking down plus shooters is a must. He isn’t a difference-maker on defense but he has enough length and size not to be bowled over on that end. Still only 23 years old, he has a long career ahead of him.
Pick No. 8, Team Izzy Sy – Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
With my first pick I’m going to take Jaren Jackson Jr. He’s probably the best rim protector in the NBA right now and just won Defensive Player of the Year. He’s also versatile offensively and has a nice shot. He’s the perfect modern big and is a vital part of Memphis’ success. and he hasn’t even hit his full potential yet. I truly believe he can assert himself as a top-5 big in the NBA.
Round Two of the 23-and-under Draft
The second round reverses, giving Team Izzy the first pick to pair with Jaren Jackson Jr.
Pick No. 9, Team Izzy – Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
With my second pick, I’m going to take Tyrese Maxey. I’ve been on the Maxey train since he was drafted in 2020 and I love his game. He is very exciting to watch and has a very versatile offensive game. He has a great handle and can easily get to his spot and score with ease. He is also efficient and has made strides as a playmaker. With Harden’s uncertain future, I believe he will assert himself as an All-Star guard in the East and become a 23-25 point-per-game scorer and earn himself a max deal next offseason.
Pick No. 10, Team Josh – Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
I’ll stay true to my board and take Scoot Henderson with my second pick. He has everything you could want in a lead guard prospect, with a tight handle, a confident jumpshot, plenty of athleticism and shake and a fine defensive floor. In the scant minutes we saw of him in Summer League he was confident, in control and looked like the best player on a floor he shared with a host of other first-round picks. He looks like a perennial All-Star.
The fit with Haliburton isn’t the absolute best defensively, but Haliburton has enough size at 6’5″ with a 6’8″ wingspan to guard up a spot as needed, and their passing can be a force multiplier for the offense we are building. Haliburton is a high-level shooter off-the-catch so he can play off-ball in the halfcourt; in transition both players can take it and run, keeping defenses off-guard.
Pick No. 11, Team Caleb – Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Orlando is just a step away from competing in the post season. Last season’s Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero played no small role in this transformation. Admittedly, Banchero has somewhat poor efficiency currently, but his prospective talent is undeniable. His 6-foot 10-inches frame with solid ball handling set him apart from his draft class counterparts. He averaged 20 points and 6.9 rebounds, and his future development is inspiring. With Banchero leading the young core, the Magic are building toward an entertaining future for the Orlando faithful.
Pick No. 12, Team Alex – LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
To pair with Zion, I am selecting the second youngest All-Star in NBA history, LaMelo Ball. LaMelo’s passing creativity and up-and-down style will fit like a glove next to Zion’s high-flying athletic ability. Listed at 6-foot-7, LaMelo has great size for a lead guard and is one of the more entertaining players in the league to watch.
In addition to his brilliant passing, LaMelo displays great touch and has become a prolific three-point shooter, hitting nearly 38% of his 8.9 attempts per game for his career. His biggest areas for growth are on the defensive end, where his effort and general awareness both need to improve, and his finishing at the rim, which has held down his efficiency from inside the arc. Still, there are few players who offer the combination of playmaking flair and scoring craft like Ball, making him an outstanding addition to the squad.
Pick No. 13, Team Matt – Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder
I believe there is still a guard available to build my back-court. They might not be the flashiest player but they definitely have elite level upside. Enter, Josh Giddey – the 20 year old guard from the OKC Thunder. Last year the Thunder were one of the league’s most promising young teams, due in part to Giddey’s performance. This past season he put up an average stat line of 16.6 points per game, coupled with 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.
While he is primarily a guard, Josh Giddey also plays like a frontcourt player at times. Specifically, his ability to score off cuts, and find opportunities in the paint. At just 20 years old Josh Giddey still has so much time to develop his game, however I believe the young guard has already demonstrated an impressive array of talent. Giddey could fit really well with Evan Mobley in my opinion. If Giddey acted as this team’s point guard, he could facilitate the ball to Mobley with ease. In turn, Mobley could be that defensive anchor setting up screens and keeping opposing defenders off of Giddey while he cuts to the basket. If Giddey had to slide into a forward position for some reason, he could also fit well with Mobley. Josh Giddey’s potential and versatility land him my second pick.
Pick No. 14, Team Gibson – Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
With my next pick, I pick Jaden Ivey. While the high-flying phenom struggled early in the season in areas like three-point shooting and making plays with the pass, he greatly improved by the end of the season. No other rookie last season saw the type of improvement from day one to the end of the season that Ivey had. His speed and jumping ability pair perfectly with my previous selection.
Pick No. 15, Team Dan – Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
With my second selection, I’m going with Franz Wagner. Wagner has demonstrated big-time two-way upside and looks to be a cornerstone player for the Magic. He had splits of 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals per outing in Year 2 in 2022-23, with a true shooting rate of 58.9 percent.
Wagner’s ability to affect games in a variety of ways on both ends, both on and off-ball, would make him an excellent fit with Wemby. Wagner has sky-high potential in his own right as a scorer/creator, and is another frontcourt playmaker with a great feel for finding his teammates.
Pick No. 16, Team Quinn – Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
This might me an unpopular pick, but I want to go with Chet Holmgren. He looked amazing in both of his summer league appearances and has an immense amount of potential. He’s still raw, but is a terrific rim protector, and can also stretch the floor. I believe he can be a sneaky pick for Rookie of the Year this season.
Round Three of the 23-and-under Draft
The third round is when fit begins to make more of an impact on each team’s philosophy, although the driving principle is still taking the best player available. Who goes off the board next?
Pick No. 17, Team Quinn – Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
With my next pick, I will go with Jaden McDaniels. He’s really talented on the defensive side of the ball, as he’s one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. He’s still young and has a lot of room to grow offensively. An All-Defense appearance could be in his cards in the next few seasons, and I would not be surprised to see an All-Star team, either.
Pick No. 18, Team Dan – Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
For my third selection, I’m going with another upside play, in Jalen Williams. The former Santa Clara star had an outstanding rookie season with the OKC Thunder, and in a similar light as Wagner is an impactful two-way wing with huge upside.
Williams is not the quickest or most vertically gifted, but he is another high IQ player who can self-create at all three levels, make plays in PnR and is multi-positional defensively. Something to keep in mind here is while Williams is not necessarily monstrous for NBA standards on the wing at 6-foot-6, he has quite the plus wingspan at 7-foot-3. His length as a shooter, creator, passer and defender all combined with his overall feel make him suitable to feature in a number of different roles moving forward.
Pick No. 19, Team Gibson – Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
My next pick was the youngest player in the league last season, Detroit center Jalen Duren. At 18 years old to start last season he is already one of the most physically imposing players in the league. He stands at 6-foot-ten with impressive verticality and is also one of the strongest players in the league. He isn’t slow getting back on defense either. His physical attributes would make him a great fit next to my backcourt selections in the first and second rounds.
His defense will only continue to grow as his timing gets better and he learns more. His potential on that end is through the roof. He also has a soft touch and has shown potential as a shooter, especially in this year’s summer league. It would not surprise me if he becomes one of the best players at his position someday.
Pick No. 20, Team Matt – Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
I’m going with another big man on my list to compliment Evan Mobley and complete my team’s front-court. With my third pick, I’m taking the Houston Rockets’ Alperen Sengun. Houston has a very promising young core, and a lot of that rests confidently on Sengun’s shoulders. Alperen Sengun has displayed some innovative playmaking throughout his first two years in the league. Averaging 3.9 assists per game last year, this playmaking big has drawn some comparisons to Denver’s Nikola Jokic. His ability to create innovative ways for his teammates to score and misdirect opponents makes him a solid addition to any team.
Sengun will also help Josh Giddey when the guard plays off-ball and cuts to the basket. Sengun and Mobley make up a frontcourt of two bigs that can pass the ball and facilitate their teammates when needed. Although his defense might be lacking in some areas, he has improved in both defensive rebounds and blocks per game from his rookie season. Last year he averaged 9.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. Mobley can make up for any of Sengun’s potential defensive shortcomings if the need arises. Alperen Sengun has a lot of untapped potential, and if he’s utilized correctly – he could become one of the league’s most successful players at the center position.
Pick No. 21, Team Alex – Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
If I was making this selection based purely on upside, Amen Thompson would warrant strong consideration but when taking fit into account, I’ve landed on one of the most portable young players in the NBA. With this pick, I am selecting Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans. Entering the league with a reputation as the prototypical 3-and-D wing, Murphy has already flashed a much higher ceiling.
He is an elite shooter from the outside and a versatile defender, utilizing his length and quick feet to corral shifty ball handlers. Perhaps even more encouraging is the jump Murphy took this past year as a 2-point shooter, raising his percentage from 41.8 his rookie year all the way to 61.1 percent. At worst, he’s an extremely high-level role player, but if the flashes are any indication of what’s to come, Murphy may be capable of raising his game to an All-Star level.
Pick No. 22, Team Caleb – Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Next up is someone who has maybe been underrated after a sophomore slide season. Scottie Barnes has a fantastic skillset, able to play any position from 1-4 with impressive competency. He is still developing his overall game, and his second season left his rookie season accolades behind. This is not abnormal for any newer player, and there is plenty of reason to stay optimistic after his Rookie of the Year campaign.
In both seasons Barnes averaged 15.3 points, and his assists and rebounding numbers improved in year 2. His scoring efficiency fell, but with an overall increase in versatility and productivity, adding Barnes to any team is a solid foundation for the future. Give him the time to develop and play alongside the right people, and Scottie Barnes is going to thrive.
Pick No. 23, Team Josh – Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs
At this point in the draft, my top two players remaining are both on-ball backcourt players, and I already have two of those in Tyrese Haliburton and Scoot Henderson. That leads me to my next group of players, with four frontcourt guys all in a tier. I need defensive versatility and size, so I’ll go with Jeremy Sochan here.
He’s 6’9″ with a wingspan Elastigirl would envy, making him the perfect fit with my small backcourt. He’s not only the best option to guard wings and forwards, but he has already shown great off-ball defensive instincts and weakside rim protection. He is a good finisher and excellent passer, giving my team the potential for playmaking nirvana. The shot needs to come along, but if it does he’s going to be a monster
Pick No. 24, Team Izzy – Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
I am a little surprised that this guy is still here but to complete my backcourt I’m going to take 2022 sixth man of the year Tyler Herro. Even with his uncertain future, he’s been one of the most consistent shooters in the league the past few years as he’s shooting 38% from three since he came into the league. He’s also diversified his offensive game and has become more of a complete scorer, averaging 20 PPG two years running. He’s also improved as a playmaker and I like the fit with Maxey because he spaces the floor and can get his own bucket as well. I think Herro is only scratching the surface of how good he can really be.
Round Four of the 23-and-under Draft
A number of intriguing players are still on the board as we enter the penultimate round. How do these teams come together and which steals will be found in Round 4?
Pick No. 25, Team Izzy – Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
With my next player, I’m going to take another Spurs youngster Keldon Johnson. He can play both the 3 and the 4 and I believe he’s one of the most underrated young players in the league. He’s coming off his best season yet averaging 22/5/3 on 45/33/75 splits and is a solid defender as well. People forget the shot in the arm he gave the US in the Olympics against Spain and he proved he belonged on the roster. I believe Johnson will continue to flourish with Wemby and all the other young talent next to him.
Pick No. 26, Team Josh – Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
With my fourth pick, I’ll round out my front line with Jabari Smith Jr. The ideal big to pair with Jeremy Sochan is a floor-spacing rim protector, and that leads me to Smith. He had a slow start to his rookie season, but the development of rookie bigs is heavily reliant on point guard play, and the Rockets had some of the worst setup guards in the league.
Down the back stretch, Smith started to blossom, and that development appears to have continued since as he was one of the best players in Las Vegas Summer League. He has a smooth jumper and looks to have improved his handle to self-create. Defensively he can move his feet well and has great weakside shot-blocking ability. He’ll be a bit undersized on defense, but I’d rather play small, fast and skilled than take a more traditional center and lose the offensive versatility.
Pick No. 27, Team Caleb – Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz were seemingly entering a long rebuilding process at the end of the 2022 NBA offseason. By trading both Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, their Playoff contention was likely gone for the foreseeable future. Alongside Lauri Markkanen, rookie center Walker Kessler outperformed every expectation put his way. Kessler was selected to the 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie team and has been a high point in Utah’s roster growth. Kessler came close to averaging a double-double in his first season with 9.2 points and 8.4 rebounds. The seven-foot big man has an inspiringly bright future in the NBA with his instant two-way production for the Jazz. Kessler can alter anybody’s inside shot defensively and instantly transition to a fast-paced offensive response.
Pick No. 28, Team Alex – Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs
With this next selection, I will be drafting Devin Vassell, another promising member of the San Antonio Spurs young core. A strong perimeter defender with excellent instincts off the ball, Vassell has showcased intriguing offensive potential, developing a versatile mid-range game to compliment his spot-up shooting. His offensive evolution is reminiscent of the development that Khris Middleton underwent, gradually transforming from role player to All-Star.
In 2022-23, Vassell posted a well-rounded line, putting up averages of 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, in addition to just over a steal per contest. Slotted into my backcourt alongside LaMelo Ball, Vassell will help insulate any defensive shortcomings while adding a strong second-side attacker on the offensive end.
Pick No. 29, Team Matt – Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings
With my point guard and front-court established I was at a crossroads between completing the back-court by drafting a shooting guard or filling out the wing position and drafting a small forward. I decided to gamble and lean into grabbing a wing. Keegan Murray from the Sacramento Kings will be my fourth pick in the draft. Measuring in at 6’8” Murray usually plays power forward next to Domantas Sabonis in the King’s frontcourt. However, I believe he’s adaptable enough to play small forward for the team I’m building. Keegan Murray would fit nicely with Mobley and Sengun providing support down in the paint while Giddey runs point for the team.
During the regular season, Keegan Murray averaged 12.2 points per game, while shooting 45.3% from field goal range and 41.1% from the three-point line. He also ranked sixth in the Western Conference for the most catch-and-shoot jumpers. Giddey’s facilitating could unlock a new level for Murray’s shooting. Murray might not be reinventing the wheel on the court, but he’s finding his stride and providing meaningful contributions to his team. As one of the only rookies last year with a starting role in the NBA playoffs – Keegan Murray has the potential to develop a true competitor’s mentality, and that makes him a valuable fourth-round pick in my eyes.
Pick No. 30, Team Gibson – Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Having already established my backcourt and center positions, I’m in need of some forwards. Luckily, those are some of the deepest positions in the league. My ideal selection would have been the player picked with the last selection, but instead, I’ll select Warriors standout Jonathan Kuminga. The 20-year-old power forward is an elite defender with seemingly limitless potential. He features all the tools to be a dominant force on both ends of the floor and seems ready to take a big year-three leap.
Pick No. 31, Team Dan – Anthony Black, Orlando Magic
With my fourth pick, I’m betting on Anthony Black being a two-way difference-maker. Black has a ways to go as a shooter, but he was the heartbeat of Alabama’s team last collegiate season.
Black projects as a key playmaker going forward who can make a variety of passes, is incredible in the open floor and can get downhill with ease. And on the other end of the floor, Black is a tenacious perimeter defender who can set the tone for this group with his ball pressure, 6-foot-7 length and active hands.
While the shot is again a question mark for him, with the other ways he can make things happen, this youngster could carve out a long career as an impact two-way guard and energy contributor.
Pick No. 32, Team Quinn – Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards
With my fourth pick, I will take Deni Avdija. I was super high on Avidja’s stock going into the 2020 NBA Draft, and this year he looks like he’s going to have his biggest role for the Washington Wizards in his whole career. After Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis were both traded, it leaves a lot of room for Avdija to get his shots up, as well as being a primary playmaker and ballhandler. He is an underrated defender, and he would slot well in between Jaden McDaniels and Chet Holmgren, playing the power forward spot. He’s also a sleeper most improved player candidate.
Round Five of the 23-and-under Draft
Our draft concludes in round five, as everyone feels the crunch of their past decisions and tries to field a well-balanced lineup while not sacrificing on talent and star upside.
Pick No. 33, Team Quinn – Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
With my final pick, I will take Amen Thompson. He’s a really amazing playmaker and would slot well in with the lineup I already have. He’s not the best jump shooter yet, but he’s only a rookie so progression with his offensive game is expected. He’s also a solid defender, a theme with the picks I have made in this draft. He’s going to be the backup point guard behind Fred VanVleet, and also will probably be slotted behind Kevin Porter Jr., which could hurt his development. I still believe he’s a super-talented and fantastic prospect, and his potential is limitless.
Pick No. 34, Team Dan – Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers
With my fifth and final selection, I’m taking Jarace Walker. Walker had a quality season at Houston, and with his skill level, strength and fluidity, at his size, he could be an ideal 4-man fit with Wemby long-term at the 5.
Walker flashed his share of shot creation and stretch big potential with Houston, and additionally, had 1.3 blocks and even 1.0 steals per contest in 2022-23. Similarly to Black, in a fast-paced approach with this group, Walker could assuredly thrive as an end-to-end player, defensive weak side playmaker and mid-post contributor.
Pick No. 35, Team Gibson – Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors
With my final pick, I’m going to go purely for fit and select Moses Moody. He’s a fantastic defender and more than capable of spacing the floor. He also has some untapped potential as a ball handler. In an increased role, Moody could prove to be one of the best three-and-d players in the league someday.
Pick No. 36, Team Matt – Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors
As I round out my starting five, I’m looking for a shooting guard to pair with Josh Giddey in the back-court. A player that can score the ball with ease. With my fifth and final pick, I will select the rookie Gradey Dick from the Toronto Raptors. At 19 years old, Gradey would be the youngest player on my team. Gradey Dick and Josh Giddey both measure in at 6’8” – making them a formidable back-court for this hypothetical lineup.
Gradey Dick finished the year with an average of 14.1 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, as well as 1.7 assists. Gradey’s brightest potential shines in his shooting. The former Jayhawk shot 44.2% from the field last year, and even more impressively, his three-point shooting came out to 40.3%.
His elite shooting and ability to adapt in transition make him a great selection to grow into a future All-Star guard in the league. Gradey can also affect the game on the defensive side of the ball. In college, he put up 4.0 defensive rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Gradey can act as a practical team defender. With his size and speed, he has the capability to slide in at various spots and guard multiple positions on the court. Lifting some of the pressure from Mobley.
There is some concern that Gradey might struggle to add on some weight due to his frame, but his speed and athleticism can make up for that. Versatility has been the theme of my draft. I believe my lineup of Josh Giddey, Gradey Dick, Keegan Murray, Evan Mobley and Alperen Sengun creates a multifaceted starting five capable of adapting to various situations in the modern NBA.
Pick No. 37, Team Alex – Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks
At this point in the draft, my pickings are fairly slim to fill out the center spot but I will be selecting someone who is primed to emerge into a more prominent role over the next couple of seasons, Atlanta Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu. Playing behind Clint Capela, Okongwu has impressed in limited minutes and looks likely to become the full-time starter very soon. He has been a consistent positive on the defensive end since he came into the league, something that is extremely difficult for young players to do, and last year took a noticeable jump. Although he’s not the most domineering center, Onkongwu is a smart defender who plays bigger than his size. He averaged 2.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per 36 minutes last season and his nimbleness makes him an effective switch defender as well.
On the offensive end, he is an efficient finisher with good touch and sneakily has become one of the best screeners in the league. Next to my star duo of LaMelo and Zion, Okongwu is the perfect gap-filler, whether it’s throwing a short roll pass or coming over for a weak side block, he simply makes life easier for the guys around him.
Pick No. 38, Team Caleb – Ochai Agbaji, Utah Jazz
To round out the squad, let’s take a look at the one that got away for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Selected 14th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Ochai Agbaji was involved in the Donovan Mitchell trade package, sending the then 22-year-old prospect to the Utah Jazz. He was not instantly inserted into the Jazz’s nightly rotation, but throughout the season he earned significant minutes, eventually starting in 22 games.
His overall game progressed night by night, ending his rookie campaign with a 35.5 percent 3-point percentage and 7.9 points per game. Standing at 6-foot 5-inches, Agbaji is a taller shooting guard with an athletic build. While he is still a work in progress, he has shown flashes of a stud in the making. He can play the two guard and swap to the three when necessary. A player like Agbaji could to be the perfect glue guy for a contending squad.
Pick No. 39, Team Josh – Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
The top remaining player on my board is Shaedon Sharpe, but I need more size. I’m considering lower-upside players like Quentin Grimes or Tari Eason, or the poor shooting of Ausar Thompson in a nuclear athlete. Ultimately, though, I’ll take none of them and maximize fit and star upside by taking Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets. It’s fascinating that Miller and Scoot Henderson end up on the same team here, as they went 2-3 in this year’s draft. The fact that I took Scoot Henderson 29 picks earlier than Miller should illustrate the gap I see between them as prospects, but at this point the upside and fit of Miller are too good to pass up.
Miller has excellent size at 6’9″ with an absolutely killer jumpshot. He was lights out in college at Alabama and everything about his shot looks projectable to the next level. It’s very easy to see him as a movement shooter who can also shoot off-the-dribble as well. He is a great rebounder, and on a team with two small guards everyone else needs to rebound. He is a good passer and can grab-and-go in transition, something that fits excellently on my team. On defense he is length and excellent instincts. He is slight and will struggle to defend larger players early on, but he can also reasonably get to that point.
The reason Miller shouldn’t have been the third pick in the draft is that the path to him becoming an on-ball All-Star is more difficult; he struggles to gain separation in 1-on-1 situations and create his own offense. That’s not a problem on this team, where any on-ball creation is just icing on a cake being baked by Tyrese Haliburton and Scoot Henderson. Miller can focus on being an absolutely elite shooter and attacking in advantage situations, allowing him to be the most weaponized version of himself. Jeremy Sochan can be the lockdown defender and Miller is perfect defending the next guy down. This is an ideal fit as the last player on my 23-and-under team.
Pick No. 40, Team Izzy – Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls
With my last pick, I am going to take Patrick Williams of the Chicago Bulls to give me more defense. Despite being stuck in mediocrity with the Bulls, Williams has developed into an elite defensive player over the past couple of seasons. He is very aggressive on the ball and does a really good job of staying out of foul trouble. His offense is also coming around as he shot 42% from three this past season. He is developing into the prototypical 3 and D player that is lauded in today’s NBA. Williams is one of those guys that can fit on any team in the league due to his skill set and he will only get better as the years go on.
Final Rosters from the 23-and-under Draft
After five rounds, 40 players went off the board. There are still quite a few names remaining, including (in no particular order): Shaedon Sharpe, Jalen Green, Ausar Thompson, Dyson Daniels, Bilal Coulibaly, Taylor Hendricks, Cam Thomas, Josh Green, Ousmane Dieng, Coby White, Cole Anthony, Tre Jones, Jalen Suggs, Jalen Johnson, Corey Kispert, AJ Griffin, Christian Braun, Cam Whitmore, Jaden Hardy, Dereck Lively II.
Here are all eight rosters, ordered roughly by position:
Team Quinn:
Amen Thompson
Anthony Edwards
Jaden McDaniels
Deni Avdija
Chet Holmgren
Team Dan:
Anthony Black
Jalen Williams
Franz Wagner
Jarace Walker
Victor Wembanyama
Team Gibson:
Darius Garland
Jaden Ivey
Moses Moody
Jonathan Kuminga
Jalen Duren
Team Matt:
Josh Giddey
Gradey Dick
Keegan Murray
Evan Mobley
Alperen Sengun
Team Alex:
LaMelo Ball
Devin Vassell
Trey Murphy III
Zion Williamson
Onyeka Okongwu
Team Caleb:
Cade Cunningham
Ochai Agbaji
Scottie Barnes
Paolo Banchero
Walker Kessler
Team Josh:
Scoot Henderson
Tyrese Haliburton
Brandon Miller
Jeremy Sochan
Jabari Smith Jr.
Team Izzy:
Tyrese Maxey
Tyler Herro
Keldon Johnson
Patrick Williams
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Who do you think was the best roster? Would you have made any decisions differently? These eight rosters are all brimming with talent and tracking the careers of these players will be extremely fun.