CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Barring anything extreme, Victor Wembanyama will be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22. It’s looking more and more likely that Brandon Miller will be going to Charlotte with the No. 2 pick, and Scoot Henderson rounds out the top three prospects.
Thanks to the Athletic’s Shams Charania we now know that the Pelicans want Henderson to call New Orleans home.
The Pelicans don’t pick until No. 14, but may have enough to persuade the Portland Trailblazers to part ways with their No. 3 pick.
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New Orleans’ stash includes the Lakers’ first-rounder in 2024 or 2025, depending on which one it wants, from the Anthony Davis trade. It also has pick-swap rights with the Bucks in 2024 and 2026 from the Jrue Holiday trade, as well as Milwaukee’s first-round picks in 2025 and 2027.
That doesn’t even include any of the proven high caliber players it could part ways with like Brandon Ingram, C.J. McCollum or even 2019 No. 1 pick Zion Williamson, who has played more than 30 games in only one in his three NBA seasons.
The 19-year old Henderson put up 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game in 19 appearances with the G-League Ignite. He shot 42.9% from the floor despite connecting on just 27.5% of his 3-pointers. He has already worked out for the Blazers and the Hornets, which are the only two workouts he planned to conduct.
That hasn’t deterred the Pelicans, who could use a shifty, explosive playmaker like Henderson. Don’t be surprised if the Pelicans make a move that brings the guy they want to the Big Easy.
Will Cason Wallace add to Kentucky’s streak?
It’s hard to talk about college programs sending players to the NBA without mentioning Kentucky. Since 20210 Big Blue Nation has had 45 players get drafted, including 34 players selected in the first round. What’s more, the Wildcats have had three players --John Wall, Anthony Davis and Karl Anthony-Towns, get selected No. 1 overall.
The Wildcats fell short of the NCAA Tournament this season, but thanks to Cason Wallace it seems Kentucky’s 13-year streak of having a player selected in the first round will be safe for another year.
At 6-foot-4 with a 6-8 wingspan, Wallace is a hounding defender that plays much bigger than his size. His tools on that end of the floor have earned him comparisons to Jrue Holiday, who is widely regarded as one of the best defensive guards in today’s NBA.
“On the ball, he stays seated in a low stance with arms wide, ready to poke at the ball or position himself to disrupt the path of opponents. With great strength, he’s able to withstand contact from stronger scorers, using his footwork to beat big wings to spots and then absorb contact without moving,” The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor said of Wallace in his latest mock draft. “Instinctual off-ball defender who can make highlight-reel chase-down blocks and interceptions in passing lanes. He’ll win over fans with his hustle plays, whether it’s a dive for a loose ball or a charge taken.”
Wallace can also thrive as a complimentary offensive option. He effortlessly makes plays for others, can finish around the rim and is a knockdown catch-and-shooter with a knack for getting open. Wallace averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 32 games during his year at Kentucky. A great decision-maker who takes care of the ball, Wallace shot 44.6% from the floor, 34.6% from 3 and 75.7% from the free throw line.
His draft projection has been as high as No. 6 to the Orlando Magic and as low as No. 18 to the Miami Heat. Wallace immediately improves any defense in the NBA. With no other Wildcats projected to go in the first round -- Chris Livingston and Oscar Tshiebwe both have second round grades -- Wallace will likely extend Kentucky’s streak for at least another year.
Is Amari Bailey a steal?
Second-round picks are always undervalued, but there are so many talented players drafted in the second round that end up having phenomenal careers. The hard part is figuring out which of those guys can be the diamond in the rough that can give your team a boost.
In this year’s draft that might be UCLA guard Amari Bailey. The No. 2 high school recruit in the nation out of Sierra Canyon, Bailey averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists over 30 games and 28 starts, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman honors in his lone year with the Bruins.
Bailey put up 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in UCLA’s final six games and shot 56.1% from the field in those contests. He also made nearly 39% of his regular season 3s and was 4 of 6 from deep in the postseason.
At 6-5 with a 6-7 wingspan, Bailey can play and defend either guard position. He’s was one of the biggest stars of the NBA combine in May.
After a “disastrously bad” beginning of the week, writes CBS Sports Kyle Boone, Bailey “flipped a switch and turned it up a notch from there and really didn’t look back.
“In two scrimmages he finished with 36 points and 14 assists, standing out especially as a playmaker and facilitator. Bailey was sparingly used as a freshman with the Bruins and even less so did he have opportunities to run the offense, but he showed serious ability as a combo guard who could create looks with good vision.”
Sports Illustrated’s Nick Crain believes Bailey “is a first-round talent, but isn’t getting the top-30 recognition he deserves.”
“Why not take a shot on a former top high school recruit?” The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor questioned. “Bailey looked more like a lottery talent at the NBA draft combine and presents great value.”
Having gone to Sierra Canyon, has been playing against high level competition for a while now. While the jump to the NBA is a different level, Bailey has shown as much promise as any other guard in this year’s draft class.
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