Re-grading the 2023 NBA Draft one year later pick by pick
By Ben Handler
Round 1: Pick 6: Orlando Magic - Anthony Black
Grade: C-
The Magic were a great story this season but Black was mostly buried on the bench. He showed flashes, but he’s got a ways to go before cracking their rotation. This may have been a reach. This will be a big year two for Black to prove himself and carve out a role.
Round 1: Pick 7: Washington Wizards - Bilal Coulibably
Grade: B-
The Wizards traded up one spot to nab Coulibaly and they should be happy with the returns. They knew he was a raw prospect and he joined a team that is in complete rebuild mode, but Bilal showed all the signs you’d want to see. The upside is still there in spades.
Round 1: Pick 8: Indiana Pacers - Jarace Walker
Grade: C+
There’s nothing wrong with the player, but the Pacers really could have used a rotation player here and Walker wasn’t ready to be that. Now they’ve added Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin who both played ahead of Jarace last season. I’m still high on him but there’s a bit of a logjam at his position and the Pacers aren’t in a great position to develop young players.
Round 1: Pick 9: Utah Jazz - Taylor Hendricks
Grade: C
Hendricks was another raw prospect who didn’t get a chance to play until late in the season. He’s very raw but dripping with talent. The Jazz need to pick a direction and create room for young players like Hendricks to get an opportunity sooner rather than later.
Round 1: Pick 10: Oklahoma City Thunder - Cason Wallace
Grade: A-
This looks like another excellent pick by OKC as Wallace came in and contributed at a high level right away. He’s already a borderline elite guard defender and the offense came along. He may have a chance to start and if his shot comes around he can be a special player. I bumped it down from an A only because they traded this pick with the Mavericks which later hurt them.
