Re-grading the 2023 NBA Draft one year later pick by pick
By Ben Handler
Round 1: Pick 16: Utah Jazz - Keyonte George
Grade: A
George had an excellent rookie year and showed more than anyone could hope for from a lead guard as a rookie. Sure, he had some struggles but that’s to be expected. It looks like the the Jazz struck gold after the lottery and George can be a real building block going forward, perhaps even making players like Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton expendable.
Round 1: Pick 17: Los Angeles Lakers - Jalen Hood-Schifino
Grade: D+
The Lakers badly needed a contributing player or a nice trade chip, and with JHS they got neither. There’s still plenty of time for Hood-Schifino to carve out a niche in the league, but for what the Lakers wanted out of this pick, this was a swing and miss.
Round 1: Pick 18: Miami Heat - Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Grade: A-
Did the Heat do it again? The Heat did it again. They grabbed a proven college veteran player and he stepped right in as one of the Heat’s best players as a rookie. He may not have the highest ceiling, but they grabbed a clear starting caliber player after the lottery; that’s a massive win.
Round 1: Pick 19: Golden State Warriors - Brandin Podziemski
Grade: A-
The Warriors need to hit on their draft pick as much as any team if they hope to stay in contention and they did just that with Podz. He stepped in and contributed as a rookie, adding an offensive spark and surprisingly stout defense. Eventually, he usurped longtime starters and forced Steve Kerr to put him in the lineup.
Round 1: Pick 20: Houston Rockets - Cam Whitmore
Grade: A
This looks like the steal of the draft. Whitmore was expected to be a top 5-10 talent but injury and character concerns caused him to fall. The Rockets happily snatched him up with a pick acquired from the Clippers and he looked like one of the best rookies in the NBA last season. He’s earned a spot in the team’s young core.