Let�s get Wemby to rumble!

�We have a trade! The Indiana Pacers are trading the 1st Overall pick to-�

Man, what a nightmare that would be huh. Nah, just kidding. The Indiana Pacers have won the right to the first overall pick in the 2023 NSL draft, thus gaining the right to add arguably the best basketball prospect since the Chosen One. Victor Wembenyana will, without a doubt, be playing in a Pacers uniform next season. Now, Vic is also the only player in this draft class with a sure fire home as of right now, the rest? Well that�s what we are here to figure out. We will be splitting the mock draft into 3 parts, picks 1-14 (lotto), picks 15-30 (rest of first), and the entire second round will be its own. Now, Ladies and gentlemen, the NSL 2023 full 2 round mock draft, part one!

1st pick, Indiana selects: Victor Wembenyana, Center, Metropolitans 92.

Arguably the greatest draft prospect since LeBron James, Victor Wembenyana is a generational talent the world has never seen before. Imagine Kevin Durant, but at 7�5 with an 8ft wingspan, (crazy, right?). Victor will be drafted at an age of 19 � years old, thus setting up Indiana with a cornerstone for the future. With Averages of 21.3 ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.2 apg, 0.8 spg and a whopping 3.2 bpg with splits of 46.5%/30.4%/82.9%, Victor comes in as the immediate number one option for Indy. But what exactly doe that mean for indy? First off, according to sources, with having landed 1st overall, Indy will be looking to move on from KAT, looking for a star caliber wing in return, or a bevy of assets, with a rumored deal already in line. There's also rumors that Indy already has multiple other trade deals lined up to turn this team into a young contender for next season, while also gaining a large amount of cap space to round out the rotation this offseason. Victor Wembenyana is on his way to Indiana, and the rest of the league should be scared. 

2nd pick, Utah selects: Scoot Henderson, Point Guard, GLeague Ignite. 

Utah had a chance to go 1,2,3 in the lotto order this year. If that happened I wouldn�t be surprised if half the league's GMs quiet right then and there. But instead they can arguably win the best consolation prize possible, landing picks 2, AND 3. Let's start with number 2. Despite having Jaden Ivey and Josh Giddy, Scoot makes a lot of sense for Utah. Neither of them is a true PG while scoot is. Drafting Scoot would essentially move everyone over 1 position while also moving Vassell to the bench, heavily bolstering it. With averages of 17.6ppg, 6.4apg, 5.1rpg and 1.2spg, Scoot has flashed shades of Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose with his athleticism and downhill aggression. However, with the amount of talent already on the team, and two other lottery picks, there's a chance that Utah moves this, or another lotto pick, for a potential superstar to try and compete next season. And with the biggest issue for Utah being a lack of talent at the center, don�t be surprised if they go looking for a big. Names to keep an eye on for Utah? KAT and AD, along with other potential star bigs. 

3rd pick, Utah Selects: Brandon Miller, Small Forward, Alabama. 

If Utah keeps this pick I would be surprised. They already have a bevy of wing talent with Giddym Wagner, Daniels, Vassell and Duarte. However, if they do keep it, they are getting arguably the best player in college basketball this year. With averages of 18.8ppg, 8.2rpg, 2.1apg and a block and steal each per game, Miller has a very good all around game. Miller's biggest talent though? The ability to score at all 3 levels despite not having the best handle. He counters that with his shooting ability, hitting 38.4% of his threes this year for the tide. Miller had multiple 30 point games and a massive 41 point game this season. He can come and immediately plug in as a scoring, defending wing for Utah. However, the chances they keep this pick are unlikely, especially if they keep pick 2 and take scoot. Utah would have the issue of too much young talent, not finding playing time for everyone. Solution? Trades this pick, and maybe number 7, for a star player to help this team compete for a title in the future. 

4th pick, Detroit Selects: Cam Whitmore, Small Forward, Villanova. 

Woah, man are detroit fans happy right now, despite their own pick falling to 9th, (and it belong to miami). Detroit makes the jump from 7th to 4th with BKNs pick. With it, they finally go and get their wing to pair with star guard duo SPida and Simons. Cam Whitmore provides a solid all-around game in a rugged 6�7, 235lb body. With averages of 12.5ppg, 5.3 rpg and a solid 1.4spg, Cam can easily be plugged into the starting 3 spot and provide defense and shooting for detroit. Cams biggest upside though? With an average of 1.4spg and a PER36 average of 1.9spg, Cam will be a defensive monster with his ability to get into the passing lane and his high defensive IQ. His downside? 34.3% 3PT shooter and 70.3% FT shooter, and along with his not so good handles, leading to a near � assist/turnover ratio. Cam whitmore has skyhigh raw potential, will he be the next PG, probably not, but the next OG Annouby? Wouldn't be that surprising. 

5th pick, Lakers Select: Amen Thompson, Shooting Guard, Overtime Elite.

While Amen is considered a better prospect than Whitmore, his lack of shooting, lack of real competition in the OE, and not as good a fit in Detroit is what knocks him to 5th. Amen is listed as a SG/PG, but is more of a PG/SG, with  massive upside in his playmaking potential. With averages of 16.3 ppg, 6.4rpg, 6.2apg, 2.4spg and 0.8bpg, Amen has a solid all round game. His biggest knock is his shooting, with a 23.3% 3PT and 64.6% FT, Amen is not as good of a shooter/scorer as his brother. His strength is going to come from his raw potential and playmaking skills. For LA, despite falling from 1st to 5th, Amen is a great consolation prize. LA can immediately Plug Amen into the PG position, letting him be his more natural playmaking self, and letting Green stay at the SG and moving Cade to the SF, providing LA with a massive 1-2-3 punch. Amen would let LA potentially have the best young Big 3 in the entire NSL and massively set them up for the future. However LA could move this pick too, with reports of unrest from falling from first, they could look to completely retool, with sources saying nearly everyone is up for grabs.

6th pick, Dallas Select: Ausur Thompson, Shooting Guard, Overtime Elite. 

Amen is considered the better overall prospect between the Thompson twins, but Ausur is considered the better scorer and shooter, despite not being a good shooter himself. He slides in very well in Dallas however with their overall lack of guard depth and talent. With averages of 16.3ppg, 6.9ppg, 6.1apg, 1.3bpg and 2.7spg, Ausur would most likely be considered the number one scoring option out the gates with Dallas. His knock, however, is just like a hit brother with horrendous shooting percentages. His FT% is only slightly better than Amen, while Ausur shoots only 30% on 3s. With both the twins, they have good shooting mechanics and solid forms, so it's safe to assume the shooting improvements will come over time. For Ausur, he's gotta pray that he is able to pair with another starting caliber guard, otherwise defenses will constantly trap and double team him as being the team's only real ball handler. If Dallas is able to get a PG who passes first, expect that lane to open up for Ausur with shooters like Bey and Hayward on the perimeter. Plus his decent playmaking will give lob threat John Collins another partner to terrorize the Pick and Roll with. 

7th pick, Utah Selects: Jarace Walker, Power Forward, Houston. 

Utah has the 2nd and 3rd picks, and number 7, and a ton of young players. Unfair, right? Well the chances they keep this pick are honestly slim to none, like stated previously, where are you gonna get all this playing time for all these young guys? Well, if they do keep the pick, Walker is the way to get. Utah lacks a real big body Bruiser, and Walker is that with his 6�7.5, 250lb frame, Walker is a big body monster. With averages of 11.2 ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.3bpg and 1spg with shooting splits of 46.5%/34.7%/66.2%, Walkers seems to be a big body bruiser that can come out and be a threat on the perimeter, a force in the paint with his size, and can arguably guard 2-4 and some 5s in a pinch. Walker would bring an all around anchor to Utah's bench who can also be a solid scoring threat. If Utah takes Walker at 7, he most likely doesn�t win rookie of the year, but don�t be entirely surprised if he gets a leg through the door for 6MOTY. 

8th pick, Atlanta Selects: Taylor Hendricks, Power Forward, UCF.

WIth Atlanta, this pick gets a bit more difficult. There's a clear top 7 talent wise, after that the water gets a bit murky. Rumor has it Atlanta plans to go full rebuild, with everyone on the table including Lillard. In a situation like that, BPA is the way to go. Now you could make the argument that Anthony Black is the better BPA, but the pick here is Hnedricks. Hendricks has been quickly climbing up the draft boards the last few weeks, with impressive measurements at the combine to great interviews to solid workouts for teams. Teams seem to believe Hendricks ability to space the floor and raw athleticism could turn him into a John Collins with a jumper. With averages of 15.1ppg, 7rpg, 1.7bpg and 0.9spg on 47.8%/39.4%/78.2% shooting splits, it's rare to see that kind of number on an uber athletic big man, and especially one right out of college. However, those stats and his fast rise could put him in a prime position to be a number 2 or 3 option next to Lillard and Siakim, depending on how the rebuilding efforts go this Offseason. 

9th pick, Miami Selects: Anthony Black, SHooting Guard, Arkansas. 

While listed as a SG, Black is more of a PG at heart, with multiple games of 7+ assists, the hope with Black is that he can develop into a jumbo point forward, like Cade Cunningham for example. His raw talent and poor shooting knocks him down behind Hendricks, but he fits well in Miami. With averages of 12.8ppg, 5.1rpg, 3.9apg and 2.1spg, Miami could easily plug him into the PG pr SG position and pair him with either Sexton or Fultz at the other Guard spot, moving the third guard to the bench and bolstering it. Black could also start at the SF if Miami wishes, with a near 6�7 frame, near 6�8 wingspan, and 210 lb weight, Black could form a 1-2-3-4-5 defensive punch in Miami with Vanderbuilt and Duren at the other Forward positions. Plus with shooters like Hield, sexton and Fultz improved shooting, don�t be surprised is Black leads all rookies in assists next season. Miami may not be the best team next season, but I can see them running away with the number 1 defense, especially if Johnathan Issac can get healthy. 

10th pick, Atlanta Selects: Cason Wallace, Point Guard, Kentucky. 

With the 8th pick, Atlanta went BPA with a seemingly impending full rebuild. If that happens to be the case, then preparing for life after dame isn't a bad idea. With the potential packages ATL could get back for Dame and Siakim, Wallace is a safe pick. Considered the second best PG in the draft after Scoot, Cason Wallce thrives and others nightmares. Despite his 6�3.5 height, his wingspan of 6�8.5 and body frame of 195 lbs makes hims big guard, place that on top of his 2spgand 0.5bpg averages, Wallace will devour players on the defensive end, arguably the best defensive guard in the lottery, and potentially the first rd all together. Don;t let it fool you though, with averages of 11.7ppg, 3.7rpg and 4.3 apg, wallace has a solid all around game with shades and similarities to Jalen Brunson. Between Hendricks and Wallce, plus the potential returns on Dame and Siakim if they are dealt, I have faith in a potential Atl rebuild. 

11th pick, Clippers Select: Nick Smith Jr, Point Guard, Arkansas. 

The Clippers have 6 first rd picks in this year's draft. What the actual fu-. I'm just kidding, but it�s crazy! 6, 6! First rd picks, do they keep them all? No way, do they keep one or two? Maybe, but good chances are they keep the lower level picks and package the higher ones with maybe a player or two to go get a Star and push them over the hump after just missing out on the Playoffs. If they do keep 11 however, Nick Smith would be the best option. With already a bevy of talent but no real PG, Smith is the way to go. Despite only averaging 1.7apg this season, his 6�5, 185lb frame makes him a bigger, more athletic guard, more combo than point, with a good comparison being a slightly worse shooter KPJ. SMith makes sense for LA as a team that needs a real floor general, but chances are they go and trade for a real PG than draft one, probably wanting to build around Banchero, Jalen Williams and RJ Barrett. 

12th pick, Pelicans Select: Jordan Hawkins, Shooting Guard, UConn. 

The Pels already made their big move, Getting Luka Doncic on a trade that's just waiting to be finalized. For them, Hawkins makes the most sense as a Reaves replacement. Reaves is estimated to get offered a contract in the 100 million $ range this offseason and that may be too tough of a pill to swallow. So instead, replacing him with an efficient 3PT threat off the bench is a solid backup plan. With Averages of 16.2ppg and 3.8rpg, Hawkins can instantly plug in as a bench heater for the pels, providing scoring for when the starters are off the bench. Hawkins biggest knock is his 2PT efficacy which is only 40.9% on 2s. Hawkins is, however, a great 3PT shooter and FT shooter with 38.8%/88.7% splits. Austin Reaves may end up walking in FA, but Hawkins isn't a bad replacement. 

13th pick, Bulls Select: Grady Dick, Small Forward, Kansas.

For a seemingly rebuilding team, the 13th overall pick is better than nothing. They have young talent with Cam Thomas, Claxton, Monk and Tre jones. Oh yea, and they have Anthony Davis, who they plan on trading for the motherload. Not a bad way to start a rebuild. Now you take AD trades out of the equation for the moment, and Dick is a solid fit. Can immediately start and provide shooting and defense. Considered by many the best shooter in the draft, Dick shoots a red hot 40.3% from three while also averaging 14.1ppg, 5.1rpg and 1.4spg. Best comp? A prime Danny Green. Dick can run players ragged moving all over the court for open shots and hound offensive players on defense. And with a bench of shot chuckers like Thomas and Monk, and guys like Grady that doesn�t need to even dribble to make an impact? Sounds like a solid player to me. 

14th pick, Clippers Select: Keyonte George, Shooting Guard, Baylor. 

We are going to do a lot of hypotheticals when it comes to both of the LA teams in this draft since they have a combined 10 of the first rds 30 picks. So the rest of the way, we are going to assume each pick we talk about is the only one they make and they trade the other five so my freaking head doesn�t explode. George is a raw gunner from Baylor. The potential is there but his shooting percentages are awful, shooting a 37.6%/33.8%/79.3% splits. However his 15.3ppg despite the awful shooting shows promise. And the FT% shows that with time and training, George could one day be a go to bench scorer for the Clips.