It's officially 2023 NBA draft week, and one of the big storylines continues to be what happens with the No. 2 pick. With the 19-year-old French phenom Victor Wembanyama all but headed to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC and ESPN App), extra attention has been on the Charlotte Hornets as they decide between Alabama forward Brandon Miller and G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony reported Sunday that the Hornets were going to bring Miller and Henderson back for a second round of workouts and interviews in front of outgoing majority owner Michael Jordan. What the Hornets decide to do with the pick along with a possible active trade market could impact how the rest of the draft plays out.
ESPN will be tracking every twist and turn until Wembanyama's name is announced first at the Barclays Center podium Thursday, with this version of the mock draft undergoing any and all necessary alterations up until draft time, based on our latest intel and any first- or second-round moves up until that hour:
(Updated: June 22, 7:16 p.m. ET)
First round
1. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama
Metropolitans 92
PF/C
Age: 19.4
Wembanyama wrapped up his season with France's Metropolitans 92 with a 3-0 sweep at the hands of EuroLeague title contenders Monaco, arriving in New York on Monday to assuredly assume his mantle as the No. 1 pick Thursday. He ended up playing 62 games across all competitions without missing a contest, a testament to the work he and his team put into maintaining his health. Wembanyama led the French league in points, rebounds and blocks while showing his productivity impacts winning at the highest level against all the best teams he faced this season, making an easy case for being the No. 1 pick thanks to his unprecedented combination of size, length, skill, feel for the game and instincts on both ends of the floor. -- Jonathan Givony
2. Charlotte Hornets
Brandon Miller
Alabama
SF
Age: 20.5
Miller and Scoot Henderson returned to Charlotte Monday for second visits and workouts as the Hornets finalize their plans at No. 2. Sources told ESPN the feeling coming out of that workout was that Miller further helped himself, bringing a much greater intensity level, making shots, and faring well when tested in defensive situations. The word was he also had a positive meeting with Michael Jordan, and at this point, all indications are that the Hornets are prepared to go with Miller here. Henderson endeared himself to Charlotte, but it's fair to say that Miller looks like the easier choice, able to slot in easily as a tall wing scorer alongside guard LaMelo Ball as the Hornets push toward competitiveness. -- Jeremy Woo
3. Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson
G League Ignite
PG
Age: 19.3
Portland seems content to select Miller or Henderson. Barring a team unexpectedly emerging on draft night with an offer they simply can't refuse, sources told ESPN the Trail Blazers are planning on keeping the pick and adding the type of talent to the roster they would be hard pressed to bring to Portland if not through the draft. The team will attempt to thread the needle between being competitive with Damian Lillard at the helm and continuing to build for the future with Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons and this draft pick, giving them a strong nucleus to look forward to even after the Lillard era ends. -- Givony
4. Houston Rockets
Amen Thompson
Overtime Elite
PG/SG
Age: 20.3
All signs point to Thompson being the choice for Houston at No. 4, with the Rockets weighing a big upside swing on the hope that he can become the type of connective guard their roster needs. While it may take him some time to adjust to the speed of the NBA game, his unique athleticism and passing vision should allow him to create advantages in the open floor. Thompson's potential to become both a lead playmaker and a perimeter stopper could round out this team quite nicely. For the Rockets, Thompson's upside seems to far outweigh the concerns around his jumper. His long-term ceiling is significant and makes him maybe the most tantalizing risk-reward pick in the class. -- Woo
5. Detroit Pistons
Ausar Thompson
Overtime Elite
PG/SG
Age: 20.3
The intel shifted in recent days following Cam Whitmore's workout in Detroit, indicating that the Pistons may look in a different direction, be it trading down or selecting another player such as Ausar. Making Monty Williams the highest-paid coach in the NBA unquestionably gives him input on how the roster is built, and the expectation around the league is the Pistons will want to pivot to respectability as quickly as possible. Detroit has explored trade-down scenarios, sources told ESPN, but ownership may be reluctant to forgo the opportunity to add a high-end talent that this portion of the draft allows after the difficult season the team endured. Teams such as Utah (which holds the Nos. 9 and 16 picks) would surely love to package their picks to get to this portion of the draft, but the asking price for that on Detroit's side has been prohibitively high. -- Givony
6. Orlando Magic
Anthony Black
Arkansas
PG/SG
Age: 19.4
Per usual, the Magic have been a tricky team for rivals to read at this spot, but Black and Ausar Thompson appear to be the two strongest candidates. Considering Orlando's lack of size in the backcourt and emphasis on feel in its perimeter players, Black fits the mold, and with Thompson off the board to Detroit, he could very well be the pick here. In this scenario, with Whitmore available at No. 6, he could also be a viable candidate. The Magic have explored moving around in the draft but will have a difficult choice to make if they stay put, particularly if the Rockets and Pistons opt to pass on Whitmore and send him down into the next part of the lottery. Provided his jumper comes along, Black could be an excellent fit with what the Magic already have, giving them a connective player and versatile defender to accentuate the young talent already in place. -- Woo
7. Indiana Pacers
Jarace Walker
Houston
PF
Age: 19.7
Walker is believed to have a narrow draft range consisting of Detroit at No. 5, Indiana at No. 7 and Utah at No. 9. With the Pacers believed to be actively seeking an explosive, defensive-minded power forward who can bring a physical presence and multi-positional versatility, Walker is a natural fit for their roster composition standing 6-foot-8, 249 pounds with 7-foot-2½ wingspan. The team has plenty of shot-creation and scoring already with Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, but struggled defensively and on the glass because of its lack of physicality. The Pacers trading for a power forward such as Jonathan Kuminga, Tobias Harris, De'Andre Hunter or Dorian Finney-Smith is an option that could be explored as well. Ausar Thompson and Cam Whitmore are also in play here. -- Givony
8. Washington Wizards
Cam Whitmore
Villanova
SF
Age: 18.9
Over the past several days, there's been a bit more uncertainty among teams surrounding Whitmore's eventual landing spot in the top 10. He had been viewed as a strong option for the Pistons as No. 5, but the feeling right now is that he may be ticketed for the 6-through-9 range. In this scenario, with Orlando and Indiana opting for Black and Walker, he makes it here to No. 8. He did not work out in Washington, but this might simply be a strong value play for the Wizards with Black off the board. Another name to watch here, particularly if Black is gone, is Kobe Bufkin, who is known to have internal support in the Washington front office and could feasibly be the choice here if they decide to prioritize guards. This pick will be the first step in Washington's rebuild as the first major post-Bradley Beal-trade decision for this front office. -- Woo
9. Utah Jazz
Taylor Hendricks
UCF
PF
Age: 19.5
The Jazz appear to be in a similar position as Indiana, seeking a physically gifted forward with defensive versatility to pair with leading scorer Lauri Markkanen, with the top two candidates to fill that role being Hendricks and Houston's Jarace Walker. Markkanen can toggle between the small forward and power forward position offensively with his robust perimeter skill set, and having a more defensive-minded forward alongside him who can check elite scorers does make sense. Filling that need with their first pick, and then focusing on adding backcourt depth with their second pick, seems to make sense considering the number of guards and wings expected to be available later in the draft. With that said, that plan could change if Anthony Black happens to fall here, as rival teams believe he's high on the Jazz draft board (and is a particular favorite of head coach Will Hardy) as a potential point guard of the future, to the point that he may even be the target of a potential move-up trade on draft night. -- Givony
10. Dallas Mavericks
Dereck Lively II
Duke
C
Age: 19.3
This Dallas selection has been deemed by rival teams as the most likely lottery pick to move entering draft night, with the Mavericks aiming to maximize value and searching for the highest bidder. Dallas has interest in Lively, but continues to weigh its options in trading back, looking for the right opportunity to upgrade the roster while also preferring to stay in the draft and potentially grab a player they like further down, like Cason Wallace. Lively has potential suitors right after this pick in Orlando and Oklahoma City, making him a trade target for other teams at this spot, most notably Atlanta, which could aim to package the No. 15 pick with Clint Capela to move up and draft him. -- Woo
11. Orlando Magic (via Chicago)
Gradey Dick
Kansas
SG/SF
Age: 19.5
Drafting at No. 6 and No. 11 has given the Magic a chance to look at virtually every lottery prospect outside of the top three, with the exception of Bufkin. This is assumed to be the floor for Black, who is believed to be in consideration for the Magic's No. 6 pick. Provided the Magic don't select Whitmore at No. 6 (a possibility), picking Dick at No. 11 is a move that many rival teams anticipate due to the floor spacing he could provide as arguably the best shooter in the draft. Lively is said to be another option here after a strong workout in Orlando. Another likely candidate is Bilal Coulibaly, who has been one of the hottest names going into this week. Several rival teams have indicate that this pick is very much available in a trade for a veteran wing shooter, and we could see a team try to move up to this slot to snag one of Dick, Bufkin or Couliably in this slot. -- Givony
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Bilal Coulibaly
Metropolitans 92
SG/SF
Age: 18.8
Many teams have begun operating under the assumption that Coulibaly hears his name called in the lottery, with Utah looking like the high end and Orlando, Oklahoma City and Toronto also potential fits. However, sources say not every team has been granted access to Coulibaly's medicals, suggesting this has been a selective process on his end. Sam Presti and a group of Thunder execs were among those in Monaco last week for a final look at Coulibaly, and his profile certainly fits what OKC has traditionally valued. Depending how the lottery falls, Bufkin and Lively are two other names to watch at this spot. -- Woo
13. Toronto Raptors
Kobe Bufkin
Michigan
PG/SG
Age: 19.7
The Raptors have a plethora of options at their disposal that could see them end up anywhere on draft night -- higher up in the lottery, with another pick in the mid-to-late first round -- or possibly out altogether. Picking a shooter such as Dick or Jordan Hawkins, or pairing franchise stalwart Scottie Barnes with a versatile combo guard such as Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr. or Hood-Schifino are believed to be some of their most likely options, according to rival teams. However, the amount of activity coming out of the Toronto front office makes it difficult to project what they will do. Bufkin's fit with Barnes because of his experience playing off the ball, defensive tenacity and much-improved shooting has caused many to speculate that the Raptors are the ones who promised Bufkin this pick, and he indeed finds himself as the pick in this scenario. -- Givony
14. New Orleans Pelicans
Jordan Hawkins
UConn
SG
Age: 21.1
Chatter surrounding the Pelicans' potential move toward the top of the draft for Henderson has died down in recent days, with the Hornets appearing unlikely to deal the No. 2 pick, the Blazers listening to a range of callers for No. 3 and New Orleans seemingly uninterested in dealing Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram -- the type of return moving up that high in this draft would likely require. The Pelicans could still look to move around in the draft on a smaller scale, but if they stay at No. 14, Hawkins' deadeye movement shooting would immediately add a different dimension to their personnel on a roster already full of ball handlers. His experience level and valuable role might make him more appealing here than trying to develop a younger guard on a longer timeline. Hawkins could be off the board already, with Orlando and Toronto looking at him as an option, and if New Orleans were to pass, he likely won't fall too far into the teens. -- Woo
15. Atlanta Hawks
Cason Wallace
Kentucky
PG/SG
Age: 19.6
For the Hawks, draft night might represent as much of an opportunity to clean up their salary sheet as add talent, with the likes of De'Andre Hunter, Clint Capela and John Collins all said to be potential options for shaving money as the second apron approaches and looming extensions for Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey and Onyeka Okongwu appear daunting. The Mavericks are said to be one potential trade partner, but the Hawks may balk at using the No. 15 pick in a deal for Capela, who still has positive trade value. Lively is said to be viewed as a potential successor for Capela should the draftee fall this far, but if he doesn't, the glut of guards in this range -- many of whom avoided working out for the Hawks due to their crowded backcourt situation -- could be attractive in adding depth to the roster. The concept of the Hawks executing a trade with Toronto, centered around Pascal Siakam and Dejounte Murray, is another topic that came up in conversations with rival teams this week, adding to the many different options at Atlanta and Toronto's disposal. -- Givony
16. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)
Keyonte George
Baylor
SG
Age: 19.6
There's been some thought circulating that George could fall a bit further than this on draft night, but the Jazz are known to be among the teams interested. In a scenario like this, where Utah keeps its picks and grabs a frontcourt player at No. 9, this pick seems like a landing spot for a guard. George's scoring instincts and skill level give him good upside relative to the other guards in his range, particularly if he falls out of the lottery, but he has been a polarizing name for teams throughout the pre-draft process, and his range still appears pretty wide as a result. -- Woo
17. Los Angeles Lakers
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Indiana
PG/SG
Age: 20.0
The Lakers are thought to be considering several players here, including Lively, Smith and Noah Clowney, but a surprise fall from Hood-Schifino could also make him a logical choice if L.A. decides to keep this pick, or a viable target for another team in a trade. Coming off a run to the Western Conference finals, the Lakers can be opportunistic about where they are positioned on draft night. Several high-level prospects are likely to be available here, allowing them to either add a talented young player to their core, or make an impactful trade that allows them to remain competitive heading into next season. -- Givony
18. Miami Heat
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
UCLA
SF
Age: 22.3
Miami has a need for a bigger, defensive-minded wing, and this spot is viewed as the high end for a player in that mold such as Jaquez or Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Brandin Podziemski is another name rival teams are watching for here. Jaquez has helped himself in the pre-draft process, showing teams he's ready to contribute sooner rather than later thanks to his experience, physicality and feel for the game, allowing him to play a variety of positions and roles for the team that picks him. -- Woo
19. Golden State Warriors
Brandin Podziemski
Santa Clara
SG
Age: 20.3
The Warriors are said to be looking at a different strategy on draft night, after previously picking young, developmental-type prospects who have been difficult to fully integrate into their style of play. Rival teams have pointed to the likes of Podziemski, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kris Murray -- who bring varying degrees of skill, feel, shooting and two-way versatility, as the type of players the Warriors could target instead. Podziemski, an analytics-model favorite, has helped himself in the pre-draft process with the intriguing combination of toughness, shooting and passing ability he has demonstrated in workouts, helping him climb solidly into the first round. -- Givony
20. Houston Rockets (via LA Clippers)
Jett Howard
Michigan
SG/SF
Age: 19.7
Houston is thought to be shopping this pick, with plenty of young players already on the roster and little need for additional rookies. The Rockets could be willing to move out in exchange for a future first-rounder and kick this selection down the road. But if a player they like falls here, they could simply decide to stay put and select. Howard's shooting ability and size makes him a potentially dangerous perimeter threat in the long run, although his range appears to be quite wide at the moment, beginning with the Lakers at No. 17 and running toward the back of the first round. -- Woo
21. Brooklyn Nets (via Phoenix)
Noah Clowney
Alabama
PF
Age: 18.9
Clowney was the 21st player to receive an invite to the NBA draft's green room, a positive sign for his standing Thursday. The Nets are said to be extremely active in trade conversations, having the option of using one or both of their first-round picks (Nos. 21 and 22) with players such as Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O'Neale to get to different spots in the draft if they desire. Clowney is said to be a prospect they are especially high on, potentially even exploring the option of moving up to get him on draft night. -- Givony
22. Brooklyn Nets
Nick Smith Jr.
Arkansas
PG/SG
Age: 19.1
At this point, it's not quite clear exactly where the floor is for Smith, whose first serious landing spot seems to be the Lakers at No. 17, a team that could go several different directions with its pick. His creative on-ball chops and strong reputation coming out of high school has kept his name in all these conversations, but a difficult, injury-plagued freshman season at Arkansas ultimately made it difficult for him to build a ton of momentum. Many teams in this part of the draft are looking for more experienced, NBA-ready help, but the Nets are in position to take a long view with one or both of these picks, depending whether they move them. Brooklyn could make sense as a potential backstop. -- Woo
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via New York)
Kris Murray
Iowa
PF
Age: 22.7
Murray could certainly come off the board earlier than this, with the Warriors and Nets looking like possible suitors, and his skill set easy to plug and play on most rosters. The Kings, who struck gold drafting his twin brother Keegan Murray last year, will likely think long and hard about reuniting the Murrays should Kris fall all the way to their spot here. Kris isn't a flashy player by any means, but he has the type of 3-and-D framework that should age well and give him a pathway to a long NBA career. -- Woo
24. Sacramento Kings
Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Marquette
PF
Age: 20.9
Prosper has been mentioned by teams as a serious candidate to go earlier than this, with his range starting around No. 18 with Miami and ending in the 20s. He appears to have helped himself quite a bit in the pre-draft process, including a strong combine showing, and offers promising physical tools that few wings in this draft class can match. His motor and frame portend developmental upside, even if his floor game remains a bit of a work in progress. The Kings are thought to be looking for more experienced players here in hopes of finding a useful piece to add to their supporting cast, and this is viewed as a back-end landing spot for Kris Murray. -- Woo
25. Boston Celtics
Brice Sensabaugh
Ohio St.
SF/PF
Age: 19.6
The Celtics pulled off a stunning trade the night before the draft, moving Marcus Smart to Memphis for two first round picks (No. 25 in 2023, and a 2024 first rounder) and Kristaps Porzingis. The Celtics could go in any number of directions here, either grabbing a formerly highly touted prospect such as Dariq Whitehead or Sensabaugh sliding due to medical concerns, taking a swing on the upside of someone like Julian Phillips, or possibly adding a more veteran piece who they can hope to plug into the rotation immediately like Trayce Jackson-Davis. Following the Smart trade, the Celtics could look to add scoring punch here with Sensabaugh, who offers quite a bit from a talent perspective if he can remain healthy moving forward.-- Givony
26. Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland)
Rayan Rupert
NZ Breakers
SG/SF
Age: 19.0
The Pacers flipped the 29th and 32nd pick to Denver earlier in the week, and continue to explore a wide variety of trade options involving all of their draft picks, including No. 7, so it's quite possible a different team ends up selecting here. Rupert is expected to come off the board somewhere in the 20s, offering prototypical length for an NBA wing and supplying strong intangibles, although his offensive game remains a work in progress. -- Givony
27. Charlotte Hornets (via Denver)
James Nnaji
Barcelona
C
Age: 18.8
The Pacers continue to explore a wide variety of trade options involving all of their draft picks, including No. 7, so it's quite possible a different team ends up selecting here as the Pacers don't really need a center. Nnaji hasn't been able to make his way to the United States for workouts as his team, Barcelona, is currently playing in the ACB finals. That has forced his camp to get creative, sending a pro-day-style video to teams in addition to an NBA-supervised combine that revealed exceptional measurements -- standing 7 feet in shoes and weighing 251 pounds, with a 7-7 wingspan and 9-4 standing reach. A team lacking in rim protection on its roster could prioritize Nnaji with his exceptional length and quickness getting off his feet. -- Givony
28. Utah Jazz (via Philadelphia)
Dariq Whitehead
Duke
SG/SF
Age: 18.8
Considering the Jazz are among the teams holding multiple picks and expected to be active, it's unclear whether they'll actually select for themselves here. After recently having another foot surgery, Whitehead is expected to make a full recovery going into the season, but has seen his stock slip as a once-projected lottery pick with teams struggling to gain a feel for his true talent level despite his lofty high school reputation. If he makes it out of the first round, he shouldn't fall too far, but that scenario is in play.-- Woo
29. Denver Nuggets (via Boston)
Marcus Sasser
Houston
SG
Age: 22.7
The newly crowned NBA champions continued to be extremely active in the trade market, using the No. 40 pick and a 2024 first-rounder to acquire this selection as well as the No. 32 pick. This now leaves them with three selections on draft night (29, 32 and 37) after a separate trade they made with Oklahoma City. It doesn't appear the Nuggets are done here, as general manager Calvin Booth could continue to be aggressive looking to move up the board, potentially packaging picks to get higher for a talented player he covets.
Sasser is viewed by rival teams as having a somewhat narrow range, starting around here and ending in the early 30s. His ability to immediately contribute both as a shot-maker, defender, and extra point guard should appeal to the Nuggets as they build out the roster for their next playoff run.
30. LA Clippers (via Milwaukee)
Ben Sheppard
Belmont
SF
Age: 21.9
The Clippers have been looking at a range of wings, seemingly content to wait and grab whichever one falls to the back of the first round. Every NBA team is looking for plus-sized wings such as Sheppard who can do a little more than just shoot. Sheppard appears to have helped himself in the pre-draft process, starting at the NBA combine where he showed his gaudy production in the Missouri Valley translated against better competition, and then continuing in private workouts, where he shot the ball extremely well after making 41% of his 3-pointers this past season. -- Givony
Second round
31. Detroit Pistons
Maxwell Lewis | Pepperdine | SF | Age: 20.9
32. Denver Nuggets (via Houston)
Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana | PF/C | Age: 23.2
Leonard Miller | G League Ignite | SF/PF | Age: 19.5
Colby Jones | Xavier | SF | Age: 21.0
Tristan Vukcevic | Partizan | PF/C | Age: 20.2
36. Orlando Magic
Julian Phillips | Tennessee | SF | Age: 19.5
37. Denver Nuggets (via Oklahoma City)
Jalen Pickett | Penn St. | SG | Age: 23.6
38. Sacramento Kings (via Indiana)
Andre Jackson Jr. | UConn | SG/SF | Age: 21.5
39. Charlotte Hornets (via Utah)
Kobe Brown | Missouri | PF/C | Age: 23.4
40. Los Angeles Lakers (via Dallas)
Gregory Jackson II | South Carolina | PF | Age: 18.4
41. Charlotte Hornets (via Oklahoma City)
Jalen Wilson | Kansas | SF/PF | Age: 22.5
42. Washington Wizards (via Chicago)
Jordan Walsh | Arkansas | SF/PF | Age: 19.2
43. Portland Trail Blazers (via Atlanta)
Seth Lundy | Penn State | SG/SF | Age: 23.1
44. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto)
Julian Strawther | Gonzaga | SF | Age: 21.1
45. Memphis Grizzlies (via Minnesota)
Sidy Cissoko | G League Ignite | SG/SF | Age: 19.1
46. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans)
Amari Bailey | UCLA | PG | Age: 19.2
47. Indiana Pacers (via L.A. Lakers)
Terquavion Smith | NC State | SG | Age: 20.4
48. LA Clippers
Keyontae Johnson | Kansas St. | SF | Age: 23.0
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Golden State)
Mouhamed Gueye | Washington St. | PF/C | Age: 20.5
50. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami)
Hunter Tyson | Clemson | SF/PF | Age: 22.9
51. Brooklyn Nets
Colin Castleton | Florida | C | Age: 23.0
52. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix)
Chris Livingston | Kentucky | SF/PF | Age: 19.6
53. Minnesota Timberwolves (via New York)
Toumani Camara | Dayton | PF | Age: 20.2
54. Sacramento Kings
Oscar Tshiebwe | Kentucky | C | Age: 23.5
55. Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland)
Omari Moore | San Jose St. | SF | Age: 22.7
Jaylen Clark | UCLA | SG/SF | Age: 21.6
57. Phoenix Suns (via Washington)
Jordan Miller | Miami | SF/PF | Age: 23.4
58. Milwaukee Bucks
Adama Sanogo | UConn | C | Age: 21.3
Note: The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers each forfeited a 2023 second-round draft pick.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.
Jeremy Woo is an NBA analyst specializing in prospect evaluation and the draft. He was previously a staff writer and draft insider at Sports Illustrated.