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NBA 2023 Mock Draft 1.0: Utah Jazz select 3 studs in first-round

By Jared Koch

LEVALLOIS-PERRET, FRANCE - APRIL 08: Victor Wembanyama of Metropolitans 92 looks on during the Betclic Elite match between Metropolitans 92 and Strasbourg on April 08, 2023 in Levallois-Perret, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
LEVALLOIS-PERRET, FRANCE - APRIL 08: Victor Wembanyama of Metropolitans 92 looks on during the Betclic Elite match between Metropolitans 92 and Strasbourg on April 08, 2023 in Levallois-Perret, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 09: Jett Howard #13 of the Michigan Wolverines in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half during the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 09: Jett Howard #13 of the Michigan Wolverines in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half during the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Shooting Guard, Michigan. Brooklyn Nets. Jett Howard. 21. player. 147.

Howard is a pure scorer and one of the best shooters in the draft, however, tends to fall a bit short on the defensive end.

Power Forward, South Carolina. Brooklyn Nets. Gregory Jackson II. 22. player. 147.

In back-to-back picks, the Nets snag a high-upside player in Jackson who has the potential to be a solid 3&D forward at the next level.

player. 34. . Power Forward, Iowa. Portland Trail Blazers. Kris Murray. 23

Unfortunately, the Blazers snag Kris Murray in this mock, a pick right before his brother, Keegam Murray’s team in the Kings.

Sacramento Kings. Dereck Lively II. 24. player. 84. . Center, Duke

Lively should be able to add some more size, speed, and rim protection to a Kings team who continues to stay on the rise.

player. 211. . Shooting Guard, Duke. Memphis Grizzlies. Dariq Whitehead. 25

Whitehead is a nice athlete and shooter that joined Duke late in the college season this year, now joining Memphis to add even more wing depth.

100. . Shooting Guard, NBL. Indiana Pacers. Rayan Rupert. 26. player

With their additional first-rounder, the Pacers here can take sort of a gamble on the lengthy, defensive guard.

Small Forward, France. Charlotte Hornets. Bilal Coulibaly. 27. player. 170.

The Hornets take a swing at one of the youngest prospects in the draft; Couldbaly is an extremely fast and lengthy athlete with a very high ceiling.

With the 28th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select Sidy Cissoko, SG, G-League Ignite.

HENDERSON, NEVADA – DECEMBER 27: Sidy Cissoko #25 of G League Ignite drives to the basket against Keaton Wallace #32 of the Ontario Clippers in the second quarter of their game at The Dollar Loan Center on December 27, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. Ignite defeated the Clippers 114-108 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, NEVADA – DECEMBER 27: Sidy Cissoko #25 of G League Ignite drives to the basket against Keaton Wallace #32 of the Ontario Clippers in the second quarter of their game at The Dollar Loan Center on December 27, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. Ignite defeated the Clippers 114-108 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

With the luxury of three first-rounders, the Jazz can afford to take a swing on an international player with a high upside later in this draft. Cissoko could be a great addition to this young core.

The one trait you’ll hear about Sidy Cissoko is his exceptional playmaking ability. Combining his ball-handling, passing, and decision-making ability, Cissoko could be exactly what the Jazz need in the backcourt.

Cissoko also projects as a good defender at the NBA level. He’s lengthy, fast with his feet, and has a good defensive IQ. Measuring 6’7 with a long wingspan, if Sidy puts some time in the weight room, he could find himself able to guard the 1-4 pretty easily at the next level.

While Cissoko is a bit of a streaky and inconsistent player at the moment, the Jazz have a good track record of developing young talent. Even if the Jazz decide to resign some of their free-agent wings, Cissoko would still be a versatile piece in the team’s rotation.

. Small Forward, Pepperdine. Indiana Pacers. Maxwell Lewis. 29. player. 100

Lewis is a typical 3&D forward that brings solid size and athleticism to Indiana as a part of their plethora of draft picks.

. Center, Nigeria. Los Angeles Clippers. James Nnaji. 30. player. 77

While a bit undersized, Nnaji can fit a need for the Clippers, who recently have had a trend of loving defensive and rebounding centers.

Mock Draft Summary:

For the Utah Jazz, this draft would be an absolute home run. Adding Gradey Dick, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Sid Cissoko would not only fill areas of need, but all these players also provide a lot of room for growth and development.

All three of these picks give the Jazz solid size and length through the 1-3, and could eventually develop into amazing pairings with the team’s existing bigs. These players provide a great combination of shooting, defense, and playmaking that could set up this Jazz team with a strong young core for success years down the line.