17. Los Angeles Lakers – Dereck Lively II, C, Duke
I’d say that there’s at least a 50 percent chance that the Los Angeles Lakers end up trading the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. They’re going to be looking at and exploring every possible avenue to improve the roster and trading the rights to the No. 17 pick could be one of their better opportunities to improve.
If they resist making such a move, Dereck Lively could be an interesting selection for them at No. 17. He’s a prospect that is quickly rising and could end up being a lottery pick when the 2023 NBA Draft is all said and done. If the Lakers can get him at No. 17, he could be a steal.
18. Miami Heat – G.G. Jackson, F, South Carolina
The team’s miracle run to the NBA Finals has been nice but it does seem that they’re going to fall just short of winning a title. And a big reason why will likely end up being the lack of size, a true power forward, and a playable backup center.
With the No. 18 pick, the Heat could look to add to their frontcourt by drafting G.G. Jackson, a raw yet immensely talented forward out of South Carolina. Put Jackson in the Heat’s development system and he could emerge as one of the better non-lottery prospects from this year’s class.