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NBA Mock Draft: Raptors trade into top 3; Heat land star in blockbuster move

By Michael Saenz

NBA Draft prospect Victor Wembanyama (Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Draft prospect Victor Wembanyama (Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports) /
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In our final 2023 NBA Mock Draft installment, the Toronto Raptors jump into the top 3 and the Miami Heat lands a star with a blockbuster move.

In what will end up being the final NBA Mock Draft of the season, I decided to make a couple of bold predictions while issuing our final projections for the 2023 NBA Draft. It begins with one big move being made by the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards.

In this first move, the Heat makes the bold move of acquiring Bradley Beal from the Wizards. Here is the framework of the predicted deal:

In this deal, the Wizards are ready to move on from Beal and get two first-round picks (which they are reportedly asking for), a talented young player in Tyler Herro, and the expiring contract of Kyle Lowry.

This is a no-brainer for the Heat as they refuse to wait around for what possibly could happen with Damian Lillard. With no guarantee that he will hit the market, the Heat doesn’t mess around this time around.

But this isn’t the only projected deal. Additionally, the Toronto Raptors make the big move of trading into the top 3. Specifically, they complete a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. In an attempt to find help for Lillard, the Blazers strike on Pascal Siakam.

Here is the predicted deal:

The Blazers get their star to keep Dame around and invested and the Raptors get the opportunity to jumpstart their retooling around Scottie Barnes with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. This is a deal that just makes sense for both sides.

That’s my attempt to make two realistic bold predictions ahead of the NBA Draft. Now let’s get to our final NBA Mock Draft.

1. San Antonio Spurs – Victor Wembanyama, C, France

There is going to be no change at the top. Everything appears in line for the San Antonio Spurs to move forward with selecting Victor Wembanyama as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He’s going to revolutionize the NBA and the Spurs franchise. And this may end up being a match made in NBA heaven.