The 2023 NBA Draft And Free Agency Field | OSB
2023 NBA Offseason: Draft Picks, Trade Rumors, and The Free Agency Field
By Sam Batz
The Denver Nuggets are the newly crowned kings of the NBA, and while we celebrated the triumphs of the franchises first ever NBA title, after the trophy ceremony, our attention quickly moved to the league’s offseason activities. There are several high-profile names on this year’s free agency list, and as soon as the horn sounded in Denver’s Game 5 championship-sealing win over Miami, the rumors started to buzz, and the offseason negotiations officially began.
A blockbuster trade has already been struck, as the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards announced on June, 18th that they were finalizing a deal to send Washington’s All-Star Guard Bradley Beal to Phoenix, in exchange for Suns veteran Point Guard Chris Paul, Shooting Guard Landry Shamet, and a hand full of second-round draft picks. The deal is still being finalized, but the reports have been verified by NBA.com, The Athletic, ESPN, CBS Sports, and more, giving weight to the fact that the Phoenix Suns are about to form a new Big-3, headed by: Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and now Bradely Beal.
The Sun’s-Wizard trade was the definition of a blockbuster move, and more deals are surely on their way, as this year’s Free Agency Field is loaded with talent. There may not be a franchise-changing player up for grabs this year, but there are plenty of players GM’s across the league will be looking to sign.
Top-20 (Potential) Free Agents of 2023:
- James Harden; Philadelphia 76ers (Player Option)
- Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks (Unrestricted)
- Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks (Player Option)
- Kristaps Porzingis, Washington Wizards (Player Option)
- Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors (Player Option)
- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors (Player Option)
- Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers (Unrestricted)
- Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks (Unrestricted)
- Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls (Unrestricted)
- Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards (Player Option)
- D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers (Unrestricted)
- Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers (Unrestricted)
- Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies (Unrestricted)
- Max Strus, Miami Heat (Unrestricted)
- Gabe Vincent, Miami Heat (Unrestricted)
- Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers (Restricted)
- Kelly Oubre Jr., Charlotte Hornets (Unrestricted)
- Christian Wood, Dallas Mavericks (Unrestricted)
- Bruce Brown, Denver Nuggets (Player Option)
- Josh Hart, New York Knicks (Player Option)
Several notable players, like: Draymond Green, Fred VanVleet, Bruce Brown, and Kyle Kuzma, have declined their contracts player option, choosing to enter free agency in search of a better deal, or a change of pace. Other notable stars, like: James Harden, Khris Middleton, and Kristaps Porzingis, have yet to make a decision regarding their contract’s player option.
NBA Trade Rumors
Rumors are always an exciting, and at times ridiculous, aspect of the offseason, and this year is no different. Rumors have begun to spread like wild-fire on social media, and while some are outlandish and unlikely to transpire, some are coming from reputable sources. Of course, take all unverified reports with a grain of salt because we never truly know what’s going to happen, or what’s considered a legitimate claim, until the deal is finalized. With that in mind, here are some of the juiciest rumors surrounding this year’s NBA offseason.
Damian Lillard Leaving The Portland Trail Blazers
32-year old Point Guard Damian Lillard has been with the Portland Trail Blazers for 11 seasons. Drafted as the 6th overall pick 2012, Lillard has become a legend in Portland. The 7-time NBA All-Star has been as loyal to the Blazers as a player can be, choosing to stay with the team through thick-and-thin, but it’s looking like enough is enough. Portland has the 3rd overall pick in this year’s draft, and Lillard has expressed his trepidation about being a part of another rebuild. Ultimately, in order to give Portland a real shot at the title, Lillard wants the Blazers to shop the draft pick in exchange for a contender, but whether or not Portland’s front office complies with their star player remains to be seen.
Kristaps Porzingis To The Boston Celtics
The Washington Wizards seem to be having a full sale blowout. They’ve already traded away Bradley Beal, and it now looks like Kristaps Porzingis is on his way out of Washington as well. It’s been reported that the 27-year old 7’ 3” Center will be part of a three-way trade, which sends Porzingis to the Celtics, Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers, and Marcus Morris to the Wizards. Nothing has been finalized, but the reports are legit, and for Porzingis, the timing couldn’t be better.
Zion Williamson On The Trade Block
The New Orleans Pelicans are supposedly flirting with the idea of trading away the No. 1 draft pick from 2019, Zion Williamson. The Pelican’s really like what they see in G-League phenom Scoot Henderson. Henderson is projected to be a top-3 draft pick, meaning New Orleans would need to make a move in order to be in a position to grab him. The most talked about option is the Pelicna’s trade Zion Williamson to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft.
2023 NBA Mock Draft: The Top-10 Picks
Date: Thursday, June 22nd
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Watch On: ABC (1st Round); ESPN (1st & 2nd Rounds)
The 2030 NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday, June 22nd. The top-pick is pretty clear, but the rest of the field remains a mystery. Here is the quick glimpse at what might take place in this year’s highly anticipated NBA Draft:
Round 1 (Picks 1-10)
Pick 1: Victor Wembanyama; San Antonio Spurs
Pick 2: Brandon Miller; Charlotte Hornets
Pick 3: Scoot Henderson; Portland Trail Blazers
Pick 4: Cam Whitmore; Houston Rockets
Pick 5: Amen Thompson; Detroit Pistons
Pick 6: Ausar Thompson; Orlando Magic
Pick 7: Jarace Walker; Indiana Pacers
Pick 8: Jalen Hood-Schifino; Washington Wizards
Pick 9: Taylor Henricks; Utah Jazz
Pick 10: Anthony Black; Dallas Mavericks
Trades could make for a chaotic draft this year, but no matter which team gets what pick, these are the top-10 players of the 2023 NBA draft, and wherever these young men end up, expectations will be high. To see how it all goes down, tune into ABC on Thursday, June 22nd for the 2023 NBA Draft.
