NBA Draft 2023: Latest mock draft after San Antonio Spurs get No. 1 overall pick

Hendricks was a former top-50 prospect that exceeded all expectations in his lone year at UFC. He led the team with 15.1 ppg and 7.0 rpg and shot nearly 40% from three-point range. The 6’9 forward was a consistent offensive weapon for the Knights as well, including a pair of 25-point games during AAC play.

Dallas will have a major decision to make with pending free agent Kyrie Irving but the frontcourt is a massive area of need. Big man Christian Wood could move on and the four-spot has largely been used by “3 and D” guards in small lineups. Hendricks is someone that can have an immediate impact on the team next year while also having long-term potential to give them the frontcourt offensive threat for the Mavs.

Hawkins has a case of being the best pure shooter in the entire NBA Draft, averaging 16.2 ppg on 39% three-point shooting on a UConn squad that just won the national championship. That included a 20-point win over Gonzaga to make the Final Four, along with 31 points versus St. John’s. He has one of the smoothest strokes around and should be an elite shooter at the pro level.

Utah liked to shoot a bunch of 3s but was below average at making them. And if 20 ppg scoring guard Jordan Clarkson is eventually moved, that opens up plenty of room for another scorer to be the future focal point of the offense. It also allows them to part ways with guys like Colin Sexton and Ochai Agbaji if they’re not viewed as long-term pieces for the franchise.