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

Jones has been the unsung hero at Xavier during his three-year stint. He’s coming off his best season yet, averaging 15.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, and 4.4 apg while shooting 51% from the field and 38% from three-point range. He’s a solid athlete and at 6’5 can play and guard multiple positions. Jones is the type of “do-it-all” perimeter player that has found success in the NBA recently.

Indiana hopes to add that to its backcourt as another playmaker next to either Tyrese Haliburton or Andrew Nembhard in the backcourt. His shooting ability should help and he’s a plus-defender, making him the kind of late-1st rounder with a high floor and providing value to the rotation.

The former five-star prospect dealt with knee and ankle issues most of last season at Duke, several affecting his overall play. Still. Whitehead managed to shoot 43% from three-point range and had an 18-point effort against Boston College. He’s a lethal and pure shooter and there’s a chance a healthy version of him would’ve gone in the lottery so it’ll be a surprise if Whitehead lasts this long in the NBA Draft.

Memphis is dealing with the Ja Morant situation but also important is the desire to add another shooting guard in the rotation to replace Dillon Brooks, who the franchise already said isn’t coming back “under any circumstance”. Whitehead would be an upgrade on offense and pairing him with Desmond Bane would be beautiful when it comes to spacing.