NBA Draft 2023: Latest mock draft after San Antonio Spurs get No. 1 overall pick
110. . G. Miami Heat. Terquavion Smith. 18. player
The All-ACC guard averaged 17.9 ppg and 4.1 apg on 38% shooting last season at NC State and was one of the great shot-makers in college basketball. The sophomore guard improved on the defensive end and is a capable passer and with a little better efficiency should be an impactful NBA play.
Miami is in a win-now situation as long as star Jimmy Butler is around and while power forward is the bigger position of need, so is point guard. Kyle Lowry is on his last legs as a starter, while Victor Oladipo, unfortunately, suffered another serious leg injury and likely won’t be around next season. Smith is a guard that can come in and create his own shot and help take pressure off Butler offensively.
Forward. Los Angeles Lakers. Kris Murray. 17. player. 20.
Murray averaged 20.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg as the breakout star at Iowa, repeating what his older brother, Keegan, did. The elder Murray was an all-rooker player for the Kings this past season, averaging over 12 ppg and being an instant impact player. Kris, whose game is truly similar, should be able to do similar, though he isn’t as good as a three-point shooter.
The Lakers are going to use this pick to help maximize the remaining championship window while LeBron James is still playing at the highest of levels. With Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura both heading toward free agency, the franchise will be looking for another wing that can score to provide more assistance for the top players on the roster. And he’d get plenty of looks with this option.