NBA Teams That Made Good Draft Choices

NBA fans, including betting fans, must have followed the draft choices keenly. Everyone is keen to see whether their team has filled the gaps it had in the previous season.

Dallas Mavericks in a file photo. (Image credits: twitter/dallasmavs)
By Karthik Raman | Jul 3, 2023 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The thrilling 2023 NBA Draft is over! Now, let’s analyze the picks. We must ponder several factors when assessing a team’s performance on draft night. For instance, we must ask ourselves, did they choose the most talented players? Or did they prioritize filling specific positions? Did they take a chance on a potential star or discover a hidden gem that slipped down the draft order? Did each team’s moves align with their roster’s direction and timeline?

NBA fans, including betting fans, must have followed the draft choices keenly. Everyone is keen to see whether their team has filled the gaps it had in the previous season. If you wager on NBA events, consider the betwinner promo code for a more enhanced wagering experience. In the meantime, let’s look at the top four NBA teams that made the best draft picks based on the questions above.

Dallas Mavericks

Picks: Olivier Maxence-Prosper (#24) & Dereck Lively II (#12)

Wow, the Mavericks completely aced the 2023 NBA Draft! First off, Dallas pulled off a trade, moving down to the 12th pick and cleverly shedding Davis Bertans’ contract. They also still managed to snag their desired prospect, Lively, a dominant center from Duke. This guy is a defensive anchor and a lob threat, which means he will thrive alongside the incredible Luka Doncic.

Furthermore, they even engineered another trade to secure a late first-round pick. And with that pick, they grabbed Prosper, a high-energy and versatile wing. This dude has serious potential as a perimeter shooter and will fit seamlessly into the Mavericks’ dynamic alongside Doncic. Dallas is building something truly special here, and the draft played a major role in their success.

Portland Trail Blazers

Picks: Rayan Rupert (#43), Kris Murray (#23), & Scoot Henderson (#3)

The Trail Blazers absolutely struck gold with the No. 3 pick in the draft! They managed to pick the second-best player in the entire draft class. Henderson is the real deal, destined to become an All-NBA level talent, and get this—he will have the privilege of learning from the Blazers’ main man, Damian Lillard. Talk about an amazing opportunity!

But wait, there’s more! Portland didn’t stop there. They kept the momentum going by adding Murray, a 3-and-D forward ready to contribute immediately. Moreover, they got Rupert, a promising long-term project who, in our opinion, was a first-round caliber talent. The Blazers’ draft haul is looking seriously impressive!

Houston Rockets

Picks: Cam Whitmore (#20) & Amen Thompson (#4)

The Rockets must be pinching themselves because they hit the jackpot on draft night! First off, they addressed a crucial need by capturing Thompson, an incredibly athletic and defensive-minded playmaker, with the No. 4 pick. Houston also managed to snag the steal of the entire draft at No. 20.

Whitmore, a highly touted prospect who was mocked to the Rockets at No. 4, unexpectedly fell into their lap due to concerns about his medicals. Talk about luck! The Rockets just scored two major building blocks for the future of their franchise in a single draft. This is the kind of stuff dreams are made of!

San Antonio Spurs

Picks: Sidy Cissoko (#44) & Victor Wembanyama (#1) The Spurs totally nailed the NBA Draft as soon as they snagged that coveted No. 1 pick in the lottery! What’s more, not only did they land an absolute superstar like Wembanyama, but they also scooped up Cissoko, a super-talented two-way player from the G League Ignite, in the second round. San Antonio is definitely sitting pretty after that draft!