The 2023 NBA Draft is finally here, and it is set to be one of the most exciting drafts in recent memory, as the potential is there for a ton of trades to go down. Lots of teams around the league could be looking to shake things up this summer, and draft night is often a night where plenty of trades go down.
Some teams will trade their pick for win-now talent, while others will attempt to reset their roster and add a promising young rookie. The teams in that latter group provide more intrigue, as they will have to pick the perfect player to select with their new draft spot.
With that in mind, here are the top five prospects throughout the 2023 NBA Draft who are worth trading up (or in) for.
(We won’t include prospects in the top five-ish, as trading up for those players would require a blockbuster trade of sorts.)
2023 NBA Draft: Top 5 prospects worth trading up for this year: Bilal Coulibaly, Metroplitans 92
A teammate of Victor Wembanyama, Bilal Coulibaly has been shooting up draft boards as of late. His amazing measurements, elite length, and solid defensive abilities make him the perfect prospect to jump up and take a chance on.
Teams that should target: Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks
2023 NBA Draft: Top 5 prospects worth trading up for this year: Taylor Hendricks, UCF
Seemingly lost in all the commotion of the top 10, Taylor Hendricks has an easy pathway to being a great NBA player. His defensive presence and catch-and-shoot prowess make him almost a sure-fire lock to be a great contributor at the next level.
Teams that should target: Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets
2023 NBA Draft: Top 5 prospects worth trading up for this year: Noah Clowney, Alabama
Noah Clowney is one of the more raw prospects in the draft, but his skillset looks like that of a potential NBA star. He’s a 6-foot-10 center with a long wingspan, positional versatility, and elite rebounding skills.
Teams that should target: Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards
2023 NBA Draft: Top 5 prospects worth trading up for this year: Kris Murray, Iowa
For teams looking for a prototypical 3-and-D forward, Kris Murray is the player for them. The twin brother of Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, Kris has all the same tools and could be the perfect role player on any team.
Teams that should target: Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves
2023 NBA Draft: Top 5 prospects worth trading up for this year: Julian Strawther, Gonzaga
Another great 3-and-D wing, Julian Strawther seems like the type of player who could fit into any system around the league. He’s a quality defender on and off the ball and can nail his three-point shots, which is all a lot of teams should be looking for in a prospect.
Teams that should target: Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers
