2024 NBA Mock Draft

1. Atlanta Hawks | Alex Sarr – C- France: NBA Comp – Evan Mobley/Jaren Jackson Jr.

In a draft that is seen as the weakest ever, Alexandre Sarr is seen as the clear number one pick. Solid size at 7ft with elite level defense, while the offense leaves something to be desired but there have been flashes of good offensive talent so the upside is there. The Hawks have a lot of questions to address this offseason so taking best player available is the smartest move for them.

2. Washington Wizards | Zaccharie Risacher – F – France: NBA Comp – Harrison Barnes/A Better Deni Avdija

The draft drops off even further after Sarr and the second pick has is all over the place but just like the Hawks, the Wizards are at a need for talent in pretty much every position. Zaccharie is only 18 years old and while he is a 6’9 forward going to a team with some solid wings in Kuzma and last year’s pick Coulibaly, Risacher is the best pick. Has a solid shot that can spread the floor. Can defend at a good level and with his youth you expected/hope he blossoms into a better version of the player we see now.

3. Houston Rockets | Nikola Topic – G – Serbia: NBA Comp – A Better Goran Dragic/Bulkier Ricky Rubio

The Rockets are in a good spot here and in a good draft, they would trade out and get a win now player, but this pick’s value has far less worth than most draft, so they keep it. The Rockets have good forwards in Dillon Brooks, last year’s picks in Amen Thompsons and Cam Whitmore and they have Jabri Smith Jr. who they took with the 3rd pick two years ago, so adding a young playmaker behind VanFleet makes the most sense. No pressure on Topic to

produce right away and with two knee sprains in 6 months, health could be a concern, so allowing him to slowly work into the league wouldn’t be bad for him. He also needs to work on his 3-point shooting but his ability to drive to the basket and finish in traffic makes him an interesting prospect for the Rocket, combined with his passing ability.

4. San Antonio Spurs | Rob Dillingham – G - Kentucky: NBA Comp – Better Passing Brandon Jennings

In a perfect world for the Spurs, Topic would fall to them here but I don’t think that is happening. Dillingham is a great player for them in this spot. There will be some debate between him and Castle but I think the big difference is passing ability. Dillingham, this year, showed he is a willing and able passer but the Wildcats were just not up to snuff so his numbers don’t show the whole story. But the other part of his game is being able to fill it up from deep, shooting 44% from beyond the arc this season. The Spurs ranked 16 th in made but ranked 24th

in percentage. Adding a guard who can space the floor and create on his own while also being able to feed Wemby will open up that offense a lot more than this year with Sochan.

5. Detroit Pistons | Matas Buzelis – F – G League Ignite: NBA Comp – More Athletic Hedo Turkoglu

This is one of the few pick in the draft that is seen as a conscience pick. The Pistons were the worst 3-point shooting team in the league and a nightmare on defense. They have SO MANY guards, so getting a guy like Castle who would help the defense just doesn’t make sense unless you are punting on Cade or Ivey, so a forward makes the most sense with Duran roaming the paint. Buzelis was a great three point shooter in high school but struggled a bit in the G League which could be a slight cause for concern but on “Wire to Wire” we talked about how the G League doesn’t help players develop so it may just be a product of the league around him. He also has shown some signs of defensive ability, so with the prospect of fixing two problems with one player is too hard to pass up.

6. Charlotte Hornets | Reed Sheppard – G – Kentucky: NBA Comp – Klay Thompson Lite

The Hornets got a great forward in the draft last year in Brandon Miller. They got a big in Mark Williams two years ago and they have a very good guard in LaMelo when healthy. Adding a shooter to space the floor for Miller and allowing Melo to drive and kick would add a bit of lethalness to the team. Defensively he is stout as well and when you can play competent defense and shoot over 50% from three, you are going to be see as a high upside guy. I think he is best available and best fit at this pick and would be shocked to see the Hornets pass up a guy who can play on ball if Melo is out due to another injury.

7. Portland Trail Blazers | Donovan Clingan – C- UConn: NBA Comp – Walker Kessler/Rudy Gobert Lite

The centerpiece (literally) to UConn’s championship run. The 7’2 giant moves pretty well for his size and is a defensive anchor in the paint. For a team like the Trailblazers who are TINY, adding a big is a must in this draft and he is the best one available. Being able to lock down the paint and grab rebounds when you have 3 guys starting that are 6’5 and under is a valuable asset. It will be interesting to see if he is able to develop an outside shot at all to spread the floor even more, but without that, he will be a good piece with Scoot, Simons and Sharpe. And I expect to see Ayton on the trade block sooner rather than later.

8. San Antonio Spurs | Stephon Castle – G – UConn: NBA Comp- Jrue Holiday minus shooting

This is where the Spurs have to make a decision. Do we get the guy that can score at any moment, or do we get the more rounded player, and I think they go with the more rounded player. Castle is a large frame guard at 6’7 (think SGA size), who is a good playmaker and with his size, he has defensive versatility allowing him to switch onto forwards in pick and pop or roll offenses. He’s shooting is a lot to be desired but even if that doesn’t full develop, the goal is get Wemby the ball and the Spurs will have added Dillingham (who can also score) and

Castle, who is their defensive guard. If they can manage that, the draft grade would have to be an A.

9. Memphis Grizzlies | Ron Holland – F – G League Ignite: NBA Comp- RJ Barret

We are already in the part of the draft where it is about taking chances on upside and Ron Hollard will be that for the Grizzlies. It’s hard to say what the Grizzlies need after not seeing Ja the majority of the year with the new look team with Smart instead of Brooks and JJJ with another year under his belt. If you look at the team, forward is probably the weakest spot so going best available, highest upside at the forward position makes sense. He was once seen as the top pick in this draft but his shooting was just not there in the G League. But like we have been saying with this guys, it may just be a product of the environment. He has good defensive upside so pairing him with Smart and JJJ could be a dangerous trio and his downhill attacking is why you would be willing to overlook the poor shooting numbers if they don’t improve. We are already at low floor, high upside picks and Holland might be the biggest version of that.

10. Utah Jazz | Dalton Knecht – F – Tennessee: NBA Comp- Klay Thompson shooting, Trae Young defense

Knecht is a professional scorer. He is going to get a bucket wherever he goes and I think that is too enticing for the Jaz to pass up on someone who can just put the ball in the basket. It would allow Sexton and George to be more playmakers and not have to create on every possession and spread the floor for Markkanen to get some more open looks. Everyone knows his downside, and that is his abysmal defense, but at this point in the draft the Jazz will be willing to overlook at to get his offense.

11. Chicago Bulls | Cody Williams – F – Colorado: NBA Comp- A better Kyle Anderson

Cody Williams is one of the more interesting picks in the draft because just like Holland who is mocked at 9, Cody was seen as the top guy and a top three guy for the majority of the season. He has been very up and down in his year at Colorado but the flashes of offense he has shown raise some eyebrows. Defensively he seems to be a good, lengthy player, it is just his shot making ability has raises the questions on if he can consistently be an offensive threat. The Bull are also a smaller team with DeRozen being the 4, so the length of Williams would provide some flexibility. At 11 I think the Bulls are getting a steal of a player with high upside and already a NBA caliber defender.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder | Jared McCain – G – Duke: NBA Comp- Isaiah Joe

Thunder fans will be disappointed when Coy goes the pick before them ending the idea of the Williams brothers playing together, but in Presti they should trust at the 12 th pick. With the 12 th pick the Thunder have draft Mr. Thunder, Nick Collison, Steven Adams and JDub, I think they are confident picking in this spot. McCain is another guard on a team who needs size (I hear Thunder fans yelling at the screen saying take a damn big man!) but in a draft class that is void of a lot of talent, McCain brings one asset to the table that is crucial, and that is his three point shot. He defense is okay, nothing special but his ball-handling and shooting are the reasons the Thunder take him here. The biggest knock is his athleticism and size standing at 6’3 (same height as Joe) but if he can shoot like he did at Duke, he can find a place in this league. Plus, the vibes with him and the rest of that Thunder team would be immaculate.

13. Sacramento Kings | Ja’Kobe Walter - G/F - Baylor: NBA Comp- CJ McCollum

This one was a toss up between Walter and Carter but I think the Kings will go for the 2 guard who can score the ball. We saw the Kings falter with the injuries to Huerter and Monk, so adding another guy who can knock it down from deep should be focus this offseason. Monk is also a free agent this offseason so at 6’5, Walter could play the backup 3 behind Barnes or backup two behind Huerter. Huerter also only has one year left on his so this pick would future proof the Kings a little in that aspect. Also with a guy like Sabonis in the paint, having someone

can hit from three consistently is a big deal. His scoring fits the needs of this team long term over the defensive package that Carter could bring.

14. Portlan Trail Blazers | Tyler Smith - F - G League Ignite: NBA Comp- Channing Frye

The Blazers took a big with their first pick and I mentioned how guard heavy they are, so it only makes sense to take some more size. But they don’t want to add more size that is going to clog the lanes and that is where Smith comes in. One of the better prospects coming out of G-League Ignite. Shot the ball well from three at over 36% and felt confident taking them with four attempts a game. The Blazer could use a bigger guy who can spread the floor and Smith is just that. Defensively there are some questions but they drafted Clingan to sure up the inside.

15. Miami Heat | Devin Carter - G - Providence: NBA Comp- Marcus Smart

The Heat are always a wild card and this season is no different after Pat Riley’s comments on Butler and Butler asking for an extension. So this team could look completely different on draft night, but as it stands right now, they need a point guard and Carter fits that Heat Culture. Possibly the best on ball defender in the draft who showed some flashes of shot creation in the final few games of the season. He’s a big strong guard who will fit in well with Butler’s defensive intensity. We also learned that Herro’s role is better as a 6th man, so throw

Carter into the starting lineup and I think the Heat look better than they did this year. Plus they always seem to have things work out for them.

16. Philadelphia 76ers | Tristan Da Silva - F - Colorado: NBA Comp- Kyle Kuzma Lite

Who is going to be on the 76ers next year? They pretty much only have Embiid and Maxey under contract so getting a plug and play guy is something they need. Da Silva is that. A solid forward to pair next to Embiid as he is defensively versatility allows Embiid to sink back in the paint at times. Da Silva can also knock down threes with the best of them in college this least season so being able to stay out of the paint to like Embiid work and Maxey drive is a MUST. Solid passing and just good basketball IQ makes this pick a slam dunk for the 76ers. But their second round pick may change the franchise forever…

17. Los Angeles Lakers | Tyler Kolek - G - Marquette: NBA Comp- TJ McConnell

This is a tricky spot. The Lakers need a win now guy and this draft has almost none of those guys. Kolek, however, checks a lot of boxes they need. A backup PG behind D-Lo who can shoot the three ball well and doesn’t need the ball in his hand to create. Kolek is comfortable spotting up, allowing for guys like Lebron to create and dish. He’s not the best on defense but AD can cover up a lot of those shortcomings. This is pretty much a spot pick, where the Lakers need another guy who can score and Kolek’s three point shot makes him interesting. 17 is a little high for him but based on fit, he is the best match for the Lakers if they are going to try and run it back.

18. Orlando Magic | Kyshawn George - G/F - Miami: NBA Comp- Shorter Spencer Hawes

The Magic need outside shooting and it was very apparent after their playoff series against the Cavs where it looked like only Paolo wanted to win. If Franz goes cold this team cannot score. George shot the ball very well from three at over 40% but he lacks in explosiveness and defensively he needs to get stronger, but the Magic are in a good spot to take a shot on a guy who was a very good shooter but needs to develop his game in other areas.

19. Toronto Raptors | Tidjane Salaun - F - France: NBA Comp- Michael Porter Jr.

This is the biggest boom or bust pick in the draft and at this point, the Raptors can’t pass on him. Salaun is only 18 and is just full of raw talent. He shoots the three pretty well. He is a very good rim attacker. And he’s doing this on a 6’10 frame, which he may grow a little more before it is all said and done. The Raptors are not in win now, or anytime soon mode for that matter, so they can take the shot on him. If he hits his ceiling he can be a MPJ or even KD Lite. He reminds me a lot of the 2022 draft pick by the Thunder, Osumane Dieng, that they picked based on raw talent and huge upside possibility. The Raptors would be doing the same thing here.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers | Johnny Furphy - G - Kansas: NBA Comp- Gordon Hayward

Furphy is a bigger guard who plays better off the ball than on the ball. He is very good at finding the open space and knocking down 3s. He also developed as a cutter over the year to add to this game. The Cavs are probably losing Mitchell in the offseason with a trade for some sorts so trying to replace him with a gang of people will be the best play for them and Furphy can add outside shooting to try and make up for the lost point. Defensively, he lacks quite a bit, his foot speed is lacking and he is not very strong. He will be attacked by the ball handler at the next level, so this pick is solely based on his shot making abilities. Having Garland run the offense and freeing up the paint for Allen and Mobley is something Furphy can do, which is why this pick makes sense.

21. New Orleans Pelicans | Zach Edey - C - Purdue: NBA Comp- Jonas Valanciunas

Edey will only work in the NBA on a team that has a true big and the Pelicans have had that. Valanciunas is his player comp and is a free agent. The Pelicans can try to replace him with a cheaper, younger version. I think Edey has a TON of downside, from foot speed, to defense outside of the paint, to scoring in the paint over taller defenders. But the Wooden Player of the Year stops the slide here. The Pelicans know how to use a big like him so I think it looks less clunky than it would on just about every other team. He can help rebound and protect the rim and it looks like the big man is back, so the Pelicans take a shot here.

22. Phoenix Suns | Yves Missi - C - Baylor: NBA Comp- Jarrett Allen/Mark Williams

The Suns don’t own many of their picks do they have to get the ones they do own right and Missi falling to them is a steal. The Suns are good at with their starting 5, it is the bench that they need help on and a mobile, long arm defender is something that they could use. He is a great rim protector but also not too bad on hedging any screen and rolls that happen with him involved. He’s got a strong frame and can finish through contact and well as the athleticism to go over defenders if needed. He also is a very good screen setter which can help open up a lot for Booker and Beal. I do worry about his foul trouble as he gets baited into pump fakes a bit too much for my liking and his free throw shooting is just plain bad. He also is not a willing passer but under Nurk, there is a chance to develop that into his game. Like I have said, at this point int he draft everyone has some glaring weakness but Missi is a very polished player for this late.

23. Milwaukee Bucks | Bobi Klintman - F - Cairns: NBA Comp- Christian Wood

Size and upside is where the Bucks are going here. They need someone that can spread the floor and I don’t believe that there are any left. So, the Bucks go get the 6’10 forward who has shown flashes of greatness. Klintman gives some lineup versatility with his size and is one of the better defensive guys in the draft. He feel comfortable with the ball in his hands which could be good to push the tempo off a rebound by him. His passing is above average as well which can help keep that ball movement going. The worry is that his shot does not continue to develop, his lack of strength against bigger forwards and his defensive positioning off of screens. He is great at recovering and getting those block but he is out of position a lot for on ball or screen and roll plays.

24. New York Knicks | Kel’el Ware - C- Indiana: NBA Comp- Jarrett Allen

The Knicks are in a good spot where they have their star in Brunson and they have good pieces around him so with back to back picks they have a bit of options. Seeing the injury bug hit them this year has made it apparent they could use another big body in case Randle, Robinson or Hartenstein go down and Ware can play either position. The 7 footer has shown glimpse of elite level play but only in short burst. At times his touch from outside the arc looks like a NBA ready stretch big but he didn’t take too many to really know if it was a fluke or

something he can do at the next level, averaging just over one attempt a game. The positive is his floaters and the hook shot he has are shot at a very good clip. Downside is he just lacks awareness and effort at times. Not a good screener. Not a good passer. Panics when a double team is brought and is known to bring the ball down after a rebound putting it in a bad situation. With the athleticism he has shown, he could turn into a very good player but the minuses on him have him sliding to 24.

25. New York Knicks | Isaiah Collier - G - USC: NBA Comp- Eric Bledsoe

One of the guys in this draft that I just don't get the hype. Good size at 6’4 215lbs with solid ball handling and SOME acrobatic finishing ability, but that is where the positives stop with this guy. His jump shooting is AWFUL shooting under 30% in high school and just over 33% in college. He also shot sub 70% from the line, which is usually a better indicator of if the shot will improve at the next level. Averaged 4 assist with 3 turnovers. Will shoot the ball at will. He is just a very athletic guy who is not explosive at the rim or knock down behind the arc. The Knicks take him here to stop the slide and see how much upside there is but this guy has bust written all over him.

26. Washington Wizards | Pacome Dadiet - F - Ratiopharm Ulm: NBA Comp- Wilson Chandler

At 18, this is a raw talent pick. Has shown the ability to shot off the dribble. Very good at the midrange, would need to take a step back to get behind that 3-point line in the NBA. Free throw form is nice, and has shown potential to be a spot up guy, but would need to see more reps. Definitely a guy who is better with the ball out of his hands as he is a bit sloppy with his dribbling and has some wild passes or just straight up telegraphs them. Late in the the draft you are looking for a late bloomer and this is a guy who could be just that.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves | Harrison Ingram - F - UNC: NBA Comp- Grant Williams

This is a pick that works for a team that has a wealth of riches. Ingram shot well last season from three but the previous seasons he was not good at all, so which is the true version of him? The Wolves have the flexibility to find out. His passing is rather good, and he isn’t a guy who needs the ball in his hands. He struggled to create a shot off the dribble which led to some of those bad numbers. On this Timberwolves team, that won’t be needed, so getting to play off his strengths of rebounding and defense can make this pick turn into a solid rotation piece. Even if his shot doesn’t develop, the defense could fit in well on that second unit.

28. Denver Nuggets | Kyle Filipowski - C - Duke: NBA Comp- Mo Wagner

I am not a fan of Filipowski at all. I think he had a lot of hype coming out of high school and should have been a top pick last year but played poorly. Stayed at Duke this year to come into a weaker draft class and STILL fell in most mocks. Luckily for him, landing in Denver is a perfect spot for him. Learning behind Jokic, who is one of the best stretch bigs in the game will help Flip develop at the next level. Also no pressure to come in and be “The Guy” at the center position. My problem is that Flip does nothing great. He does everything average to slightly

above average but he is seen as this great stretch big. Watching him play, I just didn’t like the rebounding hustle, I think with his frame he is going to get pushed around in the paint, and in the clutch, Duke ended up going to McCain when this was supposed to be Flip’s team. I think him staying and not helping his draft stock is a huge red flag but if he ends up in Denver, he will be a solid role player.

29. Utah Jazz | Carlton Carrington - G - Pittsburgh: NBA Comp- Lou Williams

The Jazz have quite a few guards so another one seems like it would cause more rotational problems but Carrington is best player available and in this weak draft class, at the end of the 1st round you take BPA and figure it out later. He one of the youngest players in the draft so the hope is he can develop in areas, like shooting the three off the catch, as he has struggled there a bit. But his shot off the dribble, especially in the mid range, is something that would make scouts perk up. Yes, he has some flaws like not attacking the rim at all, and

strength and size might be part of that, but if they can work with him on the aggressiveness, he could be a great scorer off the bench that you aren’t afraid to have run the offense with the second unit.

30. Boston Celtics | Ryan Dunn - F - Virginia: NBA Comp- Andre Roberson

This pick just fits for the Celtics. A bigger body that player next level defense. His offensive talent is lacking for sure, but the Celtics don’t need a guy dropping 15 a night. They need someone who can stop the opponents 3rd guy from getting that 15. He’s great at shading the ball handler and can recover before getting beat. He’s great at protecting the rim as well. He isn’t a facilitator but he knows that but is able to protect the ball as well. This pick screams Celtics and when they make the conference finals again next year people will look back and go “that was a pretty solid pick in a bad draft”.

41st pick: Bronny James - G - USC: NBA Comp- Norris Cole

Look. We talked about it on Wire to Wire. He is not one of the best 58 players in the draft, but that is not what this draft is. A weak draft class in the second round is where you take shots. Most mocks have Bronny not getting draft and that’s a joke. The idea is still you COULD get Lebron, so why not take a shot at Bronny? There are two teams but one would have to trade up over the Lakers would will probably take him if he falls to them. But the 76ers have a TON of cap space and pretty much just Embiid and Maxey on the team. Draft Bronny and pitch to

Lebron. You can play with your son, a former MVP, and a budding star player. We can also build this team around your strengths since we have so much cap space. They can give Lebron the perfect team in a weak east. Someone should take the shot and the 76ers have the most appealing destinations for Lebron.

The other team is the Mavs. Have Irving, who Lebron enjoys playing with, and Luka who is a Super Star. Shown that they can have success in the playoffs, and adding Lebron can’t hurt. Also would get Irving to train his son. That would be a fun group, but the Mavs would have to trade up.