2024 Mock Draft. Almost Final.
Oh let's do it!
Coming fresh off a 20-point loss in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, I needed a break from professional basketball for a few hours.
So I dove into my Mock Draft and finished it. Here’s what I think the teams might do (no trades).
Top 10.
1. Atlanta Hawks – Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth (NBL)
Sarr is a no-brainer here for a team that needs frontcourt help next to Okongwu. Sarr can play the 4 or the 5, and will be a great lob threat next to Trae Young. If I’m Atlanta, I’m keeping the pick and building around Young.
2. Washington Wizards – Donovan Clingan, C, UConn (NCAA)
After basically just giving Daniel Gafford away, the Wizards need to bulk up the front court, and 7-foot-2 center Clingan meets that need. He can protect the paint and rebound as well as anyone, and you can’t teach tall.
3. Houston Rockets – Reed Sheppard, SG/PG, Kentucky (NCAA)
Though the pick might be considered controversial, Sheppard is exactly what the Rockets need: three-point shooting and distribution. He can play both guard spots and also brings real off-ball defense. Fits with Ime Udoka’s system on D.
4. San Antonio Spurs – Robert Dillingham, PG, Kentucky (NCAA)
San Antonio needs a point guard, and with the injuries to Nikola Topic recently, he may not be a risk they’re willing to take. Dillingham dazzles with speed and skill and will bring a real offensive punch to SA.
5. Detroit Pistons – Zaccharie Risacher, PF/SF, JL Bourg (LNBPA)
Risacher spent some time at no. 1 on many boards, and his recent performances have inspired hope for many scouts. Pistons need to take a flier on “best ceiling” here, and Risacher at this spot probably fits that need.
6. Charlotte Hornets – Ron Holland II, SF/PF, Ignite (NBA G League)
No. 1 to start the year for a lot of scouts, Holland still demonstrated dynamic athleticism, rebounding, and defense. For a franchise that needs to move on from Miles Bridges, Holland can slot right in.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – Dalton Knecht, SG/SF, Tennessee (NCAA)
Arguably the best movement shooter in the draft, Dalton Knecht can help out an offense that finished 27th in ORtg last season. He can play next to Sharpe and Henderson, and is a real weapon when coming off of screens.
8. San Antonio Spurs – Stephon Castle, SG/PG, UConn (NCAA)
A Marcus-smart type player, Stephon Castle helped UConn to win a second national title in a row last season. He wants to play lead guard in the league, but will need some work before he’s able to effectively. Fits Spurs system.
9. Memphis Grizzlies – Yves Missi, C, Baylor (NCAA)
With Clingan off the board, the Grizzlies have to find help at the center position, a player that can play alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. Missi is the closest thing in this draft to what they need at this point.
10. Utah Jazz – Nikola Topic, PG, KK Crvena (Adriatic)
The reason Topic isn’t higher in this draft is simply due to injury history – most recently, a partially-torn ACL. Everything else pops except for the shooting – great finisher and passer. Could work out greatly for the Jazz.
Mid-to-Late Lottery.
11. Chicago Bulls – Devin Carter, PG/SG, Providence (NCAA)
Carter is a fantastic athlete at the PG spot that plays excellent defense in addition to all he can do on the offensive end. Though the Bulls need to blow it up and trade Lavine/Vucevic, Carter would be a nice building block for the next step.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Zach Edey, C, Purdue (NCAA)
Edey has been a controversial name in the draft process this year. Some don’t believe he can defend at the next level. But with Chet Holmgren to help out, Edey’s offense may be worth it alone after averaging 22 PPG last year.
13. Sacramento Kings – DaRon Holmes II, PF/C, Dayton (NCAA)
Sacramento has a need at the forward spot to play next to Sabonis. Keegan Murray can slide into the three spot when Holmes is on the floor, but he can also serve as a backup big until he’s ready. Shot 38% from three last season.
14. Portland Trail Blazers – Matas Buzelis, PF/SF, Ignite (NBA G League)
Some have Matas as a top-five pick, but the shooting concerns are very real. At his peak, he can be a point-forward type, but if the shooting doesn’t improve, it will be tough. If you can get him at 14, though, you pull the trigger.
The Rest.
15. Miami Heat – Isaiah Collier, PG, Southern Cal (NCAA)
USC’s Collier had a statistically impressive season, but had some issues with his shooting. However, downhill, he’s a beast with the ball, hitting the basket like a tailback. Miami is in serious need of point guard help, so Collier makes sense here.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – Cody Williams, SF, Colorado (NCAA)
Cody Williams is an interesting prospect in that if he had shot the three-ball more, he would probably be a top-10 lock. He’s skilled, and just knows where to be on the floor. The 76ers need a wing here, and Williams is the best available.
17. Los Angeles Lakers – Ja’Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Baylor (NCAA)
Ja’Kobe Walter should probably just take the most talented high-floor guy left on the board at this point, and though Walter’s shooting struggled across the second half of his season at Baylor, I buy that it is legitimate. Salaun could be taken here too, but I think it would behoove the Lakers to take a more solid piece that can contribute sooner.
18. Orlando Magic – Tidjane Salaun, PF/SF, Cholet (LNBPA)
I’ve seen Salaun as high as top 10 on some boards, but he’s far too raw to be placed that high in my opinion. I hope for his sake he isn’t taken that high, because he won’t live up for a couple of years at least. Orlando takes a flier here.
19. Toronto Raptors – Jared McCain, SG/PG, Duke (NCAA)
McCain burst onto the scene with a 35-point game against Florida State, and from there, has been a top-20 guy on nearly every board. Toronto has virtually no starting-caliber off-guards on their roster, so McCain seems like a no-brainer.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyle Filipowski, PF/C, Duke (NCAA)
Cleveland needs to pick between Mobley and Allen. Assuming it’s Allen who gets shipped off, the Cavs need a skilled big who can score next to Mobley. Filipowski is that guy – he has great touch and can rebound as well.
21. New Orleans Pelicans – Carlton Carrington, PG/SG, Pittsburgh (NCAA)
CJ McCollum needs some extra help at point guard, as only he and Alvarado really play lead initiator. Carrington is young, can shoot, and is coming off of a season where he was the guy on his team as a freshman. Perfect fit here.
22. Phoenix Suns – Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette (NCAA)
More than anything, this Suns team needs a floor general. With as much talent they have with Booker, Beal, and Durant, the roster needs bodies at the point guard spot. Kolek is a mature player ready to come in and contribute day one.
23. Milwaukee Bucks – Jaylon Tyson, SG/SF, California (NCAA)
After bouncing between in-state schools Texas and Texas Tech, Tyson eventually found himself at Cal, and was easily their best player. He adds immediate shooting, athleticism, rebounding, and distribution. Would be an excellent pick for Milwaukee.
24. New York Knicks – Kel’el Ware, PF/C, Indiana (NCAA)
Despite the measurables, the ability, and the size, motor concerns plagued Ware at both Oregon and Indiana. He seemed content to get beat in game against better bigs. If he is able to lock in mentally, people will regret not taking him higher.
25. New York Knicks – Tristan da Silva, SF/PF, Colorado (NCAA)
Though it’s likely they trade one of these two picks, I’ll proceed as if they’re going to keep it. Tristan da Silva is a combo forward that shot 40% from three and stands 6-foot-8. He’s efficient from the field and would be a great supplement to the Knicks roster already.
26. Washington Wizards – Nikola Djurisic, SF, KK Mega (Adriatic League)
A former teammate of Topic’s, Djurisic made his name even more well known with his performances in the ABA playoffs. A wing prospect, Djurisic can score efficiently and has great size. He could end up being one of the stars of 2024.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves – Pacome Dadiet, SF/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Bundesliga)
Pacome Dadiet is a player that is getting attention as a first-round player. The French guard/forward has shown ability to score with some efficiency, though his defense is a bit lacking.
28. Denver Nuggets – Baylor Scheierman, SG/SF, Creighton (NCAA)
Putting shooters around Nikola Jokic is generally a good move, and Baylor Scheierman is a shooter and a half. He shot 38% from three on 8.3 attempts per game is real volume and a really good percentage. With Jokic finding him shots, Scheierman could have an excellent rookie season.
29. Utah Jazz – Dillon Jones, SF/PF, Weber State (NCAA)
A strong, built 6-foot-6, Jones may be a bit undersized for a combo forward, but his strength and ability to rebound make up for it. He has potential to be a decent three-point shooter as well.
30. Boston Celtics – Tyler Smith, PF/SF, Ignite (NBA G League)
A sniper at 6-foot-11, Tyler Smith may have a lot of work to do on defense, but is a legitimate offensive piece already. On a team full of great defensive players, Smith could slide in and shoot on pick-and-pops as well as finish plays on offense, like tips or put-backs.
Round 2 coming soon.