2024 NBA Mock Draft

Round 1

1. Atlanta Hawks – SF, Zacchaire Risacher, 6’9”, France         

The 2024 NBA Draft is not like the 2023 NBA Draft where Victor Wembanyama was a coveted prize for the winner of the draft lottery. Even Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller were looked at as excellent consolation prizes. Despite not having the same type of prowess in this year’s class, Risacher should be the number one selection. This is certainly not a guarantee, yet he seems to fit the Hawks the best. They need a defensive presence on the floor and Risacher brings a good balance between offense and defense. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray will continue to shoulder the offensive workload as Risacher develops. 

2. Washington Wizards – PG, Nikola Topic, 6’6”, Serbia         

If Risacher is in fact the first overall pick, then the Wizards should be deciding between a point guard like Topic or a center like Alexandre Starr. In my opinion, Topic makes the most sense. He is a playmaker and perhaps the most pro-ready of this whole draft class. He possesses patience in his game, yet knows when to attack and drive towards the basket. Even though Topic can score, his vision and passing ability will likely be his best trait in the NBA. Tyus Jones is a good point guard, but by no means will he ever be a star in the league. Topic will be able to feed shooters like Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Poole and Corey Kispert as he grows as a shooter himself. This could be a step in the right direction for a team that has a long way to go towards relevancy in the East. 

3. Houston Rockets – PF/C, Alexandre Sarr, 7’1”, France         

The Houston Rockets are on the right trajectory to becoming a playoff team in the 2024-25 season. Selecting Sarr with the third overall pick would only further that notion. The big man from France has a long and lean build. He runs the floor better than most players that size and has a proven shot from three-point range. Alperen Sengun is a proven scorer on the low block, yet does not offer a truly reliable shot from deep. Sarr could serve as the primary backup big at both center and power forward. Rotating Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Sarr would be extremely threatening to the rest of the West.

4. San Antonio Spurs – PG/SG, Reed Sheppard, 6’3”, Kentucky 

The San Antonio Spurs have an excellent opportunity to mold their roster around Victor Wembanyama with two top-ten picks in this year’s draft. This team not only needs a point guard who can serve as a floor general, but they also need a guard with the ability to shoot on the move. Sheppard feels like the perfect fit for the needs of the Spurs. In his freshman season, Sheppard proved that he is a reliable shooter. In addition to his shooting ability, he possesses the versatility necessary to play either guard position. Sheppard may not be ready to start in the NBA immediately, but he could be valuable off the bench right away.

5. Detroit Pistons – PG, Rob Dillingham, 6’2”, Kentucky           

Former Kentucky Wildcats are selected in back-to-back top five selections. Dillingham is an explosive point guard with bounce. Not only can he explode towards the rim, but he also offers confidence as a three-point shooter. The Detroit Pistons not only need more shooters, but they also need to invest in a backup point guard. If and when Cade Cunningham goes down with an injury, the offense will suffer without more reliable depth in the backcourt. Dillingham has the potential to be a dangerous weapon off the bench early on in his career. 

6. Memphis Grizzlies (mock trade with the Charlotte Hornets) – C, Donovan Clingan, 7’3”, UConn

With Clingan still on the board by pick six and within striking distance for the Memphis Grizzlies, they make the move up from nine. Clingan is a perfect fit in Memphis due to their need for a true center. He offers plenty of size and did most everything well in college. Enroute to another National Title with the Huskies, Clingan was only playing 22 minutes per game. If he were playing more minutes, then the big man would have likely been averaging a double-double. Clingan would likely become the starting center for the Grizzlies immediately, moving Jaren Jackson Jr. to his more natural power forward spot in the starting lineup. The Hornets would move back to pick nine and also get pick 57 from the Grizzlies. 

7. Portland Trail Blazers – SF, Dalton Knecht, 6’6”, Tennessee 

The Portland Trail Blazers severely lack depth on their current roster. Deandre Ayton is still a strong center when healthy and Jerami Grant can score as an undersized power forward. Between Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons, this team has plenty of young athleticism. Not only does this group need more size, a shooter and probably some more experience, they need to capitalize on four picks this year. With their first pick, Dalton Knecht feels like a homerun. He is an experienced college player and one of the older prospects in this class at 23-years-old. Knecht is a true small forward with a natural scoring prowess. He is a reliable shooter and could easily fill up the statsheet early. I would argue that Knecht should push Sharpe to the bench.

8. San Antonio Spurs – PG/SG, Stephon Castle, 6’6”, UConn 

The Spurs are able to get another talented combo guard with their other top ten selection. Castle is a bigger guard than Sheppard and likes to drive a lot more as well. He is a good shooter but won’t be a prolific shooter like Sheppard could very well become quickly. Castle’s controlled approach to the game and patience will be valuable for the Spurs’ offense. The Spurs will be ending night one feeling great about their backcourt rotation.

9. Charlotte Hornets (mock trade with the Memphis Grizzlies) – SG, Ja’Kobe Walter, 6’5”, Baylor

The Hornets trade down to nine with the Grizzlies and get one of the better true shooting guards in this class. Some might feel like this is a reach for Walter, but the Hornets need a shooting guard more than anything else. Cody Martin is a good player who would be better suited for coming off the bench. Walter offers upside as a two-way player and still plenty of length at 6’5”. He can work off the ball and knock down shots, while LaMelo Ball runs the offense.The Hornets can now start Ball, Walter, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams. 

10. Utah Jazz – SF/PF, Ron Holland, 6’7”, G League Ignite     

The Jazz close out the top ten with a versatile forward with plenty of upside offensively. Utah has three true power forwards at the moment with Lauri Markkanen, John Collins and Taylor Hendricks. Markkanen has the ability to start at small forward and Collins can bump up to center if Walker Kessler is out of the game. The versatility is important for the success of their front line, but they could use one more small forward. Brice Sensabaugh is a better shooter than Holland and displays a more stout build. What Holland can offer is a long frame with the ability to drive, fly in transition and come away with steals and blocks. He will need to continue to develop his jumper, but the Jazz will feel good about his versatility off the bench. 

11. Chicago Bulls – SF, Matas Buzelis, 6’10”, G League Ignite

Buzelis dropping outside of the top ten will probably be a surprise for the Bulls and most other teams in the teens. For Chicago, they need a small forward with some length. At 6’10”, Buzelis would offer exactly what this team needs. His slender frame may prevent him from bumping up to power forward effectively, yet he brings a mature scoring approach as he can finish through contact. He will need to develop a more consistent three-point shot and will likely get a chance to do that while coming off the bench. 

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – C, Zach Edey, 7’5”, Purdue       

The Thunder have a young team but have found success in recent times. Following a 57 win season, this group will look to come back even stronger. Speaking of getting stronger, that is exactly what this team needs on the low block. Chet Holmgren is a talented big man with plenty of length and skill. At just 208 pounds, it is easy for dominant centers to push him around. Drafting 7’5” and 300-pound Zach Edey would certainly help the Thunder. In games where Holmgren is struggling, subbing in Edey could change the trajectory of a game. Edey has excellent touch around the basket and snags rebounds with ease. Edey will never be quick and probably won’t offer a reliable outside shot, yet he is reliable from the free throw line. This feels like a no-brainer for OKC.

13. Sacramento Kings – PG/SG, Jared McCain, 6’3”, Duke     

If Malik Monk does not return to the Kings next season, then the Kings definitely need a combo guard. Even if Monk is back, then a guy like McCain could be great for the future. McCain offers the Kings an all-around type of guard. He has active hands defensively, can push the pace in transition and is unselfish with the ball. When he gets a look at an open shot, he knocks it down with regularity. De’Aaron Fox is the guy in Sacramento and McCain won’t have an opportunity to play ahead of him on the depth chart. That being said, McCain will be an excellent addition off the bench and has the skills to play an undersized shooting guard if needed. 

14. Portland Trail Blazers – PG, Isaiah Collier, 6’3”, USC         

After selecting a shooter in Knecht with pick seven, the Trail Blazers now get a point guard with some similarities to Scoot Henderson. Collier is aggressive when attacking downhill and draws the attention of the defense. In addition to being able to finish through contact, Collier can kick out passes to open teammates when the help defense slides underneath. He is one of the more unselfish guards in this class and would be an asset off the bench in Portland. When Henderson checks out, Collier won’t miss a beat and will play just as hard. 

15. Miami Heat – PG, Devin Carter, 6’3”, Providence                 

The run on point guards continues at pick 15 to no surprise. The Heat have a good basketball team, but they currently lack a true point guard on the roster. Carter would provide what they need and more. Not only is he an electric scorer with the confidence to pull up from deep range, but Carter is also aggressive on the glass. Miami is likely the best fit for him because there is a path to the starting lineup instantly. 

16. Philadelphia 76ers – SF, Cody Williams, 6’7”, Colorado   

As Williams slides a bit further than expected due to the run on point guards, the 76ers finally stop the slide. Philadelphia is set at center with Joel Embiid and should feel good about the point guard spot with Tyrese Maxey. What this team does need is more reliable pieces in the rotation between shooting guard and power forward. Williams fits the mold of a nice rotational asset due to his high efficiency in catch and shoot scenarios. Williams is not a shot creator unless he is driving to the basket. In college, he did most of his scoring around the rim. For the 76ers, he will likely be more of a two-way player with the ability to occasionally get hot if left open.

17. Los Angeles Lakers – SF, Tidjane Salaun, 6’9”, France     

Salaun is one of the most raw prospects in this draft class. Despite needing plenty of work on his game, Salaun has a motor that doesn’t stop. His energy and hustle could result in him getting valuable minutes early in the NBA, even as he develops his overall game. The Lakers are in a position where they need to prepare for life after LeBron James. When the time comes for Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell to lead this group, having a long and talented small forward could be beneficial. For the Lakers sake, they are hoping that time comes later rather than sooner but regardless, Salaun would be a good pick for them. 

18. Orlando Magic – SG, Terrence Shannon Jr., 6’7”, Illinois 

Shannon has the skill set to be a lottery pick and his off-the-court legal issues could even prevent him from being selected at all. He likely has the widest range of potential outcomes in this year’s draft of any player. If proceedings trend in favor of the former Illinois star, then the Orlando Magic could end up being a good fit. This group is physical and battles every single game defensively. They need more producers on the offensive end though, specifically from either the shooting guard or small forward spot. Shannon would certainly address that need. The lefty is fearless when driving to the hoop and happens to be one of the best scorers in this class. His freak-athleticism is on full display every single game. If this were to happen, Orlando would feel confident about Gary Harris and Shannon as the shooting guard rotation. The Magic have numerous Big Ten guys, so why not add another?

19. Toronto Raptors – C, Kyle Filipowski, 7’0”, Duke                 

The Toronto Raptors are in need of additional big men on the roster. A young, floor-spacing center to backup Jakob Poetl could be extremely helpful. The 20-year-old center from Duke not only has the size to contest shots and secure rebounds, but he is also fairly nimble for a seven-footer. Filipowski has the ability to run the floor in transition and can shoot the three better than most other big men. By stretching the floor, this will open up space for players like Scottie Barnes to drive to the lane. 

20. Cleveland Cavaliers – C, Kel’el Ware, 7’1”, Indiana           

Ware would be an excellent pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they address one of their two biggest needs. The 7’1” former Indiana Hoosier nearly averaged a double-double last season by scoring 15.9 points per game and securing 9.9 rebounds per game. Ware has the ability to stretch the floor and shot 42.5% from three-point range last season. Not only does he possess many skills on the offensive end, but his length leads to nearly two blocks per game. If the Cavaliers keep Jarrett Allen, then Ware will be a major asset off the bench. If Cleveland trades Allen, then the new head coach will have a major decision. Do you play Ware and Evan Mobley together or rotate them at center? The answer to that question could be rather interesting. Regardless of how the rotation is set up, Ware will add a ton of value to Cleveland’s roster. 

Trade: It is ironic that the Cavs and Pelicans go back-to-back in this draft. In this scenario, I do have them making a trade either on draft night or prior to the draft. Although no picks will be moved, it is important to note the significant roster change. As time passes, I am beginning to believe a Brandon Ingram trade could seriously be on the table. Especially since Jonas Valanciunas will likely be on the move in free agency and Jarrett Allen would be an excellent replacement at center. The Cavaliers could realistically send Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert to New Orleans in exchange for Brandon Ingram and Jordan Hawkins. 

The Cavaliers’ starting lineup would then most likely look like this in 2024-25:

PG – Darius Garland 

SG – Donovan Mitchell 

SF – Brandon Ingram 

PF – Evan Mobley

C – Kel’el Ware

21. New Orleans Pelicans – PG, Tyler Kolek, 6’2”, Marquette

Assuming that the trade above happens, the Pelicans will be looking at a potential starting lineup of CJ McCollum, Caris LeVert, Herbert Jones, Zion Williamson and Jarrett Allen. A true point guard is what this group would be missing. Instead, drafting Kolek would mean that McCollum could play a more natural shooting guard role and LeVert could be the teams’ six-man off the bench. This would be much more advantageous for New Orleans. Kolek is the definition of a dimer. He is extremely unselfish with the ball and will feed McCollum and the two bigs in Williamson and Allen. When Kolek is looking for his own shot, he has no issues scoring with his confidence to get to his left hand. If the trade above never comes to fruition, then the Pelicans will likely be looking for a center in this spot. Losing Brandon Ingram is not ideal, but this feels better from a Pelicans perspective than going with an unknown at center and a lack of a true point guard once again. 

22. Phoenix Suns – SF/PF, Tristan da Silva, 6’9”, Colorado   

The Phoenix Suns really need a true point guard on the roster. With most of the top point guards in this class already off the board and Kolek being selected one pick prior, the Suns turn their attention to their second need instead. Phoenix has plenty of scoring threats with Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. What this team could use is another forward with positional versatility between small forward and power forward. Keeping da Silva out west could work pretty well. Not only does he have the size and athleticism to provide the Suns what they need, but he has the ability to be a two-way player. If he can give the team a defensive spark along with the ability to knock down open shots, then the Suns will feel fine about passing up on point guard here.

23.Milwaukee Bucks – SG, Kevin McCullar Jr., 6’6”, Kansas 

The Bucks have a good group of players at the moment with Giannis, Damian Lillard, Kris Middleton and Brook Lopez. They are certainly one of the older lineups in the league and could use an injection of added youth. The one player that is hard to trust at this point is Patrick Beverley. The 35-year-old guard is still a menace defensively, but he offers very little on the offensive end. Selecting McCullar means that the Bucks get a bigger guard with excellent defensive abilities and more scoring potential. Last season with the Jayhawks, McCullar averaged 18.3 points per game. Even if he is not inserted in the starting lineup right away, he will offer a well-rounded game off the bench.

24. New York Knicks – PF/SF, Tyler Smith, 6’10”, G League Ignite 

The New York Knicks get back-to-back picks with 24 and 25. The biggest need for the Knicks is a backup power forward for Julius Randle. New York has a talented team at the moment, but their lineup got stretched very thin at the end of last season. A power forward with enough athleticism to play small forward could be huge for their rotation. Smith is long, lean and showcases plenty of upside as a three-and-d type of player. 

25. New York Knicks – PG, Carlton Carrington, 6’5”, Pittsburgh

With their second of two picks in a row, the Knicks select the young point guard from Pittsburgh. Carrington is nearly 19-years-old and sitting behind Jalen Brunson could be valuable for his development. At 6’5”, he certainly has a different build and play style from the starting point guard. Carrington is not afraid to pull up from three in transition and has a decent stroke from mid-range as well. His potential coupled with youth could mean that New York will be excellent training grounds for him. He won’t need to play major minutes immediately.

26. Washington Wizards – C, Yves Missi, 7’0”, Baylor               

After selecting point guard Nikola Topic with the second overall pick, the Wizards still need to add a true center to the roster. Missi still being available feels like a win for the Wizards. Missi likely isn’t ready to start in the NBA quite yet, meaning Marvin Bagley III should still be in the starting lineup at the five in 2024-25. What he will be able to provide off the bench is a toughness around the rim and a desire to dunk. As he develops his offensive game, Missi will always be able to provide a defensive presence. The potential is there but it may take some time for him to mold into a starting caliber player. 

27. Minnesota Timberwolves – PG/SG, Ajay Mitchell, 6’4”, UC Santa Barbara 

The Timberwolves are coming off a deep run in the Western Conference and looking to build on what they have currently. Mike Conley Jr. is aging and the organization should be preparing for the end of his NBA career. Leading up to the NBA Draft, the team worked out Ajay Mitchell and the lefty could be an excellent successor to Conley. Mitchell could easily be a chameleon in the league, simply doing whatever his team needs. In college, he needed to score at a high volume. His vision as a passer is what catches my attention. With Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell should not need to be the primary scorer. Instead, he can dish the ball to his teammates. Not only should Mitchell get minutes off the bench right away, but he could easily become a starter within the next two seasons. 

28. Denver Nuggets – PF, DaRon Holmes II, 6’10”, Dayton     

The Nuggets are in need of another big, yet there is still the desire to stretch the floor. Selecting Holmes aligns right with the way the Nuggets play. Holmes is a natural scorer and an excellent shooter. Although he is best suited for a power forward role in the NBA, he could play some center for Denver. When Holmes is on the floor with Nikola Jokic, he will likely spend quite a bit of time sitting in the corner or at minimum clearing space away from the lane. When on the floor at center, Holmes can go to work inside but won’t be overly dominant. At Dayton, he did average over eight rebounds per game, which is fairly respectable.

29. Utah Jazz – SG, Johnny Furphy, 6’8”, Kansas                       

Furphy is a young prospect with plenty of potential. Due to his tall height for a guard and clean shooting stroke, Furphy has been rising up draft boards in recent times. The Utah Jazz need another shooter in the backcourt and selecting Furphy towards the end of the first round feels worth the shot. If he can add some more muscle and develop his overall game sooner rather than later, then Furphy could quickly become a strong role player.

30. Boston Celtics – SF/PF, Bobi Klintman, 6’10”, Sweden     

The Celtics once again powered themselves to the Finals and did so with a relentless starting five of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis. Behind this group, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Al Horford also played very valuable minutes for Boston. What the Celtics could use headed into next season is a forward with versatility. Klintman is a 6’10” forward who could provide the Celtics with depth at both small forward and power forward. He is an intriguing player with outstanding measurables. Klintman could immediately offer value as a spot up shooter and on the defensive end.

Round 2 on next page