NBA mock draft 2024: Good picks for each crew

Magnificence is within the eye of the beholder within the 2024 NBA Draft. A whole draft cycle has come and gone with out the emergence of a transparent No. 1 general prospect. That is the kind of draft that certain to trigger huge disagree on particular person boards for executives even inside the identical crew.

A number of storylines have emerged. Three younger French gamers — Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and Tidjane Salaun — every emerged as lottery picks, with Sarr and Risacher every reportedly incomes heavy consideration for the highest general decide. Kentucky guards Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard zoomed previous their extra highly-touted teammates to change into probably top-10 choices. The G League Ignite had such a foul 12 months that the NBA shut this system down completely, and all of their ballyhooed prospects have slipped since our earliest projections.

With a lot disagreement working via this class, I took a crack on the decide I might make for each crew. Let’s leap into it.

1 Atlanta Hawks – Alex Sarr, C/F, Perth Wildcats (France)

Taking Sarr with the No. 1 decide is smart for the Hawks each when it comes to crew match and greatest out there expertise. Sarr has the very best upside of any participant within the draft because of his world-class bodily instruments: at 7’1 with an almost 7’5 wingspan, he’s an impressive run-and-jump athlete who burns rubber within the open flooring and makes performs above the rim on each ends. Sarr is way riskier than a typical No. 1 general decide as a result of he doesn’t supply a lot offensive creation capacity. He’s a play-finisher at his core, however fortunately the Hawks have an excellent playmaking level guard in Trae Younger to set him up. Sarr’s defensive ceiling is immense, and he’s precisely the kind of participant you need cleansing up Younger’s errors. Younger is barely 25 years previous and is simply now starting his prime. A trio of Sarr, Younger, and Jaylen Johnson is a good younger basis, and I just like the match of younger heart Onyeka Okongwu subsequent to Sarr within the short-term for his capacity to play out of the roll extra skillfully. There are not any nice decisions at No. 1 on this draft, however Sarr is the perfect one.

2. Washington Wizards – Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite

The Wizards are so distant from rivalry that they shouldn’t think about current day roster match with this decide. Washington wants the participant with the very best long-term ceiling, and to me that’s G League Ignite ahead Ron Holland. Holland was the front-runner to go No. 1 general initially of the season, however an inefficient 12 months with the Ignite stuffed with dropping now has him dropping out of the top-10 in some projections. NBA groups are overthinking it manner an excessive amount of if that occurs: Holland’s athleticism, high-motor, youth, and two-way upside makes him one of many perfect prospects on this class. Holland was overmatched in a high-usage position for the Ignite taking part in towards execs, however he nonetheless had some great flashes. He’s an elite downhill rim attacker who practically led the G League in steals this season. The large query for Holland shall be his leap shot, which stays a piece in progress to place it kindly. Nonetheless, Holland’s athleticism and long-term potential for secondary shot creation makes him probably the most gifted participant on the board.

3. Houston Rockets – Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

The Rockets really feel like the proper crew to make Sheppard the perfect model of himself within the NBA. The Kentucky guard was absurdly environment friendly in his freshman season, however he’s undersized and isn’t a pure on-ball creator. Fortuitously, the Rockets get loads of creation out of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jalen Inexperienced, and Sheppard is the perfect kind of position participant to place round them. Sheppard is an unimaginable three-point shooter — 52 % from deep — and that can work effectively for a Rockets crew that completed No. 23 in three-point proportion this season. Sheppard additionally had a ridiculous 70 % true capturing mark with Kentucky, so if he’s capturing the ball it’s in all probability entering into. Sheppard isn’t actually some extent guard and he’s going to be under the standard NBA threshold for each measurement and athleticism, however he’s so expert that he’s value taking at this decide.

4. San Antonio Spurs – Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg (France)

The Spurs have the league’s greatest franchise cornerstone in Victor Wembanyama, and two top-10 picks (No. 4 and No. 8) which provides them unimaginable flexibility on this spot. San Antonio definitely wants a shot creator, however there’s so many good level guards out there — Nikola Subject, Isaiah Collier, and Rob Dillingham — that they’ll go for one more place right here and nonetheless fill that want with their subsequent decide. Risacher isn’t somebody I’ve seen as a reputable top-5 prospect due to his lack of creation capacity, however subsequent to Wemby he may merely run the ground, hit photographs, and supply some defensive ball stress. Risacher’s three-point shot ran just a little extra hot-and-cold this season than groups would have preferred, however so long as he shoots it, he needs to be a positive match round Wembanyama.

5. Detroit Pistons – Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky

This decide got here all the way down to the Dillingham and Matas Buzelis. Whereas Buzelis is a greater positional match on the roster, Dillingham solutions Detroit’s two largest talent questions along with his capturing and playmaking. The Kentucky freshman is an electrical offensive participant, able to burning the opposing protection whether or not he’s on or off the ball. He’s a lethal three-point shooter with actual NBA vary and shot versatility, and he’s wonderful relocating off the ball to proceed stressing the protection. Dillingham can be an excellent playmaker with the ball in his fingers, utilizing a decent deal with and the specter of his pull-up to arrange scoring possibilities for himself and his teammates. He’s simply very small and really weak, struggling to play via contact at each ends. The Pistons have loads of large, bodily gamers to assist insulate Dillingham defensively, and his creation capacity may lastly make their offense sing.

6. Charlotte Hornets – Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite

This decide got here all the way down to Fort vs. Buzelis, and both participant can be a pleasant connective piece between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. I’ll go together with Buzelis as a result of he’s greater, gives extra rim safety, and to me has a greater capturing projection. Buzelis is actually cell for a 6’10 ahead, and he confirmed stunning toughness as an inside defender on the rim this season. His offense was far behind the place it was anticipated to be, largely as a result of he struggled to shoot from deep after encouraging capturing numbers in highschool. If the shot bounces again, Buzelis has sufficient creativity and imaginative and prescient to assault titled defenses off the bounce. He’ll clearly have to get stronger, however he’s a very good alternative for Miles Bridges across the Hornets’ younger stars.

7. Portland Path Blazers – Donovan Clingan, C, UConn

Clingan was tremendous impactful for on each of UConn’s back-to-back nationwide championship runs. He has elite measurement and size at 7’2 with a 7’7 wingspan, and initiatives as a superb rim protector within the league. Clingan impressed along with his passing capacity this season, and the Blazers have already got a a number of nice athletes on the roster who may buzz round him for handoffs and cuts. I do fear about Clingan’s scoring given his lack of vertical pop across the basket. It’s honest to query his conditioning, too, as he solely performed half the out there minutes for UConn this season. In the end, the Blazers don’t want one other guard or questionable backcourt shooter, and Clingan’s straightforward translation as a shot blocker is value including.

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8. San Antonio Spurs – Nikola Subject, G, Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)

Subject suffered a devastating ACL harm final month, and now may very well be set to overlook his total rookie season as he recovers. Earlier than the harm, he frolicked because the No. 1 participant on our board for his mixture of downhill rim attacking, ending, and playmaking. Subject vs. Collier is a tricky name at this level after the harm, however Subject will get the sting for his wonderful manufacturing towards grown males within the Adriatic League. Subject’s defensive considerations don’t fear me as a lot subsequent to Wembanyama.

9. Memphis Grizzlies – Stephen Fort, G, UConn

The Grizzlies are hoping to spring again into rivalry subsequent season with the return of Ja Morant, and Fort is the kind of participant who matches effectively round their incumbent famous person. Fort may see himself as some extent guard within the NBA, however he’s at his greatest as a defensive stopper who can play a extra connective position on offense. The Grizzlies have a fantastic younger core in place with Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and the emergence of GG Jackson. Fort is type of participant who can match seamlessly between them by combating for unfastened balls, creating havoc defensively, and hitting the glass. He simply must get to work fixing that leap shot.

10. Utah Jazz – Isaiah Collier, G, USC

Collier is among the greatest creation bets on this class as a bruising downhill guard with tons of pace and good passing imaginative and prescient. USC’s crew context devoid of shooters and lob threats didn’t put Collier in the perfect place to succeed, however his tape remains to be stuffed with some tantalizing flashes. It’s doable among the turnover points he confirmed in faculty shall be mitigated by superior spacing and athleticism round him. He positively must work on his shot, which ought to begin along with his 67 % free throw percentile for somebody who will get to the road lots. Nonetheless, Collier’s energy, pace, and shiftiness as a ball handler mixed along with his imaginative and prescient provides him an opportunity to finally be an offensive engine the backcourt some day.

11. Chicago Bulls – Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite

The Bulls needs to be hoping that one of many 10 gamers taken above them on this mock falls on draft evening. If it doesn’t occur, there’s 4 gamers I like for this decide: Ignite ahead Tyler Smith, Indiana heart Kel’el Ware, Baylor heart Yves Missi, and Windfall guard Devin Carter. Smith will get the nod right here as a result of he’s a knockdown shooter who measured 6’9 barefoot and likewise had a ton of dunks this season. Smith was actually the one Ignite participant to exceeded expectations this season, exhibiting off deep vary, a fast set off, and hard shot-making capacity. He wants to enhance his ball dealing with and defensive consciousness to hit his highest outcomes, nevertheless it’s laborious to seek out gamers this large who can shoot this effectively.

12. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder – Cody Williams, F, Colorado

Because the younger brother of Thunder star Jalen Williams, there’s no higher place to cease Cody Williams’ fall within the draft. The youthful Williams badly wants so as to add energy to his sub 180-pound body, however he in any other case has nice instruments for an NBA wing. With a 7’1 wingspan and spectacular open flooring attacking capacity, Williams is the kind of lengthy and cell wing the NBA all the time covets. He’s a extremely good finisher, shot the ball effectively on low quantity, and flashed some good passing capacity when the acquired the prospect. He’s simply painfully skinny and nonetheless must do severe working tightening up his deal with. I fear about Williams’ lack of capturing quantity, however Chip Engelland is the correct man to repair that. If Jalen needs to play along with his little bro, this decide makes excellent sense.

13. Sacramento Kings – Tidjane Salaun, F, Cholet (France)

This can be a spot for an upside swing. Salaun is tremendous younger (turns 19 in Aug.), completely gigantic for a ahead, appears to play with a excessive motor, and has some potential to develop as a shooter. He’s nonetheless very uncooked at this level and desires affected person improvement, however the long-term payoff may very well be value it for a crew just like the Kings that would use a ceiling raiser. I like his capacity to hit the glass and contribute as a “rubbish man” whereas his talent degree develops.

14. Portland Path Blazers – Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee

It’s wild to suppose Knecht is similar age as Jalen Williams, the OKC Thunder wing who spent three years in faculty and now two years within the NBA. Knecht took a protracted path to get so far that concerned two seasons of JUCO ball and two years at Northern Colorado, however his manufacturing and expertise was inconceivable to disclaim at Tennessee. He’s probably the greatest shooters within the class with a straightforward three-point stroke and actual shot versatility. He additionally has a very good body and sufficient athletic capacity to assault a closeout. He’s going to be a foul defender, and he’ll flip 24 years previous as a rookie, however his excessive quantity, extremely correct capturing can be a pleasant match round Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

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15. Miami Warmth – Devin Carter, G, Windfall

Carter simply screams Warmth Tradition, and never simply because his father, former NBA guard Anthony Carter, helped develop Max Strus and Gabe Vincent as a former participant improvement coach in Miami. Carter was all the time a tenacious on-ball defender, however he blossomed as a shooter in his junior 12 months at Windfall. He showcased sufficient quantity (greater than 11 three-pointers tried per 100 possessions) and shot versatility to make you consider he wasn’t only a one-year surprise as a shooter. With lengthy arms, a robust chest, and main leaping capacity, he’ll be a defensive pest from day one whereas additionally including one other perimeter scorer.

16. Philadelphia 76ers – DaRon Holmes II, C/F, Dayton

Holmes was one of many perfect gamers in faculty basketball as a junior at Dayton by making severe enhancements as a shooter, passer, and ball handler. He’s an fascinating match subsequent to Joel Embiid as a result of he may give the Sixers backup 5 minutes whereas additionally offering one other large physique to play subsequent to the one-time MVP. Holmes is a bit undersized for a middle at 6’9 barefoot with a 7-foot wingspan, however he’s a extremely good curler, good passer, and highly effective finisher with above the rim leaping capacity. His faculty manufacturing was so unimaginable that it feels silly to low cost his NBA translation.

17. Los Angeles Lakers – Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana

The Lakers may actually go in any path right here, however I like Ware or Yves Missi for the perfect general gamers on the board. Ware will get the sting for elevated capturing capacity after hitting 42 % of his threes on low quantity this 12 months at Indiana. Ware appears to be like the a part of a lottery decide as a protracted, athletic heart oozing with pure presents. He doesn’t all the time make a number of efforts or struggle via contact, and that usually leaves scouts wanting extra out of him. Nonetheless, his intersection of measurement, leaping, and capturing potential is difficult to seek out this late in a weak draft. He may very well be an fascinating match backing up or taking part in alongside Anthony Davis.

18. Orlando Magic – Jared McCain, G, Duke

McCain is among the greatest shooters on this class, and that makes him a pleasant match for a Magic crew that desperately wants capturing. The Duke freshman hit 41.4 % of his threes this 12 months, and caught hearth from deep within the NCAA match. Whereas he’s not a pure shot creator off the dribble, he may play effectively off Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and supply them with flooring spacing.

19. Toronto Raptors – Yves Missi, C, Baylor

The Raptors want excessive upside expertise as they begin a rebuild round Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, and Missi is the very best upside decide left on the board to me. Missi simply began taking part in the sport just a few years in the past, nevertheless it’s laborious to seek out bigs this fluid athletically. He’s going to guard the rim defensively, and slam residence feeds from the dunkers spot and off lobs to begin his profession. He additionally confirmed some consolation attacking the rim off the dribble. With a late decide in a weak draft, getting somebody as large and athletic as Missi can be a pleasant worth.

Photograph by Stacy Revere/Getty Photos

20. Cleveland Cavaliers – Ja’Kobe Walter, G/F, Baylor

Walter was projected as a lottery decide for a lot of the season and will go a lot larger than this. The 6’5 guard is an off-ball scorer who can house the ground along with his leap shot, and defend greater guards. His jumper ran hot-and-cold this 12 months, and his incapability to create separation off the bounce towards faculty defenders limits his upside. Nonetheless, each crew is searching for gamers like Walter who could make an impression while not having to carry the ball, and this could be a pleasant worth if he falls this far.

21. New Orleans Pelicans – Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke

Filipowski will in all probability go a lot larger than this, however it might be a pleasant little bit of luck for the Pelicans if he he was nonetheless out there at this level. Duke’s sophomore heart is among the most expert large males within the class: a fantastic decision-maker as a passer, a succesful three-point shooter, and a tricky inside scorer. He lacks splendid size and pace for an NBA large man, but when his shot develops, he may give New Orleans an enormous man who can house the ground and get the ball to Zion Williamson and firm.

22. Phoenix Suns – Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette

I’ll purchase the imaginative and prescient of Kolek as a tricky lead guard who can play on- and off-the-ball whereas getting the rock to Phoenix’s many perimeter stars. The Suns will probably look to buy this decide, however Kolek is a participant who may give them competent level guard play on a price managed contract in the event that they resolve to maintain it.

23. Milwaukee Bucks – Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado

Tristan da Silva brings a mix of measurement and capturing that may match the Bucks like a glove. He hit 38.6 % of his threes and 78.6 % of his free throws throughout a productive four-year profession at Colorado. He has good measurement measuring at 6’8 barefoot, however he struggles to play bodily on each ends. Fortuitously the Bucks have loads of physicality within the beginning lineup, permitting somebody like da Silva to easily spot up and hit photographs.

24. New York Knicks – Zach Edey, C, Purdue

I’ve already written a protracted scouting report on Edey, however right here’s the cliff notes: he’s completely huge (7’4 barefoot, 7’10 wingspan, 300 kilos), he’s in nice form and performs with a excessive motor, and he was one of the vital productive faculty gamers of all-time. Given Mitchell Robinson’s lack of sturdiness and Isaiah Hartenstein’s impending free company, Edey has a case each because the match and greatest out there expertise at this level within the draft. His unimaginable offensive rebounding, expert inside scoring, and unparalleled measurement and manufacturing makes him a straightforward wager to take at this level.

Photograph by Chris Coduto/Getty Photos

25. New York Knicks – Jaylon Tyson, G/F, Cal

Tyson is a well-rounded offensive wing who shined as he moved right into a major position for Cal this season. After capturing 40 % from three as a sophomore at Texas Tech, Tyson transferred to Cal noticed an enormous spike in utilization. Whereas his three-point proportion dipped to 36 %, he confirmed extra quantity and extra shot versatility with defenses keyed in on him. He’s a very good ball handler for his measurement with first rate passing flashes, giving him the power to impression the sport off the ball whereas additionally working secondary pick-and-rolls. He’s the kind of participant who can slot in a wide range of offensive roles, and that’s good for a Knicks crew with an already deep roster.

26. Washington Wizards – Bub Carrington, G, Pitt

Carrington is a talented pull-up shooter with wonderful measurement for a guard, and that provides him among the highest upside of any participant nonetheless out there. He appears to be like far more comfy capturing off the bounce than on spot-ups, and he didn’t rating very effectively (53 % true capturing) partially as a result of he largely lived off a weight loss program of robust photographs. Nonetheless, his capacity to create his personal look and shoot excessive of professional defenders makes him a pleasant developmental guard within the Wizards’ backcourt.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves – Pacome Dadiet, F, Ulm (France)

Dadiet has an intriguing mixture of measurement and athleticism, and he put up environment friendly scoring numbers at an excellent younger age this season for German league crew Ulm. Not turning 19 till July, Dadiet shot 35.8 % from three and completed with 61.9 % true capturing. He’s largely an off-ball participant proper now who will attempt to make an impression on cuts and spot-ups whereas additionally hitting the glass. He’s an attractive long-term wager at this level within the draft.

28. Denver Nuggets – Johnny Furphy, F, Kansas

Furphy’s rise to NBA radars has been exceptional. He went from just a little recognized prospect in Australia to a Kansas decide to a possible first spherical decide all in lower than a 12 months’s time. It’s straightforward to see what scouts like about him: Furphy has good athletic instruments as a 6’8 wing, he scored effectively, and he shot the ball solidly from three (35 %). He wants a affected person strategy from the crew attempting to develop him as a result of that is all taking place so rapidly.

29. Utah Jazz – Kyshawn George, F, Miami

George wasn’t anticipated to be a one-and-one, however he caught the eye of NBA scouts for his capturing capacity as a protracted 6’8 wingspan. George shouldn’t be an awesome athlete and struggled to attain effectively contained in the arc whereas taking most of his area objectives from three-point vary. He did some one thing as a passer when given the chance, which is perhaps an untapped space of upside. Tall shooters are a fairly good wager at this level within the draft, and the Jazz are ready to take a affected person strategy with a long-term wager on George.

30. Boston Celtics – Izan Almansa, C/F, G League Ignite

It is perhaps greatest to hand-wave this previous season for the Ignite prospects with such a horrible crew context and a lot dropping. Earlier than he signed with the G League, Almansa regarded like one among Europe’s most efficient prospects with three FIBA MVP awards in youth competitions to his title. A tad over 6’9 barefoot with a 7’1 wingspan, Almansa is a succesful DHO set off man who also can play with energy inside. He’s a tad small for a middle and he’s not the perfect athlete, however he nonetheless has sufficient measurement and smarts to discover a pathway to a productiveness within the NBA.