2024 NBA Mock Draft

Welcome to my 2024 NBA Mock Draft, version 1.0! I’ve mocked all 30 first-round picks in this article, with a bit more attention paid to the lottery picks (1-14). As we get closer to draft night at the end of June, I’ll be putting out updates to the mock along with any draft night prop bets that catch my eye. Enjoy!

2024 NBA Mock Draft

1.1 — Atlanta: Alexandre Sarr, Perth

For a team that was already surrounded by swirling trade rumors, jumping up to the top pick after having just the 10th-best odds certainly throws another curveball into the potential whirlwind of an offseason that lies ahead for Atlanta. Sarr was with Overtime Elite last year and went down under for the 2023-24 season to play with Perth in the NBL. In Australia, he found success in the Wildcat rotation, proving that his athleticism and defensive acumen can be effective enough at the pro level even at 19 years old. He does seem, like most young bigs, like he’d rather be out on the wing running and gunning. But Sarr has yet to prove he can be remotely consistent enough as a shooter to get the green light from an NBA coach, as he shot below 30% from three and just 61% from the free throw line with Perth. The upside on the defensive end combined with the fluid handle for his size on offense likely locks him into the 1.01 for the Hawks next month, but things could look different in the ATL by then if they decide to move on from their backcourt duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.

1.2 — Washington: Zaccharie Risacher, JL Bourg

I actually went back and forth on Risacher over Sarr for the first pick, but ultimately I couldn’t get away from the larger of the two Frenchman for Atlanta. Either way, I expect these two players to go back-to-back to begin next month’s draft. Keep in mind that this draft’s overall talent level is lower than your average draft, so I’m expecting more volatility in mocks and the actual draft than normal. The rapid development Risacher exhibited this past year has rocketed him up draft boards, but there’s still not a clear consensus in the industry on where he’ll land. I’m, clearly, high on his outlook after he’s made 38.3% of his threes this past season in all competitions. His ability to knock down the three off screens and off the bounce combined with a lateral quickness that was a bit eye opening for me when watching his film makes him a high floor, high ceiling option in this class. Pairing him with his countryman Bilal Coulibaly could be the wing pairing of the future for a Wizards club that’s far from contending.

1.3 – Houston (from Brooklyn): Donovan Clingan, Connecticut

Lots of talk about the Rockets potentially trading out of this pick by the time they’re on the clock, but I’m not here to play trade machine so Clingan is the pick. It’s tough to narrow down a positional need for Houston, considering their bevy of young promising players at nearly every position. I know Alperen Sengun was fantastic this year and still the center of the future for Houston, but taking a guy like Clingan is not only good insurance at the position, his defensive prowess and measurements (7-foot-2 with a 7-7 wingspan) would give the Rockets another high-upside option on that side of the ball. Ime Udoka at the helm with the tenacious Amen Thompson at the one with Clingan in the middle manning the paint? Doesn’t sound like fun for opposing offenses.

1.4 – San Antonio: Nikola Topić, Crvenz Zvezda

It would be eye opening to see San Antonio not draft at least one point guard with their two top-eight picks. There are a number of guards you’ll see mocked to the Spurs at both spots, and for me Topić is the clear answer. First, and this may be my own personal bias, but I’d rather take the successful European pro in their late teens than a guy with one year at the NCAA level more often than not. Second, the sheer size of Topić is likely to be one factor that sets him above the rest for any team looking at adding a point guard early in this draft. Luckily for the player, he avoided serious injury after a non-contact scare two weeks ago and is expected to be ready for workouts in the week leading up to the draft. At 6-foot-6 and averaging 19 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds per game in the Serbian league this season, Topić clearly has the highest NBA upside of this guard class. His vision and decision making are likely drawing the attention of Spurs brass looking for the guard of the future to pair with Victor Wembanyama. If his three-point shooting ability (just 30.6% across all competitions last season) was any higher, he’d be in the conversation for the first pick.

1.5 – Detroit: Matas Buzelis, G-League Ignite

Another guy with a significant range of outcomes, Buzelis was a member of the final G-League Ignite team as the league is shutting down the project after a disastrous and uncompetitive season. While he was a letdown from three considering the expectations this season after shooting 43.1% from deep in his final high school season, the upside as a long-range specialist is clearly there. But he’s not a one-trick pony, and the overall basketball IQ Buzelis has exhibited at the G-League level does give me some hope that he’ll adjust eventually to the NBA game. Like most guys his age, Buzelis needs to add some muscle to protect his handle and improve his finishing at the rim. The best thing about him is that the intangibles are present. Buzelis has a great feel for the game and plays his butt off, which is far from a given with highly rated prospects. It does feel like Detroit has needs on the wing, considering their backcourt is set with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey and is paired with an equally young and exciting frontcourt duo of Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.

1.6 – Charlotte: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky

Not dissimilar from the Pistons, Charlotte has a bevy of young and mostly unproven talent on the roster. They could draft any position with this pick in late June, and I wouldn’t be shocked, but I’ve got them bolstering the backcourt with the sixth pick. Sheppard is small, coming in a hair under 6-foot-2 with a 6-3 wingspan at the combine. But he’s surprisingly tenacious on defense, and his quick hands nabbed him 2.5 steals per game at Kentucky last season. Sheppard was tied for first at the combine in standing vertical leap as well, coming in at a 42-inch max vert. He’s also a dead-eye shooter, going 52.1% on more than four attempts per game. With Terry Rozier shipped out at the deadline, none of us should be shocked to see the Hornets add another starting caliber guard with this pick.

1.7 – Portland: Stephon Castle, Connecticut

Another guy who could jump into the top three or slip into the latter half of the lottery, Castle has made it known his desire to play the one at the NBA level. Portland selecting him at seven would of course slot him in as the secondary playmaker next to Scoot Henderson, but I think the fit makes some sense and of course he can always be the primary initiator when Henderson is off the floor. He would also provide some insurance at the position in case Henderson really does bust after the lofty expectations he entered his rookie year with. Castle’s defensive acumen is unquestioned, at least by me, but it’s the lack of shooting ability that keeps him out of the top five in my first mock. At both the collegiate and high school levels, Castle shot below 30% from three. That will have to improve for him to hit his ceiling in the NBA.

1.8 – San Antonio (from Toronto): Cody Williams, Colorado

San Antonio could go so many directions with this pick, as I mentioned earlier, I’m not shocked if they double up on ball handling options and let the two duke it out for minutes in the backcourt. But if they’re able to snag Topić with their first pick, I think we see a wing at eight. The younger brother of Oklahoma City’s Jalen, Cody Williams is a 6-foot-6 wing with a 7-1 wingspan and a high-upside prospect that underwhelmed a bit compared to preseason expectations in his one season with the Buffaloes. He displayed what I’d consider above average decision making as a freshman and if he’s able to be more consistent from deep as he progresses through his rookie contract this could end up looking like a steal. It doesn’t hurt that positionally he slots right into the lineup at the three, especially if you’re of the mind that Keldon Johnson (who was the sixth man for most of last season) could be on the move in any potential trade San Antonio could make to bolster the roster around Wemby.

1.9 – Memphis: Rob Dillingham, Kentucky

The final member of the group of guards I think will all go in the top 10, I’m not shocked to see Dillingham go as high as the fourth pick to San Antonio if they decide he’s their guy. He’s an explosive scorer and that was on display at Kentucky last year where he shot 44.4% from three on 4.5 attempts per game and also put some impressive shot creation on ability film. His size, coming in at 6-foot-1 with a 6-2 wingspan, is a concern for some. It does feel like his ceiling is a Lou Williams type of sixth-man, or maybe a more accurate and modern comparison is Malik Monk without the insane vertical. What better place to hone your craft as a volume scorer off the bench early in your career than behind the duo of Ja Morant and Marcus Smart. Dillingham falling to Memphis should feel like a win for Grizzlies fans as they cross their fingers for a healthy season across the board.

1.10 – Utah: Ron Holland, G-League Ignite

A preseason first overall pick in many mocks last fall, Holland was a member of last year’s Ignite roster. His lack of consistency beyond the arc was concerning at the G-League level, shooting just 24% from deep. However, Holland’s body type is one that NBA teams typically salivate over. He still profiles as a guy with star potential considering his size and defensive upside on the wing. One thing I never questioned when watching his film was the effort level and again, coaches will like that about him as well. He works on defense and his length and mobility gives him the versatility to switch on the perimeter. Similar to the Grizzlies pick prior to this one, the Jazz and their fans should be pumped to get Holland at 10 and pair him with last year’s lottery pick Taylor Hendricks on the wing.

1.11 – Chicago: Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor

From the wingspan to being a Baylor Bear, it sure feels like Sacramento owner Vivek Ranadive will be pounding the table in frustration if Walter goes just before his club is on the clock. In the mold of Davion Mitchell (but with much more upside in my opinion), Walter is a lengthy guard that is sure to cause problems out on the perimeter measuring at 6-foot-4 with a 6-10 wingspan at the combine. He’s also three years younger than Mitchell when he was drafted and is a much better shooter off the bounce. Putting the former five-star recruit next to Coby White in the Bulls backcourt could be just the recipe for the Bulls to move on from their other mainstays at the position in the coming years as they inch along toward a rebuild that’s long overdue.

1.12 – Oklahoma City (from Houston): Tidjane Salaun, Cholet

I tried everything in my power to not go chalk with the Thunder’s late lottery pick, but this selection just makes too much sense. Even after last week’s exit against the Mavericks, Oklahoma City doesn’t have many needs in the first place and at this point of the draft it’s tough to see a clear selection that could break into their rotation and contribute in a meaningful was next season. Enter Salaun, who I considered as an option as high as eight to San Antonio, and his raw talent that’s been turning heads over the last few months. His defensive prowess isn’t in question for me, he looks impressive on and off the ball on that end. What could very well be a mirage is his improved efficiency from distance. But there’s no better landing spot to figure that out than with legendary ex-Spurs shooting coach Chip Engelland, who has been in OKC for a few seasons now. Salaun’s rise up draft boards reminds me of the intrigue surrounding Bilal Coulibaly last draft season, and I don’t think he makes it past OKC here if nobody else takes the swing earlier.

1.13 – Sacramento: Devin Carter, Providence

If Vivek can’t get his hands on Walter, then he should be just fine with his club selecting Carter. He’s got a similar profile in terms of his measurements and like current King Davion Mitchell was when he declared, is a bit on the older side in terms of lottery prospects as he’s already 22. Carter contributed across the box score this year for Providence and showed off a much-improved efficiency from beyond the arc in his junior season. The son of former NBA player Anthony Carter, Devin had a fantastic week at the combine, breaking the record in the three-quarter court sprint and posting a 42-inch vertical leap (tied with Sheppard). In an unimpressive draft on paper, there’s still gems to be found and if the improvements Carter displayed last season are for real, he could end up being one near the end of the lottery.

1.14 – Portland (from Golden State via Boston and Memphis): Tristan Da Silva, Colorado

After a fantastic showing in the NCAA tournament, Da Silva finds himself much higher in my first mock than I expected coming in. He’s a productive two-way player and his ability to space the floor (nearly 40% on his catch and shoot attempts from three) while displaying an above average feel for defensive rotations at the NCAA level gives me a lot of hope that Da Silva won’t end up being a reach at the end of the lottery. Da Silva is far from the most elite athlete in this class but he makes up for it with his basketball IQ. He’s already one of the older prospects in this class as he turned 23 last month but can settle in nicely to a role behind locked in starter Jerami Grant at the four for Portland and not be rushed into a situation he’s not ready for both physically and mentally.

1.15 – Miami: Jared McCain, Duke

As is tradition, the blurbs get shorter once we leave the lottery in the rearview. Very simple for me at 15, Miami needs help in their backcourt behind Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro. He knows how to run an offense, is an above average shooter and his defensive acumen is sure to attract the eyes of Pat Riley in the draft process.

1.16 – Philadelphia: Kyshawn George, Miami

Another guy with a wide range of draft outcomes in this class, George is looking like an unexpected one-and-done out of Miami. He shot over 40% from three, and his 6-foot-7 frame will certainly have NBA scouts looking twice in the draft process. The Sixers may go with someone a bit more proven considering the state of their roster, but George could be a nice pickup to learn behind whomever Philly replaces Tobias Harris with in the offseason.

1.17 – Los Angeles Lakers (swap potential with New Orleans): Isaiah Collier, USC

New Orleans has the option to swap with LA for this pick, but for now we’ll draft for the Lakers. Collier was a consensus top-five option in preseason mocks and a poor individual season combined with an underperforming USC team has seen him slip hard over the course of the year. The Lakers get a high-upside guard to mix into their backcourt and pair with Jalen Hood-Schifino with an eye to the post-LeBron era.

1.18 – Orlando: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

Maybe the guy who has “slipped” the most in my first mock of the offseason is Knecht. I’ve seen him mocked as high as fifth to the Pistons, but I’m not as excited about him as others seem to be. However, he makes a ton of sense for Orlando if he falls. With last year’s swing on a shooter (Jett Howard) not providing any production in his rookie season, Knecht could fill a portion of the void the Magic still have in terms of the shooting ability. He’s a killer catch and shoot player, and Orlando has the defensive pieces in place to potentially cover up his deficiencies on that side of the ball.

1.19 – Toronto (from Indiana): Jaylon Tyson, California

I think the Raptors have found their replacement for Gary Trent Jr., whose contract will be expiring after this coming season. Tyson is a solid shooter with more ability to create for his teammates than Trent. The fact that he won’t be tasked with carrying any sort of sizeable load on either side of the ball for Toronto should only aid in his transition from the NCAA level to the pros.

1.20 – Cleveland: Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh

Young player who could be shooting up draft boards, as he has done here in my first mock. Carrington is young and won’t turn 19 until after the draft. Considering the Cavs are liable to break up their backcourt pairing of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell as soon as this offseason, Carrington makes a lot of sense in the latter half of the first round.

1.21 – New Orleans (from Milwaukee): Kyle Filipowski, Duke

There’s rarely going to be a player in a draft who is as physically imposing as Jonas Valanciunas, but his shortcomings on both sides of the ball were highlighted in the first round series against Oklahoma City and to me it is clear that they need more options in the frontcourt. Filipowski’s ability to handle the ball and be a reliable shooter at his size makes him an intriguing choice in a frontcourt that is of course led by Zion Williamson.

1.22 – Phoenix: Yves Missi, Baylor

The Suns have more than one hurdle to clear before we can consider them a title contender, even with the star-studded starting lineup they have. One thing is clear, they must upgrade their depth chart at center. Missi is still a raw prospect, but his work on the glass is encouraging for a team that is hurting for a more consistent presence on the boards.

1.23 – Milwaukee (from New Orleans): Tyler Smith, G-League Ignite

Unlikely that the Bucks are able to grab a player here who will play a significant role in their quest for another championship next season. So why not take an upside swing on Smith, another member of the final Ignite roster, and see if he can develop in their system. He’s got defensive upside on paper, but I’ve got worries that will translate to the NBA level. We’ll likely see Smith play the majority of the season in the G-League once again.

1.24 – New York (from Dallas): Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois

We could see Shannon drop out of the first round entirely, considering the preliminary hearing scheduled this month on rape allegations. For the purposes of mock drafting, I’m going to set that aside for the moment. The fit with the Knicks could make some sense. Tom Thibodeau traditionally hates playing rookies, but Shannon will be 24 by the time summer league rolls around. He’s a solid all-around defender and broke out offensively this past season.

1.25 – New York: Kel’el Ware, Indiana

Another guy who could go in the mid-teens and none of us should be surprised. Ware’s ceiling is like a leveled-up Mitchell Robinson. He’s a hair under 7-foot-0 with a 7-4 wingspan, while also sporting an above average ability to knock down threes for his size.

1.26 – Washington (from LA Clippers via Dallas and Oklahoma City): Zach Edey, Purdue

If the Wiz don’t grab Sarr or Clingan with the second pick, I’d expect them to look for frontcourt help here late in the first. For his size, Edey is incredibly durable. Of course, he was an elite low-post scorer with Purdue, but will that translate to the NBA? I think it can. My bigger concern is his ability to stay on the floor due to his deficiencies on the defensive end. Edey switched onto NBA guards? Ha. I don’t see it. But it’s the 26^th pick, and Washington needs help at the position. Feels like a good fit for both parties all things considered.

1.27 – Minnesota: Bobi Klintman, Cairns Taipans

Like Sarr, Klintman is another European player that took his talents to Australia last season. Minnesota is unlikely to get an immediate contributor with this pick, so grabbing the high upside size/shooting combination of Klintman and letting him develop in the background while you make another run at a title next season? Works for me.

1.28 – Denver: Baylor Scheierman, Creighton

Scheierman had a great week at the combine, playing especially well in the scrimmages. We saw the lack of shooting available off the Nuggets bench in their loss to Minnesota this month. Scheierman isn’t going to wow you defensively, but this fits a need in my opinion for a team that’s still trying to compete for a title while being somewhat hamstrung by the cap.

1.29 – Utah (from Oklahoma City): Nikola Djurisic, Mega Basket

Another guy rising up draft boards late in his season, Djurisic is a talented ball handler who like most high-end European prospects displays a high basketball IQ. His shooting still isn’t consistent enough for me to put him higher in this mock, but I’m not shocked if I continue to like this kid more and more after first hearing seeing him on film six weeks ago.

1.30 – Boston: Daron Holmes II, Dayton

With Al Horford aging and the injury history of Kristaps Porzingis, it makes sense to me that the Celtics address their frontcourt at the end of the first round. If Holmes is on the board at 30, I think the Boston front office will submit that pick fairly quickly. They need more rim defense and interior scoring, which Holmes should be able to provide as he develops in the Celtics system.