2024 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The NBA Draft lottery is overwith, and we had a shakeup at the top! The Hawks moved up to number 1 despite having only a 3% chance to do so. Plus, my Houston Rockets jumped up to number 3, so I'm excited about that.

There still isn't much of a consensus at the top of big boards, but with the Combine happening this week, we could see some changes pretty soon. There's only a month-and-a-half left until draft night and the chaos shows no signs of stopping.

Let's get into the mock. **note: ages are as of draft night

Pick 1 - Atlanta Hawks

Alex Sarr, C/PF

19 - 7'1" - 224lb - France

Atlanta was already in an interesting position before landing the first overall pick, so this only intensifies the uncertainty with that team. After drafting Onyeka Okongwu in 2020, everyone thought Atlanta would move on from Clint Capela to open up that starting spot, but they extended Capela instead. Now they've extended Okongwu as well. One of those guys needs to get moved this offseason to add more pieces to this roster and make room for the best prospect available (if they keep the pick), Alex Sarr. He's a giant and defends at an elite level on the interior. He can also guard guys out on the perimeter better than most players of his size. His outside jumper isn't there yet, but he's an efficient scorer inside the arc. Sarr is also a more-than-capable passer.

Pick 2 - Washington Wizards

Nikola Topic - PG

18 - 6'6" - 200lb - Serbia

Topic has risen up draft boards again after returning from injury, seemingly cementing himself as the top guard in the class. He reinjured his knee this week, though, so his stability could be a concern, but the doctors said he avoided serious injury. Topic makes a lot of sense for Washington not only because he is the best prospect available but also because they really don't have a lead ball handler right now. Tyus Jones is most likely gone in free agency and Jordan Poole is more of a SG (and you don't really want him handling the ball anyway). Topic is an elite floor general whose passing vision has generated more than 7 assists per game. He's tall for his position at 6'6", which NBA scouts always love. He still needs to develop his outside jumper, but he shoots 86% from the line, so the touch is there.

Pick 3 - Houston Rockets

Zaccharie Risacher - SF/SG

19 - 6'8" - 202lb - France

The Rockets have a wide variety of options here at three, including trading the pick. They have young players at every position, including Amen Thompson, who they still seem committed to developing into their PG of the future. They could still draft another guard who would fit well next to Thompson (who can't shoot), but Risacher is also a great option. He has maybe the highest upside of anyone in the class as a tall wing with a plus-wingspan. He's a good defender with the potential to become great on that end of the floor. Although he ended the year in a shooting slump, Risacher still finished the year shooting 39% overall from beyond the arc. No team can have too many 3&D wings.

Pick 4 - San Antonio Spurs

Rob Dillingham - PG

19 - 6'2" - 175lb - Kentucky

After missing out on Topic, the Spurs nab the next-best lead guard on the board. Dillingham might be the best offensive player in this class. He averaged an efficient 15 points per game this season, shooting 48% from the field including 44% from three. San Antonio desperately needs his perimeter shooting and shot creation, and Dillingham is no slouch in the paint as well. He's a slithery finisher and can kick the ball out with ease as well. The combo of Dillingham and Wemby would definitely be one of the most exciting young dynamic duos in the league. Dillingham will be a liability on defense, but Tre Jones and Devin Vassell are there to pick up the slack.

Pick 5 - Detroit Pistons

Dalton Knecht - SG/SF

23 - 6'6" - 203lb - Tennessee

Detroit dropped to pick 5 for the third year in a row after once again finishing with the worst record in the league. The whole "pick an 18/19-year-old and tank" thing is not working, so the Pistons desperately need to draft a winner here and change the culture. Dalton Knecht immediately comes to mind as a winner, and he also fills gaps that the Pistons need to fill. Many people discount Knecht's potential due to his age (he will be 23 by draft night), which might be a mistake. He is coming off an incredible season in which he carried an otherwise weak Tennessee team to the Elite Eight, dropping 37 points in their final game against Purdue. He rivals Dillingham as the best offensive player in the class because he's a three-level scorer who is unstoppable when he gets hot. As the number one option, Knecht averaged 22 points a game and shot 40% from three. The Pistons have no shooters in their young core of Cunningham-Ivey-Asaur-Duren, and the offense has suffered without that floor spacing. The backcourt defense might not be great, but the outside scoring and winning culture are the main issues they need to solve right now.

Pick 6 - Charlotte Hornets

Stephon Castle - SG/PG/SF

19 - 6'7" - 215lb - UConn

The Hornets took a lot of flack for taking Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson last year, but now it's looking like a genius more. Now that they've boosted their offense, it's time to get the defense some help. Stephon Castle is seen by many as the best perimeter defender in the class. He hustles as he defends both on and off the ball and can guard multiple positions, which would give Charlotte a lot of versatility with their lineups. Castle is a solid passer/playmaker and could take some minutes at PG if needed. He isn't a good shooter (26% from three this season), but that's really the only thing stopping him from becoming a star in the league. If he can develop that, Charlotte will have hit the lottery.

Pick 7 - Portland Trail Blazers

Ron Holland - PF/SF

18 - 6'8" - 195lb - G-League Ignite

The Blazers have a plethora of guards (Simons, Sharpe, Henderson, Brogdon) and other offensive talents (Ayton, Grant), so what they really need is a defensive-minded forward. Ron Holland fits that description more than any other player in the draft does. At 6'8" with a 7'0" wingspan, lateral quickness, and hustle, Holland has the tools to become an All-NBA level defender. Even at 18 years old, Holland will be able to make an impact on that end of the floor. His offensive game is limited; he doesn't shoot well and was very inefficient for the Ignite team, but he won't be asked to do nearly as much on offense for the Blazers. Portland won't be good anytime soon, so he will have time to hone in on his skills.

Pick 8 - San Antonio Spurs

Matas Buzelis - PF/SF

19 - 6'11" - 195lb - G-League Ignite

With their second pick in the top 8, San Antonio can grab a project player with a high ceiling in Buzelis. He has solid court vision and a good feel for the game, which creates a lot of opportunities for his teammates on offense. Aside from that, his offensive game will need some work, as he shot terribly for the Ignite team this year and even struggled at the rim. That being said, his size and touch provide some confidence that the necessary improvements can be made. His on-ball defense needs work, but he's smart off-ball and plays hard. He also blocked 2 shots a game this season.

Pick 9 - Memphis Grizzlies

Donovan Clingan - C

20 - 7'2" - 265lb - UConn

Clingan to the Grizzlies is one of the most commonly mocked selections, but it's for a reason. Memphis is aiming for a huge bounce-back season with their entire roster coming back from injury. They're in win-now mode, and Clingan is NBA-ready. He's an elite interior defender and has a 7'7" wingspan that can alter any shot. He averaged 2.5 blocks a game this season and led UConn to their second consecutive national championship. Clingan is the perfect pick-and-roll partner on offense and defends opposing pick-and-rolls well. He doesn't shoot threes and his FT% doesn't bode well for potential improvement, but he can still be great in this more traditional-style center role.

Pick 10 - Utah Jazz

Reed Sheppard - SG/PG

20 - 6'3" - 187lb - Kentucky

Reed Sheppard slips down the board in this mock and the Jazz take advantage. The backcourt could be a little awkward with him and Keyonte both being combo guards (as opposed to true PGs), but Sheppard is a good fit in Utah nonetheless. This season, the Jazz were top-10 in threes attempted and bottom-10 in three-point percentage. Reed is the best shooter in the class, hitting 52% (!!) of his threes on over 4 attempts per game this season at Kentucky. He also plays hard on defense, and Utah was a bottom-2 team in points allowed. It might be more difficult for Reed on the defensive end in the NBA given his short frame, but he has quick reactions and a high basketball IQ.

Pick 11 - Chicago Bulls

Isaiah Collier - PG

19 - 6'5" - 210lb - USC

Most people are against the idea of Chicago taking another guard simply because they have so many right now, but it would be naive to discount Collier as a solid selection solely because he's a PG without truly evaluating the actual fit and the future of this team. LaVine will likely be moved this offseason, and there will surely be a lot of teams vying to snag Caruso and DeRozan as well (and they can play SF if needed). Lonzo's injury history is concerning as well. Planning for the future, running a three-man backcourt rotation of Collier-White-Dosunmu is enticing. While White is more of a combo guard and all-around shooter/scorer, Collier plays more of a bully-ball and playmaking role. He's super strong and can drive and finish through contact, keeping his eyes open for a better look for a teammate. He isn't a proven shooter, which is a minus, but another plus is that he plays tough defense with that strength, which would complement White once again. Why not take a chance on a guy who was a consensus top-3 pick coming into the year?

Pick 12 - Oklahoma City Thunder

Cody Williams - SG/SF

19 - 6'8" - 180lb - Colorado

Williams was electric before his injury this season at Colorado and was quickly rising to the top of big boards. After a slow end to the season, he's fallen back down. Nevertheless, he has a lot of potential at just 19 years old and is the best prospect available here at 12. Williams projects as a nice 3&D wing that can come into the lineup in a year or two to replace these young players that Oklahoma City won't be able to retain once their rookie deals expire. He has great size for his position which allows him to guard effectively out on the perimeter and switch if needed. That being said, he's only 180 pounds, so he will need to put on some muscle if he is to compete with NBA wings/forwards. He shot 41% from three this season, but on under 2 attempts per game, so he still needs to prove that he's actually a shooter.

Pick 13 - Sacramento Kings

Jared McCain - PG/SG

20 - 6'3" - 197lb - Duke

McCain to Sacramento has been picking up some steam in the NBA Draft community, and for good reason. They're likely losing one of their best shooters/scorers, Malik Monk, in free agency and will need a replacement. McCain shot over 41% from three this season at Duke on almost 6 attempts per game, proving himself as one of the best shooters in this draft class. He would be a good fit in the backcourt next to Fox and Keon Ellis because he can excel on or off the ball as a combo guard. He might struggle to guard SGs on the NBA level at just 6'3", but he always gives his best effort on that end.

Pick 14 - Portland Trail Blazers

Tidjane Salaun - PF/SF

18 - 6'9" - 212lb - France

As previously mentioned, the Blazers are good on guards, and they also have two centers that might be difficult to move in Ayton (huge contract) and Williams (injury history), so taking another forward could be in their best interest. With their second pick in the lottery, Portland can afford to take a chance on a guy with a low floor but a high ceiling. Salaun will be a project because he lacks basketball IQ and feel for the game, but he has all the tools that scouts and development teams want. He's 6'9" with a 7'1" wingspan and plays with lots of energy and athleticism. Defensively, he plays hard on the ball and has the ability to protect the rim or keep up on the perimeter. With some training, he could become a monster on that end of the floor. Offensively, he will be able to finish plays at the rim, but his outside shot still needs some work.

Pick 15 - Miami Heat

Devin Carter - PG/SG

22 - 6'3" - 195lb - Providence

Devin Carter has also been a big riser recently, as scouts are finally catching on to the fact that he is one of the most all-around players in the draft. Carter, despite his size, is a hard-nosed defender that gives ball-handlers trouble. Having a 6'7" wingspan allows him to keep in front of his man, and potentially switch onto bigger guys if necessary. Carter is also one of the better shooters in the class, nailing 38% of his shots from beyond the arc on nearly 7 attempts a game. He can also finish through traffic at the rim. One of the best traits about him is that he's a relentless rebounder, as he grabbed almost 9 (!) rebounds a game.

Pick 16 - Philadelphia 76ers

Tristan da Silva - PF/SF

23 - 6'9" - 220lb - Colorado

Pretty much the entire Sixers roster is entering unrestricted free agency this offseason, including all of their forwards (Harris, Hield, Batum, Covington). So, Philly should take the best NBA-ready prospect available, which is Tristan da Silva. One of the most all-around players in the class, da Silva is an incredible passer that will be able to create opportunities for the stars, Embiid and Maxey. He can also be a knockdown shooter out on the perimeter, where he shot 40% last season. He moves well without the ball, too. On defense, da Silva is switchable and is competitive both on and off the ball.

Pick 17 - Los Angeles Lakers

Kyle Filipowski - C/PF

20 - 7'0" - 230lb - Duke

**New Orleans still has a few weeks to decide if they want this pick or next year's, but with the 2025 class seeming to be a lot better than this one, they will most likely defer.

The Lakers desperately need depth, at any position, and Kyle Filipowski is the best NBA-ready prospect on the board. He has a very unique and skilled offensive game, as he can dribble, pass, shoot, and defend at capable levels. Filipowski is a solid screener that could pair well with LeBron or whoever is handling the ball, but he can also be the ball handler in a pick and roll. He does all the little things on offense to create spacing and good shots for his teammates. Defensively, he was a great rim protector this season at Duke, but he will need to put on some more muscle to compete at the NBA level.

Pick 18 - Orlando Magic

Tyler Smith - PF/SF

19 - 6'11" - 224lb - G-League Ignite

The Magic need shooting, as they finished in the bottom-2 in outside shots attempted and bottom-10 in 3P% this season. They took Jett Howard last year to address this issue on the wing, and now they have an opportunity to improve their shooting in the frontcourt. Tyler Smith has a smooth jumpshot and excels as an off-ball shooter. His long wingspan allows him to get shots up over defenders. He isn't a great defender, but he has the body and tools that could help him become one with the right development staff. Smith will need to put on some weight if he wants to be able to protect the rim in the league.

Pick 19 - Toronto Raptors

Yves Missi - C

19 - 7'0" - 235lb - Baylor

The Raptors made some big trades before the deadline and solidified the direction of the team, which is to enter rebuild mode. Yves Missi would be a good selection here because he still needs a year or two to develop, but he has high potential to become a solid inside player. He's strong and can protect the rim at a high level. He averaged nearly 2.5 blocks and a steal per 36 minutes this season. He has the quickness and agility to switch and even defend on the perimeter, but he will need to improve in his defensive basketball IQ to be effective in the league. Offensively, Missi is a great screener and rim runner that finishes at the rim with power. With Poeltl still locked up for a few more years, Missi could play behind him and take over when Poeltl is traded/let go.

Pick 20 - Cleveland Cavaliers

Ja'Kobe Walter - SG/PG

19 - 6'5" - 195lb - Baylor

It's pure chaos in Cleveland right now. There are rumors that Mitchell is unhappy and wants out, and there's other rumors that he'll resign but Garland and/or Jarrett Allen will be moved. Caris LeVert hasn't been great and might get moved, too. The Cavaliers might as well take the best player available here, which is Ja'Kobe Walter. Walter is a microwave scorer that projects to be a sparkplug off the bench. His 3P% dipped later in the season, but his jumper looks good and he can score in a variety of ways. Defensively, he's intriguing because he plays hard and has a 6'10" wingspan. He isn't NBA ready yet, but Walter would be a good fit should the Cavs decide to take a step back and retool (or he'd be a good trade asset if they still want to win now).

Pick 21 - New Orleans Pelicans

Zach Edey - C

22 - 7'4" - 300lb - Purdue

The Pelicans need center depth with Valanciunas likely not re-signing and Larry Nance being undersized. Zach Edey, a two-time National Player of the Year in college, is NBA-ready would fill that hole and also fit the Pelicans timeline as they are trying to win now. Edey is menacing in the paint on defense, as his 7'4" frame and 7'11" wingspan bother anyone that tries to score at the rim. He averaged over 2 blocks a game last season and also grabbed over 12 boards a game, too. On offense, Edey is a pick-and-roll threat that would pair well with McCollum, Zion, or whoever the ball-handler is. If the Pelicans are able to re-sign Ingram or trade him for win-now pieces, New Orleans could have a scary offense next season.

Pick 22 - Phoenix Suns

Kel'el Ware - C/PF

20 - 7'0" - 210lb - Indiana

From the outside looking in, it seems like the Suns desperately need a PG, but they seem committed to keep the ball in the hands of their big 3. A couple of other areas where Phoenix could use some help are center depth and perimeter shooting. Kel'el Ware helps in both of those areas. Ware only attempted around 1.5 threes a game last season, but he hit 43% of them and his form looks good. If the ball is in the hands of the big 3, Ware would provide solid floor spacing and be a good kickout option. He was a good shot blocker in college at around 2 blocks a game, but in order to become a real interior presence on defense, he will need to gain some muscle.

Pick 23 - Milwaukee Bucks

Tyler Kolek - PG

23 - 6'3" - 195lb - Marquette

The Bucks are coming off of a disappointing playoff series loss but are still in win-now mode. They already have a lot of young wings they're trying to develop, but could use more depth at PG. Kolek is one of the older prospects in the class at 23, but what comes with that is that he's NBA-ready. He's one of the best playmakers in the class and will be able to create opportunities for the top scoring options on the team with his solid feel for the game. He also shot 39% from three this season, so he could help fill Malik Beasley's role should he leave in free agency. At the very least, Kolek should be able to take over as lead ball-handler during the few minutes that Lillard sits each game.

Pick 24 - New York Knicks

Ryan Dunn - SF/SG

21 - 6'8" - 208lb - Virginia

The Knicks have had some tough injury luck this year, especially with forwards OG Anunoby and Julius Randle, so they need more depth there. Ryan Dunn would be a good fit because he is one of the best defenders in this draft class, and won't take any on-ball reps away from the main offensive options (mostly because he has no jumper whatsoever). He has good size at 6'8" and an even better wingspan at 7'1" which allows him to lock down anyone on the perimeter. He averaged almost 1.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per game this season at Virginia, proving that he has high IQ on defense and can be an elite rim protector for his position. His defense is NBA ready and could he helpful for New York next season.

Pick 25 - New York Knicks

DaRon Holmes II - PF/C

21 - 6'10" - 220lb - Dayton

With their second consecutive pick, the Knicks can address another issue, which is their big man depth. Hartenstein was great for them this season, but New York might not be able to retain him in free agency, leaving them with only an injury-prone Mitchell Robinson and an underwhelming Jericho Sims. DaRon Holmes shined at Dayton this season as a two-way player, scoring over 20 points per game and blocking over 2 shots a game as well. He was even able to develop a three-point shot (39% this season), which boosted his draft stock even further. Holmes also excels in the pick-and-roll game, which would create a lot of good looks on offense playing with Jalen Brunson.

Pick 26 - Washington Wizards

Kyshawn George - SF/SG

20 - 6'8" - 205lb - Miami

After grabbing their PG of the future in Nikola Topic, Washington can take a project player with high upside and continue building for the future. George broke out at Miami this season, with most of the hype coming because he shot 41% from three on over 4 attempts a game. He can create his own shot or knock down shots off the catch. He has good size at 6'8", and while he does play with high effort, he will need to put on a lot of weight to compete on defense at the NBA level. Giving him some time to develop and gel alongside Topic, Coulibaly, and Avdija would be great for Washington as they begin their rebuild.

Pick 27 - Minnesota Timberwolves

Jaylon Tyson - SG/SF

21 - 6'7" - 215lb - California

The Timberwolves wing/forward rotation is full of solid 3&D players, and it's working so they might as well add another one here. Jaylon Tyson is a good shooter, especially off the catch, and would fit nicely alongside Conley and Edwards who are the primary ball-handlers. He has a high motor as seen by the 7 rebounds he grabbed per game and his intense off-ball defense. Tyson also has backup PG potential if given the opportunity, as he dished out 3.5 assists a game and played PG minutes at Cal. Minnesota is a deep team, so he might not get minutes right away, but he would provide good depth.

Pick 28 - Denver Nuggets

Carlton Carrington - PG

18 - 6'5" - 190lb - Pittsburgh

The Nuggets are in an interesting position here at 28 because what they really need is big man depth, but there aren't any viable options in this range. They already have a plethora of wings in development, so Carrington would be a good option here. He's one of the youngest prospects in the class at just 18, and will be a project, but where better to learn than on the best team in the league? Carrington is a creative shot creator that can score of a variety of different types of shots. He wasn't very efficient this season and does take some questionable shots, which is to be expected at his age and the usage rate he had, but playing on a high IQ team with Jokic and Murray would be helpful for him. He also desperately needs to bulk up during these developmental years.

Pick 29 - Utah Jazz

Johnny Furphy - SG/SF

19 - 6'9" - 202lb - Kansas

Utah is still very much in rebuild mode, and are at the stage where they are gathering as much young talent as possible and seeing who develops. Taking the best prospect available would be the smart thing to do, and that prospect is Johnny Furphy. Furphy slowed down a bit after a hot start to the season as teams started to catch on to what he's capable of. He's a prolific off-ball player on offense, constantly moving without the ball and finding open looks from deep. He has great size for a wing at 6'9" and can finish at the rim with soft touch or dunk it down. Not a great defender but has the physical tools.

Pick 30 - Boston Celtics

Bobi Klintman - PF/SF

21 - 6'10" - 235lb - Australia

Most of the best prospects available are wings, with the Celtics are good on, but forward Bobi Klintman is a good two-way guy that Boston could throw in the G-League or use for depth next season. He has good size and length for his position and should be able to provide at least capable defense at the next level if he can bulk up some. Klintman is a good shooter from beyond the arc and his jumper looks smooth, too. Overall, he's a safe pick with potential to become a tall 3&D role player in the league, which is everything you could hope for at the end of the first round.

Conclusion

That concludes my post-lottery mock draft! The Draft Combine could surely shake things up, so it will be exciting to see the risers and fallers when that concludes. Some honorable mentions in this mock draft are Kevin McCullar, Terrence Shannon, and Hunter Sallis, who would all be taken at the top of the second round if I continued.

Until next time...