2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - Behind the Arc

This draft may not have the top-tier talent that normal draft classes have, but there are a lot of players that can be high-level starters or role players. There will likely be a few all-stars as well, but it’s more difficult to pin-point those players. This is a first-round mock draft and does not include trades. For the most part, I chose players based on how they fit with each team. We are only a few weeks away from the draft, so lets get started.

First Round

1. Atlanta Hawks – Alexandre Sarr

The Hawks are lacking frontcourt depth, and with Capela rumored to be on the trade block their depth will get even thinner. Alex Sarr will slide in perfectly at the power forward position and will massively help the Hawks on defense, where they ranked as the 4th worst defense in the league. He could be a stretch 4 with his shooting upside and occasionally play center for portions of the game.

2. Washington Wizards – Nikola Topic

Point guard and center are the biggest holes the Wizards have on their roster. Donovan Clingan would be a good fit here, but there may be a quality big at pick 26 as well. Plus, next year’s draft class is projected to have a lot of high-end talent at the frontcourt positions. Nikola Topic is the best playmaker in this draft. He’s a big point guard capable of making any pass and is excellent in the pick and roll. He can get downhill in the driving lanes and can find open shooters on kick outs. He would be a great fit alongside Bilal Coulibali to grow and develop as long-term pieces of the Wizard’s future.

3. Houston Rockets – Reed Sheppard

The Rockets are wanting to win right now. They made moves last off-season and took a big lead this year winning 41 games up from 22 games last year. They need more playmaking, shooting, and someone who is ready to contribute immediately. Reed Sheppard fits that mold perfectly with his shooting ability, passing and playmaking upside. He could become the long-term answer at point guard after Fred Van Vleet’s contract is up in 2 years.

4. San Antonio Spurs – Zaccharie Risacher

Victor Wembanyama needs help around him if the Spurs want to take the next step in their rebuild. The Spurs need another player with high upside that can space the floor. Zaccharie Risacher is an athletic wing that can shoot the ball and has upside as a defender, passer and ball-handler. He’s a good off-ball defender and has upside as an on-ball defender with his lateral quickness.

5. Detroit Pistons – Matas Buzelis

Another year, another bad draw in the lottery for the Pistons. The Pistons have a lot of young talent on their roster but haven’t been able to put it together yet. Matas Buzelis will add versatility to this team and has a lot of potential on both sides of the ball. He is a good off-ball defender and is great in transition and has upside as a shooter. He could be a long-term piece to the Pistons core.

6. Charlotte Hornets – Ron Holland

The Hornets were bottom 3 in the league in both offense and defense. They lack an elite perimeter defender that can guard their opponent’s best player. Ron Holland can be that guy for the Hornets. He’s a great on-ball defender with versatility to guard multiple positions. He hustles at all times and is great in transition and attacking the basket. Pairing Holland with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller would be exciting to watch.

7. Portland Trail Blazers – Dalton Knecht

This might be a bit of a reach, but I’m not sure any of the top remaining prospect fit on this Trail Blazers team. Dalton Knecht is a knock-down shooter, efficient in spot-ups, pull-ups and off movement opportunities. He can be more than just a shooter with his athleticism, awareness and the ability to finish in transition. He would be a great addition to the Trail Blazers adding a floor spacer next to Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

8. San Antonio Spurs – Stephon Castle

The Spurs desperately need a starting-level point guard that can be the primary playmaker. Stephon Castle would be a great addition for the Spurs. He’s a tall point guard that can set the tempo on offense and has shown he can be a primary playmaker, which was more prevalent in high school. He’s a hard-nosed defender with the versatility to guard multiple positions. If his shooting improves, he has the upside to become a superstar.

9. Memphis Grizzlies – Donovan Clingan

Donovan Clingan is a perfect fit for the Memphis Grizzlies. They traded Steven Adams to free up cap space, and he was an integral part to their success. Clingan can fill that role and be the anchor down low next to Jaren Jackson Jr. He is a smart player that can make the right passes and be a great pick-and-roll partner with Ja Morant. He has shooting potential, but it may take a few years to develop. He can start right away and be an immediate difference maker for a championship contender.

10. Utah Jazz – Rob Dillingham

The Jazz need a point guard and a primary playmaker. Rob Dillingham is a dynamic shot creator and can get anywhere on the floor with his shiftiness. He’s an elite shooter, shooting 44% from 3 this year at Kentucky including almost 50% from catch-and-shoot threes. He’s developed as a playmaker and will be able to get his teammates open looks for the Jazz.

11. Chicago Bulls – Cody Williams

The Chicago Bulls need to start a full rebuild, entailing a lot of roster reconstruction. If that’s the direction they go this off-season, they need to take the best player available, which is Cody Williams. Williams has defensive versatility, capable of guarding multiple positions and switching on defense. He’s great in transition and a dynamic finisher. He has passing and playmaking upside and has proven to be a great decision-maker. He has potential to become a good shooter but didn’t take many shots from three at Colorado.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Kyle Filipowski

The youngest team to ever win a playoff series, the Thunder took a major leap this year becoming the number one seed in a competitive conference. Their biggest hole is frontcourt depth. They lack size, physicality and players that can rebound. Kyle Filipowski is a do-it-all big man that can shoot, pass, dribble, and defend which fits the Thunder’s archetype. He’s versatile on both ends of the floor and has shown upside as a playmaker as well. He’s a big body that can haul in some rebounds, which the Thunder really need.

13. Sacramento Kings – Jared McCain

The Kings may lose Malik Monk in free agency, so they need to be prepared to add a player or two that can come in and replace his production. Jared McCain a sharpshooting point guard that can shoot off the dribble and is efficient with catch-and-shoot threes. He has upside as a playmaker but is best as a secondary playmaker early in his career. He’s a hard-nosed defender that can be disruptive against smaller guards. He would be a great backup to De’Aaron Fox and can contribute off the bench immediately.

14. Portland Trail Blazers – Tidjane Salaun

With Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, the Trail Blazers are a very young team that is in rebuild mode. Tidjane Salaun is a raw talent with the potential to develop into a star player. His three-point shooting has improved this year and could be knockdown shooter if he continues to develop. He’s a great cutter and could be a connector piece alongside Scoot. He’s a good off-ball defender but needs to develop his on-ball defense.

15. Miami Heat – Devin Carter

Devin Carter is the definition of Heat Culture. He plays with toughness, puts in 100% effort, does the dirty work and plays with confidence. He’s a great on-ball defender capable of guarding bigger players. He’s an incredible rebounder for his size, and fights for his position when boxing out. He’s a great finisher at the basket and has shown he can knock down threes. He has upside as a passer and playmaker but needs to develop that aspect of his game.

16. Philadelphia 76ers – Tristan Da Silva

The 76ers have a lot of decisions to make this off-season and they will try to put together a championship contender. So, they need players that can contribute immediately. Tristan Da Silva is a two-way player that is a great spot-up shooter and finisher at the rim. He makes the right passes and can defend multiple positions. He has positional versatility and can fit in any system. Silva will be able to contribute immediately.

17. Los Angeles Lakers – Isaiah Collier

The Lakers need depth in their backcourt with D’Angelo Russell (who has a player option), Austin Reaves, and Jalen Hood-Schifino as the only guards on the roster. They also lack a physical guard that can defend perimeter players. Isaiah Collier is a physical player who excels in transition and driving to the basket. He can develop into a primary playmaker with his great vision and passing ability. He has the tools to develop into a great defender as well. If he can improve his shooting and cut down on turnovers, he could become a high-level starter in this league.

18. Orlando Magic – Ja’Kobe Walter

The Magic were a bottom 10 shooting team and shot only 30.9% from 3 in the playoffs. Ja’Kobe Walter fits the archetype the Magic desire. He’s an active defender that can be disruptive with his length. He brings intensity and effort on that end of the floor. He will also bring much needed shooting to this Magic team. He’s a true floor spacer that can hit a variety of shots.

19. Toronto Raptors – Kel’el Ware

Floor spacing was a big weakness for the Raptors this year, and they need to add depth to their frontcourt. Kel’el Ware is an athletic big man that shot an impressive 42.5% from three this year. He has the length and quickness to be a great rim protector. If Ware can be more focused and put in more effort, he could develop into the starting center in a couple years for the Raptors.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers – Yves Missi

The Cavaliers need to add depth in their frontcourt behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Yves Missi is an athletic, rim-running big man who is a lob threat and can finish through contact. He’s a gifted shot blocker and is a relentless rebounder. Missi has the athletic traits to be a versatile defender capable of switching onto smaller players. He can thrive in a backup role as he continues his development.

21. New Orleans Pelicans – Carlton Carrington

The Pelicans need a starting-level point guard and a primary playmaker. Carlton Carrington is a shot creator capable of hitting tough buckets. He has the athleticism and finesse to get anywhere he wants to on the court. Carrington projects to be a great playmaker with his vision and passing ability. He has upside as a defender but needs to put on weight, so he won’t get bumped out of position as easily.

22. Phoenix Suns – Tyler Kolek

Tyler Kolek is a true point guard with elite vision and playmaking skills. He has a knack for making the right passes and getting guys open looks. He’s also a knockdown shooter, especially on catch-and-shoot opportunities. He brings intensity, effort and will be a great leader who makes his teammates better. Kolek is a great fit for the Suns as they need a true point guard and playmaker.

23. Milwaukee Bucks – Zach Edey

The Bucks don’t have a center on their roster besides Brook Lopez, who is 36 years old and on the last year of his contract. Zach Edey can slide in as the backup center and learn from Lopez to potentially develop into the starting center. He’s a giant center that thrives in the post. He’s a great interior scorer showing touch and skill around the basket. His size, strength and intelligence allow him to deter shots and bring down rebounds.

24. New York Knicks – Johnny Furphy

The Knicks could look to get off of Bojan Bogdanovic’s contract this summer to free up cap space, which would create depth issues on the roster. Johnny Furphy could fill in that role and bring immediate shooting to their bench. He has great awareness, is a good decision-maker, and is able to get open with his off-ball movement. He’s an athletic player that is a great finisher in transition. Furphy’s hustle and effort may convince Coach Thibodeau to play him as a rookie.

25. New York Knicks – DaRon Holmes II

One of Mitchell Robinson or Isaiah Hartenstein is likely to be off the Knicks roster next season, creating a hole at backup center. DaRon Holmes II is an athletic, stretch big man that has defensive versatility. He’s a great rim protector and has agility and quickness to switch onto smaller defenders and defend on the perimeter. He’s great in the pick-and-roll and excellent at finishing at the basket. His shooting has improved every year proving his shot will translate to the NBA.

26. Washington Wizards – Bobi Klintman

With the Wizards rebuilding, they could use another raw prospect with upside to become a highly impactful two-way player. Bobi Klintman is a tall wing that is great at cutting and off-ball movement. On offense, he has shooting upside as a spot-up shooter with potential to be a more diverse scorer. On defense, his athletic traits allow him to develop into a versatile defender.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jaylon Tyson

The Timberwolves had an impressive season, making it to the western conference finals. Now that they are ready to contend for a title, they need players that could contribute during their rookie season. Jaylon Tyson is a strong forward that can be a force running through the lane. He brings hustle and intensity when fighting for rebounds and doing the dirty work. He’s a good shooter off the catch and has some playmaking upside as he played some point guard at Cal. He fits the Timberwolves archetype by being an active, versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions.

28. Denver Nuggets – Kevin McCullar Jr.

Depth was a big issue for the Nuggets all season and in the playoffs. Kevin McCullar Jr. has the skills to contribute off the bench right away and provide more depth to a contending team. McCullar has a good feel for the game and makes the right moves the majority of the time. He’s a good cutter, makes the right passes, and has upside as a playmaker for portions of the game. He has scoring upside, and his three-point shot has improved, but his form is questionable.

29. Utah Jazz – Tyler Smith

Tyler Smith has potential as a versatile offensive threat. His biggest strength is his shooting and has a smooth form. He can also score close-up shots as well with a variety of moves. He has defensive upside with his athleticism and length, but it will take time for him to develop into a solid defender.

30. Boston Celtics – Baylor Scheierman

Baylor Scheierman could be a valuable depth piece on a championship contender. He’s a versatile shooter that can hit threes in a variety of ways. He’s a good off-ball mover and a high-feel player that knows how to position himself on the court. He’s a good ball-handler that can facilitate in pick-and-rolls. Scheierman can bring value off the bench in any system.