2024 NBA Mock Draft 2.0

This is going to be a wild draft. There are a wide variety of opinions on almost every prospect in this draft class. I expect surprises, trades and an exciting couple of nights during the draft. It’s a very difficult year to do mock draft and pinpointing which players will become all-stars or high-level starters. This is a full two-round mock draft with no trades. I’m higher on a few players relative to the consensus and lower on a few players as well.

First Round

1. Atlanta Hawks – Zaccharie Risacher (JL Bourg – France)

There is a lot of buzz surrounding the Hawks and the number 1 pick. Between trading back or sticking and picking, they seem to be deciding between Zaccharie Risacher and Donovan Clingan. I believe they will stick with the top pick and Risacher provides a higher upside with his size, shooting and defense. He can contribute immediately as a spot-up shooter next to Trae Young and/or Dejounte Murray. He provides off-ball movement and defensive upside and has shown promise as a passer and decision-maker. 

2. Washington Wizards – Alexandre Sarr (Perth Wildcats – France)

Alexandre Sarr has been connected to the Washington Wizards for a while and seem like a perfect fit. He’s an athletic 7-footer that impacts the game defensively with offensive upside. His biggest strengths are rim protection and defensive versatility, with the ability to guard smaller players. On offense, he is great in transition and finishing close to the basket. He has potential as a 3-point shooter with good form but may take a couple of years to become a legitimate threat from deep.

3. Houston Rockets – Reed Sheppard (Kentucky – Freshman)

The Rockets have a lot of young talent they are currently developing. They don’t have a positional need on their roster at the moment, but as a team wanting to win right now, they will look to add talent that can contribute right away. This makes people believe this pick will be available in a trade. However, if they keep this pick, Reed Sheppard is an intriguing prospect for them. He’s an elite shooter with passing and playmaking abilities. He is very impactful on defense, especially off the ball. He has a very high basketball IQ and will impact the game in many ways. He has the tools to be a primary point guard but can also play off the ball as a connector piece and as a secondary/tertiary playmaker with Fred Van Vleet and Amen Thompson on the roster.

4. San Antonio Spurs – Stephon Castle (UConn – Freshman)

The Spurs desperately need a starting-level point guard to pair with Victor Wembanyama. Stephon Castle is a big guard that plays with physicality and toughness. He’s a great defender that can guard opposing team’s best perimeter player. He is typically seen as a secondary playmaker, but he has potential to grow into the primary point guard role. He has a lot of potential as a playmaker and passer and displays good decision-making. His 3-point shooting will be his swing skill, but he will impact the game in many other ways even if his shot isn’t falling.

5. Detroit Pistons – Matas Buzelis (G League Ignite)

Like the Rockets, the Pistons have a lot of young players they are developing, but they still have a long way to go before they are competitive. They have a lot of needs, but from a positional standpoint, they lack frontcourt depth and need a big wing. Matas Buzelis is a 6′-9″ wing that excels in off-ball situations on both sides of the ball. He didn’t shoot well with the Ignite but has a lot of potential with good form and mechanics. He’s a competitor and can bring another dynamic to the Pistons and elevate their culture.

6. Charlotte Hornets – Devin Carter (Providence – Junior)

The Hornets have made changes to their front office, so it’s uncertain what direction they will go with this pick. They have two franchise cornerstone players in LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller and adding Devin Carter could take them a step in the right direction. He is a force on the defensive end and is very athletic. His work ethic and effort are unmatched and will be a great connector piece between Ball and Miller. He is a versatile defender that can guard bigger players and is a great rebounder averaging 8.7 rebounds at 6′-2″. His shooting has improved, but there are questions about how it will translate to the NBA.

7. Portland Trail Blazers – Donovan Clingan (UConn – Sophomore)

There has been considerable interest between the Trail Blazers and Donovan Clingan throughout this draft process. They already have depth at the center position with Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, and Duop Reath, so they would need to offshore at least one of those players to create playing time for Clingan. Portland would be getting a center with great size and strength who excels on the defensive end and has offensive upside. He has all-star potential if his offense continues to develop.

8. San Antonio Spurs – Tidjane Salaun (Cholet – France)

The Spurs are linked to a number of players, but they need a high-upside, big wing on their roster. Tidjane Salaun is a 6′-9″ athletic wing that has a lot of potential. He’s a high-energy guy that plays hard and aggressive. He has potential on both ends of the floor with good shooting form and off-ball movement, as well as the tools to become a versatile defender. Salaun and Wembanyama have reported to be good friends and could develop great chemistry on the court. Pairing Salaun, Castle (picked 4th in this mock draft), and Wembanyama could vault the Spurs to a top 5 defense in the league and one of the best young cores.

9. Memphis Grizzlies – Dalton Knecht (Tennessee – Senior)

The Grizzlies had an off year with injuries and Morant’s suspension, but next year they will be competitive again and will look to be back at the top of the western conference. They need to add a player that is ready to contribute immediately. Dalton Knecht is an athletic wing that can shoot. He averaged 25.5 points during SEC play shooting 42.4% from three. He’s great in transition and has upside as a passer and finisher. He’ll be able to come in and be a shooting threat right away. Adding Knecht also gives them flexibility with Luke Kennard’s contract.

10. Utah Jazz – Carlton “Bub” Carrington (Pittsburgh – Freshman)

This is a tricky pick to navigate as no one is really sure what direction the Jazz are going. Danny Ainge mentioned the Jazz are not yet set at point guard and sees Keyonte George playing a more off-ball role. Bub Carrington is a big point guard that is a dribble-pass-shoot threat. He is an incredible pull-up shooter and great at navigating ball-screens. He has good playmaking abilities and is a great passer. He has potential to be a good defender with more experience and added strength.

11. Chicago Bulls – Cody Williams (Colorado – Freshman)

The Bulls traded Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, acquiring their lead playmaker of the future. Whether he plays point guard or point forward remains to be seen. It seems more likely the Bulls will now look at the wing position for this pick. Cody Williams is an interesting prospect with high upside. He’s a great driver, passer and can finish around the rim. He can be another option as a playmaker and has the tools to become a versatile defender. He has real shooting upside with good form, but this aspect of his game may take some time.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jared McCain (Duke – Freshman)

There is a surplus of guards on the Thunder roster, but it’s likely they will make more moves this off-season. They have a ton of options with this pick with a lot of good players still on the board. I have them taking Jared McCain here, giving the Thunder an elite shooter. He doesn’t have great size at 6′-2″, but he’s very strong at 200 pounds and has a strong work ethic. He has upside as a defender but will most likely only guard smaller players. Drafting McCain gives the Thunder flexibility with their guard situation as Joe and Wiggins look to sign extensions this off-season.

13. Sacramento Kings – Ron Holland (G League Ignite)

Ron Holland to the Kings would be an interesting dynamic. They would be getting a very competitive, energetic player with crazy athleticism. He will do all the dirty work on the team and be a disruptive defender. His offensive game needs a lot of development, but he can be great in transition and as a slasher. He would be impactful immediately as a perimeter defender.

14. Washington Wizards – Nikola Topic (Crvena Zvezda – Serbia)

Nikola Topic is a big point guard that can make nearly every pass in the book. He’s a great playmaker that can navigate ball screens well and get into driving lanes with ease. He will miss some time due to a partially torn ACL injury he suffered this summer, but this could give him time to get up to speed on other aspects of the NBA.

15. Miami Heat – Tristan Da Silva (Colorado – Senior)

Tristan Da Silva is a big wing that impacts the game in many ways. He’s a knockdown shooter, has good passing abilities and is a good decision-maker. He’s a solid defender and can grow into a versatile defender. He has a low ceiling, but a high floor and can become a high-level role player on a good team.

16. Philadelphia 76ers – Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor – Freshman)

Surrounding offensive weapons around Maxey and Embiid would give the 76ers a more dynamic offense and the ability to get more creative. Ja’Kobe Walter is a great shooter off of spot-up and catch-and-shoot attempts. He’s a great off-ball mover and knows how to position himself to get open looks. He has the potential to be a good on-ball defender but is more of a team defender at the moment.

17. Los Angeles Lakers – Rob Dillingham (Kentucky – Freshman)

The Lakers need a point guard whether Russell opts in or out of his player option. Rob Dillingham is a dynamic offensive creator. He has great speed and athleticism and can get separation from his defenders. He is a pull-up threat and a creative finisher. He has shown a lot of growth as a passer and playmaker and can still develop those skills even more. His defense is a question mark with his size and strength, but at the very least, he gives the Lakers a dynamic scoring option with playmaking upside.

18. Orlando Magic – Tyler Kolek (Marquette – Senior)

The Magic had an incredible year and took a major leap in their development. The biggest weaknesses were shooting, turnovers and the lack of a true point guard. Tyler Kolek has a very high basketball IQ and plays with extreme competitiveness and effort. He’s a great playmaker and passer and had nearly a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s also a great shooter shooting over 38% the last 2 years. He’s also a great leader and would bring a lot of value to the Magic as the long-term point guard.

19. Toronto Raptors – DaRon Holmes II (Dayton – Junior)

It’s difficult to pin-point what direction the Raptors are going this off-season. However, they lack frontcourt depth and floor spacing. DaRon Holmes II is an athletic, versatile big man that can space the floor. He can shoot and score in a variety of ways off of ball screens, hand-offs or as a spot-up shooter. He has the frame to get stronger and could play both power forward and center. He gives the Raptors more flexibility with how they can use their lineups and is a great fit next to Barnes and Quickley.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyle Filipowski (Duke – Sophomore)

Whether or not the Cavs move on from Jarrett Allen, they could add a floor-spacing big man. Kyle Filipowski is a dribble-pass-shoot big man with potential on defense. He can score in multiple ways and has shown the ability to handle the ball and make good passes. Filipowski will allow the Cavs to play more of a five-out scheme and open up the floor for Garland and Mitchell to drive.

21. New Orleans Pelicans – Isaiah Collier (USC – Freshman)

The Pelicans have big needs at center and point guard. There are more valuable options at center in free agency and it’s easier to fill in the center position for a year or two until you get a long-term piece. Isaiah Collier is a high-ceiling, low-floor type of player. He has great speed and strength which gives him the ability to drive to the basket. He’s a good finisher at the rim, can kick the ball out to open shooters or draw fouls when driving. If he improves on defense and as a shooter, he has all-star potential. Pairing Collier with Zion could be a one-two punch when it comes to bully-ball.

22. Phoenix Suns – Yves Missi (Baylor – Freshman)

The Suns need depth across the board especially in the frontcourt. Yves Missi has elite athleticism and is an explosive player. He’s a high-flier and lob-threat and is a threat in the post. He is a fantastic offensive rebounder giving his team second-chance points and is a good rim-protector. He has upside as a defender and isn’t a floor spacer, but the Suns can use his skillset and develop him to become the long-term starting center.

23. Milwaukee Bucks – Zach Edey (Purdue – Senior)

Like the Suns, the Bucks need depth at virtually every position, especially at point guard and center. Zach Edey is a giant human with a crazy wingspan. He’s a very strong player that is dominant in the post and a great rebounder. He sets hard screen and will likely be used in a lot of pick-and-roll situations. There are questions with his versatility on both ends of the floor, but he can learn behind Brook Lopez for a year before his contract is up.

24. New York Knicks – Kel’el Ware (Indiana – Sophomore)

The Knicks need frontcourt depth, especially if they let Hartenstein leave in free agency. Kel’el Ware has all the skills necessary to become a great player. He’s elite finishing at the basket, improved as a shooter and rebounder, and has defensive upside. His effort and basketball IQ are big question marks, but I think the Knicks can help him improve in those areas and can eventually contribute to a winning team.

25. New York Knicks – Ajay Mitchell (UC Santa Barbara – Junior)

The Knicks need a backup point guard and secondary playmaker when Jalen Brunson is off the court. This may be a little high for Ajay Mitchell, but he can become the backup point guard on a winning team. He’s great at driving to the basket and gets creative with his finishing. He has a good mid-range game and upside as a passer and playmaker. If his shot continues to improve, he can be in the league for a long time.

26. Washington Wizards – Tyler Smith (G League Ignite)

The Wizards have the time to develop project players. Tyler Smith is one of those players that will need time and experience to grow his game. He’s a great shooter for his size and his value right now is his offensive skillset. If he continues to develop on defense, he can be a valuable player for the Wizards down the road.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves – Johnny Furphy (Kansas – Freshman)

Three-point shooting was one of the Timberwolves’ weaknesses throughout the year. Johnny Furphy is a big wing that brings a combination of athleticism and shooting potential. He’s a good off-ball mover and can position himself well on the floor. He’s a high-effort player that will put in the work to improve his game. He needs to develop his defense and the Timberwolves would be a perfect situation for Furphy to develop that aspect of his game.

28. Denver Nuggets – Jaylon Tyson (California – Junior)

Lack of depth was a major issue the Nuggets dealt with this past year. They need to add players that can be ready to contribute when next year’s playoffs come around. Jaylon Tyson is a prospect with a lot of skills but doesn’t particularly excel in many of them. He has potential to be a good driver, off-ball shooter, ball-handler and playmaker. He has all the tools but needs to refine those skills to become an all-around player than can contribute in many different ways. The Nuggets have the ability to help Tyson hone in his skill-set and be a great role player.

29. Utah Jazz – Baylor Scheierman (Creighton – Senior)

The Jazz need to add some floor-spacing wings to their roster. Baylor Scheierman is one of the best shooters in this class, able to make shots in a variety of ways. He’s a smart player and keeps the ball moving by making the right passes. He was a standout player during the NBA Combine scrimmages and can get playing time immediately. He fits well next to Markkanen, George and potentially Carrington (picked 10th in this mock draft).

30. Boston Celtics – Ryan Dunn (Virginia – Sophomore)

As one of the best defensive prospects in this class, Ryan Dunn has potential to be an All-Defense caliber player. He’s disruptive and incredibly versatile on the defensive end. His shooting and overall offensive game are big question marks. There are rumors that he has performed well for teams this off-season and I think the Celtics would be happy with getting a great defender while developing his shooting.

Second Round

31. Toronto Raptors – Kyshawn George (Miami – Freshman)

32. Utah Jazz – Bobi Klintman (Cairns Taipans – Sweden)

33. Milwaukee Bucks – Terrance Shannon Jr. (Illinois – Senior)

34. Portland Trail Blazers – Pacôme Dadiet (Ratiopharm Ulm – France)

35. San Antonio Spurs – A.J. Johnson (Illawara – Australia)

36. Indiana Pacers – Jamal Shead (Houston – Senior)

37. Minnesota Timberwolves – Trey Alexander (Creighton – Junior)

38. New York Knicks – Cameron Christie (Minnesota – Freshman)

39. Memphis Grizzlies – Adem Bona (UCLA – Sophomore)

40. Portland Trail Blazers – Enrique Freeman (Akron – Senior)

41. Philadelphia 76ers – Jonathan Mogbo – (San Francisco – Junior)

42. Charlotte Hornets – Oso Ighodaro (Marquette – Senior)

43. Miami Heat – Cam Spencer (UConn – Senior)

44. Houston Rockets – Antonio Reeves (Kentucky – Senior)

45. Sacramento Kings – Keshad Johnson (Arizona – Senior)

46. Los Angeles Clippers – Pelle Larsson (Arizona – Senior)

47. Orlando Magic – Nikola Djurišic (Mega – Serbia)

48. San Antonio Spurs – Melvin Ajinça (Saint-Quentin – France)

49. Indiana Pacers – Jalen Bridges (Baylor – Senior)

50. Indiana Pacers – PJ Hall (Clemson – Senior)

51. Washington Wizards – Tristen Newton (UConn – Senior)

52. Golden State Warriors – Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas – Senior)

53. Detroit Pistons – Justin Edwards (Kentucky – Freshman)

54. Boston Celtics – Dillon Jones (Weber State – Junior)

55. Los Angeles Lakers – Bronny James (USC – Freshman)

56. Denver Nuggets – K.J. Simpson (Colorado – Junior)

57. Memphis Grizzlies – Jaylen Wells (Washington State – Junior)

58. Dallas Mavericks – Harrison Ingram (UNC – Junior)

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