NBA mock draft 2024: Good picks for each staff

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

A number of storylines have emerged. Three younger French gamers — Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and Tidjane Salaun — every turn out to be earmarked 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 turn out to be doubtless top-10 choices. The G League Ignite had such a nasty yr 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 by way of this class, I took a crack on the decide I might make for each staff. Let’s soar into it.

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

Taking Sarr with the No. 1 decide is sensible for the Hawks each when it comes to staff match and finest obtainable expertise. Sarr has the very best upside of any participant within the draft due to his world-class bodily instruments: at 7’1 with an almost 7’5 wingspan, he’s an excellent run-and-jump athlete who burns rubber within the open flooring and makes performs above the rim on each ends. Sarr is much riskier than a typical No. 1 general decide as a result of he doesn’t provide a lot offensive creation capability. He’s a play-finisher at his core, however fortunately the Hawks have a superb 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 Younger is simply 25 years outdated and is simply now starting his prime. A trio of Sarr, Younger, and Jalen Johnson is a superb younger basis, and I just like the match of younger heart Onyeka Okongwu subsequent to Sarr within the short-term for his capability to play out of the roll extra skillfully. There aren’t 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 at first of the season, however an inefficient yr with the Ignite crammed with dropping now has him dropping out of the top-10 in some projections. NBA groups are overthinking it means an excessive amount of if that occurs: Holland’s athleticism, high-motor, youth, and two-way upside makes him one of many highest prospects on this class. Holland was overmatched in a high-usage position for the Ignite taking part in in opposition to professionals, however he nonetheless had some super flashes. He’s an elite downhill rim attacker who almost led the G League in steals this season. The massive query for Holland might be his soar shot, which stays a piece in progress to place it kindly. Nonetheless, Holland’s elite burst, knack for grabbing 50/50 balls, and long-term potential for secondary shot creation makes him probably the most proficient participant on the board.

3. Houston Rockets – Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

The Rockets really feel like the right staff 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 best kind of position participant to place round them. Sheppard is an unbelievable three-point shooter — 52 p.c from deep — and that can work effectively for a Rockets staff that completed No. 23 in three-point share this season. Sheppard additionally had a ridiculous 70 p.c true taking pictures mark with Kentucky, so if he’s taking pictures the ball it’s most likely entering into. Sheppard isn’t actually some extent guard and he’s going to be under the standard NBA threshold for each dimension and athleticism, however he’s so expert that he’s price taking at this decide.

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

The Spurs have the league’s finest franchise cornerstone in Victor Wembanyama, and two top-10 picks (No. 4 and No. 8) which provides them unbelievable flexibility on this spot. San Antonio definitely wants a shot creator, however there’s so many good level guards obtainable — 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 considered as a respectable top-5 prospect due to his lack of creation capability, however subsequent to Wemby he may merely run the ground, hit photographs, and supply some defensive ball stress. Risacher’s three-point shot ran a bit of extra hot-and-cold this season than groups would have favored, however so long as he shoots it, he ought to be a nice 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 taking pictures 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 glorious relocating off the ball to proceed stressing the protection. Dillingham can be an excellent playmaker with the ball in his palms, utilizing a decent deal with and the specter of his pull-up to arrange scoring probabilities for himself and his teammates. He’s simply very small and really weak, struggling to play by way of contact at each ends. The Pistons have loads of huge, bodily gamers to assist insulate Dillingham defensively, and his creation capability may lastly make their offense sing.

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

This decide got here all the way down to Citadel 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 larger, gives extra rim safety, and to me has a greater taking pictures projection. Buzelis is basically cellular 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 taking pictures 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 must get stronger, however he’s a great 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 dimension and size at 7’2 with a 7’7 wingspan, and tasks as a wonderful rim protector within the league. Clingan impressed along with his passing capability 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 truthful to query his conditioning, too, as he solely performed half the obtainable minutes for UConn this season. In the end, the Blazers don’t want one other guard or questionable backcourt shooter, and Clingan’s simple translation as a shot blocker is price including.

Photograph by Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball by way of Getty Photos

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

Subject suffered a devastating ACL damage final month, and now could possibly be set to overlook his complete rookie season as he recovers. Earlier than the damage, 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 damage, however Subject will get the sting for his glorious manufacturing in opposition to grown males within the Adriatic League. Subject’s defensive issues don’t fear me as a lot subsequent to Wembanyama.

9. Memphis Grizzlies – Stephen Citadel, G, UConn

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

10. Utah Jazz – Isaiah Collier, G, USC

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

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

The Bulls ought 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 difficult shot-making capability. He wants to enhance his ball dealing with and defensive consciousness to hit his highest outcomes, however it’s laborious to search out gamers this huge who can shoot this effectively.

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

Because the youthful 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 capability, Williams is the kind of lengthy and cellular wing the NBA all the time covets. He’s a very good finisher, shot the ball effectively on low quantity, and flashed some good passing capability when the received the prospect. He’s simply painfully skinny and nonetheless must do critical work tightening up his deal with. I fear about Williams’ lack of taking pictures quantity, however Chip Engelland is the fitting man to repair that. If Jalen desires to play along with his little bro, this decide makes good sense.

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

It is 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 wishes affected person growth, however the long-term payoff could possibly be price it for a staff just like the Kings that might use a ceiling raiser. I like his capability to hit the glass and contribute as a “rubbish man” whereas his talent stage develops.

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

It’s wild to assume Knecht is identical 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 among the best shooters within the class with a simple three-point stroke and actual shot versatility. He additionally has a great body and sufficient athletic capability to assault a closeout. He’s going to be a nasty defender, and he’ll flip 24 years outdated as a rookie, however his excessive quantity, extremely correct taking pictures can be a pleasant match round Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

Photograph by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos

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 growth coach in Miami. Carter was all the time a tenacious on-ball defender, however he blossomed as a shooter in his junior yr 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 capability, 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 highest gamers in faculty basketball as a junior at Dayton by making critical 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 huge 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 very good curler, good passer, and highly effective finisher with above the rim leaping capability. His faculty manufacturing was so unbelievable 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 route right here, however I like Ware or Yves Missi for the perfect general gamers on the board. Ware will get the sting for elevated taking pictures capability after hitting 42 p.c of his threes on low quantity this yr 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 battle by way of contact, and that usually leaves scouts wanting extra out of him. Nonetheless, his intersection of dimension, leaping, and taking pictures potential is tough to search out this late in a weak draft. He could possibly be an fascinating match backing up or taking part in alongside Anthony Davis.

18. Orlando Magic – Jared McCain, G, Duke

McCain is among the finest shooters on this class, and that makes him a pleasant match for a Magic staff that desperately wants taking pictures. The Duke freshman hit 41.4 p.c of his threes this yr, and caught hearth from deep within the NCAA event. 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, however it’s laborious to search 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 huge 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 increased than this. The 6’5 guard is an off-ball scorer who can area the ground along with his soar shot, and defend larger guards. His jumper ran hot-and-cold this yr, and his incapability to create separation off the bounce in opposition to faculty defenders limits his upside. Nonetheless, each staff is searching for gamers like Walter who could make an impression without having to carry the ball, and this may be a pleasant worth if he falls this far.

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

Filipowski will most likely go a lot increased than this, however it will be a pleasant little bit of luck for the Pelicans if he he was nonetheless obtainable at this level. Duke’s sophomore heart is among the most expert huge males within the class: an ideal decision-maker as a passer, a succesful three-point shooter, and a tricky inside scorer. He lacks excellent size and pace for an NBA huge man, but when his shot develops, he may give New Orleans a giant man who can area 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 doubtless 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 determine to maintain it.

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

Tristan da Silva brings a mix of dimension and taking pictures that may match the Bucks like a glove. He hit 38.6 p.c of his threes and 78.6 p.c of his free throws throughout a productive four-year profession at Colorado. He has good dimension 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 probably the most 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 finest obtainable expertise at this level within the draft. His unbelievable offensive rebounding, expert inside scoring, and unparalleled dimension and manufacturing makes him a simple 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 main position for Cal this season. After taking pictures 40 p.c from three as a sophomore at Texas Tech, Tyson transferred to Cal and noticed an enormous spike in utilization. Whereas his three-point share dipped to 36 p.c, he confirmed extra quantity and extra shot versatility with defenses keyed in on him. He’s a great ball handler for his dimension with respectable 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 staff with an already deep roster.

26. Washington Wizards – Bub Carrington, G, Pitt

Carrington is a talented pull-up shooter with glorious dimension for a guard, and that provides him a number of the highest upside of any participant nonetheless obtainable. He appears to be like rather more comfy taking pictures off the bounce than on spot-ups, and he didn’t rating very effectively (53 p.c true taking pictures) partially as a result of he largely lived off a weight loss program of robust photographs. Nonetheless, his capability 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 dimension and athleticism, and he put up environment friendly scoring numbers at a brilliant younger age this season for German league staff Ulm. Not turning 19 till July, Dadiet shot 35.8 p.c from three and completed with 61.9 p.c true taking pictures. 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 a bit of recognized prospect in Australia to a Kansas decide to a possible first spherical decide all in lower than a yr’s time. It’s simple 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 p.c). He wants a affected person method from the staff making an attempt to develop him as a result of that is all occurring 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 taking pictures capability as a protracted 6’8 wing. George will not be an awesome athlete and struggled to attain effectively contained in the arc whereas taking most of his subject objectives from three-point vary. He did present 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 able to take a affected person method with a long-term wager on George.

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

It is perhaps finest to hand-wave this previous season for the Ignite prospects with such a horrible staff 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 can even play with energy inside. He’s a tad small for a middle and he’s not the perfect athlete, however he nonetheless has sufficient dimension and smarts to discover a pathway to a productiveness within the NBA.