Now that the NBA Playoffs have started, it’s time to look at our most-recent 2024 NBA mock draft. Roughly half of the Association is already looking forward to the annual event from Brooklyn.
While there is not a generational-type prospect like Victor Wembanyama was last year, teams are hoping to cash in big time. Here is a look at how we envision the first round to go in our updated NBA mock draft for 2024.
1. Detroit Pistons: Alexandre Sarr, France
Despite boasting 14 wins this past season, Detroit does have its backcourt of the future in Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. The idea has to be to go best-player available at a frontcourt spot. That’s where Sarr comes into play. The 7-foot-1 big from France is seen as extremely athletic with a ton of upside on both ends of the court. He averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in Austrialia’s NBL professinal league this past season.
2. Washington Wizards: Zaccharie Risacher, France
Risacher is someone who could complement what the Wizards are attempting to build in the frontcourt with Kyle Kuzma. He’s already seen as a top-end outside shooter (46% against international competition this past season). The France native will struggle on the defensive end of the court initially. But his offensive prowess can’t be overlooked.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan, UConn
The 7-foot-2 Clingan played a huge role in helping UConn to its second consecutive title this past season, averaging 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds. His big body would suit a backcourt-heavy Blazers squad well moving forward. That’s especially true with the size we’re seeing in the Western Conference right now. We love the idea of the inside-out game with Clingan and Scoot Henderson in the Pacific Northwest. Hence, this surprise pick in our most-recent NBA mock draft.
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4. Charlotte Hornets: Kyle Filipowski, Duke
The No. 4 recruit in the Class of 2022, some were surprised that Filipowski didn’t go pro following his freshman season. Despite some struggles in the NCAA Tournament, we’re expecting the 7-foot big to ascend the draft boards leading up to this summer’s annual event. If so, the Hornets make sense. He’d team up with former Duke teammate Mark Williams in the low-post with the Hornets.
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5. San Antonio Spurs: Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
San Antonio obviously loves what it has in franchise cornerstone and likely NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama. But his awe-inspiring performance did not help prevent a 60-loss season. More backcourt help is needed for Gregg Popovich and Co. That’s where Dillingham comes into play. The former top recruit averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists on 44% shooting from three-point range as a freshman for Kentucky. He would be a great combo guard to go with Wemby moving forward.
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6. Toronto Raptors: Stephon Castle, UConn
Our most-recent NBA mock draft has Toronto going more best-player available than need. The team must address its issues in the low-post. With that said, Castle would be too hard to pass up on at six if he’s available. In helping lead UConn to the title as a freshman, the former top-10 recruit averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He has a tremendous all-around floor game as evidenced by shooting 5-of-9 from distance in the national title win over Purdue.
7. Memphis Grizzlies: Ron Holland, G-League Ignite
The Memphis Grizzlies are expecting to get Ja Morant back in 2024-25 after nearly two lost seasons. He remains a franchise cornerstone with Jaren Jackson Jr. With that said, Memphis has to take advantage of selecting early in the lottery. It likely won’t happen with Morant healthy. Enter into the equation a young wing in Ron Holland who boasts a tremendous amount of upside. He averaged nearly 20 points per game in the G-League this past season. Despite some overall concerns, the upside is real.
8. Utah Jazz: Nikola Topić, Serbia
It’s hard to predict what Jazz front office head Danny Ainge will do in our most-recent NBA mock draft. He could potentially look to package this pick with assets for a proven star as a way to expedite Utah’s rebuild. Instead, we envision Ainge going in another direction. Nikola Topić has drawn comparisons to Goran Dragic. While the Serbian native suffered a knee inury months back, the pre-draft process could lead him into the top-10.
9. Houston Rockets (via Nets): Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
Houston surprised big time under first-year head coach Ime Udoka this past season, finishing with a 41-41 record. Youngsters Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, Jalen Green and Amen Thompson showed that they can be core pieces. What’s missing here is a deadly spot-up shooter from the perimeter. That’s what Sheppard proved to be as a freshman for Kentucky last season. The dude shot an absurd 52% from three point range. This is an absolutely perfect fit for the Rockets in our most-recent NBA mock draft.
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10. Atlanta Hawks: Jared McCain, Duke
It was somewhat of a surprise that Jared McCain opted to go pro after his freshman season. However, he has to know that teams value the guard’s shooting ability. The 6-foot-3 perimeter player shot 41% from three for Duke this past season. Depending on what the Hawks do with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray in the offseason, this becomes a major need. One will likely be traded.
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11. Chicago Bulls: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
For as good as DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are, neither can be considered a reliable perimeter option. In the case of LaVine, he is unlikely to be back with the Bulls next season. That’s where Knecht and his scoring prowess comes into play in our NBA mock draft. The Northern Colorado transfer averaged 21.7 points on 40% shooting in his only season with the Volunteers.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Rockets): Ke’lel Ware, Indiana
For as good as Chet Holmgren has been as a “rookie” in Oklahoma City, he is not your typical banger inside. Even in today’s perimeter-centric game, you still need that type of player in the NBA. That’s where Ware could come into play. The 7-foot big averaged 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in his only season with Indiana after transferring from Oregon. He also added a solid 15.9 points per game.
13. Portland Trail Blazers (via Warriors): Matas Buzelis, G-League Ignite
After going big earlier in our NBA mock draft, Portland opts for high-upside in the backcourt. Buzelis was considered a potential No. 1 pick early in the pre-draft process. Struggles with the G-League Ignite led to him falling down the draft boards. We still like the upside this 6-foot-8 wing from Lithuania provides from an all-around standpoint.
14. Sacramento Kings: Devin Carter, Providence
Devin Carter was brilliant for Providence a season ago. He averaged 19.7 points and 8.7 rebounds on 38% shooting from distance while playing all three perimeter spots. For a Kings team that fancies itself as a contender, a plug-and-play rookie makes the most sense.
NBA mock draft: Non lottery picks
15. Miami Heat: Isaiah Collier, USC
16. Orlando Magic: Cody Williams, Colorado
17. Toronto Raptors (via Pacers): Tyler Smith, G-League Ignite
18. Los Angeles Lakers: Zach Edey, Purdue
19. Philadelphia 76ers: Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas
20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via Bucks): Jaylon Tyson, California
22. Milwaukee Bucks (via Pacers): Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
23. Phoenix Suns: Harrison Ingram, North Carolina
24. New York Knicks (via Mavericks): Kyshawn George, Miami
25. New York Knicks: Bobi Klintman, Sweden
26. Washington Wizards (via Clippers): Jamal Shead, Houston
27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Dillon Jones, Weber State
28. Denver Nuggets: Yves Missi, Baylor
29. Utah Jazz (via Thunder): Tristan da Silva, Colorado
30. Boston Celtics: Adem Bona, UCLA