2024 NBA Draft Thread - SUMMER LEAGUE

lmao damn Landry Fields the Hawks GM just went on the radio saying Sarr declined to meet with the Hawks. :lol: he is quietly pulling a Steve Francis here?

 
May crash out if this doesn't happen

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srs
 


Updated NBA mock draft: Latest intel, predictions for 58 picks

First round
1. Atlanta Hawks
Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Bourg (France) | Age: 19.2
The Hawks continue to signal that they have not yet determined their draft night direction, which makes sense considering the nature of this draft, how even the talent at the top is and trade opportunities that could unfold once they are on the clock.
They simultaneously have decisions to make with players already on their roster, especially Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, who seem destined to part ways with the team in the not-too-distant future. The New Orleans Pelicans loom as a potential destination for one of them, with Brandon Ingram the most attractive and attainable target on the Pels' roster. Jalen Johnson appears to be the only player the Hawks will not consider moving.
Risacher, as he has for much of the pre-draft cycle, continues to hold firm as the choice at No. 1 after a positive workout with Atlanta. The feedback from those who have seen him in the United States is that he is a better passer and does a better job of initiating contact and playing through physicality than is expected with his lean frame.
Donovan Clingan, another favorite of the Hawks' coaching staff, remains in play at No. 1, but he might be a more realistic option if the Hawks trade down a few spots with the San Antonio Spurs, something that might not materialize until the Spurs are on the clock at No. 4.
The Hawks getting back their 2025 unprotected first-rounder from San Antonio would be a huge boon, but it isn't clear whether the Spurs would be willing to pay such a high price, while other great trade opportunities do not appear to have materialized thus far.
NBA teams say the Hawks are indicating they could take Alex Sarr at No. 1, which some speculate might be mostly an attempt to force the Washington Wizards to trade up. -- Jonathan Givony

2. Washington Wizards
Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth (Australia) | Age: 19.1
With days to go until the draft, rival teams are viewing Washington as Sarr's likely destination. Sarr still has not worked out for Atlanta at No. 1, although the Hawks have continued to try to bring him in. He is thought to be comfortable coming off the board one spot later, with the Wizards' younger roster offering a clearer path to playing time and an opportunity to grow into an expanded role. It's worth noting that Risacher visited the Wizards over the weekend, meeting team brass and touring the city.
The Wizards have been quiet throughout the pre-draft process. But they had a consistent scouting presence in Perth this season, and they are thought to be keen on Sarr's long-term upside. His availability here remains contingent on there being no surprises at No. 1, but the widely held belief around the league is that Washington is Sarr's floor. Amid a full-scale rebuild, Washington has the runway to be patient with Sarr's development, making it a strong fit for him -- and vice versa -- on paper.
Sarr arguably has the greatest upside available here, with the physical attributes to be a top defender as well as the makings of a useful offensive skill set as a finisher and improving floor spacer. -- Jeremy Woo

3. Houston Rockets (via Nets)
Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky | Age: 20.0
This pick has been in trade conversations since the moment the Rockets got it in the draft lottery (14 teams), and it likely will continue to be attainable until NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the selection at No. 3. Many NBA teams are operating under the assumption it will be moved in their internal mock drafts, but that's difficult to plan for considering how rare these types of trades are from a historical perspective.
The Rockets are clearly in win-now mode and would love to add star power to their roster, with players such as Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram as well as role players including Brook Lopez and Marcus Smart being some that other teams say the Rockets could have interest in targeting (with some names more far-fetched than others).
Several of the teams rumored to be exploring the cost of moving up in the draft -- for example, the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder -- appear to have interest in selecting Clingan (the No. 3 player on the ESPN Top 100 Big Board), who has not worked out for the Rockets. Clingan getting selected at No. 3 would have a cascading effect, sending the draft in an entirely different direction than the one we have mapped out below.
Should the Rockets stand pat, Sheppard has been the favorite here since draft lottery night. Houston's ownership group traveled to meet with him in Los Angeles fairly early in the process, and he visited the Rockets' facility to make his case as the best shooter in the draft. -- Givony

4. San Antonio Spurs
Stephon Castle, PG/SG, UConn | Age: 19.6
The Spurs got an up-close look at Risacher in a private workout this past weekend, which should help them determine how aggressive they want or need to be in trade talks for moving up to No. 1, where the French wing is currently favored to be drafted. The Spurs have the assets to do so if they want, holding the Hawks' unprotected 2025 and 2027 first-round picks as well as a pick-swap option in 2026 thanks to the Dejounte Murray trade.
The Spurs are telling rival teams they will be taking a best-player-available approach at picks No. 4 and No. 8 despite having backcourt needs and a lack of shooting and playmaking -- areas they'll need to address in due time. Taking a patient approach seems to be San Antonio's strategy for now, as there are plenty of scenarios in which more attractive options become available in the near future.
San Antonio has expressed increasing interest in Clingan of late, even going as far as interviewing him in recent days to get to know him better. Some think this might be a case of the Spurs signaling to rivals that the No. 4 pick is where they need to get to if they want to draft Clingan, as opposed to real interest in a fascinating twin-towers lineup with the 7-foot-3 UConn champion and 7-5 Victor Wembanyama.
They also brought Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, Matas Buzelis, Dalton Knecht and others in for workouts.
With Risacher and Sheppard off the board in this scenario, Castle appears to be a strong candidate to hear his name called here. -- Givony

5. Detroit Pistons
Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, G League Ignite | Age: 19.6
Rival teams continue to view Buzelis and the Pistons as a likely pairing. He worked out for most of the teams in this range, including the Hawks, Wizards, Spurs and the Charlotte Hornets, but the Pistons haven't worked out many other prospects who are ticketed for the high lottery, other than Clingan and Cody Williams. Point guard Rob Dillingham recently visited but didn't conduct an on-court workout.
The Pistons fired coach Monty Williams last week, putting the onus on the front office, now led by Trajan Langdon, to identify the right fit without a coach in place. Detroit's known interest in Buzelis predated Langdon's hiring, and it remains to be seen what direction he'll take with the roster, but there has been little indication at this point to dissuade from the thought Buzelis will land here.
Buzelis fits Detroit's timeline and positional needs, and he has the size and versatility at forward that Langdon's former group tended to favor (and had success with) during his five years as general manager in New Orleans. -- Woo

6. Charlotte Hornets
Dalton Knecht, SF, Tennessee | Age: 23.1
Knecht's draft range appears increasingly small, with teams in the range of Nos. 4 to 9 all expressing significant interest, except for Detroit at No. 5.
Charlotte has worked out Knecht, and his fit alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller appears to be strong with the perimeter shooting and all-around scoring prowess Knecht offers. If Knecht isn't picked at No. 6, it might be because a player such as Sheppard or Castle (both of whom Charlotte has worked out) becomes available.
Rival teams say they would be surprised to see Knecht fall past both the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio at No. 7 and No. 8, where he also seems to be coveted. Buzelis worked out with Charlotte, as well, along with Ja'Kobe Walter and Cody Williams. -- Givony

7. Portland Trail Blazers
Donovan Clingan, C, UConn | Age: 20.3
Due to the amount of interest in Clingan coming from teams selecting further down in the draft, there's a belief around the league right now that he won't actually make it to Portland's pick at No. 7, which teams view as his floor.
There's trade chatter surrounding both the No. 3 and No. 4 picks, with Houston and San Antonio weighing potential trade-back scenarios. Clingan is considered the likely target for whichever team might move up, if that should occur. He is most frequently connected by rival teams to Memphis, which has a clear need for a player in his mold. Some also have speculated on Oklahoma City, which has the wealth of trade assets to maneuver up the board if it chooses.
In the event there are no trades and Clingan should fall here, the Blazers would presumably be thrilled to land the draft's top rim-protector. -- Woo

8. San Antonio Spurs
Tidjane Salaun, PF, Cholet (France) | Age: 18.8
Salaun is one of the tougher lottery prospects to peg in terms of a draft range, as he has had limited time to conduct workouts after arriving from Europe following the NBA's international draft combine in Treviso, Italy.
Salaun, ranked No. 9 in ESPN's Top 100, conducted workouts with Portland, Sacramento and Oklahoma City before spraining his ankle in San Antonio, which prevented him from working out in scheduled visits with Detroit and Charlotte. Despite that setback, it's hard to find many prospects who share the upside Salaun does at 6-foot-10, with an outstanding frame, length, shot-making prowess and defensive versatility.
He is also one of the youngest players in this draft at 18 and will likely need patience and reps to find his footing with the questionable awareness he shows and mistake-prone style he displays on both ends of the floor at times.
Salaun has long been discussed with the Spurs as they are typically attracted to long-armed, high-upside prospects in this mold. The French connection with Victor Wembanyama clearly doesn't hurt, as the Spurs look to build a locker room that their franchise player enjoys being a part of, as Salaun shares many of the same values from a competitiveness and intensity standpoint on and off the court. -- Givony

9. Memphis Grizzlies
Cody Williams, SG/SF, Colorado | Age: 19.5
Williams has a wide array of suitors in the lottery, with every team in the range of Nos. 6 to 12 appearing to have interest. Where Williams actually lands could hang to some extent on trade activity in the top 10, but teams have remained intrigued by his upside, physical profile and flashes of strong play early in the season.
If the Grizzlies keep this pick, Williams would be an intriguing upside swing as the type of bigger, two-way wing their roster presently lacks. He is a late bloomer who will need time to actualize his skill set but could pay dividends over time as a player who was once viewed by some teams as a candidate for No. 1.
The Grizzlies also are said to be exploring opportunities to trade back from this spot, making this an interesting swing pick in the shape of the lottery. Other options for Memphis if it stays at this pick include Topic and Devin Carter. -- Woo

10. Utah Jazz
Rob Dillingham, PG, Kentucky | Age: 19.4
Dillingham could be attractive to a Jazz team in the market for additional shot creation, shot-making and overall star power in the backcourt. Utah's front office visited him in Los Angeles this past week to get a better feel for him as a player, as he was unable to work out for teams for much of the pre-draft process because of an ankle injury.
Several teams picking both earlier and later in the draft are trying to peg where they would need to get to in order to pick Dillingham. Teams say the Jazz are also exploring some trade-up scenarios that might end up landing them Detroit's pick at No. 5, including possibly armed with their 29th and 32nd picks, with their likely target being moving ahead of the Hornets at No. 6 for Stephon Castle, a scenario that could only come to fruition if Reed Sheppard falls to San Antonio at No. 4.
Oklahoma City at No. 12 and Miami at No. 15 are two other destinations for Dillingham depending on how the first round unfolds, as well as whatever team ends up with Sacramento's pick at No. 13, if the Kings trade out of the draft as many expect. -- Givony

11. Chicago Bulls
Devin Carter, PG/SG, Providence | Age: 22.2
It feels quite possible Carter hears his name called inside the top 10 at this point, with the Spurs, Grizzlies and Jazz all potential landing spots depending on how the board and possible trades shake out.
There also are teams said to be interested in trading up to select Carter, with the understanding that they would need to move into the top 10 to make that happen.
After trading Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, Chicago has a clear need for a defensive playmaker in the backcourt and could plug Carter directly into that role, making him a natural fit here should he make it this far in the draft. The Bulls are viewed by many teams as Carter's floor.
Other prospects linked to Chicago as possible options include Ron Holland and local product Terrence Shannon Jr. -- Woo

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Rockets)
Nikola Topic, PG, Mega MIS (Adriatic League) | Age: 18.8
Oklahoma City traded Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso last Wednesday, opening a void at backup point guard, which Topic could fill in a year's time. Topic was one of 25 players voted into the draft's green room by NBA teams, which is a good sign for his stock stabilizing in the wake of his ACL tear diagnosis at the draft combine in Treviso, Italy.
Topic has been in the U.S. visiting teams, with Portland (Nos. 7 and 14) San Antonio (No. 8), Memphis (No. 9), Utah (No. 10) being some he had scheduled to meet. A team picking him will likely need to be comfortable with the idea of a redshirt season next year with long-term thinking in mind, similar to how Chet Holmgren, Joel Embiid, Michael Porter Jr. and Blake Griffin started their NBA careers.
The Jazz might feel a degree of regret for not going more all-in on positioning themselves for draft picks the past two years and could potentially reconsider that strategy at some point. The Thunder could continue to be aggressive this week, if they so choose, with their huge stockpile of draft picks and intriguing young players that could get them virtually anywhere they want on draft night, or they could go after more veterans. -- Givony

13. Sacramento Kings
Ron Holland, SF, G League Ignite | Age: 18.9
This pick has been mentioned for some time as being potentially attainable, which makes sense considering the urgency that's likely in place for a Kings team eager to return to the playoffs.
Retaining Malik Monk was a major step in that direction, alleviating the need for them to target a shooter (such as Jared McCain) with this pick, should they keep it, and maybe allowing them to take a flier on a high-upside prospect such as Holland, who was projected to be picked much higher than this before an inefficient season with the G League Ignite damaged his standing.
Older players such as Ja'Kobe Walter, Devin Carter and Johnny Furphy also are said to be getting some consideration with this pick. -- Givony

14. Portland Trail Blazers (via Warriors)
Ja'Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Baylor | Age: 19.8
Walter has worked out for teams all over the lottery but has largely had a quiet pre-draft process. There are other prospects who have generated more substantive buzz inside the top 10 at present, which might push Walter into this next part of the draft.
While not as flashy or creative as some of the other guards in this draft, Walter's shooting ability, defensive length and impressive intangibles have kept his value stable as a likely role player and floor spacer with room to keep improving.
A team such as Portland, which could use a 3-and-D type of player alongside its guards, might find value in him if he falls to No. 14. Should Walter make it outside the lottery, it likely wouldn't be too far, with a number of teams in the teens looking like good fits. -- Woo

15. Miami Heat
Carlton Carrington, PG/SG, Pittsburgh | Age: 18.9
Rival teams expect the Heat to take a swing on a promising young guard, with Rob Dillingham, Isaiah Collier, Jared McCain and Carrington being among those mentioned most frequently.
His combination of size, length, shot-making prowess and passing creativity, along with his youth, intangibles and late-blooming trajectory is very intriguing to teams, even if he's not as far along in his development as some players who are in this range.
Carrington will need time and seasoning to be ready to play meaningful NBA minutes, versatility and feel for the game gives him a high ceiling in a draft lacking somewhat in that department. -- Givony

16. Philadelphia 76ers
Jared McCain, PG, Duke | Age: 20.3
The Sixers are known to have conducted only a handful of workouts, possibly the fewest of any team drafting in the first round. That info has caused some speculation that this pick could be on the move, depending on which player falls to No. 16.
Regardless of who is picking, McCain has an easy niche he can fill in the NBA with his scoring versatility, basketball instincts, competitiveness and smarts, making him an attractive option for teams drafting in this range. -- Givony

17. Los Angeles Lakers
Zach Edey, C, Purdue | Age: 22.1
The Lakers likely will explore the trade market to see what type of veterans they can add to give LeBron James, Anthony Davis and new coach J.J. Redick the best chance of competing this season, with NBA players such as Dejounte Murray and Collin Sexton being batted around by rival teams as possible targets. Should the Lakers elect to stand pat, picking a plug-and-play center like Edey would make lots of sense.
Davis is coming off his best season in years from a durability standpoint but will likely need to have his minutes managed, and he has always preferred to play alongside another big man. Enter Edey, who can bring the Lakers some of the physicality they've been lacking inside the paint at times, with L.A. finishing as the NBA's worst offensive-rebounding team last season.
Edey is an elite screener, foul-drawer and finisher, and he comes ready to help a team as the best player in college basketball the past two years. -- Givony

18. Orlando Magic
Johnny Furphy, SG/SF, Kansas | Age: 19.5
Furphy should come off the board somewhere in this range, offering an appealing combination of physical tools, shooting ability and youth that makes sense as a development addition on most rosters. He has drawn interest from teams selecting higher than this, including Memphis, Chicago, Oklahoma City and Sacramento, but might be more of a trade-back option for those clubs.
The Magic tend to value much of what Furphy supplies, having selected players with positional size, skill and strong intangibles over the past several drafts. Orlando also has been tied to Carrington and Kyshawn George, two other younger prospects who fit those criteria. -- Woo

19. Toronto Raptors (via Pacers)
Kyshawn George, SG/SF, Miami | Age: 20.5
Surrounding primary ballhandler Scottie Barnes with ample floor spacing will likely continue to be a priority for Toronto.
George hit 41% of his 3-pointers last season, and he is intriguing to teams as a 6-foot-8 player with guard skills, fluidity-changing speeds and strong instincts on both ends of the floor. George has significant upside he can tap into with a late-blooming trajectory.
Carrington, Da Silva, Edey, Ryan Dunn, Isaiah Collier are some of the names rival teams have suggested might be in play here, as well. -- Givony

20. Cleveland Cavaliers
Tristan Da Silva, SF/PF, Colorado | Age: 23.1
Fresh off hiring a new coach in Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers can now move onto giving him more shooting and spacing to work with on an offense that, at times, felt cramped last year playing two big men without consistent 3-point range.
Da Silva, 23, is a plug-and-play forward at 6-foot-9 1/2 in shoes who brings coveted defensive versatility, competitiveness, feel for the game and perimeter shooting, making 40% of his 3-point attempts this past season for Colorado. -- Givony

21. New Orleans Pelicans (via Bucks)
Yves Missi, C, Baylor | Age: 20.1
New Orleans is said to be aggressive on several fronts, with a decision coming on forward Brandon Ingram as he enters the final year of his contract and with starting center Jonas Valanciunas becoming a free agent. So, they'll need to ponder addressing those two positions, potentially on draft night.
Picking a big man such as Missi makes sense here, as he had no shortage of explosive moments as a freshman at Baylor, highlighting his elite physical tools as well as the potential he can grow into after having only started playing organized basketball at age 16.
Missi would likely fit in well on a roster that could use a player in this mold. -- Givony

22. Phoenix Suns
Ryan Dunn, SF/PF, Virginia | Age: 21.4
Dunn is said to be gaining steam in this range of the draft after a slew of outstanding workouts this month propelled him firmly into the first round. Several teams have said Dunn exceeded expectations with his shooting while also doing some absolutely mesmerizing things defensively in guarding point guards through centers in group settings.
Chicago, Toronto and the New York Knicks are others that rival teams indicate could be high on him.
The Suns might look more to free agency to explore adding a point guard to their roster, with Kris Dunn (not related) one potential option that rival teams expect them to look at. Trading back to resupply their depleted stockpile of assets (especially future picks) is another option the Suns' front office is said to be considering, due to the severely limited mechanics the team has to add talent with the punitive new second-apron rules that go into effect this summer. -- Givony

23. Milwaukee Bucks (via Pelicans)
Kyle Filipowski, PF/C, Duke | Age: 20.6
Filipowski primarily conducted workouts for teams selecting inside the top 20, but he looks to have a wide range of outcomes on draft night, running toward the back of the first round. He worked out for every team in the Nos. 9-to-13 range, but teams selecting in the 20s are also speculating he might be available to them.
His ability to play all over the floor on offense at his size (6-foot-11, 248 pounds) gives him unique appeal, but there are valid questions about his athletic ability and defensive impact, as he doesn't offer much in the way of rim-protection. He figures to be in the mix for every team in need of a big in this range, including the Milwaukee Bucks, who also are viewed as a possible landing spot for Kel'el Ware. -- Woo

24. New York Knicks (via Mavericks)
Isaiah Collier, PG, USC | Age: 19.7
It's not clear which team will be making this pick, as the Knicks will likely have trade opportunities with both the No. 24 and No. 25 picks and could be attracted to the idea of stockpiling future assets to maintain maximum flexibility heading into free agency.
Collier has perhaps the widest draft range of any prospect, starting at around No. 11 with Chicago and extending to the end of the first round. Teams such as Miami, Toronto, Cleveland and New Orleans are taking deep looks. But if no team bites, it's possible Collier slides to this part of the draft or even to Washington or Minnesota at Nos. 26 and 27, which would have been a shocking prediction prior to USC's season when he was considered among the draft's top prospects.
Few prospects share the size, strength, shot-creation prowess, scoring instincts and star power Collier boasts, but he'll have to find the right team willing to live through the growing pains that come with empowering him with significant ballhandling responsibility after his uneven freshman campaign. -- Givony
25. New York Knicks
Terrence Shannon Jr., SG/SF, Illinois | Age: 23.9
Less than two weeks ago, Shannon was found not guilty of felony rape and aggravated sexual assault. Following the conclusion of his trial, he was able to hold workouts for a range of teams selecting inside the top 20, including the Bulls, Heat, Lakers and Magic, giving him a chance to hear his name called much higher than this, depending on how the draft breaks. The Knicks, who tend to value players with his level of toughness and motor, are also viewed as a potential fit for him if he falls.
Rival teams continue to anticipate the Knicks moving one of these draft picks, so another team might be selecting here at No. 25. -- Woo

26. Washington Wizards (via Clippers)
Kel'el Ware, C, Indiana | Age: 20.1
Ware secured one of the final green room invitations, which bodes well for his chances of hearing his name called in the first round, having conducted a wide range of workouts.
The number of teams in the market for bigs also should work in his favor, but there's a good deal of uncertainty surrounding picks in the 20s at the moment.
Ware could come off the board higher than this, with New Orleans and Milwaukee among the teams in need of help at center. The Wizards will likely be selecting for long-term upside and could view this as strong value if Ware falls to No. 26. -- Woo

27. Minnesota Timberwolves
Baylor Scheierman, SG/SF, Creighton | Age: 23.7
Scheierman, who turns 24 on Sept. 26, was one of the big risers in the pre-draft process, starting with a strong showing at the NBA draft combine and continuing with workouts where he impressed with his diverse shot-making prowess, basketball instincts and competitiveness that should allow him to be a plug-and-play option.
Minnesota will be looking to add floor spacing to their twin-tower roster, which is spearheaded by the shot-creating brilliance of Anthony Edwards, and Scheierman is a strong fit.-- Givony

28. Denver Nuggets
DaRon Holmes II, PF/C, Dayton | Age: 21.8
Most NBA teams are operating under the assumption that Holmes has received a promise from the Nuggets, as he canceled a half-dozen workouts shortly after the NCAA withdrawal deadline, a scenario that is similar to what we saw play out last year with Jalen Pickett.
Holmes (6-foot-10 in shoes) has skills as a pick-and-roll finishing, floor-spacing big man who can pass and create off the dribble, giving him intriguing versatility. -- Givony

29. Utah Jazz (via Thunder)
Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette | Age: 23.2
The Jazz are involved in numerous trade conversations and may not ultimately elect to hold on to all three picks slated in the top-32 selections of the draft, potentially looking to consolidate this pick and their second-rounder (No. 32) to move up into the late teens or early 20s.
Kolek will be attractive to almost any team picking in this range, as he is more tested than most draft prospects at 23 years old, bringing elite toughness, feel for the game and playmaking acumen operating out of pick-and-rolls.
Kolek has shown he can play off the ball as well, making 39% of his 3-pointers the past two seasons, which should help him fit into multiple lineup configurations operating alongside other ball handlers. -- Givony

30. Boston Celtics
Jaylon Tyson, SG/SF, California | Age: 21.5
Tyson has helped his standing in the pre-draft process with strong workouts showing his guard skills and versatility after an outstanding season at Cal.
At 6-foot-7 in shoes, he can play a variety of roles on or off the ball with his passing and budding shot-making prowess.
The Celtics have quite a bit of flexibility at their disposal coming off winning the NBA championship and having their entire core intact, but adding a potential rotational wing with skill would be helpful considering their avenues for adding talent will get narrower soon with the punitive new second-apron rules that go into effect this summer. -- Givony

Second round
31. Toronto Raptors (via Pistons)
Adem Bona, C, UCLA | Age: 21.2
32. Utah Jazz (via Wizards)
Pacome Dadiet, SG/SF, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) | Age: 18.9
33. Milwaukee Bucks (via Trail Blazers)
Cam Christie, SG, Minnesota | Age: 18.9
34. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hornets)
Bobi Klintman, SF/PF, Cairns (Australia) | Age: 21.3
35. San Antonio Spurs
Juan Nunez, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) | Age: 20.0
36. Indiana Pacers (via Raptors)
Tyler Smith, SF/PF, G League Ignite | Age: 19.6
37. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Grizzlies)
A.J. Johnson, SG, Illawarra (Australia) | Age: 19.5
38. New York Knicks (via Jazz)
Jonathan Mogbo, PF/C, San Francisco | Age: 22.6
39. Memphis Grizzlies (via Nets)
Jaylen Wells, SG/SF, Washington State | Age: 20.8
40. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks)
Kevin McCullar, SF, Kansas | Age: 23.2
41. Philadelphia 76ers (via Bulls)
Justin Edwards, SG/SF, Kentucky | Age: 20.5
42. Charlotte Hornets (via Rockets)
Pelle Larsson, SG, Arizona | Age: 23.3
43. Miami Heat
Jamal Shead, PG, Houston | Age: 21.9
44. Houston Rockets (via Warriors)
Harrison Ingram, SF/PF, North Carolina | Age: 21.5
45. Sacramento Kings
Ajay Mitchell, PG, UC Santa Barbara | Age: 22.0
46. LA Clippers (via Pacers)
Cam Spencer, SG, UConn | Age: 24.2
47. Orlando Magic
Melvin Ajinca, SG/SF, Saint Quentin (France) | Age: 19.9
48. San Antonio Spurs (via Lakers)
Antonio Reeves, SG/SF, Kentucky | Age: 23.5
49. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers)
Oso Ighodaro, PF/C, Marquette | Age: 21.9
50. Indiana Pacers (via Pelicans)
Dillon Jones, SF/PF, Weber State | Age: 22.6
51. Washington Wizards (via Suns)
Nikola Djurisic, SG/SF, Mega MIS (Adriatic League) | Age: 20.3
52. Golden State Warriors (via Bucks)
Keshad Johnson, PF, Arizona | Age: 23.0
53. Detroit Pistons (via Knicks)
KJ Simpson, PG, Colorado | Age: 21.8
54. Boston Celtics (via Mavericks)
Jalen Bridges, SF, Baylor | Age: 23.1
55. Los Angeles Lakers (via Clippers)
Bronny James, PG/SG, USC | Age: 19.7
56. Denver Nuggets (via Timberwolves)
Ulrich Chomche, PF/C, NBA Academy Showcase (Africa) | Age: 18.4
57. Memphis Grizzlies (via Thunder)
Enrique Freeman, PF/C, Akron | Age: 23.9
58. Dallas Mavericks (via Celtics)
Ariel Hukporti, C, Melbourne (Australia) | Age: 22.2
 
My mock draft. 🤷‍♂️ Combo of team needs and intel I've read.
Atlanta Hawks - Zaccharie Risacher
Washington Wizards - Alex Sarr
Houston Rockets - Reed Sheppard
San Antonio Spurs - Stephon Castle
*Trade* Memphis gets #5, Detroit gets #9 and a future first round pick *Trade*
Memphis Grizzlies - Donovan Clingan
Charlotte Hornets - Devin Carter
Portland Trail Blazers - Cody Williams
San Antonio Spurs - Tidjane Salaun
Detroit Pistons - Matas Buzelis
Utah Jazz - Rob Dillingham
Chicago Bulls - Dalton Knecht
Oklahoma City Thunder - Nikola Topic
*Trade* Washington gets Harrison Barnes, Sasha Vezenkov and #13, Sacramento gets Kyle Kuzma and #26 *Trade*
Washington Wizards - Bub Carrington
Portland Trail Blazers - Zach Edey
Miami Heat - Ron Holland
Philadelphia 76ers - Jared McCain
Los Angeles Lakers - Kel’el Ware
Orlando Magic - Tristan da Silva
Toronto Raptors - Isaiah Collier
Cleveland Cavaliers - Johnny Furphy
New Orleans Pelicans - Kyle Filipowski
Phoenix Suns - Yves Missi
Milwaukee Bucks - Ja'Kobe Walter
New York Knicks - Ryan Dunn
New York Knicks - Adem Bona
Sacramento Kings - Terrence Shannon Jr.
Minnesota T’Wolves - Tyler Kolek
Denver Nuggets - DaRon Holmes II
Utah Jazz - Cam Christie
Boston Celtics - Tyler Smith

Hot take:emoji_fire:: Bronny goes before #55
 
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Final 2024 NBA mock draft: Why we’re expecting an unpredictable night

1. Atlanta Hawks
Zaccharie Risacher | 6-8 wing/forward | 19 years old | JL Bourg
None of the league sources The Athletic has consulted seems to have any certainty on what the Hawks will do on draft night still at No. 1. Donovan Clingan was the name linked with the Hawks most often last week, with many league sources noting the Connecticut big man might fit better as a potential trade-down target. However, since Risacher’s workout in Atlanta last week, his name has been raised increasingly often in conversations around the league.

Alexandre Sarr’s name occasionally comes up as well, but that could be an attempt to convince a trade up from Washington, the team most often linked with Sarr. Of course, that same logic could apply to any prospect; if other teams sense some doubt the player they want will be available — be it Risacher, Clingan or Sarr — they may be more apt to reach out to gauge Atlanta’s price for dealing the No. 1 pick. I have Risacher for now if Atlanta keeps No. 1, but things remain fluid.

Risacher is not necessarily the player every team has ranked atop its board, but if you did a weighted average league-wide of where teams had players ranked, Risacher would likely come out on top. Most teams at least have him in their top group of players, and many do have him at No. 1.

If the Hawks trade down in some fashion, Clingan would be a potential target, and they couldn’t move down all that far to secure him. At the same time, league sources tell The Athletic it may be difficult for Atlanta to move off the pick, if only because the talent differential among the top six or so picks is considered to be minimal.

2. Washington Wizards
Alex Sarr | 7-0 big | 19 years old | Perth Wildcats
League sources continue to connect Sarr to Washington if he falls to No. 2. The Wizards, under Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins, are in the market for upside swings, according to league sources. Dawkins comes from the Oklahoma City Thunder tree, where positional size, skill and on-court intelligence reign supreme. The Thunder selected another perimeter 7-footer at No. 2 (Chet Holmgren) during Dawkins’ tenure there, and it’s possible Dawkins sees Sarr as a different, yet stylistically similar player. At 7-feet tall with long arms and remarkable athleticism, Sarr fits that bill if his development comes together.

Sarr is a defensive difference-maker who covers a ton of ground with his arms and quick feet, much like Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton. Sarr flies around off the ball and can thrive in a variety of ball-screen coverages, ranging from switching to drop. If he’s waiting at the rim and opponents challenge him, odds are he’ll contest the shot, if not outright block it.

The other end of the floor is the question. Sarr has shown potential as a rim runner in ball screens, but for the most part, his offensive game involves pick-and-pops, and he doesn’t make great screen contact. He’s not a high-impact defensive rebounder, which has led to some questioning if he can consistently play center in the NBA. If Sarr indeed requires a more physical center alongside him, his limited offensive game might be exposed. He’s best served playing next to a floor-spacing five, unless he can become a dangerous perimeter shooter himself.

3. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn Nets)
Reed Sheppard | 6-2 guard | 20 years old | Kentucky
The Rockets’ trade on Tuesday night with Brooklyn is not expected to have an impact on its draft night decision-making process. The team essentially traded two of the three remaining future picks it owns from the Nets back to Brooklyn for a significant amount of future Phoenix Suns’ draft selections. The idea was to add more capital to its draft cache, as well as extend out the window of its decision-making process.

Having said that, don’t be surprised to see the Rockets continue to be active on draft night. Unsurprisingly, league sources continue to believe the Rockets will explore trading the No. 3 pick with a goal of continuing to add even more to its loaded group of exciting young players and draft picks. There might be no team better positioned to make a star trade already. However, acquiring additional assets in a trade-down scenario here may allow the Rockets to facilitate further deals without surrendering what they already have or even potentially acquire more win-now talent this summer.

If they stay here, the prevailing thought is they will take Sheppard. His stock is polarizing, with more analytically inclined organizations seeing him as a No. 1 pick contender and others viewing him as a late lottery pick due to his lack of size. At this point, it seems likely he’ll be drafted somewhere within the top half of the lottery. The Rockets can afford to take a chance on him because he is an ideal connective piece for their young talent. He’s an elite shooter, which is the one skill this young core lacks. While Jabari Smith Jr. can hit from the perimeter, Jalen Green has had stretches of great shot making and Cam Whitmore has the potential to fill it up, teams don’t guard Tari Eason, and neither Alperen Şengün nor Amen Thompson is a proficient marksman.

Sheppard also thinks the game at an elite level and quickly moves the ball to get everyone involved. He averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting an absurd 53.6 percent from the field and 52.1 percent from 3 last season. He also blocked nearly a shot per game and grabbed 2.5 steals.

4. San Antonio Spurs
Stephon Castle | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut
League sources have connected Castle to the Spurs for a couple months now, and it seems clear the organization, in some capacity, likes the 6-foot-6 guard from Connecticut. The Spurs are interested in Risacher, according to league sources, and Sheppard’s name has come up in recent days as well.

Castle is likely to come off the board somewhere between the No. 4 and No. 8 picks. He’s a tremendous defender with size and attributes that help teams win games. He got publicity at the NBA Draft Combine for saying he views himself as a point guard, but NBA teams largely classify him as a secondary playmaker who could grow into more on-ball reps in time.

Sources connected to the Connecticut program rave about Castle’s character and competitiveness; many loved his willingness to do whatever it took for the Huskies. He took on the defensive stopper role at times on players such as Alabama’s Mark Sears at the Final Four or Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman during the season. He shared responsibilities for initiating the offense, showcasing passing skill and an ability to get to the rim. He moved the ball well across the perimeter and was a high-impact player on both ends despite making only 27 percent of his 3s. He stepped up in almost all of their big games, including a 21-point Final Four performance and a 15-point national title game showing.

5. TRADE: Detroit Pistons trade No. 5 to Memphis Grizzlies
Donovan Clingan | 7-2 center | 20 years old | Connecticut
(Projected trade details: Pistons trade No. 5 to Memphis for No. 9 and a future lightly protected first-round pick.)

This pick is a key swing spot in the draft. League sources are struggling to determine the preferences of new Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, since he wasn’t running the show in New Orleans. Matas Buzelis is the most consistent name that comes up with Detroit. The team has a need at the four, and Buzelis’ agent, Michael Tellem, is the son of Pistons’ vice chairman Arn Tellem. However, Langdon has made it clear, both publicly and privately in conversations with league executives, that the team wants to add more assets to its cache.

In regard to No. 5, Langdon opened the door to moving the pick if it meant adding value to its asset cache.

“We’re looking for the guy we feel has the best upside out of this draft,” Langdon said during his introductory news conference last week. “And if that guy’s not there at No. 5, and there’s a team that’s willing to give us an asset value to flip back, then maybe that’s an opportunity as well. But as of right now, our vision is not to be out of this draft. We want to draft a player, and if we do flip back, it’s not going to be that far.”

The team is down one first-round pick following the Isaiah Stewart trade in the 2020 draft, so dealing No. 5 this season to gain more draft capital would provide Detroit more flexibility in the future. In this hypothetical trade, Detroit accomplishes that goal by moving down four spots.

Memphis, meanwhile, replenishes its center position with a terrific prospect. Clingan is a drop-coverage big man who would partner with Jackson to potentially create the best defensive frontcourt in the NBA in a couple of years.

If Clingan dropped into the No. 3 to No. 6 range, a number of teams picking below that range would have serious interest in moving up to acquire Connecticut’s star 7-footer, league sources tell The Athletic. Chicago is seen as another team that might try to move up, as is Portland.

6. Charlotte Hornets
Dalton Knecht | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Tennessee
The Hornets’ pick is seen as another inflection point, as teams around the league are unclear on the direction new head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson will take. Peterson was an assistant GM in Brooklyn and Atlanta, and his teams made varied picks during his time there. Charlotte seems to have interest, to varying degrees, in Sheppard, Castle, Knecht and potentially others, league sources tell The Athletic.

In Knecht, the Hornets would be selecting a player to help space the court for young stars Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Knecht scored at a dizzying pace in college, averaging 25.5 points in 18 SEC games while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from 3. His season averages were 21.7 points per game on 46 percent from the field, but those stats were dragged down by a stretch where he played at less than 100 percent following an ankle injury. His offense should translate to NBA settings. Not only is he a terrific shooter, especially off movement, but he’s also a higher-end athlete than most shooters. He can sky in transition and finish inside with hang time. He’s expected to hear his name called somewhere between No. 6 and No. 10.

If Detroit used its pick on anyone but Clingan, there would be a significant bidding war from teams trying to jump ahead of Portland at No. 7 to acquire him. Charlotte could be in asset-accumulation mode under its new head of basketball operations.

7. Portland Trail Blazers
Cody Williams | 6-7 wing | 19 years old | Colorado
The younger brother of blossoming Thunder wing Jalen Williams, Cody Williams profiles as the kind of prized high-end prospect who can pressure the rim, pass, make plays and potentially defend multiple positions. Standing 6-7 with a 7-1 wingspan, Williams showed the ability to play some point guard this past season in addition to attacking in transition and slashing from the wing in a straight line. He struggled to finish after an ankle injury sapped some of his explosiveness, but in his 14 games before the injury, he averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 60.6 percent from the field. He had a strong workout in Portland.

The Blazers should take another bite at filling their bigger wing role, and evaluators largely believe Williams’ upside is quite high. However, Portland is another team league sources are connecting with a lot of players following massive groups of workouts. The consensus is they have interest in Clingan, but he’s already off the board in this mock.

8. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)
Tidjane Salaun | 6-9 wing/forward | 18 years old | Cholet
The Spurs’ No. 8 selection is the one to which league sources have connected the widest range of players. Devin Carter had a tremendous workout in San Antonio. If Matas Buzelis fell below No. 5, he would be an option. Throughout the year, the Spurs were connected with Nikola Topić as a potential long-term answer at lead guard, though Topić’s partially torn ACL has thrown that impression for a loop. Williams has certainly come up, too, if he were to get to No. 8. Knecht has also been connected here (pun intended) due to his standout shooting ability for a team that was among the worst in the league in that respect last season. This also appears to be Castle’s floor if he falls.

Whenever a team is connected with this many players, it indicates to league sources (and me) that the Spurs have done a tremendous job of setting smoke screens. It’s difficult to gauge their plans.

Salaun also makes sense, though. At 6-foot-9 with a long 7-foot-2 wingspan, Salaun improved drastically over the course of his season in France. He is a big forward with some perimeter skill who has been productive for his age in the French League and Basketball Champions League this season, averaging 9.5 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 32 percent from behind the 3-point line. He has a smooth stroke and also shows some upside handling the ball in transition. Defensively, he improved a ton throughout the season.

More importantly, Salaun plays hard and has terrific basketball character. He is aggressive and willing to play physically in the paint despite a still-developing frame.

9. TRADE: Memphis Grizzlies trade No. 9 to Detroit Pistons
Matas Buzelis | 6-9 wing/forward | 19 years old | G League Ignite
(Projected trade details: Pistons trade No. 5 to Memphis for No. 9 and a future lightly protected first round pick.)

Since taking the Pistons’ job, Langdon has been publicly clear he wants to take an upside swing with the Pistons’ pick, be it at No. 5 or elsewhere. Buzelis would certainly be that, given that they’re also considering him at No. 5.

Players with somewhat similar profiles to Buzelis in last year’s class, such as Miller, Memphis’ G.G. Jackson, Washington’s Bilal Coulibaly and Whitmore, put together promising rookie seasons while flashing skills they didn’t consistently display in their pre-draft seasons. Perhaps that will happen with Buzelis, too, after a G League Ignite season in which he averaged 14.1 points per game but only shot 45.5 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from 3. (He upped those numbers to 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 blocks over his last 13 games.)

He fills a long-term positional need at the four for the Pistons, who could sign a bigger forward in free agency and let Buzelis develop at his own pace into the long-term answer at the position.

10. Utah Jazz
Nikola Topić | 6-6 lead guard | 18 years old | Crvena zvezda
Topić’s draft range is one of the biggest talking points around the league now. There seems to be uncertainty about when he’s picked. That has a lot to do with his knee injury, which was diagnosed as a partially torn ACL earlier this month.

It also has to do with teams’ attempts to get a handle on his game. In 13 Adriatic League games for Mega Basket before his transfer to Crvena zvezda, Topić averaged 18.6 points and 6.9 assists while shooting 52.4 percent from the field. He’s a dynamic ball-screen distributor and consistently lived in the paint in the Adriatic League, which consists of the top teams from the six countries that once made up Yugoslavia. He can execute nearly every pass in the book once he gets a downhill advantage and hits teammates with flair and creativity. Topić also scores proficiently at the rim, using inventive touch to finish high off the glass and around rim protectors.

However, after moving over to Crvena zvezda (also known as Red Star) for the second half of the season, he wasn’t quite as impactful, even before getting hurt.

The Jazz could certainly use a point guard and should be willing to play the long game in regard to his injury given their current organizational direction. Topić’s passing and playmaking would blend nicely with Keyonte George, last year’s first-round pick.

11. TRADE: Chicago Bulls trade No. 11 to Los Angeles Lakers
Devin Carter | 6-2 guard | 22 years old | Providence
(Potential Trade Details: Chicago trades No. 11 to Lakers for No. 17, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and two future second round picks)

No potential lottery selection has helped themselves more throughout the pre-draft process than Carter. He’s taken an “anywhere, anytime” approach to workouts, feeling confident he can measure up to the best players in the class. Like Jaime Jaquez Jr. last season, Carter is an older prospect who has shown up in front of teams and given anyone he’s faced difficulty with his athleticism, elite defense and work rate. League sources have also touted him as leaving one of the strongest impressions in pre-draft interviews.

Carter was one of the best players in college basketball this past season. The son of former NBA point guard Anthony Carter, Devin improved in each of his last five seasons. However, Carter’s biggest jump this past campaign came on offense. After years of being a questionable shooter, Carter hit 37.7 percent of his nearly seven 3-point attempts per game. His shot is something of a moon ball that arcs high in the air, but it went in consistently this season. Several teams in the No. 8 to 15 range are excited by Carter.

The Lakers also had Carter in for a workout, and league sources said the team was impressed with him. He’d be able to help the team from day one and form a long-term backcourt partnership with Austin Reaves. Jumping six spots up the board would require real assets, which the Lakers have in short supply. In this hypothetical, they trade Jalen Hood-Schifino, their first rounder last year, and two future second-round picks to get it done.

The Bulls are in an ideal spot to trade back from their selection here at No. 11 if a few of Carter, Robert Dillingham, Topić and Ron Holland make it this far down the board outside of the top 10.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Rockets)
Bub Carrington | 6-4 guard | 18 years old | Pittsburgh
The Thunder have a loaded core with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, as well as a ton of effective role players. But they also could use another backcourt scorer, even after moving Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso. Cason Wallace, last year’s first-round pick, had a terrific rookie season and could develop into that kind of player. In today’s game, though, you can’t have enough players with real dribble/pass/shoot attributes.

Carrington was the talk of the scouting community after NCAA conference championship week, when he put together several monster games as Pittsburgh made a late bid for the NCAA Tournament. He’s also had a strong start to his pre-draft process, with several teams noting his impressive pro day. There is an expectation he will be selected somewhere within the first 20 picks.

Carrington is a monster pull-up shooter and sharp passer and became an improved defender throughout the season. He was productive in averaging 13.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, though he shot 41.2 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from 3. He’s also the youngest high-level college player in the class, not turning 19 until July. Despite that youth, he processes the game exceptionally well.

13. Sacramento Kings
Ron Holland | 6-7 wing | 18 years old | G League Ignite
League sources believe the Kings want to accentuate their readymade core with other players who can help them win now. They fell to 46 wins this past season after winning 48 and establishing themselves as a team to reckon with in 2022-23. However, the Western Conference got better around them, and the Kings don’t want to stay in the play-in position they found themselves in following that breakout season. That thought process could result in this pick being available for the right veteran. This would be a strong leverage spot for the Kings to do that, with both Holland and Dillingham available.

Holland was the Ignite’s most productive player last season, averaging 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while being one of the team’s few offensive creators. Most of those points, however, came in transition or inefficiently in half-court settings. He had a below-average true shooting percentage and more turnovers than assists as he struggled with his decision-making. Those issues are somewhat to be expected from an 18-year-old playing professionally for the first time, but they also have made it tricky for evaluators to slot him. He also missed the end of the G League season with a thumb injury that occurred as he was beginning to improve.

Holland’s motor excites NBA teams the most. He constantly plays hard, getting the most out of his athleticism. His energy can sometimes cause him to be overaggressive and overly physical on defense, but amid the Ignite’s poor season, Holland showed a capacity for growth that impressed many scouts.

His range is seen as quite wide right now. He hasn’t had a strong pre-draft process; he did not impress teams during visits or at his pro day, according to league sources. However, Holland isn’t the type of player who typically shines in those situations, so teams would be wise not to over-index on that portion of the process.

14. Portland Trail Blazers (via Warriors)
Zach Edey | 7-4 center | 22 years old | Purdue
Edey was the best player in college basketball, averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and more than two blocks per game on his way to back-to-back National Player of the Year awards. He establishes position anywhere and everywhere on the court because of his size and strength, yet possesses remarkable touch around the rim. One could make the case he was the best screen-setter in the country with the way he crushed guards trying to get through and rolled to the rim for deep post-ups or easy buckets. Edey improved defensively over his time in college, becoming an impactful drop-coverage pick-and-roll defender who took up enough space to dissuade guards from driving and finishing around the basket.

The issue with his fit in the NBA is obvious: He’s 7-4 and doesn’t move particularly well laterally. Can he stop ballhandlers from turning the corner on him? Can he get back in transition in the up-and-down NBA?

Despite those concerns, Edey appears to be rising right now. It would be a surprise to see him get outside of the top 19. I have Portland selecting him with the final pick of the lottery, as the Blazers are exploring frontcourt options. In particular, Edey’s screening would be a godsend for guards like Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons after last season’s Portland group struggled to gain any sort of separation.

15. Miami Heat
Jared McCain | 6-2 guard | 20 years old | Duke
McCain was seen as a potential one-and-done lottery prospect entering the season before a slow start made evaluators pause. However, over the last two-thirds of the season, McCain was one of the best freshman scorers in high-major college basketball. Starting with Duke’s Dec. 9 game against Charlotte, McCain averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists over his last 28 games. He made 41.6 percent of his 6.4 3-point attempts per game during that span and consistently got into the lane in transition or when driving closeouts. I also thought he improved drastically on defense over his final 15 or so games.

Miami has a tendency to take whichever highly ranked player falls to it on draft night. McCain would be an awesome weapon as a shooter within Erik Spoelstra’s offense. Other names I’ve heard for this pick from league sources include Edey, Tristan da Silva and Dillingham if he were to fall. Carter is unlikely to get here, but this is seen as his floor if he did.

16. Philadelphia 76ers
Robert Dillingham | 6-1 guard | 19 years old | Kentucky
Many league sources believe the Sixers could move their first-round pick to get immediate help. Philadelphia has cleared significant cap space to go star-hunting, so, if the right deal becomes available, this pick could be used to further that goal. Even if the Sixers believe they could potentially sign a star in free agency, filling out the roster with ready-made veterans around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will be critical.

It’s hard to find the landing spot for Dillingham on draft night with the present order. Portland, Sacramento, Memphis and Chicago all have backcourts of the future in some respect, and Dillingham doesn’t fit Oklahoma City’s model of selecting players with at least average (if not well above-average) positional size. All of this has led to league sources wondering if a team will trade up to take Dillingham if he slides into the No. 10 to 15 range.

The Sixers will likely take a “best player available” approach under Daryl Morey if they keep the pick. Dillingham averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists per game this past season while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from 3. He maintains control well despite playing at a fast pace, using a bevy of crossovers and well-timed hesitation moves to maximize his speed. Evaluators are confident he’ll be able to separate from his man in the NBA.

17. TRADE: Los Angeles Lakers trade No. 17 to Chicago Bulls
Terrence Shannon Jr. | 6-6 wing | 23 years old | Illinois
(Potential trade details: Chicago trades No. 11 to Lakers for No. 17, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and two future second-round picks.)

Shannon’s draft range is exceptionally wide right now following his acquittal earlier in June on charges of rape and aggravated sexual battery. I’ve heard him in the mix as high as No. 11 to Chicago all the way into the early portion of the second round.

Shannon’s name is the one I’ve heard most associated with the Bulls over the last 48 hours. In this scenario, they can trade down, acquire a few extra assets and still end up with a player they have at least some degree of interest in selecting. It makes sense why given Chicago’s desperate need for depth and athleticism on the perimeter.

Shannon was among the best players in college basketball this past season, but his game leaves evaluators a bit polarized. He is more of a wrecking ball that crashes into the paint with regularity as opposed to a polished scorer.

18. Orlando Magic
Tristan da Silva | 6-8 forward | 23 years old | Colorado
The Magic would make a ton of sense for da Silva given their preference for big wings who can dribble, pass and shoot. Over his final 14 games, da Silva averaged 17.1 points while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from 3. He grabbed 4.6 rebounds, dished out 2.2 assists and grabbed 1.3 steals. He’s made nearly 40 percent from 3 over the last two seasons.

Da Silva moves well without the ball but can also handle it himself and make good passing decisions. He processes the game quickly and plays at a high speed, even if he doesn’t have great athletic tools. He isn’t an elite defender, but he’s smart, adequate against other forwards and sharp off the ball. He ticks a lot of boxes that make him profile well as a solid rotation player in today’s NBA.

It’s unlikely da Silva gets outside of the top 20, as a number of teams in this range have interest in him.

19. Toronto Raptors (via Pacers)
Ja’Kobe Walter | 6-4 wing | 19 years old | Baylor
Walter had an up-and-down season, averaging 14.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He was an inconsistent shooter, although teams have few concerns about his long-term upside because his motion looks clean and he can make shots from a variety of situations. Teams, however, worry about everything else. Walter isn’t a lead guard because he doesn’t see the floor well as a passer. Defensively, Walter struggled at times to stay in front of players.

Scouts are split on Walter’s upside. Most don’t see him as a star, but they disagree on whether he’s a long-term NBA starter or merely a rotation player. Those who believe he will be a high-level shooter despite making 34.1 percent from 3 last season tend to be believers, but his range is quite wide. Some teams near the end of the lottery are considering him, while others feel he could drop into the 20s.

The Raptors are a difficult team to gauge. Their No. 31 pick is seen as a valuable one league-wide, as the addition of a second night of the draft enables Toronto to have an overnight bidding war for the selection.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers
Johnny Furphy | 6-8 wing | 19 years old | Kansas
Furphy decided to stay in the draft after flirting with a return to Kansas and will likely be rewarded by being one of the top-20 picks. It’s easy to see why scouts are excited about his game. He has many of the attributes NBA teams seek when identifying projects worth a long-term investment. It’s hard to find wings with Furphy’s physical profile.

He’s come a long way in 18 months to get to this point. While his athleticism and shooting ability always made him an intriguing upside swing, he didn’t seem to know how to impact the game when he played at the Center of Excellence in Australia. He was up and down this past season at Kansas but earned Bill Self’s trust, which is not easy for freshmen to do. He averaged nine points and five rebounds while finishing well at the rim and shooting 35 percent from 3.

Furphy ticks a lot of the boxes that Cleveland seems to be valuing, due to his size and shooting ability. He’d be an interesting three for the team to develop, and they could be patient with him with Max Strus around to help him out.

21. New Orleans Pelicans (via Bucks)
Yves Missi | 6-11 big | 20 years old | Baylor
Missi is a project, but with elite tools that project to a clear NBA role. As a 7-footer with a 7-5 wingspan, Missi might have the best frame of any low-usage center prospect in the class. He’s a terrific athlete who moves his feet fluidly in space given his size. He can sky for impressive lob finishes in transition and from the dunker spot. He blocks shots well and has potential to stick with guards for multiple slides on defense. He made the Big 12 All-Defense team as a freshman while averaging 10.7 points per game on 61 percent from the field.

He profiles as a Clint Capela-style big man once he picks up the nuances of ball-screen coverage. He needs to put on weight and get stronger through his base, as he often gets moved on the block and can struggle on the defensive glass. But he has the look of a competent defensive starting center if he can reach his ceiling.

22. TRADE: Phoenix Suns trade pick to Minnesota Timberwolves
Isaiah Collier | 6-3 guard | 19 years old | USC
(Projected trade details: Phoenix trades No. 22 to Minnesota for No. 27, No. 37 and a future second-round pick.)

This would represent a long slide for Collier, but league sources are having trouble finding his floor. Even as he started the season on fire and looked like a candidate to be the No. 1 pick, scouts worried about his style of play. He then tailed off as USC’s season fell apart, struggling with turnovers and defense, and missed time after hurting his hand. Once he returned in February, he took the Pac-12 by storm, averaging 18.7 points and 4.3 assists over his final seven games while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from 3. He was the bruising, powerful driver we saw early in college and throughout his high school career, generating seven free-throw attempts per night.

Collier is an impressive downhill threat who lives in the paint and has the wherewithal to hit kickout passes and dump-offs. However, Collier did not test or measure well at the combine, and evaluators wonder if his finishing and power-based game will translate to the NBA. At just under 6-3 without shoes and lacking elite length or a consistent jumper, can he consistently be the downhill, power-based player we saw at lower levels?

Phoenix’s goal, assuming a player it loves isn’t on the board at No. 22, should be to accumulate as many draft assets as possible. Do not be surprised to see the Suns try to trade down and pick up additional picks to re-stock their cupboard. In the next six drafts (including this one), the Suns are only able to trade No. 22 this year and their 2028 second-round pick. Even just for more maneuverability, the Suns need to find ways to add more picks.

23. Milwaukee Bucks (via NOP)
Kyle Filipowski | 6-11 big | 20 years old | Duke
As a big man who can shoot, Filipowski could pair well with a starting center or serve as a third big. The Duke product averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting about 50 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3 this past season. He carried the Blue Devils through long stretches of games with his ability to catch the ball on the block and score, but pro scouts are more intrigued by his well-rounded perimeter game. Filipowski can shoot from 3, attack heavy closeouts and bring the ball up the court in grab-and-go situations. His passing took a leap this past season, and he was more comfortable reading the court.

Filipowski’s defense is better than its reputation. Duke had a top-16 defense this past season, and he usually positions himself well, contests enough shots and can slide his feet a couple of times on an island to stay with wings and even some guards. It’s difficult to find 7-footers who can dribble, pass and shoot. Filipowski can do all three.

24. New York Knicks (via Mavericks)
Tyler Kolek | 6-1 guard | 23 years old | Marquette
The Knicks’ big deal to acquire Mikal Bridges on Tuesday night did not involve any of their three selections in the 2024 NBA Draft, despite league sources telling The Athletic that Brooklyn had interest in trading into this draft in some respect over the last few weeks.

It will be interesting to see how the Knicks attack these selections. Now that they’re all in and their roster is expensive, do they try to bring in young talent to grow with this core? Or do they look to use multiple picks?

The Knicks have been interested in Kolek throughout the season, league sources tell The Athletic, and it makes sense why. Even with the emergence of Miles McBride as a tremendous backup guard on a bargain deal, the Knicks were often one shot creator short in the playoffs and forced to rely on Jalen Brunson to do everything at all times. In Kolek, the team could envision a long-term backup point guard who might be able to reduce the wear and tear on Brunson.

Kolek was an All-American this season but suffered an oblique injury that held him out of the Big East tournament. From Jan. 15 to Feb. 25, Marquette went 10-1 as Kolek averaged 16.9 points and 9.6 assists per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3. He won All-American honors on his way to season averages of 15.3 points and 7.7 assists per game.

Kolek is a crafty guard. I’m not convinced he can even dunk, but he knows how to play off two feet and is an elite distributor in ball screens. He made a big leap as a shooter this season, drilling 38.8 percent from 3 while looking more confident pulling up when opportunities arose. Kolek must prove he has the foot speed to hold up on defense, and he’ll need to prove he can create separation with the ball in his hands against better defenders. But any team looking for a backup guard could plug Kolek in early.

25. New York Knicks
Baylor Scheierman | 6-6 wing | 23 years old | Creighton
I’ve maintained a first-round grade on Scheierman since the end of the college basketball season. He averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists while drilling several 3s off significant movement. He’s one of the best shooters in the class, with a versatile motion that allows him to fire from distance off any kind of footwork. He’s a quick ball-mover and passer, and his defense is better than most believe. Go back and watch the team’s Sweet 16 game against Tennessee, where he held Knecht to 6-of-17 shooting from the field as the primary defender.

Scheierman is also having one of the better pre-draft processes of any prospect. He was the best player in the five-on-five portion of the draft combine, impressing teams with his ability to fill multiple roles. I think he hears his name called in the first round at this point, as NBA teams generally see him as a player who can help sooner rather than later.

Two other names connected with the Knicks, per league sources, are Virginia wing Ryan Dunn and San Francisco forward/center Jonathan Mogbo. Mogbo has had a strong pre-draft process and is certainly in the mix in the No. 25 to No. 40 range for teams currently slotted there and others looking to trade into them.

26. Washington Wizards (via Clippers)
Pacôme Dadiet | 6-8 wing | 18 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm
Dadiet has been a fast riser over the last few weeks as he’s been in the United States working out for NBA teams for the first time. A 6-foot-8 wing with legitimate scoring instincts and a very smooth touch at 18 years old, Dadiet has teams excited about what he could be in the future if things go right with his development moving forward.

He’ll go somewhere in the No. 20 to No. 35 range in all likelihood. The Bucks are another team league sources have pegged as an option as well.

27. TRADE: Minnesota Timberwolves trade No. 27 to Phoenix Suns
Ryan Dunn | 6-6 wing | 21 years old | Virginia
Dunn is one of the best defensive players I’ve ever evaluated. He is a genuine All-Defense candidate long-term if his offense becomes sufficient to stay on the court. Along with Houston’s Jamal Shead, Dunn was one of the two most disruptive defenders in the country this past season. He averaged 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while playing for a slow-paced Virginia team. He covers an exceptional amount of ground defensively and is a monster help-side defender. On top of that, he’s incredibly switchable.

Offense is the big question. Dunn did not play confidently on that end of the court by the end of the season and seemed to get rid of the ball quickly. He also struggled to shoot, making 23.5 percent of his 3s while attempting less than one per game. However, Dunn has performed well in workouts with multiple teams, according to league sources, and might go even higher.

This would be a home run for the Suns, as a number of league sources have linked Dunn with Phoenix at No. 22. Instead, the Suns get to replenish their pick capital here and get a player who intrigues them.

28. Denver Nuggets
DaRon Holmes | 6-9 big | 21 years old | Dayton
Holmes had an outstanding season at Dayton, earning All-American honors by averaging 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 blocks while hitting 54.4 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from 3. He’s a versatile big who has a lot of answers for opponents’ ball-screen coverages. He can pick-and-pop, short roll to pass, short roll to finish himself or dive to the rim to catch a lob. Defensively, he’s a good shot blocker and has shown the potential to stay with guards for a couple of slides on the perimeter.

The Nuggets tend to draft older players under general manager Calvin Booth, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they viewed Holmes as the kind of player who could help them when Nikola Jokić is on the bench — or potentially even in minutes with Jokić alongside him.

29. Utah Jazz (via Thunder)
Kyshawn George | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Miami (Fla.)
I’m not particularly high on George, but he was invited to the NBA Draft green room and is seen as a potential option to be selected in the top 20 somewhere, with even a couple of lottery teams doing due diligence to learn more about him.

George is a big wing who can shoot, dribble for his size and pass. However, he’s not particularly explosive athletically and has never been productive at any stage of his journey. He scored less than three points per game in the French second division in 2022-23 and averaged fewer than double-figures for a Miami team that was one of the worst high-major teams in the country by the end of the season.

Still, George is a late bloomer who grew to his current 6-7 size over the last 18 months. He is seen as an upside swing who could be worthwhile for teams who like wings with size and shooting ability.

30. Boston Celtics
Kel’el Ware | 7-0 big | 20 years old | Indiana
The Celtics could use a bit more frontcourt depth behind Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford, and Ware slipping to this point would be a real win. The 7-footer could learn behind the two veterans for a year before hopefully being able to step in more as a second-year player.

Ware’s status is all over the map. There are teams that love the way he grew this past season and became a more effective player while averaging nearly 16 points and 10 rebounds at Indiana. Those evaluators also love his tools with his athleticism and 7-4 wingspan. Then, there are other evaluators who don’t like his activity level on the court and his low-key demeanor. Even reactions to his workouts this year varied wildly from team to team, with some coming away impressed and others not coming away as fans. Boston can afford to take a chance on Ware.

Second Round
31. Toronto Raptors (via Pistons): Cam Christie | 6-5 wing | 18 years old | Minnesota

32. Utah Jazz (via Wizards): Jonathan Mogbo | 6-6 big | 22 years old | San Francisco

33. Milwaukee Bucks (via Trail Blazers): A.J. Johnson | 6-4 guard | 19 years old | Illawarra

34. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hornets): Tyler Smith | 6-9 big | 19 years old | G League Ignite

35. San Antonio Spurs: Juan Núñez | 6-3 guard | 20 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm

36. Indiana Pacers (via Raptors): Ajay Mitchell | 6-3 guard | 22 years old | UC Santa Barbara

37. TRADE: Phoenix Suns (via Blazers): Adem Bona | 6-8 big | 21 years old | UCLA

38. New York Knicks (via Jazz): Nikola Djurišić | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Mega

39. Memphis Grizzlies (via Nets): Trey Alexander | 6-3 guard | 21 years old | Creighton

40. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks): Dillon Jones | 6-4 guard | 22 years old | Weber State

41. Philadelphia 76ers (via Bulls): Jaylon Tyson | 6-6 wing | 21 years old | California

42. Charlotte Hornets (via Rockets): Bobi Klintman | 6-9 wing/forward | 20 years old | Cairns Taipans

43. Miami Heat: Cam Spencer | 6-3 guard | 24 years old | Connecticut

44. Houston Rockets (via Warriors): Jamal Shead | 6-0 guard | 21 years old | Houston

45. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Ingram | 6-5 wing | 21 years old | North Carolina

46. LA Clippers (via Pacers): Oso Ighodaro | 6-10 big | 21 years old | Marquette

47. Orlando Magic: Enrique Freeman | 6-7 forward | 23 years old | Akron

48. San Antonio Spurs (via Lakers): Melvin Ajinca | 6-6 wing | 20 years old | Saint-Quentin

49. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Jaylen Wells | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Washington State

50. Indiana Pacers (via Pelicans): P.J. Hall | 6-8 big | 22 years old | Clemson

51. Washington Wizards (via Suns): Tristen Newton | 6-3 guard | 23 years old | Connecticut

52. Golden State Warriors (via Bucks): Pelle Larsson | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Arizona

53. Detroit Pistons (via Knicks): Antonio Reeves | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Kentucky

54. Boston Celtics (via Mavericks): Jalen Bridges | 6-7 wing | 23 years old | Baylor

55. Los Angeles Lakers (via Clippers): Bronny James | 6-1 guard | 19 years old | USC

56. Denver Nuggets (via Timberwolves): Justin Edwards | 6-6 wing | 20 years old Kentucky

57. Memphis Grizzlies (via Thunder): Ariel Hukporti | 6-11 big | 22 years old | Melbourne United

58. Dallas Mavericks (via Celtics): K.J. Simpson | 6-0 guard | 21 years old | Colorado
 
I feel like the draft is gonna be a dud in the sense that there will be no huge trades and teams are gonna keep their pick. They just have to sell it up for viewership.
 
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