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2025 NBA Draft Thread
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by addict4sneakers,
- Start date
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Kessler and Plumlee get decent minutes compared to a lot of lottery picks the past few years
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nobody is taking Walker Kessler in the top 5, the dude didn't even start more than half the games this past year on a trash jazz squad
just don't see it with Clingan, you can't take him with the 1 overall
just don't see it with Clingan, you can't take him with the 1 overall
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Not taking Clingan at 1 and saying he will be a bust is 2 totally different things tho 
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Real difficult concept for that dude apparentlyNot taking Clingan at 1 and saying he will be a bust is 2 totally different things tho
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word I agree, this just me overreacting to all the noise that Clingan might go 1 overall which I think is crazyNot taking Clingan at 1 and saying he will be a bust is 2 totally different things tho
honestly though I hope he doesn't bust and I eat my words
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Clingan will be Warriors Bogut or Steven Adams. Defensive anchor, passes really well and will chip in 8-10 PPG.
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Damn, Sarr doesn’t wanna be in ATL ?
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I guess the talk he wants to play 4 instead of 5 legit if that’s the case. Jalen Johnson pretty much got that locked up
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Bigs being too scared to play the 5 is a red flag to me.
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"multiple sources have told @YahooSports they expect him to be off the board by 20."
WOW HUGE NEWS IF TRUE
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NBA mock draft 2024: Donovan Clingan to Hawks? Why No. 1 pick is still up for grabs
We have less than a week until the 2024 NBA Draft, and we have just as much clarity about what will happen as we did about a month ago. By that, I mean we have little clarity.
The Atlanta Hawks hold all the cards with the No. 1 pick, and league sources are still unsure of their plans. The Hawks seem to have several potential options as they sort through a draft class that does not have typical quality at the top.
As one NBA executive told me earlier this week, this class, unlike most that feature certainty with its top prospects, has an inordinate number of eye-of-the-beholder talents. Do you believe Zaccharie Risacher has significant athletic upside? Do you think Donovan Clingan can stay on the court in the playoffs? Do you believe Alex Sarr’s offensive game will keep developing? Do you think Stephon Castle will become at least a competent perimeter shooter? Do you think Reed Sheppard’s size is a significant hindrance? These are the top five players on my board, yet questions like these have been regularly bandied about in front offices all over the league. How key decision-makers answer those fundamental questions — as well as several others regarding the players I rank below them — will determine the outcome of this draft.
NBA teams largely agree this is a down class from the top of the draft through the top-10. However, many believe the middle of the first round, going all the way to the No. 20-25 range, features intriguing options before the class levels out again in the second round. Most of the intriguing wings are likely to be taken near the top of the class, with that middle portion of the first round littered with big men and guard depth that could yield several long-term NBA players. I anticipate fewer All-Stars this season than the six or so that come from a normal draft class, but the number of players who stick in the NBA may be about the same.
Here’s where we stand one week out. (Ages listed are as of draft night; heights listed are NBA Draft Combine or G League Elite Camp measurements without shoes, when available):
First Round
1. Atlanta Hawks
Donovan Clingan | 7-2 center | 20 years old | Connecticut
The conversation around the Hawks has been fascinating to track. Despite Hawks’ general manager Landry Fields saying the team is comfortable selecting at No. 1, league sources continue to get the impression Atlanta is open to offers for the right deal.
One reason: Clingan is the name I have heard linked with the Hawks most often over this past week. He wouldn’t be the sexiest pick, but would fill a few objectives for Atlanta. Firstly, the organization has not yet shown any indication of rebuilding, so it might prefer to select a player who can fit with its roster sooner rather than later. Secondly, coach Quin Snyder had success in Utah building around an elite big man screener and rim protector in Rudy Gobert. Clingan, who impressed in a recent workout for Atlanta, would provide the Hawks a potentially dominant interior presence and high-character big locked up for the near term.
Clingan had a monster close to the season, helping lead Connecticut to a second straight national title while averaging 13.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks over his last 18 games, including 16 points, 9.4 rebounds and three blocks in his last seven. After returning from early-season ankle and foot injuries and getting back up to speed, he was one of the most dominant players in college basketball and was arguably the most imposing defender in the country through his sheer presence.
In my last mock draft in early June, I noted Clingan has been viewed as a potential option to go in the top three, and that remains the case. The Hawks might view Clingan more as a potential trade-down target and believe Risacher is a better potential option if they keep the No. 1 pick. The team has a workout with Risacher scheduled this week, which could result in a change of course in one direction or another. This selection process doesn’t seem like a done deal at this stage.
Atlanta might not even be able to move down all that far if it wants Clingan, as several teams picking below the top 3, including Memphis and Chicago, are interested in him and might try to trade up themselves.
2. Washington Wizards
Alex Sarr | 7-0 big | 19 years old | Perth Wildcats
League sources continue connecting Sarr to Washington if he falls to No. 2. The Wizards, under president of basketball operations 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 are well stocked with young players, with a potential all-star big man in Alperen Şengün, plus athletic wings and forwards in Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason. Last year’s No. 4 pick, Amen Thompson, possesses similar size, but he was drafted as a point guard and played tremendously down the stretch of the 2023-24 season as a do-everything, multi-positional talent.
The Rockets don’t have a “need” among their young core positionally, which allows them to explore several avenues with this pick. Unsurprisingly, league sources continue to believe the Rockets will explore trading it. With young talent in addition to this pick and control of the Nets’ picks in 2025 (swap), 2026 (outright) and 2027 (swap), there might be no team more well-positioned to make a star trade.
For now, I went with Sheppard. His stock is polarizing, with more analytically inclined organizations seeing him as a No. 1 pick contender and others viewing him more 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. In particular, he’s an elite shooter, which is the one skill this young core lacks. While Smith can hit from the perimeter, Green has had stretches of great shot-making and Whitmore has the potential to fill it up, teams don’t guard Eason, and neither Şengün or Thompson are proficient marksmen.
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. He also blocked nearly a shot per game and grabbed 2.5 steals.
4. San Antonio Spurs
Zaccharie Risacher | 6-8 wing/forward | 19 years old | JL Bourg
Risacher remains firmly in the mix to go No. 1 overall, and his name remains connected with Atlanta. However, if he is not the No. 1 pick, it’s plausible he drops into the No. 4 or 5 range if the Rockets and Wizards like Sheppard and Sarr. League sources believe the Spurs are interested in Risacher as a player who fits Victor Wembanyama’s age timeline, but was also productive in a real professional environment this season for France’s JL Bourg.
For his part, Risacher turned on the jets in the French league playoffs, averaging 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in two series against Nanterre and Monaco. The French wing also produced at a high level in EuroCup competition. Overall, he averaged 11.1 points across 65 EuroCup and French League games while shooting 47 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from 3 and 70.7 percent from the free-throw line. He rebounded at a reasonable rate for a wing and has shown some passing and decision-making chops.
This last playoff burst was critical for Risacher’s stock. After a prolonged three-month shooting slump, Risacher seemed to be dropping. However, league sources still see Risacher as a likely top-four pick following his excellent final month.
5. Detroit Pistons
Matas Buzelis | 6-9 wing/forward | 19 years old | G League Ignite
This pick is a key swing spot in the draft. League sources are struggling to determine the preferences of new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, since he wasn’t running the show in New Orleans. However, the Pelicans have a history of taking long, rangy players such as Herb Jones, Dyson Daniels and Trey Murphy. That type of bigger wing also seems to be among the most notable positional needs for the Pistons.
Buzelis ticks that box at least, offering positional size for the wing/forward role. Players with somewhat similar profiles in last year’s class, such as Charlotte’s Brandon 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).
6. Charlotte Hornets
Stephon Castle | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut
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.
Instead, I have the Hornets drafting Castle to be a strong fit between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. My latest intel indicates Castle is likely to come off of 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 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.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Cody Williams | 6-7 wing | 19 years old | Colorado
The younger brother of blossoming Thunder wing Jalen Williams, Cody 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.
The Blazers should take another bite at filling their bigger wing role, and evaluators largely see Williams’ upside as 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 this iteration of the mock does not shake out in a way that has them move up and get him.
8. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)
Dalton Knecht | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Tennessee
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. Tidjane Salaun is still seen as 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. Matas Buzelis has been raised as an option if he were to fall to No. 8, as has Cody Williams. This also appears to be Stephon Castle’s floor if he falls on draft night. 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.
Knecht is the other name league sources have recently connected to San Antonio, and the Tennesse product makes sense considering the Spurs were among the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA last season. 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. Overall, he averaged 21.7 points per game on 46 percent from the field, but those stats are 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.
9. Memphis Grizzlies
Devin Carter | 6-2 guard | 22 years old | Providence
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 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. Team 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. 9 to 15 range are excited by Carter, and he might hear his name called higher than this.
Carter’s father is an assistant coach on the Grizzlies’ staff, so they have all of the possible intel on him. However, the Grizzlies are seen league-wide as a potential threat to trade their selection. President of basketball operations Zach Kleiman has a history of aggressively moving up the board to acquire the player he wants: Recent first-round picks Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, Jake LaRavia, Santi Aldama and Ziaire Williams were each acquired in trade-up moves. Memphis is more than willing to move around the board in either direction.
10. Utah Jazz
Tidjane Salaun | 6-9 wing/forward | 18 years old | Cholet
The Jazz continue to prioritize positional size and length, and Salaun ticks those boxes. 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.
More importantly, Salaun simply plays hard and has terrific basketball character. He is aggressive and willing to play physically in the paint despite a still-developing frame. He’d fill several different holes for Utah.
It wouldn’t be a large surprise to see the Jazz try to move up or down the board, as there are several players above them they like, including Carter and Williams, league sources tell The Athletic.
11. Chicago Bulls
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 Bulls are a difficult team to peg and have brought in a wide range of prospects for visits. Additionally, league sources are still unsure of the team’s plans with DeMar DeRozan (an unrestricted free agent), Alex Caruso and Zach LaVine this summer.
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 need another backcourt scorer and ballhandler, especially if they look to move Josh Giddey this summer before having to decide on giving him a rookie-contract extension. 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
Rob Dillingham | 6-1 guard | 19 years old | Kentucky
League sources believe the Kings want to accentuate their readymade core with other players they feel can help them win now. They only fell to 46 wins this 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.
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.
If the Kings end up keeping the pick, Dillingham would be an intriguing potential replacement for Malik Monk, another Kentucky guard who may depart in free agency with Sacramento limited in what it can offer him due to Early Bird rights.
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-22 or so picks. 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
Ron Holland | 6-7 wing | 18 years old | G League Ignite
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 struggled to impress teams during visits and at his pro day, according to league sources. However, Holland isn’t the type of player who typically impresses in those situations, so teams would be wise not to over-index on that portion of the process.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
Jared McCain | 6-2 guard | 20 years old | Duke
Many league sources believe the 76ers 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.
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.
His fit with Tyrese Maxey is not ideal because of their size, but I don’t expect Daryl Morey to draft based on fit when the 76ers have so few players under contract next season.
17. Los Angeles Lakers
Tristan da Silva | 6-8 forward | 23 years old | Colorado
The New Orleans Pelicans had an option to take the Lakers’ No. 17 pick this year or defer the pick to 2025. They decided to do the latter, which allowed the Lakers to retain this selection. This is another pick many believe is ripe to be moved as the Lakers scour the trade market for immediate upgrades around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
If they keep it, da Silva is an oft-mentioned option. Other scouts have finally come around following his strong finish to the year and play in the NCAA Tournament. 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.
18. Orlando Magic
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 with a pick within the top-20 selections. 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.
He ticks a lot of the boxes Orlando president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman tends to seek, namely positional size, a strong work ethic and character. His ability to shoot at his size would also be a nice wrinkle, and maybe the Magic can bring back fellow Australian Joe Ingles (who has a $11 million team option) to help ease Furphy’s rookie transition.
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. They could consider moving this No. 19 pick and sliding down the board to get multiple bites at the apple, depending on who is available.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyshawn George | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Miami (Fla.)
I’m not this 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. He’s 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 to this point. He scored less than three points per game in the French second division last season, 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 up 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. The Cavaliers are doing their work right now on many of the bigger wings in this draft class, as well as a few of the guards.
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via MIL)
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. Phoenix Suns
Tyler Kolek | 6-1 guard | 23 years old | Marquette
Kolek exploded onto the scene before suffering 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 in the NBA, 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.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (via NOP)
Kel’el Ware | 20 years old | 7-0 big | Indiana
The Bucks need depth across the board, especially in younger players who can fit specific long-term needs around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Brook Lopez only has one year left on his contract before hitting free agency again, and it’s hard to find players like him for a bargain in free agency, which is the pool the Bucks will need to swim in given their contractual obligations to Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Khris Middleton.
Ware ticks the box of a drop-coverage big they could develop under Lopez’s tutelage for a year before hopefully giving him more playing time to become an effective NBA player. He needs to work on bringing the same defensive intensity on every possession, but his tools are elite at 7-foot with a near 7-5 wingspan. If he hit under Doc Rivers, it would be an enormous win for the organization to solve a potential problem down the road at the center spot.
24. New York Knicks (via Mavericks)
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 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.
The Knicks could use a player to allow them to flash a five-out look. Filipowski would unlock that option while bringing the kind of rebounding and intensity to the court Tom Thibodeau would connect with more than other coaches.
25. New York Knicks
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 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.
The Knicks are another team that could trade at least one of their three picks in the top 40. In the past, the Knicks have tried to add future draft picks to create more potential avenues to complete trades. Don’t be surprised to see them try to extend these assets further out into the future again.
26. Washington Wizards (via Clippers)
Isaiah Collier | 6-3 guard | 19 years old | USC
This would represent a long slide for Collier, but league sources are having trouble finding his floor right now. 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? The Wizards would be thrilled with this result, as they could use a high-upside option at the lead guard spot.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves
DaRon Holmes | 6-9 big | 21 years old | Dayton
Holmes had an outstanding season at Dayton, winning 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.
Another big might not seem like a need for the Wolves, but this team is about to get expensive. Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns take up a ton of cap space, and Naz Reid can potentially hit free agency again in 2025. If the team wants to continue its two-big alignment, Holmes is seen as a potential 4 or 5 option by some teams.
28. Denver Nuggets
Jaylon Tyson | 6-6 wing | 21 years old | California
Tyson has gone on a real journey. After entering college as a top-40 player in his recruiting class, Tyson went from Texas to Texas Tech to Cal in three years before finally emerging as an NBA prospect this past season. At 6-7 with long arms, he has great measurements for the NBA. He’s not an explosive player, but he’s powerful and isn’t bothered by contact, allowing him to get the most out of his length and athleticism. He averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3.
The Nuggets tend to draft older players under general manager Calvin Booth, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they viewed Tyson as the kind of player who could potentially create shots in their second unit — especially if they lose Reggie Jackson and promote Christian Braun to the starting lineup if Kentavious Caldwell-Pope departs in free agency.
29. Utah Jazz (via Thunder)
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 5-on-5 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.
30. Boston Celtics
Tyler Smith | 6-9 big | 19 years old | G League Ignite
Smith averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds this season while drilling 36 percent from 3, and measured at 6-9 without shoes to pair with a 7-1 wingspan. He was effective within a limited role where he pick-and-popped, cut to the rim and dove to the hoop out of ball screens. His jumper is silky smooth; it looks like he could become one of the better shooters in the league at this size.
Defensively, there are some worries. It will take him time to keep developing on that end, and I wouldn’t be confident putting him on an NBA floor from day one. But Boston could bring him along slowly, and his shot would be valuable to their style of play as a frontcourt player.
Second Round
31. Toronto Raptors (via Pistons): Bobi Klintman | 6-9 wing/forward | 20 years old | Cairns Taipans
32. Utah Jazz (via Wizards): Cam Christie | 6-5 wing | 18 years old | Minnesota
33. Milwaukee Bucks (via Trail Blazers): A.J. Johnson | 6-4 guard | 19 years old | Illawarra
34. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hornets): Pacôme Dadiet | 6-8 wing | 18 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm
35. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Djurišić | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Mega
36. Indiana Pacers (via Raptors): Ajay Mitchell | 6-3 guard | 22 years old | UC Santa Barbara
37. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Grizzlies): Terrence Shannon Jr. | 6-6 wing | 23 years old | Illinois
38. New York Knicks (via Jazz): Jamal Shead | 6-0 guard | 21 years old | Houston
39. Memphis Grizzlies (via Nets): Adem Bona | 6-8 big | 21 years old | UCLA
40. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks): Pelle Larsson | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Arizona
41. Philadelphia 76ers (via Bulls): Enrique Freeman | 6-7 forward | 23 years old | Akron
42. Charlotte Hornets (via Rockets): Jaylen Wells | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Washington State
43. Miami Heat: Cam Spencer | 6-3 guard | 24 years old | Connecticut
44. Houston Rockets (via Warriors): Jonathan Mogbo | 6-6 big | 22 years old | San Francisco
45. Sacramento Kings: Tristen Newton | 6-3 guard | 23 years old | Connecticut
46. LA Clippers (via Pacers): Oso Ighodaro | 6-10 big | 21 years old | Marquette
47. Orlando Magic: Harrison Ingram | 6-5 wing | 21 years old | North Carolina
48. San Antonio Spurs (via Lakers): Melvin Ajinca | 6-6 wing | 20 years old | Saint-Quentin
49. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Trey Alexander | 6-3 guard | 21 years old | Creighton
50. Indiana Pacers (via Pelicans): P.J. Hall | 6-8 big | 22 years old | Clemson
51. Washington Wizards (via Suns): Juan Núñez | 6-3 guard | 20 years old Ratiopharm Ulm
52. Golden State Warriors (via Bucks): Kevin McCullar | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Kansas
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
We have less than a week until the 2024 NBA Draft, and we have just as much clarity about what will happen as we did about a month ago. By that, I mean we have little clarity.
The Atlanta Hawks hold all the cards with the No. 1 pick, and league sources are still unsure of their plans. The Hawks seem to have several potential options as they sort through a draft class that does not have typical quality at the top.
As one NBA executive told me earlier this week, this class, unlike most that feature certainty with its top prospects, has an inordinate number of eye-of-the-beholder talents. Do you believe Zaccharie Risacher has significant athletic upside? Do you think Donovan Clingan can stay on the court in the playoffs? Do you believe Alex Sarr’s offensive game will keep developing? Do you think Stephon Castle will become at least a competent perimeter shooter? Do you think Reed Sheppard’s size is a significant hindrance? These are the top five players on my board, yet questions like these have been regularly bandied about in front offices all over the league. How key decision-makers answer those fundamental questions — as well as several others regarding the players I rank below them — will determine the outcome of this draft.
NBA teams largely agree this is a down class from the top of the draft through the top-10. However, many believe the middle of the first round, going all the way to the No. 20-25 range, features intriguing options before the class levels out again in the second round. Most of the intriguing wings are likely to be taken near the top of the class, with that middle portion of the first round littered with big men and guard depth that could yield several long-term NBA players. I anticipate fewer All-Stars this season than the six or so that come from a normal draft class, but the number of players who stick in the NBA may be about the same.
Here’s where we stand one week out. (Ages listed are as of draft night; heights listed are NBA Draft Combine or G League Elite Camp measurements without shoes, when available):
First Round
1. Atlanta Hawks
Donovan Clingan | 7-2 center | 20 years old | Connecticut
The conversation around the Hawks has been fascinating to track. Despite Hawks’ general manager Landry Fields saying the team is comfortable selecting at No. 1, league sources continue to get the impression Atlanta is open to offers for the right deal.
One reason: Clingan is the name I have heard linked with the Hawks most often over this past week. He wouldn’t be the sexiest pick, but would fill a few objectives for Atlanta. Firstly, the organization has not yet shown any indication of rebuilding, so it might prefer to select a player who can fit with its roster sooner rather than later. Secondly, coach Quin Snyder had success in Utah building around an elite big man screener and rim protector in Rudy Gobert. Clingan, who impressed in a recent workout for Atlanta, would provide the Hawks a potentially dominant interior presence and high-character big locked up for the near term.
Clingan had a monster close to the season, helping lead Connecticut to a second straight national title while averaging 13.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks over his last 18 games, including 16 points, 9.4 rebounds and three blocks in his last seven. After returning from early-season ankle and foot injuries and getting back up to speed, he was one of the most dominant players in college basketball and was arguably the most imposing defender in the country through his sheer presence.
In my last mock draft in early June, I noted Clingan has been viewed as a potential option to go in the top three, and that remains the case. The Hawks might view Clingan more as a potential trade-down target and believe Risacher is a better potential option if they keep the No. 1 pick. The team has a workout with Risacher scheduled this week, which could result in a change of course in one direction or another. This selection process doesn’t seem like a done deal at this stage.
Atlanta might not even be able to move down all that far if it wants Clingan, as several teams picking below the top 3, including Memphis and Chicago, are interested in him and might try to trade up themselves.
2. Washington Wizards
Alex Sarr | 7-0 big | 19 years old | Perth Wildcats
League sources continue connecting Sarr to Washington if he falls to No. 2. The Wizards, under president of basketball operations 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 are well stocked with young players, with a potential all-star big man in Alperen Şengün, plus athletic wings and forwards in Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason. Last year’s No. 4 pick, Amen Thompson, possesses similar size, but he was drafted as a point guard and played tremendously down the stretch of the 2023-24 season as a do-everything, multi-positional talent.
The Rockets don’t have a “need” among their young core positionally, which allows them to explore several avenues with this pick. Unsurprisingly, league sources continue to believe the Rockets will explore trading it. With young talent in addition to this pick and control of the Nets’ picks in 2025 (swap), 2026 (outright) and 2027 (swap), there might be no team more well-positioned to make a star trade.
For now, I went with Sheppard. His stock is polarizing, with more analytically inclined organizations seeing him as a No. 1 pick contender and others viewing him more 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. In particular, he’s an elite shooter, which is the one skill this young core lacks. While Smith can hit from the perimeter, Green has had stretches of great shot-making and Whitmore has the potential to fill it up, teams don’t guard Eason, and neither Şengün or Thompson are proficient marksmen.
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. He also blocked nearly a shot per game and grabbed 2.5 steals.
4. San Antonio Spurs
Zaccharie Risacher | 6-8 wing/forward | 19 years old | JL Bourg
Risacher remains firmly in the mix to go No. 1 overall, and his name remains connected with Atlanta. However, if he is not the No. 1 pick, it’s plausible he drops into the No. 4 or 5 range if the Rockets and Wizards like Sheppard and Sarr. League sources believe the Spurs are interested in Risacher as a player who fits Victor Wembanyama’s age timeline, but was also productive in a real professional environment this season for France’s JL Bourg.
For his part, Risacher turned on the jets in the French league playoffs, averaging 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in two series against Nanterre and Monaco. The French wing also produced at a high level in EuroCup competition. Overall, he averaged 11.1 points across 65 EuroCup and French League games while shooting 47 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from 3 and 70.7 percent from the free-throw line. He rebounded at a reasonable rate for a wing and has shown some passing and decision-making chops.
This last playoff burst was critical for Risacher’s stock. After a prolonged three-month shooting slump, Risacher seemed to be dropping. However, league sources still see Risacher as a likely top-four pick following his excellent final month.
5. Detroit Pistons
Matas Buzelis | 6-9 wing/forward | 19 years old | G League Ignite
This pick is a key swing spot in the draft. League sources are struggling to determine the preferences of new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, since he wasn’t running the show in New Orleans. However, the Pelicans have a history of taking long, rangy players such as Herb Jones, Dyson Daniels and Trey Murphy. That type of bigger wing also seems to be among the most notable positional needs for the Pistons.
Buzelis ticks that box at least, offering positional size for the wing/forward role. Players with somewhat similar profiles in last year’s class, such as Charlotte’s Brandon 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).
6. Charlotte Hornets
Stephon Castle | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Connecticut
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.
Instead, I have the Hornets drafting Castle to be a strong fit between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. My latest intel indicates Castle is likely to come off of 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 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.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Cody Williams | 6-7 wing | 19 years old | Colorado
The younger brother of blossoming Thunder wing Jalen Williams, Cody 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.
The Blazers should take another bite at filling their bigger wing role, and evaluators largely see Williams’ upside as 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 this iteration of the mock does not shake out in a way that has them move up and get him.
8. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)
Dalton Knecht | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Tennessee
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. Tidjane Salaun is still seen as 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. Matas Buzelis has been raised as an option if he were to fall to No. 8, as has Cody Williams. This also appears to be Stephon Castle’s floor if he falls on draft night. 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.
Knecht is the other name league sources have recently connected to San Antonio, and the Tennesse product makes sense considering the Spurs were among the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA last season. 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. Overall, he averaged 21.7 points per game on 46 percent from the field, but those stats are 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.
9. Memphis Grizzlies
Devin Carter | 6-2 guard | 22 years old | Providence
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 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. Team 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. 9 to 15 range are excited by Carter, and he might hear his name called higher than this.
Carter’s father is an assistant coach on the Grizzlies’ staff, so they have all of the possible intel on him. However, the Grizzlies are seen league-wide as a potential threat to trade their selection. President of basketball operations Zach Kleiman has a history of aggressively moving up the board to acquire the player he wants: Recent first-round picks Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, Jake LaRavia, Santi Aldama and Ziaire Williams were each acquired in trade-up moves. Memphis is more than willing to move around the board in either direction.
10. Utah Jazz
Tidjane Salaun | 6-9 wing/forward | 18 years old | Cholet
The Jazz continue to prioritize positional size and length, and Salaun ticks those boxes. 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.
More importantly, Salaun simply plays hard and has terrific basketball character. He is aggressive and willing to play physically in the paint despite a still-developing frame. He’d fill several different holes for Utah.
It wouldn’t be a large surprise to see the Jazz try to move up or down the board, as there are several players above them they like, including Carter and Williams, league sources tell The Athletic.
11. Chicago Bulls
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 Bulls are a difficult team to peg and have brought in a wide range of prospects for visits. Additionally, league sources are still unsure of the team’s plans with DeMar DeRozan (an unrestricted free agent), Alex Caruso and Zach LaVine this summer.
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 need another backcourt scorer and ballhandler, especially if they look to move Josh Giddey this summer before having to decide on giving him a rookie-contract extension. 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
Rob Dillingham | 6-1 guard | 19 years old | Kentucky
League sources believe the Kings want to accentuate their readymade core with other players they feel can help them win now. They only fell to 46 wins this 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.
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.
If the Kings end up keeping the pick, Dillingham would be an intriguing potential replacement for Malik Monk, another Kentucky guard who may depart in free agency with Sacramento limited in what it can offer him due to Early Bird rights.
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-22 or so picks. 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
Ron Holland | 6-7 wing | 18 years old | G League Ignite
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 struggled to impress teams during visits and at his pro day, according to league sources. However, Holland isn’t the type of player who typically impresses in those situations, so teams would be wise not to over-index on that portion of the process.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
Jared McCain | 6-2 guard | 20 years old | Duke
Many league sources believe the 76ers 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.
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.
His fit with Tyrese Maxey is not ideal because of their size, but I don’t expect Daryl Morey to draft based on fit when the 76ers have so few players under contract next season.
17. Los Angeles Lakers
Tristan da Silva | 6-8 forward | 23 years old | Colorado
The New Orleans Pelicans had an option to take the Lakers’ No. 17 pick this year or defer the pick to 2025. They decided to do the latter, which allowed the Lakers to retain this selection. This is another pick many believe is ripe to be moved as the Lakers scour the trade market for immediate upgrades around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
If they keep it, da Silva is an oft-mentioned option. Other scouts have finally come around following his strong finish to the year and play in the NCAA Tournament. 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.
18. Orlando Magic
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 with a pick within the top-20 selections. 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.
He ticks a lot of the boxes Orlando president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman tends to seek, namely positional size, a strong work ethic and character. His ability to shoot at his size would also be a nice wrinkle, and maybe the Magic can bring back fellow Australian Joe Ingles (who has a $11 million team option) to help ease Furphy’s rookie transition.
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. They could consider moving this No. 19 pick and sliding down the board to get multiple bites at the apple, depending on who is available.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyshawn George | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Miami (Fla.)
I’m not this 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. He’s 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 to this point. He scored less than three points per game in the French second division last season, 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 up 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. The Cavaliers are doing their work right now on many of the bigger wings in this draft class, as well as a few of the guards.
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via MIL)
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. Phoenix Suns
Tyler Kolek | 6-1 guard | 23 years old | Marquette
Kolek exploded onto the scene before suffering 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 in the NBA, 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.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (via NOP)
Kel’el Ware | 20 years old | 7-0 big | Indiana
The Bucks need depth across the board, especially in younger players who can fit specific long-term needs around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Brook Lopez only has one year left on his contract before hitting free agency again, and it’s hard to find players like him for a bargain in free agency, which is the pool the Bucks will need to swim in given their contractual obligations to Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Khris Middleton.
Ware ticks the box of a drop-coverage big they could develop under Lopez’s tutelage for a year before hopefully giving him more playing time to become an effective NBA player. He needs to work on bringing the same defensive intensity on every possession, but his tools are elite at 7-foot with a near 7-5 wingspan. If he hit under Doc Rivers, it would be an enormous win for the organization to solve a potential problem down the road at the center spot.
24. New York Knicks (via Mavericks)
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 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.
The Knicks could use a player to allow them to flash a five-out look. Filipowski would unlock that option while bringing the kind of rebounding and intensity to the court Tom Thibodeau would connect with more than other coaches.
25. New York Knicks
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 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.
The Knicks are another team that could trade at least one of their three picks in the top 40. In the past, the Knicks have tried to add future draft picks to create more potential avenues to complete trades. Don’t be surprised to see them try to extend these assets further out into the future again.
26. Washington Wizards (via Clippers)
Isaiah Collier | 6-3 guard | 19 years old | USC
This would represent a long slide for Collier, but league sources are having trouble finding his floor right now. 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? The Wizards would be thrilled with this result, as they could use a high-upside option at the lead guard spot.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves
DaRon Holmes | 6-9 big | 21 years old | Dayton
Holmes had an outstanding season at Dayton, winning 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.
Another big might not seem like a need for the Wolves, but this team is about to get expensive. Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns take up a ton of cap space, and Naz Reid can potentially hit free agency again in 2025. If the team wants to continue its two-big alignment, Holmes is seen as a potential 4 or 5 option by some teams.
28. Denver Nuggets
Jaylon Tyson | 6-6 wing | 21 years old | California
Tyson has gone on a real journey. After entering college as a top-40 player in his recruiting class, Tyson went from Texas to Texas Tech to Cal in three years before finally emerging as an NBA prospect this past season. At 6-7 with long arms, he has great measurements for the NBA. He’s not an explosive player, but he’s powerful and isn’t bothered by contact, allowing him to get the most out of his length and athleticism. He averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3.
The Nuggets tend to draft older players under general manager Calvin Booth, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they viewed Tyson as the kind of player who could potentially create shots in their second unit — especially if they lose Reggie Jackson and promote Christian Braun to the starting lineup if Kentavious Caldwell-Pope departs in free agency.
29. Utah Jazz (via Thunder)
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 5-on-5 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.
30. Boston Celtics
Tyler Smith | 6-9 big | 19 years old | G League Ignite
Smith averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds this season while drilling 36 percent from 3, and measured at 6-9 without shoes to pair with a 7-1 wingspan. He was effective within a limited role where he pick-and-popped, cut to the rim and dove to the hoop out of ball screens. His jumper is silky smooth; it looks like he could become one of the better shooters in the league at this size.
Defensively, there are some worries. It will take him time to keep developing on that end, and I wouldn’t be confident putting him on an NBA floor from day one. But Boston could bring him along slowly, and his shot would be valuable to their style of play as a frontcourt player.
Second Round
31. Toronto Raptors (via Pistons): Bobi Klintman | 6-9 wing/forward | 20 years old | Cairns Taipans
32. Utah Jazz (via Wizards): Cam Christie | 6-5 wing | 18 years old | Minnesota
33. Milwaukee Bucks (via Trail Blazers): A.J. Johnson | 6-4 guard | 19 years old | Illawarra
34. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hornets): Pacôme Dadiet | 6-8 wing | 18 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm
35. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Djurišić | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Mega
36. Indiana Pacers (via Raptors): Ajay Mitchell | 6-3 guard | 22 years old | UC Santa Barbara
37. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Grizzlies): Terrence Shannon Jr. | 6-6 wing | 23 years old | Illinois
38. New York Knicks (via Jazz): Jamal Shead | 6-0 guard | 21 years old | Houston
39. Memphis Grizzlies (via Nets): Adem Bona | 6-8 big | 21 years old | UCLA
40. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks): Pelle Larsson | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Arizona
41. Philadelphia 76ers (via Bulls): Enrique Freeman | 6-7 forward | 23 years old | Akron
42. Charlotte Hornets (via Rockets): Jaylen Wells | 6-7 wing | 20 years old | Washington State
43. Miami Heat: Cam Spencer | 6-3 guard | 24 years old | Connecticut
44. Houston Rockets (via Warriors): Jonathan Mogbo | 6-6 big | 22 years old | San Francisco
45. Sacramento Kings: Tristen Newton | 6-3 guard | 23 years old | Connecticut
46. LA Clippers (via Pacers): Oso Ighodaro | 6-10 big | 21 years old | Marquette
47. Orlando Magic: Harrison Ingram | 6-5 wing | 21 years old | North Carolina
48. San Antonio Spurs (via Lakers): Melvin Ajinca | 6-6 wing | 20 years old | Saint-Quentin
49. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Trey Alexander | 6-3 guard | 21 years old | Creighton
50. Indiana Pacers (via Pelicans): P.J. Hall | 6-8 big | 22 years old | Clemson
51. Washington Wizards (via Suns): Juan Núñez | 6-3 guard | 20 years old Ratiopharm Ulm
52. Golden State Warriors (via Bucks): Kevin McCullar | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Kansas
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
- 48,643
- 28,907
- 29,181
- 41,522
Does he realistically deserve a chance in the pro's without the nepotism?
In this “weak” draft? Probably yes.
In most other drafts with better prospects? No.
This kind of is the perfect draft for Bronny
- 72,825
- 116,947
People had gone way too far on the Edey hate. He’s definitely going top 20. Never understood why people thought he automatically couldn't play backup minutes.
- 92,339
- 128,070
Houston Rockets draft notebook 2.0: Big board debates, domino effect and more
In less than a week, we’ll know the fate of 58 draft hopefuls.
Teams are in the final stages of preparation, having had several players come to their respective facilities for workouts, interviews and additional research. Big boards are being finalized, if they aren’t already cemented. Between now and June 26, the trade talks will heat up and debates will intensify.
For the Houston Rockets, the next few days are critical. The No. 3 pick is a topic of interest around the league and Houston, in a position where the playoffs are within reach after a 41-41 season, have important decisions to make.
In draft notebook 2.0, we’ll look at big boards coming into focus, the potential domino effect and more.
• As the days until the June 26 draft edge closer, there’s a growing sense among rival teams that the Rockets are in a unique position of strength — a combination of owning the No. 3 pick, its increasing leaguewide interest and the potential domino effect across the rest of the lottery.
The assumption of a team holding leverage, especially in a class without a consensus No. 1 pick and a franchise picking outside the top two, could be seen as exaggerated. But recently, the Rockets brass has been made aware of certain draft-centric aspects: Rapidly growing interest in Connecticut’s Donovan Clingan and Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard and the desire of rival teams to jump ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, who hold the No. 4 and No. 8 picks.
• There have been several teams that have expressed a desire to move to No. 3 but there are three teams, according to team and league sources that have been most vocal: Charlotte, Memphis and Portland. The Grizzlies and Hornets, in particular, have been rather aggressive in their hopes of acquiring the No. 3 pick, sources said.
As mentioned earlier, the focus of those interested parties is centered around Clingan and Sheppard, with all three franchises having high grades on the pair of incoming rookies. Rival teams also have enough reason to believe that assuming no surprises, both Clingan and Sheppard could be among the first four names off the board called by commissioner Adam Silver. This, of course, is a gamble considering Perth’s Alex Sarr and JL Bourg’s Zaccharie Risacher in the top two is less of a certainty as it might have been a few weeks ago with the Atlanta Hawks also linked with Clingan.
• This is quite different from the position Houston found themselves in during the 2022 draft where they simply hoped to select whoever was left out of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. The Rockets are prepared to draft at three but continue to express openness in moving the pick. Ideally, Houston would move the selection in a trade that would land a star player — and they have continued to keep tabs around the league, making calls and floating offers — but the reality is there just isn’t a lot of activity or movement on the star market.
For example, Houston would love to add a player like Donovan Mitchell but recent reports suggest the All-NBA guard is likely to sign an extension to stay in Cleveland. In notebook 1.0, New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram was mentioned as a player seen in a lower tier than Mitchell and in recent days, rumors have swirled about the Pelicans dangling Ingram in trade talks and in one iteration, a hypothetical Ingram-for-Alperen Şengün swap was mentioned, but the Rockets have no interest, team sources said. League sources said New Orleans also contacted the Philadelphia 76ers concerning a possible Ingram trade.
• The third draft night possibility involves the Rockets moving back, and collecting additional draft capital, significant enough to warrant Houston relinquishing its top-three selection. In this instance, the Grizzlies pose an interesting option. Both general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka are fans of veteran guard Marcus Smart, league sources said. Is there a possibility Memphis could entice Houston by offering Smart in addition to the No. 9 pick and future assets, to move up and grab Clingan if he isn’t already gone? Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, who has fans within the Rockets organization, could be available if Houston were to move back.
• The most intriguing aspect of the Rockets’ predraft planning isn’t so much what other teams are offering or expecting them to do. Houston’s internal debate — especially this year in a wide-open draft — is compelling. Historically, the braintrust goes to great lengths to ensure a thorough process, a period that typically involves debates about individual player rankings before one composite big board is formed. Now, with Udoka’s presence a significant factor in decision-making, various league sources believe Houston’s big board planning involves three branches in addition to the other respected voices in the war room:
• Sheppard will visit the Rockets by the end of the week, team sources said, but up until this point, Houston has encountered some difficulties in scheduling workouts with top prospects. For example, Clingan and Şengün share the same agent, and the expectation for a top prospect being taken is that they will play. On the surface, minutes at center under Udoka appear slim with Şengün and Steven Adams on the roster — which presents a conflict of interest. Another example is Castle, who has been steadfast about his desired point guard position which impacts which teams he chooses to visit.
• Houston’s draft prep has also started debates around players in consideration for the 44th pick, with names like Jonathon Mogbo, Cam Christie, Terrence Shannon Jr., K.J. Simpson, Adem Bona, Oso Ighodaro and more in discussions. However, a decent number of these names may end up in the back portion of the first round. This week, the Rockets will work out Clemson’s PJ Hall, Texas’ Dylan Disu, St. John’s Daniss Jenkins, Washington State’s Jaylen Wells and others.
More notes
• The Spurs, who recently worked out both Castle and Providence’s Devin Carter, have their eyes set on acquiring a guard on draft night, league sources said. Carter, Castle and Sheppard hold strong interest, with Carter’s impressive private showing resonating with Spurs brass.
• With free agency beginning 72 hours after the conclusion of the draft, the Rockets have also begun preparing offseason roster-building plans. Shooting is seen as paramount but simply adding sharpshooters who can’t defend is not ideal. So, a player like Doug McDermott wouldn’t be a fit with Udoka.
Two-way veterans like Alec Burks, Gary Harris, Talen Horton-Tucker and Saddiq Bey (among others) are of interest, but Bey’s restricted free agency makes things difficult. Free agent Eric Gordon is “50-50” on a return to Phoenix, according to a source close to the veteran guard, but is also interested in a Rockets reunion. Other names of interest like Sacramento’s Malik Monk are in line for a substantial payday, and the Rockets only have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12.8 million) to offer.
In less than a week, we’ll know the fate of 58 draft hopefuls.
Teams are in the final stages of preparation, having had several players come to their respective facilities for workouts, interviews and additional research. Big boards are being finalized, if they aren’t already cemented. Between now and June 26, the trade talks will heat up and debates will intensify.
For the Houston Rockets, the next few days are critical. The No. 3 pick is a topic of interest around the league and Houston, in a position where the playoffs are within reach after a 41-41 season, have important decisions to make.
In draft notebook 2.0, we’ll look at big boards coming into focus, the potential domino effect and more.
• As the days until the June 26 draft edge closer, there’s a growing sense among rival teams that the Rockets are in a unique position of strength — a combination of owning the No. 3 pick, its increasing leaguewide interest and the potential domino effect across the rest of the lottery.
The assumption of a team holding leverage, especially in a class without a consensus No. 1 pick and a franchise picking outside the top two, could be seen as exaggerated. But recently, the Rockets brass has been made aware of certain draft-centric aspects: Rapidly growing interest in Connecticut’s Donovan Clingan and Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard and the desire of rival teams to jump ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, who hold the No. 4 and No. 8 picks.
• There have been several teams that have expressed a desire to move to No. 3 but there are three teams, according to team and league sources that have been most vocal: Charlotte, Memphis and Portland. The Grizzlies and Hornets, in particular, have been rather aggressive in their hopes of acquiring the No. 3 pick, sources said.
As mentioned earlier, the focus of those interested parties is centered around Clingan and Sheppard, with all three franchises having high grades on the pair of incoming rookies. Rival teams also have enough reason to believe that assuming no surprises, both Clingan and Sheppard could be among the first four names off the board called by commissioner Adam Silver. This, of course, is a gamble considering Perth’s Alex Sarr and JL Bourg’s Zaccharie Risacher in the top two is less of a certainty as it might have been a few weeks ago with the Atlanta Hawks also linked with Clingan.
• This is quite different from the position Houston found themselves in during the 2022 draft where they simply hoped to select whoever was left out of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. The Rockets are prepared to draft at three but continue to express openness in moving the pick. Ideally, Houston would move the selection in a trade that would land a star player — and they have continued to keep tabs around the league, making calls and floating offers — but the reality is there just isn’t a lot of activity or movement on the star market.
For example, Houston would love to add a player like Donovan Mitchell but recent reports suggest the All-NBA guard is likely to sign an extension to stay in Cleveland. In notebook 1.0, New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram was mentioned as a player seen in a lower tier than Mitchell and in recent days, rumors have swirled about the Pelicans dangling Ingram in trade talks and in one iteration, a hypothetical Ingram-for-Alperen Şengün swap was mentioned, but the Rockets have no interest, team sources said. League sources said New Orleans also contacted the Philadelphia 76ers concerning a possible Ingram trade.
• The third draft night possibility involves the Rockets moving back, and collecting additional draft capital, significant enough to warrant Houston relinquishing its top-three selection. In this instance, the Grizzlies pose an interesting option. Both general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka are fans of veteran guard Marcus Smart, league sources said. Is there a possibility Memphis could entice Houston by offering Smart in addition to the No. 9 pick and future assets, to move up and grab Clingan if he isn’t already gone? Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, who has fans within the Rockets organization, could be available if Houston were to move back.
• The most intriguing aspect of the Rockets’ predraft planning isn’t so much what other teams are offering or expecting them to do. Houston’s internal debate — especially this year in a wide-open draft — is compelling. Historically, the braintrust goes to great lengths to ensure a thorough process, a period that typically involves debates about individual player rankings before one composite big board is formed. Now, with Udoka’s presence a significant factor in decision-making, various league sources believe Houston’s big board planning involves three branches in addition to the other respected voices in the war room:
- The upside and positional versatility angle, spearheaded by Stone.
- The analytical angle, courtesy of assistant general manager Eli Witus.
- The win-now, defensive-oriented angle, from Udoka.
• Sheppard will visit the Rockets by the end of the week, team sources said, but up until this point, Houston has encountered some difficulties in scheduling workouts with top prospects. For example, Clingan and Şengün share the same agent, and the expectation for a top prospect being taken is that they will play. On the surface, minutes at center under Udoka appear slim with Şengün and Steven Adams on the roster — which presents a conflict of interest. Another example is Castle, who has been steadfast about his desired point guard position which impacts which teams he chooses to visit.
• Houston’s draft prep has also started debates around players in consideration for the 44th pick, with names like Jonathon Mogbo, Cam Christie, Terrence Shannon Jr., K.J. Simpson, Adem Bona, Oso Ighodaro and more in discussions. However, a decent number of these names may end up in the back portion of the first round. This week, the Rockets will work out Clemson’s PJ Hall, Texas’ Dylan Disu, St. John’s Daniss Jenkins, Washington State’s Jaylen Wells and others.
More notes
• The Spurs, who recently worked out both Castle and Providence’s Devin Carter, have their eyes set on acquiring a guard on draft night, league sources said. Carter, Castle and Sheppard hold strong interest, with Carter’s impressive private showing resonating with Spurs brass.
• With free agency beginning 72 hours after the conclusion of the draft, the Rockets have also begun preparing offseason roster-building plans. Shooting is seen as paramount but simply adding sharpshooters who can’t defend is not ideal. So, a player like Doug McDermott wouldn’t be a fit with Udoka.
Two-way veterans like Alec Burks, Gary Harris, Talen Horton-Tucker and Saddiq Bey (among others) are of interest, but Bey’s restricted free agency makes things difficult. Free agent Eric Gordon is “50-50” on a return to Phoenix, according to a source close to the veteran guard, but is also interested in a Rockets reunion. Other names of interest like Sacramento’s Malik Monk are in line for a substantial payday, and the Rockets only have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12.8 million) to offer.
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Boban Marjanovic is the same size as him and is a career 10mpg. Edey definitely could carve out a career of 10-15 minutes per game. If he turns out better than that, he’s a hell of a bargain. 7’4” 280+ is definitely worth being drafted and all NBA teams would take that risk if given the chance.
Again, especially in this draft. No one should be upset if he’s drafted in the top 25. Especially with some of the terrible 7 footers that’ve been drafted.
I always felt like Edey was worth a first round pick
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These playoffs showed the value of having big man depth and versatility. Celtics had multiple guys, Dallas had multiple guys, Minnesota, even the Knicks were able to withstand all their injuries for a while because of their big depth.
Like if you're OKC, you really couldn't picture yourself bringing Edey off the bench for like 15 min a game and surrounding him with shooting and perimeter defense? Miami, Sacramento, Philly, Lakers. All could use a guy like that.
Once you start hitting the late lotto, the whole point of this draft is to add depth pieces.
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How dare you mention Boston and not name guys like Queta and kornet
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