With the 2024 NBA draft lottery set, the Hawks were rewarded with the first overall pick in June. This is a surprising outcome for Atlanta, as the team only had a fraction of the percentage to land a top-four pick this year.
Nonetheless, even if this year’s class is widely perceived as one of the weakest in years, it’s fairly hard to predict the future of these young athletes who all share one dream: becoming NBA players.
This is the 2024 NBA First-Round Mock Draft For All 30 Picks: 5.0.
Which NBA prospects will go to your team in this year’s draft class?
1. Atlanta Hawks – F Alex Sarr (France)
Sarr’s grip on the top spot in this year’s draft has been solid in the past couple of weeks. Scouts agree that he will likely become a solid starter after a few years in the NBA. With an emerging outside game, the Hawks would be hard-pressed to draft a player oozing with potential like the French big man.
2. Washington Wizards – G Zaccharie Risacher (France)
The Wizards desperately need a win with their selection in this year’s draft, and the 6-foot-10 wing Risacher could become a great player for them in the future. He had some ups and downs during his time playing professionally in France, but there’s still a lot to like about his game. He can shoot and defend at a high rate.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
3. Houston Rockets – G Rob Dillingham (Kentucky)
It’s hard not to see the Lou Williams comparison that scouts often associate with Dillingham. He’s fast and shifty with the ball and a lethal scorer off the bounce. If the Rockets want to have a solid sixth man on the roster as they gear up for a playoff push next season, then the Kentucky guard is their man.
4. San Antonio Spurs – G Nikola Topic (Serbia)
It’s no secret that San Antonio is looking for a young point guard to pair with their star big man, Victor Wembanyama. Serbia’s Nikola Topic will be the most intriguing option for them here, as he’s big and savvy as a floor general. Under the tutelage of Coach Pop, there’s a huge chance that he’ll emerge as one of the best players in this NBA draft class.
5. Detroit Pistons – F Matas Buzelis(G-League Ignite)
Having the worst record in the league won’t guarantee a top selection, and the Pistons certainly are the prime example of that. With that being said, selecting the fifth spot isn’t that bad, either. They need the best talent available, and Matas Buzelis will be a great option for them here. He already knows how the NBA works, and he was impressive during his lone season with the Ignite.
6. Charlotte Hornets – G Ron Holland (G-League Ignite)
Holland struggled a bit while playing with the G-League Ignite, but the potential to become a solid player has always been there for the soon-to-be 19-year-old. He has a great motor and could run all day long on an NBA court. His three-point shot needs some work, but due to his young age, it isn’t a major problem for now.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – G Stephon Castle (UConn)
The Blazers have many roster holes to fill, and one of them is their backcourt rotation. The consensus around Stephon Castle’s draft status is that he was not able to showcase his skills fully on a loaded UConn team last season, and the NBA is a much better fit for him moving forward.
8. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto Raptors) – G Cody Williams (Colorado)
With Nikola Topic as their point guard of the future, the Spurs will certainly draft another young prospect who could become part of their future core. Colorado’s Cody Williams will be a great selection at the eighth spot due to his intriguing skillset on both offense and defense. He has a similar playstyle to his brother, OKC’s Jalen Williams.
9. Memphis Grizzlies – C Donovan Clingan (UConn)
Due to his constant activity under the paint, UConn’s Donovan Clingan should fit seamlessly as a member of the Grizzlies from day one. Just imagine a frontcourt of Jalen Jackson Jr. and Donovan Clingan. The ball would get swatted at a high rate, and Memphis would have their frontcourt of the future.
10. Utah Jazz – G Reed Sheppard (Kentucky)
One of the main reasons the Jazz were so inconsistent last season was due to their backcourt rotation woes. Reed Sheppard should provide huge relief at the point guard spot for Utah from the get-go. He’s a good passer and lethal from the three-point line. Could this be another John Stockton-like match for them?
11. Chicago Bulls – G Dalton Knecht (Tennesee)
With the Bulls committing to run their current roster again next season, they may look for a prospect who is ready to contribute to them from day one. Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht was one of the best players in college last season and could immediately find a role within the team the moment he puts on a Bulls jersey.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (From Houston Rockets) – F Tidjane Salaun (France)
Salaun’s rise to the top of other mock drafts did not happen overnight. Due to his strong play on both ends of the floor and emerging play, many scouts are finding some similarities between him and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the Thunder perfecting positionless basketball, Salaun would be a great addition to this team next season.
13. Sacramento Kings – C Kyle Filipowski (Duke)
Whenever Domantas Sabonis sits, the Kings offense takes a hit. They need a young backup big man who can play 15 minutes a night without compromising much of their offensive and defensive schemes. Duke’s Kyle Filipowski should be able to provide that spark for them next season as he’s a talented big man who can eventually develop into a starter in the future.
14. Portland Trail Blazers (From Golden State Warriors) – G Isaiah Collier (USC)
For the Blazers, this selection should be for the best talent available. Isaiah Collier was once projected to become a top-three pick in this year’s NBA draft class, but due to USC’s struggles last season, his draft stock inevitably took a hit. Still, Collier was one of the best finishers around the paint in college basketball among guards.
15. Miami Heat – G Devin Carter (Providence)
If we examine his playstyle closely, Devin Carter seems like a Miami Heat type of player. Last season, he was one of the best floor generals in college. A three-year prospect from Providence, Carter’s rise was somewhat meteoric, and many pundits expect him to continue his progress once he steps foot on an NBA court.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – F Tyler Smith (G-League Ignite)
Due to Minnesota’s Naz Reid’s emergence, teams are looking for another prospect who is tall and can shoot the ball with ease beyond the three-point line. Ignite’s Tyler Smith’s playstyle is somewhat comparable to Naz Reid’s, and that’s why he’s shot up the NBA draft boards lately.
17. New Orleans Pelicans (From Los Angeles Lakers) – C Yves Missi (Baylor)
Baylor’s Yves Missi is a raw prospect but equipped with an untapped potential to become a stud. He can set hard screens, roll to the basket, and finish lobs at a high rate. He’s basically a non-shooter, but that should not be a problem with a team like the Pelicans.
18. Orlando Magic – G Jared McCain (Duke)
Part of Orlando’s early exit in this year’s playoffs is that the team needs a floor general who can distribute the ball and shoot the three at a high rate. Duke’s Jared McCain is a gifted scorer who can contribute to them right from the get-go. He is also savvy with the ball and can go around screens at a high rate.
19. Toronto Raptors (From Indiana Pacers) – C Kel’el Ware (Indiana)
Jakob Poeltl struggled a bit last season, and it would be wise for Toronto to select a big man for this year’s NBA draft class. Indiana’s Kel’el Ware is oozing with potential as he is already equipped with a nice-looking jumper and could also finish lobs at a high rate.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers – F Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor)
The Cavaliers need a combo wing, as Max Strus won’t cut it for them in the future. While Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter still has some growing to do on both ends of the floor, the potential to become a solid starter down the line is already there. Walter has shown promise in his three-point shot, and there’s hope that it will translate well into the NBA game.
21. New Orleans Pelicans (From Milwaukee Bucks) – F Tristan da Silva (Colorado)
One of the older prospects in this NBA draft class, da Silva has all the makings to become a solid contributor for New Orleans next season. He’s another tall forward who can make a three and be a pest on defense for the lanky Pelicans.
22. Phoenix Suns – G Tyler Kolek (Marquette)
Marquette’s Tyler Kolek has been one of the best point guards in college ball in the last couple of years. With the Suns lacking a true floor general on their roster, this pairing could be a perfect match for both sides.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (From New Orleans Pelicans) – F/C Daron Holmes (Dayton)
The Bucks need a backup big man who can play 10 to 15 solid minutes per night to relieve the aging Brook Lopez. Dayton’s Daron Holmes already has an NBA-ready body and an emerging game from beyond the three-point line, shooting at a 38.6% clip last season.
24. New York Knicks (From Dallas Mavericks) – C Zach Edey (Purdue)
This would be an interesting fit for both sides, but if somebody could make this pairing work, it would be Coach Thibodeau. Edey would inevitably become a huge draw for the Knicks next season, and he’s not there just to sit on the bench; he can be a major contributor for them from day one.
25. New York Knicks – F Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas)
After selecting Zach Edey, the Knicks will be on the lookout for a wing who is a pest defensively and would be willing to sacrifice his body on the floor on a nightly basis. They should be willing to take a gamble with Kevin McCular Jr. – an excellent defender for his size and could also shoot the ball at a distance.
26. Washington Wizards (From Los Angeles Clippers) – G/F Johnny Furphy (Kansas)
The Wizards need all the help they could get at this late in the first round. Kansas G/F Johnny Furphy is an excellent shooter with a high upside to become a solid rotation player a couple of years from now. If given the time to develop, Furphy should become a major contributor to the Wizards in no time.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves – G Carlton Carrington (Pittsburgh)
With their frontcourt already set, the Wolves could be on the lookout to draft a guard who they can develop as Mike Conley’s successor a few years from now. While Carrington still has some work to do in order to become a contributor for an NBA team, his potential to become a solid guard would be hard to pass in this year’s draft.
28. Denver Nuggets – F Bobi Klintman (Sweden)
Klintman needs to bulk up his frame to contribute to the league. His offensive game is still considered raw despite his age(21), but Denver might value his defensive skills in the long run.
29. Utah Jazz (From Oklahoma City Thunder) – F Jaylon Johnson (California)
This would be quite the fall for California’s Jaylon Johnson, but a pairing with Utah should benefit him in the future. The Jazz’s frontcourt rotation is a mess, and he should be able to provide some relief for them due to his shooting and defensive capabilities.
30. Boston Celtics – F Ryan Dunn (Virginia)
Virginia’s Ryan Dunn’s biggest selling point right now is his tenacious defense. His offense might or might not come in the future, but his defensive instincts will always be there. Boston needs somebody who they can develop on that end, and Dunn might be the best candidate to do it for them.
Also Read: Who Is Alex Sarr, Projected 1st Pick of 2024 NBA Draft?
