With June less than a month away, some prospects improved their status by impressing in the recently concluded NBA Combine. A few players surprised many scouts with their unassuming athleticism, while others displayed plausible potential at shooting the three. There will be risers in this NBA Mock Draft, and there are some who will take a hit in their status.
This is the 2024 NBA First-Round Mock Draft For All 30 Picks: 6.0.
Which prospects moved up and fell in today’s NBA mock draft?
1. Atlanta Hawks – F Alex Sarr (France)
As of now, Sarr continued to impress scouts with his versatility after the NBA Combine. He has great length and a well-built instinct to swat away shots, especially in the paint. However, his jump shot remains somewhat unimpressive, as a team such as Atlanta is looking for a big man who can spread out the defense beyond the perimeter. The earliest possible comparison for him is Cleveland’s Evan Mobley.
2. Washington Wizards – C Donovan Clingan (UConn)
The biggest riser this week, Clingan impressed scouts with his speed and developing perimeter game. He’s also one of the tallest players measured in this year’s combine and it’s no secret that the Wizards can use a big man in this year’s NBA draft class.
3. Houston Rockets – G Rob Dillingham (Kentucky)
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The Rockets need a solid contributor off the bench, as whenever Fred VanVleet sits, their offense takes a hit. Selecting Rob Dillingham at three should immediately bolster their bench, as he’s already projected to become a Lou Williams-type player.
4. San Antonio Spurs – G Nikola Topic (Serbia)
The Spurs need a point guard to grow alongside their star, French big man Victor Wembanyama. Nikola Topic will be thrust into a scenario where the expectations will be slow for a rebuilding team like the Spurs. This is the perfect place for him to develop as Coach Pop certainly knows a thing or two on how to maximize the talent of a young European guard.
5. Detroit Pistons – F Matas Buzelis (G-League Ignite)
The Pistons are basically set in their backcourt rotation(unless something dramatic happens), and forward Matas Buzelis could essentially slide right into the three or four positions for the next season. His offense was one of his greatest assets while playing for G-League Ignite in the past year.
6. Charlotte Hornets – G Reed Sheppard (Kentucky)
Sheppard thoroughly impressed scouts with his athleticism and leaping ability at the NBA Combine. With LaMelo Ball’s uncertainty going forward, he’d be a nice addition to the team’s point guard lineup next season. Plus, he’s a deadly outside shooter.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – F Zaccharie Risacher (France)
The Blazers will definitely draft for talent rather than need. Once touted as a lock as a top-three pick, Risacher’s continued struggle in LNB Pro A had some GMs wary of how well his game would translate at the NBA level. He is still oozing with potential and is fairly young compared to his other draftmates.
8. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto Raptors) – G Cody Williams (Colorado)
It seems like the Spurs are Cody Williams’s best landing spot in the upcoming NBA draft. He has the rare blend of size, quickness, and offensive maturity that intrigued many scouts leading into this draft. With San Antonio, he’ll have a chance to grow at his own pace and find his niche in the league.
9. Memphis Grizzlies – G Ron Holland (G-League Ignite)
Once considered the number one pick, Ron Holland continues to fluctuate in draft status due to his inconsistent year with the G-League Ignite. His jump shot is streaky, but he did show glimpses of potential at attacking and finishing around the rim.
10. Utah Jazz – G Stephon Castle (UConn)
The Jazz had a horrendous backcourt rotation last season and would certainly try to upgrade their woes through the upcoming NBA draft. Stephon Castle was not able to showcase all of his skills while playing for UConn last season but many pundits believe that his game is much more suited in the NBA compared to the NCAA.
11. Chicago Bulls – G Dalton Knecht (Tennesee)
There is some noise that Tennesee’s Dalton Knecht has the potential to become a poor man’s version of Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson. With Chicago looking to run the same squad again in the hopes of finally breaking out in the East, Knecht can immediately contribute for them right from the get-go.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (From Houston Rockets) – F Tidjane Salaun (France)
While the Thunder need a backup big man to relieve Chet Holmgren, many agree that they’ll pursue that in free agency, not via the NBA draft. With not much pressure on who they’ll select due to their meteoric rise in the West, the team will definitely be intrigued with Tidjane Salaun’s long-term potential.
13. Sacramento Kings – C Kyle Filipowski (Duke)
This may be too high for Duke’s Kyle Filipowski, but the Kings certainly need a reliable backup big man whenever Domantas Sabonis needs a breather. Filipowski rebounds the ball well and is a good passer for his size.
14. Portland Trail Blazers (From Golden State Warriors) – G Isaiah Collier (USC)
Selecting USC’s Isaiah Collier may create some logjam at their backcourt, but a rebuilding team like the Blazers should worry about that later rather than today. A talent like Collier is just too good to pass at this late in the lottery, as he was one of the best finishers around the rim in college at the point guard position.
15. Miami Heat – G Devin Carter (Providence)
Devin Carter impressed multiple scouts and GMs at the NBA Combine and shot up across the draft boards for several teams. The Heat are looking to add a point guard to their roster due to Terry Rozier’s inconsistency and shoot-first mentality. The Providence guard will be a great fit for the team should he still be available at the 15th spot.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – F Tyler Smith (G-League Ignite)
Tyler Smith was one of the most impressive prospects in the G-League Ignite team this season. His shooting stroke looks NBA-ready, and he can also put the ball on the floor when needed. Scouts openly compare his game to Minnesota’s Naz Reid.
17. New Orleans Pelicans (From Los Angeles Lakers) – C Yves Missi (Baylor)
There are rumblings that Jonas Valanciunas is looking to play for another team next season. The Pelicans will be active in either trading this pick or selecting a big man who they can develop alongside their core. Baylor’s Yves Missi is extremely raw and does not have a game beyond ten feet, but he’s one of the best athletes in this NBA draft class.
18. Orlando Magic – F Tristan da Silva (Colorado)
The Magic are essentially set in all positions, but they lack a backup wing who can score, pass, and handle the ball like Franz Wagner. Colorado’s Tristan da Silva should be a great value pick for them in this spot, as he has displayed all the intangibles needed to succeed at the next level.
19. Toronto Raptors (From Indiana Pacers) – C Kel’el Ware (Indiana)
With Toronto entering year two of its own rebuilding phase now might be the right time to draft a big man who could be part of their young core. Kel’el Ware’s game is comparable to Dallas rookie Dereck Lively’s. He jumps high, finishes lobs with ease, and has a promising three-point shot in his offensive repertoire.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers – F Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor)
The biggest knock on Ja’Kobe Walter’s game is his limited game off the dribble. He has the makings to become a solid three-and-D type of player at the next level. If he can improve his shortcomings, he’ll be a very nice addition to the Cavaliers next season.
21. New Orleans Pelicans (From Milwaukee Bucks) – G Jared McCain (Duke)
This is quite a fall for Duke’s Jared McCain, but New Orleans does need a true point guard on the roster who can grow into the starting role in the future. Surely, the Pelicans won’t pass on the spitfire guard with lottery-level talent if he indeed falls on NBA draft night.
22. Phoenix Suns – G Tyler Kolek (Marquette)
Many scouts are convinced that Tyler Kolek’s game would translate well in the NBA. The Marquette star was one of the college’s best floor generals in the past couple of seasons. With Phoenix desperately needing a point guard who can run their offense when their stars sit down, Kolek can fill up that noise nicely.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (From New Orleans Pelicans) – G/F Jaylon Johnson (California)
Milwaukee has been ravaged by injuries in the last couple of seasons. With Khris Middleton already at the tail end of his prime years, they need someone similar who can handle the ball and shoot from anywhere on the court. California’s Jaylon Johnson should be a great pickup for them, as he is poised to contribute to the team from day one.
24. New York Knicks (From Dallas Mavericks) – C Zach Edey (Purdue)
It’s safe to say that Purdue’s Zach Edey surprised scouts at the recently concluded NBA Combine. He has shown potential at the three-point line, but the biggest question for him right now is his perceived fit on an NBA team. A team like New York would love to acquire his services as they truly need a big man who can be part of their core during Jalen Brunson’s prime years.
25. New York Knicks – F Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas)
After selecting Edey, New York will be on the lookout for a wing who can relieve Josh Hart for a few minutes per night. Coach Thibodeau will almost certainly not play a young prospect next season, and that’s why Kansas’s Kevin McCullar Jr. should fit nicely with the team going forward. He’s one of the oldest rookies in this NBA draft class and one of the better defenders too.
26. Washington Wizards (From Los Angeles Clippers) – G Carlton Carrington (Pittsburgh)
Jordan Poole’s struggles were well-documented last season, and the Wizards are questioning whether the pairing will work out in the future. Pittsburgh’s Carlton Carrington offers an immediate solution to the Poole-Wizards dilemma, as he has shown that he can run a team and score when needed in college.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves – G Johnny Furphy (Kansas)
Furphy may benefit if he stays another year at Kansas, but due to this year’s relatively weak NBA draft class, many pundits agree that he’ll have a realistic shot of being drafted in the first round. The Wolves need another shooter, and Furphy won’t be rushed to develop for them. He will be given all the time to expand his game.
28. Denver Nuggets – F Bobi Klintman (Sweden)
It’s odd that Sweden’s Bobi Klintman is considered a raw prospect at 21, but his potential to become a contributor is already there. Despite Denver’s brilliant frontcourt players, they will certainly benefit if they add a prospect who can contribute immediately, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
29. Utah Jazz (From Oklahoma City Thunder) – F Pacome Dadiet (France)
The Jazz need a wing they can develop in the future and make part of their core. Dadiet is fairly young but has shown glimpses of potential on the floor while playing in France this season. If they can be patient in his development, he could be one of the steals in this NBA draft class a few years from now.
30. Boston Celtics – F Ryan Dunn (Virginia)
Boston is pretty much set in all positions on its roster. What it needs is a prospect who can defend and switch on multiple positions and be a pest defensively night in and night out. Virginia’s Ryan Dunn’s offense is a glaring problem, but his defensive instincts are already at an NBA level.
