With the 2024 NBA Draft less than three weeks away, teams are filling up their boards to evaluate all the talents who kept their names on the draft list, forgoing their college eligibility in the process. While a bunch of international players are expected to fill out the lottery, many older college prospects are expected to be selected highly due to their potential to become solid contributors right from the get-go.
This is the 2024 NBA First-Round Mock Draft For All 30 Picks: 7.0 (Post Withdrawal Deadline Edition.)
Which player will your favorite NBA team take in the upcoming 2024 draft?
1. Atlanta Hawks – F Alex Sarr (France)
Even with Sarr essentially a lock in most mock drafts in recent weeks, there is still uncertainty in the Hawks’ camp about whether they want to trade down and find a player who can help Trae Young next season. If they do keep this pick, expect them to lean heavily on France’s Alex Sarr.
2. Washington Wizards – C Donovan Clingan (UConn)
There are some rumblings that the Wizards will draft for need versus talent. If that’s the case, UConn’s Donovan Clingan should be a very appealing option for them at this spot. He should be able to contribute for them next season and could likely end up as their starting center.
3. Houston Rockets – F Zaccharie Risacher (France)
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Risacher has struggled in the last couple of months playing in LNB Pro A, but quite a few scouts are still enamored by his potential to grow as a star player a few years from now. The Rockets may end up trading this pick for an established starter to kickstart their rebuild, but should they hold onto this pick, then they could not pass up a talent like the 6-foot-8 Frenchman.
4. San Antonio Spurs – G Nikola Topic (Serbia)
With two top 10 picks in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft, there are rumblings that San Antonio might explore one of their top picks via trade to land a young star to pair with Victor Wembanyama. However, it might be too good to pass up a talented point guard like Nikola Topic to pair with their 7 foot 4 soon-to-be superstar.
5. Detroit Pistons – F Matas Buzelis (G-League Ignite)
At 6 foot 10, the Pistons are zeroing in on Buzelis as part of their future frontcourt. The team is adamant that the backcourt of Cunningham and Ivey would work, and after trading Bogdanovic last season, they need a long-term solution at the small forward spot.
Also Read: Who Are the Top International Players Enlisted for the 2024 NBA Draft?
6. Charlotte Hornets – G Rob Dillingham (Kentucky)
Due to LaMelo Ball’s injury woes, it would be smart for the Hornets to draft another guard on the roster who can slide into the starting spot with ease or become a deadly sixth man off the bench. Dillingham checks those boxes easily, as he was a microwave scorer for Kentucky last season.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – G Stephon Castle (UConn)
Anfernee Simons is a good player, but is he capable of filling Damian Lillard’s shoes? The immediate answer should be “no,” and the Blazers should look to add up talent instead of settling for need. UConn’s Stephon Castle has shown that he can ball out during high-pressure moments and would be a great fit for this rebuilding team.
8. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto Raptors) – F Tidjane Salaun (France)
Salaun’s draft stock gained some serious steam in recent weeks. The Spurs may be enticed to trade this pick, though, but should they hold onto it, Salaun’s potential and familiarity with Victor Wembanyama could hasten his development in the NBA. He may end up as the biggest steal in this draft class.
9. Memphis Grizzlies – G Ron Holland (G-League Ignite)
The Grizzlies would love to acquire another wing player who could potentially complement their young core. Holland would be a situational pick for teams with playoff aspirations, as he still needs time to develop in order to become a consistent contributor on a nightly basis. But as a player who was once considered a possible top selection in this year’s NBA draft, it’d be hard for Memphis to pass on Holland.
10. Utah Jazz – G Reed Sheppard (Kentucky)
Sheppard was impressive in the NBA Combine a couple of weeks ago, and multiple teams are interested in acquiring a talent like him on draft day. If he’s still available at the 10th spot, the Jazz will be more than happy to scoop him up and give him the keys to run the franchise next season.
11. Chicago Bulls – G Dalton Knecht (Tennesee)
With the Bulls looking to run it all back next season with or without Zach LaVine, expect them to select a player who can contribute now rather than later. If Knecht was a couple of years younger, he’d be a top-three pick in this draft class. But at 23, he’s projected to be selected within the 10 to 14 range in June.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (From Houston Rockets) – G Cody Williams (Colorado)
Wouldn’t it be cool if the Thunder selected Colorado’s Cody Williams and paired him with his older brother, Jalen, in OKC? Adding another young talent to their roster who can contribute from day one would be great for this young franchise, which is on a rapid rise.
13. Sacramento Kings – G Devin Carter (Providence)
After a strong showing in the NBA Combine, Carter is quietly earning some strong consideration in the lottery due to his poise and maturity in the game. The Kings could benefit from drafting a prospect like Carter, as he could slide into either guard position on the court.
14. Portland Trail Blazers (From Golden State Warriors) – G Isaiah Collier (USC)
With their second selection in the NBA draft lottery, expect the Blazers to move this pick to land a solid starter who can help the team with its rebuilding phase next season. Scouts are divided on USC’s Isaiah Collier, as he can either become a very good pro or flame out in the league in just a few years.
15. Miami Heat – G Jared McCain (Duke)
Is Terry Rozier the long-term solution at the point guard spot for Miami? On a small sample scale, it certainly looks like he is not. Jared McCain had a severely underrated year with Duke last season but has shown glimpses of insane potential at the college level. He’s a very good scorer when given the opportunity, and Miami would be a great place for him to develop his skills.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – F Tyler Smith (G-League Ignite)
Expect the Sixers to look for size in this year’s NBA draft. When Embiid sat out almost half of the season due to an injury, they were fairly thin on the frontcourt. G-League Ignite’s Tyler Smith is nowhere near Embiid’s talent, but he already has some skillset that could translate well in the NBA.
17. Los Angeles Lakers – C Yves Missi (Baylor)
Baylor’s Yves Missi is an extremely raw prospect, but his motor and hustle on the court are often unmatched. He’s just scratching the surface of his potential. The Lakers would benefit from developing a young prospect rather than trade for another one who will struggle under the bright lights of LA.
18. Orlando Magic – F Tristan da Silva (Colorado)
For a young playoff team like Orlando, they would essentially go for a prospect who can contribute now rather than later. Tristan da Silva has been moving up in every NBA mock draft in recent weeks and should be a perfect fit for this young, rising team next season.
19. Toronto Raptors (From Indiana Pacers) – C Zach Edey (Purdue)
Zach Edey in a Raptor’s jersey? Canada would go nuts. Edey looked great on the court at the NBA Combine a couple of weeks ago and has gained momentum as a prospect in everybody’s draft boards. Due to Jakob Poeltl’s decline last season, it’s time for the Raptors to draft a big man who can be a part of their future core.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers – F Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor)
Ja’Kobe Walter’s biggest weak point is that he can’t create off the dribble. But as a player still at 19 years old, there’s still hope that he’ll develop other parts of his game at the NBA level. What he could bring right now for Cleveland is his three-point shot and defense capabilities.
21. New Orleans Pelicans (From Milwaukee Bucks) – G Johnny Furphy (Kansas)
Furphy waited up until the last minute to stay in the draft rather than return to Kansas for another season. It generally feels like he already has a promise from a team that he’ll be selected in the first round in the 2024 NBA Draft. He’s a raw prospect but could potentially grow as a solid shooter a few years from now.
22. Phoenix Suns – G Tyler Kolek (Marquette)
Phoenix is in dire need of a point guard. Their trade options are limited due to the lack of assets they have while assembling their current roster. Marquette’s Tyler Kolek – one of college’s best floor generals in the last couple of years – should be their best pick in this year’s NBA draft. He’s ready to contribute now and give them valuable minutes next season.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (From New Orleans Pelicans) – C Kel’el Ware (Indiana)
The Bucks simply need a big man who can shoot threes, catch lobs, and block shots whenever Brook Lopez sits down for a breather. Indiana’s Kel’el Ware should be a perfect fit for them as he can eventually grow into the team’s starting center spot now that Lopez is at the twilight of his career.
24. New York Knicks (From Dallas Mavericks) – C Kyle Filipowski (Duke)
Isaiah Hartenstein is going to get paid in the upcoming free agency. If the Knicks somehow fumbles, resigning him, it would be good for them to add another big via the NBA draft. Duke’s Kyle Filipowski has somewhat of a similar game to Hartenstein but with a proven range from the outside.
25. New York Knicks – F Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas)
Expect the Knicks to draft a need versus potential. They’d want a player who can contribute now rather than later. Kevin McCullar Jr. is definitely on their radar as he’s ready to contribute for the Knicks, especially on the defensive end of the floor. He also has a great shot from the three and could realistically play spot minutes behind Josh Hart.
26. Washington Wizards (From Los Angeles Clippers) – G Carlton Carrington (Pittsburgh)
Jordan Poole’s struggles last season were legendary. Should the Wizards raise the white flag on him, then the team should be enticed to draft a guard with tons of potential like Carlton Carrington. He impressed some scouts with his maturity on the court at the NBA Combine a few weeks ago. At just 18, he still has lots of room to grow.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves – G Jaylon Johnson (California)
After Minnesota’s unexpected exit in the playoffs due to the brilliance of the Mavs duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, expect them to be on the lookout for another wing prospect who can shoot the ball and defend the perimeter well on short bursts. Johnson was a dual threat for California last season, and many believe that his skill set will translate well into the NBA.
28. Denver Nuggets – F DaRon Holmes II (Dayton)
Some news outlets said that DaRon Holmes II has canceled several workouts ahead of the 2024 NBA draft, raising suspicions that he already has secured a promise from a team at the latter part of the first round. Is it from the Nuggets? Probably, as the team definitely needs another big man who can relieve Jokic whenever he sits for a breather.
29. Utah Jazz (From Oklahoma City Thunder) – F Bobi Klintman (Sweden)
With NBA teams looking for another oversized wingman who can be a pest on both ends of the floor, the Jazz would be happy to select Bobi Klintman at this stage of the draft. He’s not yet ready to contribute next season, but the upside to becoming a solid starter is already there.
30. Boston Celtics – F Ryan Dunn (Virginia)
It’s a known fact that the Celtics are not looking to add a scorer in this year’s NBA draft. They are certainly on the lookout for a big wing who can switch multiple positions defensively and be a pest on that side of the floor. Dunn’s offensive game is essentially non-existent as he can’t create his own shot, but his rebounding and motor are already at an NBA level.
Also Read: 2024 NBA First-Round Mock Draft For All 30 Picks: 6.0
