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Kev Mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) provides his take on the 2024 NBA Draft with a mock that covers the first round. He projects picks for each of the 30 lottery teams in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
This NBA mock draft is strictly what I would do if I were making the picks for each team. I will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the available prospects, the needs of the teams, and other relevant factors that impact player selections throughout this mock.
Building an NBA roster is difficult. It requires patience and massive upside swings. The worst place to be is the middle as the hope of a championship dwindles yearly while the potential to add a difference-maker through the draft is more difficult away from the top.
Without further further ado let's hop into it. If you have any questions or concerns, contact @RotoSurgeon on Twitter.
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1) Atlanta Hawks: C - Alex Sarr, France
Sarr is the best prospect in a mediocre class which is a shame for an Atlanta team that lucked in the first overall pick. The Hawks are talented but lacking a superstar piece to take them over the top.
Alex Sarr on why he declined to workout with the Atlanta Hawks #NBA #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/v8OvOxqKWX
— Baillie Burmaster (@baillie_burm) June 25, 2024
The roster is full of very good pieces that do not fit and with Sarr added, changes are likely given their investments in Onyeka Okongwu and Clint Capela. Sarr would add more offensive versatility than the current options at center, which is a need given the backcourt-heavy approach on offense.
2) Washington Wizards: G - Nikola Topic, Serbia
Nikola Topić averaged 28.4 PTS, 6.9 AST, & 5.3 REB per game at the ANGT a year ago on 59/45/92 splits.
MVP of 2023 U18 Euro Championship.
All-ABA team member at 18 years old. 2x ABA champion. Serbian league champion.
Averaged 19-7-4 pre-injury. pic.twitter.com/6hNZcYs4oF
— AJ (@AJ3Jazz) June 23, 2024
Nikola Topic is currently dealing with a partially torn ACL but should still be drafted high. This draft lacks true star upside and Topic is one of the few who possess it. His ability to create and score with the ball in his hands is the best in this class and a massive need for a Wizards team that does not have a franchise point guard. Even if Topic misses his entire rookie season due to injury, that could be a blessing in disguise for a Wizards team in desperate need of star power. Landing another top pick in 2025's stronger draft should be a priority.
3) Houston Rockets: G - Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
Reed Sheppard is slightly undersized but what he provides on both ends of the floor is too valuable to ignore because of his frame. Sheppard is a great three-point shooter who can create and finish well with fast hands-on defense. The ceiling for Sheppard is not a true number-one option but a perfect ancillary piece for a championship team.
The Rockets are currently loaded with talent between young core pieces in Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun, Cam Whitmore, and Tari Eason. Jalen Green may even be back in this conversation after a strong second half of last season! They do not need another high-usage player but one in the mold of Sheppard who can play off the team and improve everyone on the floor.
Watching Reed Sheppard made me realize how much we undervalue his potential and how truly special he is. His shooting splits this season at Kentucky:
- 52.1% from 3P
- 51.4% on C&S 3P (45.5% guarded, 57.4% unguarded)
- 51.4% on off-the-dribble 3P
- 70% TSSheppard also led all… pic.twitter.com/RZZAah91mS
— mohamed (@mcfxz) June 12, 2024
4) San Antonio Spurs: G - Ron Holland, G League Ignite
Ron Holland's arguably the best scorer in this draft. The Spurs are centered around Victor Wembanyama for the foreseeable future but still need another star or two for a chance at a championship. Devin Vassell could be one of those stars if he continues growing but he may be better served as the third option. The biggest concern for Holland is his shooting which could be mitigated with the presence of Vassell and Wembanyama. Holland has defensive capabilities to complement his scoring and if his shooting leaps, there is a top-15 NBA player in his range of outcomes.
Which NBA Team is the best fit for Ron Holland? 🤔
One of the most intriguing stories to follow when it comes to where Holland will land come June 26th.
6’8” | 196 lbs | 18 years old | F - @gleagueignite
◦19.5 PTS, 6.7 REB, 2.9 AST, 2.3 STL, 0.9 BLK
◦46.0 FG% 24.0 3P% 72.8… pic.twitter.com/de6H2riFP0— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) June 15, 2024
5) Detroit Pistons: G - Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Yes, the Pistons have drafted multiple guards with their recent top picks (Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey), however, Ivey's fallen out of favor with the organization and Cunningham has the size and versatility to play alongside two other guards. Dillingham will not provide anything on the defensive end but you can live with that for his offensive game. While he is miniscule, Dillingham has no offensive weakness between shooting across the floor, his ability to handle the ball, attack the rim, and get to the free throw line. The Pistons desperately need an offensive sparkplug like Dillingham.
Rob Dillingham is skilled, confident, and creative.
15.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 3.9 APG off the bench for Kentucky.
Scores and playmakes very well out of the PnR, is a high level shooter, and is super quick with a deep bag.
Who does his game remind you of?
pic.twitter.com/PFBnhXF8y3— Lucas 🦦 (@redcooteay) June 7, 2024
6) Charlotte Hornets: F - Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite
The Charlotte Hornets' biggest need is a healthy LaMelo Ball but beyond that, it is everything else on both ends of the floor. Matas Buzelis can shoot, attack the rim, and defend. He will not be the best player on a team with Ball and Brandon Miller but can complement them and improve a team that may lose Miles Bridges.
7) Portland Trail Blazers: F - Zaccharie Risacher, France
The hype for Risacher at number one overall is confounding due to his frame and lack of versatility but he could be a good player. The 18-year-old Frenchman has shooting skills and length to hound on defense but is a project needing development in his overall game. Luckily, the Portland Trail Blazers are years away from contention due to their current talent level and can afford the swing on Risacher.
8) San Antonio Spurs: G - Isaiah Collier, USC
Isaiah Collier is underrated after entering his freshman season as one of the nation's top recruits. His season was far from expectations but still solid despite USC's self-implosion. The Spurs get both a chance at Collier's upside here and a real franchise point guard which is a need after last season's debacle at the position. Arguments could be made for the team to take Collier at four but given his consensus draft value, Collier and Holland could be acquired.
Thinking back to GG Jackson on draft night last year & I feel very similarly about Isaiah Collier.
Some bad splits/efficiencies from high usage playing as freshmen on bad college teams - getting overlooked for wrong reasons. Won't fall as much as GG did but still too far https://t.co/KKtJlXJhxQ
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) June 20, 2024
9) Memphis Grizzlies: G - Cody Williams, Colorado
The Grizzlies are in an odd spot with their organization. Their star player cannot keep his nose clean and the rest cannot stay healthy at the same time. There is not a lack of talent in Memphis between Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, GG Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., etc. but having them all available simultaneously is a concern. Cody Williams fits that team culture after missing part of his sole college season due to injury. The former fifth-overall recruit had a frustrating season with the Buffs but still shot over 40% from three-point range and would be a welcome addition to the Grizzlies core.
10) Utah Jazz: G - Stephon Castle, Connecticut
Stephon Castle was a crucial piece of the recent UConn National Championship. Between scoring, defense, shooting, creation, and rebounding, Castle provides a little bit of everything but not a lot of anything in particular. That is fine for a Utah team that needs winning players outside the frontcourt. The Jazz do not have a true franchise player at PG, SG, or SF and Castle is versatile enough to potentially fill the gap at SG or SF.
“In a draft where you don’t know who is the best player or a consensus No. 1, then you should go with the most talented and I think it’s Stephon Castle.”@TheAndyKatz on the best overall player in the 2024 NBA Draft Class 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tbZlIn9fli
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 25, 2024
11) Chicago Bulls: C - Kel'el Ware, Indiana
Chicago needs a lot of help and Kel'el Ware is a good place to start. The Indiana big took a massive step in his first college season as a starter last season. While the Bulls are heavily invested in center Nikola Vucevic, his days are numbered as the organization is facing an inevitable youth movement given the recent "era's" failure. Ware's ability to defend, score around the rim, and stretch out to the three are necessary to the Bulls' future.
kel'el ware's floater/intermediate touch could be a trump card for his scoring projection, most lob threat bigs don't have the feathery touch ware exhbits on the move
he shot 28/54 (51.9%) on runners + hooks this year and the ability to catch and contort is evident pic.twitter.com/6gmcHQleeW
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) June 13, 2024
12) Oklahoma City Thunder: C - Donovan Klingan, Connecticut
Klingan is likely drafted higher given his presence on boards but I am not as privy to selecting a low-upside big in the top-10. However, at the 12th spot, a team ready to contend for championships with a massive need for backup a big, the Thunder cannot ask for more. Center Chet Holmgren is a unicorn but needs help versus stronger bigs, especially on the boards. Klingan can take the pressure off Holmgren and allow him to maximize his energy on offense. This is a perfect fit and unfortunate for the rest of the league.
13) Sacramento Kings: C - Yves Missi, Baylor
The Kings' biggest need is a small forward who can contribute now but there is not one available in this range. Yves Missi is young but can provide this "win now" Sacramento team a needed piece to complement Damontas Sabonis. Sabonis struggles in rim protection while Missi excels. Missi also provides the Kings an option for the future of their frontcourt if they decide to move on from the Sabonis era despite the early positive returns.
Yves Missi is a bit of a project for whichever team picks him, but he has some of the absolute best highlights of any player in the 2024 draft class pic.twitter.com/92Ol5zGwSr
— Daniel Olinger (@dan_olinger) June 20, 2024
14) Portland Trail Blazers: F - Tidjane Salaun, France
With Salaun and Risacher earlier, the Trail Blazers are fully invested in a French connection. This team is as far from contention as any in the league which makes taking a shot on the upside of two European players worthwhile. Portland also has no answer for the future of both forward slots on their current roster which makes both Risacher and Salaun enticing along with maybe easing the US transition by coming to the same city together.
Rest of the First Round
15) Miami Heat: G - Devin Carter, Providence
16) Philadelphia 76ers: F - DaRon Holmes, Dayton
17) Los Angeles Lakers: C - Kyle Filipowski, Duke
18) Orlando Magic: G - Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh
19) Toronto Raptors: F - Tyler Smith, G League Ignite
20) Cleveland Cavaliers: F - Dillon Jones, Weber State
21) New Orleans Pelicans: G - Ja'Kobe Walter, Baylor
22) Phoenix Suns: F - Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
23) Milwaukee Bucks: G - Jared McCain, Duke
24) New York Knicks: C - Zach Edey, Purdue
25) New York Knicks: G - Jaylon Tyson, California
26) Washington Wizards: F - Pacome Dadiet, France
27) Minnesota Timberwolves: G - Baylor Scheierman, Creighton
28) Denver Nuggets: G - Johnny Furphy, Kansas
29) Utah Jazz: G - Terrance Shannon Jr, Illinois
30) Boston Celtics: F - Ryan Dunn, Virginia
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