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The 2024 NBA Draft is flat and underwhelming. Not only is the class bereft of top-end talent, but the ordering between prospects is nebulous. Nevertheless, there are fascinating prospects throughout and consensus is as fragile as ever. Our 2024 NBA Mock Draft is the first attempt to bring some semblance of understanding to this class.
My mock drafts and boards are always broken into tiers to account for difficulties in separating prospects. Depending on team needs and timelines, two prospects might land far apart on two different boards. Within each tier, the numerical order of prospects is loose.
Tier I - Elite Complimentary or star prospects in NBA Draft 2024
1) Atlanta Hawks - Alex Sarr, C, Perth Wildcats
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For the second straight season, it’s looking like a French seven-footer will be the first pick in the draft. It’s for good reason again; Sarr is not Wemby, but his elite mobility, length, and versatility on the defensive end fuel his potential star upside. He has the tools and instincts to anchor a modern NBA defense.
Most of the questions surrounding Sarr come on the offensive end, as he’s currently an unreliable shooter and struggles with physicality and strength on the interior. However, his mobility and flashes of ball-handling, playmaking, and shotmaking off of the dribble are all enticing for a team to develop. Sarr would be one of the weaker number-one picks over the last decade, though there is a world where he becomes a key piece on a title-level team.
2) Washington Wizards - Ron Holland F, Ignite
Next to Sarr, Ron Holland sports the highest ceiling in this draft class. He’s the best athlete in the class — dominating opponents with his special burst, explosion, strength and balance — and was productive as an 18-year-old in a pro league. Holland progressed this past season as a creator with his handle and a playmaker, bending defenses with his driving threat and kicking out to teammates.
Holland is a shaky shooter and is relatively new to high-volume jumpers, but the touch and mid-range pull-up are solid indicators in his favor. He’ll need time to develop counters against NBA-caliber defenders and adjust to NBA speed as a passer. If Holland puts it all together, he can become a positive slasher, foul-drawer and passer and one of the league’s best wing defenders with true star upside.
Tier II - Star on-ball initiator bets in NBA Draft 2024
3) Houston Rockets - Rob DIllingham, G, Kentucky
Of the three initiator prospects in this tier, Dillingham’s off-ball game shines brightest. He’s a brilliant off-ball mover and spacer with the shooting chops to sprint into jumpers off of screens. He’s the best ball-handler to enter the NBA in quite some time, pairing his handling craft with elite floater touch and strong playmaking flare.
Dillingham must add size to survive on the defensive and hold up against physical defenders on drives to reach his ceiling. Regardless, Dillingham will thrive next to other ball-dominant stars and has the creation upside to generate offense all by himself as an elite off-dribble shotmaker and floater range scorer.
4) San Antonio Spurs - Isaiah Collier, PG, USC
I value advantage creation — breaking down defenses and forcing rotations — more than almost any other trait in scouting. Collier is the draft’s best advantage-creator bet as his elite strength, burst and power let him live at the bucket. Despite his turnover woes, Collier is an audacious and creative passer, flashing the high-level reads a lead guard must execute.
Collier will take time, as his off-dribble three-point jumpers and defensive consistency must improve. He thrives with the ball in his hands and needs possessions to impact the game, which could muddy his fit next to other ball-dominant stars. His floor might not sit as high as other prospects in this class but few can match his ceiling as a genuine offensive engine for an NBA team.
5) Detroit Pistons - Nikola Topic, PG, Red Star
Alongside Collier, Topic is the other advantage-creating initiator bet in this class, pairing top-end straight-line speed and acceleration with steady pick-and-roll passing vision. Topic produced as his team’s offensive engine as an 18-year-old against pro-level competition, though the off-dribble shooting must prove consistent to maximize his success.
Topic’s injury history is notable, as his recent left knee injury (and re-injury) seems to have zapped a bit of his explosion. Medicals will play a critical part in Topic’s evaluation for teams in the coming weeks.
Tier III - Good starters with high ceiling upside bets in the NBA Draft 2024
6) Charlotte Hornets - Matas Buzelis, F, Ignite
Buzelis moves with the fluidity of a much smaller player at his 6’9 height, winning off of the dribble with his flexibility, creativity and length. He’s a relentlessly aggressive scorer, always looking to punish defenses downhill and score at the rim and in the mid-range. He’s a phenomenal off-ball defender as well, protecting the basket with pristine timing and awareness.
His exact role is unclear, as Buzelis’ underwhelming three-point numbers and lack of strength are question marks. But a patient, creative team can extract an excellent basketball player out of Buzelis’ toolbox as a jumbo wing creator with big-time defensive value on the backline.
7) Portland Trail Blazers Yves Missi, C, Baylor
Springy rim protectors that shut off the entire floor are incredibly valuable and Missi has that kind of ceiling. He’s a monster explosive athlete with great size and length, but his movement skills stand out the most. He provides pick-and-roll coverage versatility and switching upside alongside his paint defense.
Missi’s offense is raw as he doesn’t score outside of five feet and he’s an inconsistent decision-maker with the ball in his hands. He’s flashed the ability to burn larger defenders from the perimeter with his ball-handling which could be a source of his offense. His defensive anchor ceiling should entice teams.
8) San Antonio Spurs - Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Sheppard lit college basketball on fire with his shooting and playmaking this year; the advanced stat darling was white hot all season from deep and racked up tons of assists, steals and blocks. Sheppard thrives in transition as one of the better hit-ahead passers to enter the NBA.
His shorter stature and lack of explosion limit his impact on the defensive end despite his excellent instincts and remove significant on-ball creation upside from the equation. Sheppard should thrive as a complementary offensive player with some sneaky star upside if he becomes one of the league’s best shooters.
9) Memphis Grizzlies - Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Clingan earned his second consecutive March Madness title anchoring Uconn’s elite defense. He’s a fluid giant on the defensive end, defending the rim with his size, length and technique to the ball. Clingan improved his footspeed in year two, now more comfortable defending at the level of the screen.
Offensively, Clingan is limited to dunking and rebounding and his lack of a reliable jumper or bankable scoring option will limit his ultimate upside. Regardless, Clingan has a strong chance to carve a role as a valuable interior defender for many years.
10) Utah Jazz - Stephon Castle, G/F, Uconn
Like his teammate Donovan Clingan, Castle starred on UConn’s national title squad as a do-it-all role player. His primary value comes on the defensive end as his lateral quickness, strength against contact and overall mobility make him stout and versatile.
Castle wasn’t a potent shooter this past season and he often struggles to create separation on the ball (which UConn’s seamless offense largely masked). Castle’s age and athletic tools plus his notable passing feel as a hub feeding cutters and shooters can’t be ignored, though. Above all else, Castle makes winning basketball plays and will impact winning basketball in a positive manner.
11) Chicago Bulls - Cody Williams, F, Colorado
With rare scoring touch and elasticity, Cody WIlliams scores around the basket with elite efficiency despite a high degree of difficulty on those shots. That elite skill combined with his basic off-ball passing, mobility and on-ball defense could make Williams a unique player.
He’s suffered recent injuries and didn’t look the same afterward and his advantage creation, handle and three-point shooting threat are all question marks. But some GMs will fall in love with Williams’ age and high-end traits and believe in his two-way upside.
12) Oklahoma City Thunder - Kyle Filipowski, F, Duke
As the NBA continues to space out, teams require their bigs to carry more offensive responsibility. That’s where Filipowski’s value as a skilled inside-out big comes; he’s strong and physical enough to bang on the interior all while passing and handling as well as any big in this class.
Filipowski hasn’t been a reliable shooter throughout much of his college career and his athletic limitations might temper the ceiling. His floor is high, though, as Filipowski’s versatile offensive toolkit.
13) Sacramento Kings - Tidjane Salaun, F, Cholet
Of all the prospects in the draft class, few have ceilings higher than Salaun. The 6’9 twitchy athlete never stops moving; his relentless mover and athletic tools could lead to significant defensive upside. Though he’s not a rim-protector, Salaun’s range makes it easy to imagine him wrecking shop as a dig and pass-lane jumper on the defensive end.
The offense is the main question mark, as Salaun struggles with the ball in his hands. But he’s 18 until August and he’s excelling in a strong pro league. He’s a solid shooter (with mechanics that need work) and the two-way upside is significant.
14) Portland Trail Blazers - Zaccharie Risacher, F, Bourg
Risacher sits opposite Salaun as his appeal comes from his perceived high floor. Risacher slots into the platonic three-and-D wing ideal, spacing the floor, moving off the ball, and defending the ball as a teenager in a strong pro league.
His lack of strength and high-end explosion marry with advantage creation struggles to lower his ceiling, though. RIsacher should be a solid pro, but does he have any kind of star upside?
15) Miami Heat - Pacome Dadiet, F, Ulm
Dadiet adds to the list of young, high-upside wings on the earlier side of their development curve. The French swingman flashes NBA-level passing creativity, driving with explosion and shooting potential. His ceiling as a dribbling/passing/shooting wing with plus athletic tools looks tantalizing.
16) Philadelphia 76ers - Jared McCain, G, Duke
It’s easy to imagine Jared McCain operating in an NBA offense. His high-octane on and off-ball shooting, pick-and-roll playmaking and functional strength are all translatable skills. His size and athletic limitations
17) New Orleans Pelicans - Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
Kel’el Ware is the draft’s poster high-risk, high-reward prospect. Ware’s motor wanes and waxes and there’s a bit of stiffness in his movement. But Ware provides elite rim protection upside, diverse interior scoring with real three-point upside. If Ware realizes his potential, he fills a spot in one of the NBA’s scarcest archetypes.
Tier IV - Likely rotation players with long-term upside in NBA Draft 2024
18) Orlando Magic - Tyler Smith, F, Ignite
Smith’s shotmaking at 6’10 fuels his upside; few prospects as tall and young as him shoot with volume, shot versatility, and efficiency. He’s a long way from contributing defensively and his feel for the game underwhelms at times, but Smith’s potential utility as a floor-spacing big should entice NBA teams plenty.
19) Toronto Raptors - DaRon Holmes II, C, Dayton
Versatile, perimeter-oriented centers are the archetype du jour in today’s league and Holmes fits this. He’s a rare big-man handler, capable of initiating offense from the outside to score in the post, or from beyond the arc. His unique offensive skillset and smooth movement and size on defense will help him fill myriad NBA roles on both ends of the floor.
20) Cleveland Cavaliers - Dalton Knecht, G, Tennessee
Knecht scores the basketball as well as anyone in his class, excelling as an on and off-ball shooter with enough athleticism to work downhill and find his spots in the mid-range. He’s on the older side, though, and struggles defensively. He might not sport elite upside, but Knecht’s off-ball scoring skillset should slot him into an NBA offense from day one.
21) New Orleans Pelicans - Dillon Jones, G/F, Weber St.
Jones creates offense via his own wacky, unorthodox style. He’s guard-sized with brute strength and a huge wingspan, barreling through opponents with elite strength and countering with his scoring craft, footwork and live-dribble playmaking flashes. I’m not exactly sure what Jones’ NBA role will look like but his advantage creation upside is valuable late in the first round.
22) Phoenix Suns - Jaylon Tyson, F, Cal
Tall, explosive ball-handlers with off-dribble shooting potential always catch eyes. Tyson’s decision-making and defensive intensity were inconsistent this season, but the flashes of diverse scoring and playmaking on the ball at his size and strength level are enticing. He should find a home as a useful offensive rotation piece at the very least.
23) Milwaukee Bucks - Devin Carter, G, Providence
As the draft’s premier three-and-D guard, Carter plays well above his listed height with a huge wingspan, lightning-quick feet and preternatural instincts defending on and off of the ball. If his substantial three-point shooting improvement this past season transitions to the league, he could find a rotation spot as a third offensive guard with defensive-stopping potential.
24) New York Knicks - Bub Carrington, G, Pittsburgh
Carrington’s age — he won’t turn 19 until late July — and off-dribble shotmaking diversity makes him an enticing upside swing at this point in the draft. Adding strength and explosion will help Carrington unlock his driving game and maximize his already great handle and pick-and-roll playmaking chops.
25) New York Knicks - Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
Walter flashed NBA-level shooting diversity from the wing this season, canning triples sprinting off of movement and pulling off of the dribble. That shotmaking plus the tools to theoretically defend the ball could make Walter a solid role player. If he improves as an off-dribble creator, he may flourish as a secondary offensive guard.
26) Washington Wizards - Nikola Djurisic, F/G, Mega
Djurisic has risen considerably late in the draft cycle, as the 6’7 20-year-old is putting up numbers all over the board in the Adriatic League. The Serbian wing wins with a smooth off-dribble game, flashing enticing pull-up shotmaking, driving and flashy passing size. He’s worth a flier at some point in the draft.
27) Minnesota Timberwolves - Isaiah Crawford, F, Louisiana Tech
Crawford is one of this draft’s premier wing defenders — his strength at bump points and gargantuan wingspan let him defend multiple positions on the ball and wreck shop as an off-ball defender. He’s a crafty mid-range creator with a solid three-point shot, laying the foundation for a useful three-and-D rotation piece.
28) Denver Nuggets - Jonathan Mogbo, F/C, San Francisco
Six-foot-six centers don’t tend to stick in the NBA, but Mogbo might have the tools to be an exception. His enormous wingspan/standing reach and elite vertical leaping let him play above the rim where he dunks and blocks everything in sight. His athletic tools, unique body type and feel for the game are worth a swing late in the first.
29) Utah Jazz - Nique Clifford, F, Colorado St.
On the ball, Clifford constantly manipulates defenders with his eyes and his hands en route to high-level passes. He’s a mobile, rangy defensive wing and that skillset combined with the passing form a valuable combination of skills. If Clifford learns to score reliably from anywhere on the floor, he projects as a valuable Swiss army knife rotation wing.
30) Boston Celtics - Tristan Da Silva, F, Colorado
The sales pitch for Tristan Da Silva is simple – 6’9 players who dribble, pass and shoot at acceptable levels are scarce and slot into almost any modern NBA offense. He’s a bit on the older side with concerns regarding his play strength and physicality, but the talent at his height is undeniable.
Sportskeeda's first 2024 NBA Mock Draft
