With Sunday’s NBA Draft lottery finalizing the draft order, the 2024 NBA draft is starting to come back into focus. This 12 months’s NBA draft is just not thought of one with an excessive amount of franchise expertise, however it’s all the time potential some gamers will exceed expectations. With the NBA Draft Mix going down this week, right here is our third prolonged mock draft for 2024, heading into the Chicago draft mix.
1. *Atlanta Zaccharie Risacher 6-9 200 SF/PF France Intl.
Regardless of struggling some within the last stretch of the season, Risacher holds onto the highest spot by default. It isn’t a draft with an excessive amount of expertise on the high so groups and their fan bases must go into subsequent season with sensible expectations. Risacher has probably the most easy strokes you can see. He reminds a few of an even bigger model of Klay Thompson along with his pure capturing capability. Whereas he’s had some ups and downs over the previous 12 months, he’s been on the radar for a while as a high prospect for the 2024 draft, resulting from his capturing, mobility and wonderful dimension. He has basketball bloodlines with a father that performed, and has proven regular enchancment with Bourg-en-Bresse in France. He’s put up 10 factors per recreation on environment friendly capturing numbers for a lot of the season and received participant of the month early on, following numerous large performances. Detractors contest that he lacks toughness and shies away from contact. He struggled to shine on the 2023 Hoop Summit recreation in Portland, however scouts commented that they beloved the expertise in the course of the week of practices. He rebounded properly this season exhibiting capability as each a shooter and shot blocker. Gaining energy and discovering scenario shall be key, as there are many indications that he could wrestle initially on the NBA degree.
NBA Comparability: Franz Wagner
2. Washington Alexandre Sarr 7-1 205 C France Intl.
Sarr has a number of intrigue along with his size, fluidity and capturing stroke. He exhibits superb capability to maneuver his toes and defend on switches, an actual necessity in right this moment’s recreation and one thing lacking from the opposite high facilities from this 12 months’s draft. The place he appears to be missing is he’s not a giant scorer but, and will by no means be one. He doesn’t play with a lot consistency but, and there are some questions associated to his capability to dominate for lengthy stretches. He had a stable season, however his play dropped off some because the season went on. He didn’t obtain constant minutes and it brought about an actual drop off in his productiveness. The NBL is a stable league, and whereas he confirmed flashes, his age, and lack of expertise, definitely saved him from being a dominant pressure. At the moment at simply over 200 lbs, Sarr could all the time be on the sunshine facet as an NBA heart. Sarr exhibits some star potential, however is an extended methods from being NBA prepared. Whether or not he can add important weight to his body is one other key query.
NBA Comparability: Mitchell Robinson
3. Houston (from Brooklyn) Dalton Knecht 6-7 215 SG/SF Tennessee Sr.
With numerous bigtime spotlight dunks and massive performances, Knecht (pronounced “join”) was one of many breakout draft prospects this season. He wasn’t excessive on staff’s lists coming into the season, however following a switch from Colorado State, Knecht proved it on the SEC degree with a monster senior season wherein he has demonstrated the power to impression video games along with his outdoors capturing and athleticism. He’s an older participant who turned 23 in April so it caps his upside to an extent, however within the submit COVID period of drafts, being 23 not carries the stigma that it as soon as did. Knecht may very well be this 12 months’s Jaime Jaquez, along with his scrappy model and expertise.
NBA Comparability: Mike Miller
4. San Antonio Cody Williams 6-8 190 SF/PG Colorado Fr.
Cody possesses as a lot upside of any participant on this 12 months’s draft. However he has but to show that he has the energy and willpower to maximise his talents. There are a selection of gamers with increased flooring and extra positive bets, and going too excessive might simply be a detriment to Cody. He’s an unfinished product however his actual intrigue is his capability to run the purpose place at 6-8 with a 7-3 wingspan. He has the power to impression video games by creating offense for himself and others off the dribble. He’s a humble child, who prefers to let his play do the speaking. His alternative of Colorado, over the excessive profile packages, is a mirrored image of his character, and doubtless a sign that he would thrive extra simply with a smaller market staff like San Antonio.
NBA Comparability: Lamar Odom
5. Detroit Reed Sheppard 6-2 190 SG/PG Kentucky Fr.
5 appears actually excessive for a participant who doesn’t soar off the web page athletically, has positional query marks, and got here off the bench on a loaded staff the place he was protected with star degree expertise round him always. Regardless, Sheppard is without doubt one of the highest rated prospects for the 2024 draft for numerous causes. Initially he has probably the greatest capturing strokes within the draft and likewise performs with unimaginable IQ exhibiting passing and ball dealing with capability. He’s certain to wrestle to play to his draft place, however that’s the fact of the 2024 NBA draft. Whereas the attention check does him no favors, his analytic numbers put him proper on the high of this 12 months’s draft. Yearly, a participant turns into the “analytics darling” of that particular draft. Detractors take a look at him as a restricted, undersized athlete and query how a lot of his recreation will translate and whether or not he’ll be capable of get pictures off going in opposition to longer athletes on the subsequent degree. The identify Jimmer Freddete will get talked about, granted Sheppard does much more with steals, rebounds and even blocked pictures. Is he Mark Value or is he Seth Curry? Most likely someplace within the center.
NBA Comparability: Mark Value
6. Charlotte Matas Buzelis 6-10 210 SF/PF Ignite Fr.
Buzelis has been one of many highest rated gamers in his age group for numerous years. He’s lastly added some weight to his body and has room for extra progress. He’s acquired good dimension at 6-10 body and a close to 7-foot wingspan, and potential as a stretch 4 makes him intriguing. He had some large video games, though numerous questions stay along with his lack of consistency and energy. His season with the Ignite gained some momentum, and he seems to be a probable lottery choice. Matas is intriguing resulting from his capability to face the basket and rating in numerous methods. Taking part in within the G League for the Ignite doesn’t instill a lot confidence about his season, however groups are pressured to take a number of leaps of religion on this 12 months’s draft.
NBA Comparability: Austin Croshere
7. Portland Stephon Citadel 6-6 220 SG/SF UConn So.
After a gradual begin to his freshman season, Citadel’s impression took flight within the second half of the 12 months. He was UConn’s high performer of their Last 4 win over Alabama, and made a reputation for himself as many individuals’s high prospect on the Huskies Championship staff. He lacks a constant jumper, which fell to 26% by the top of the 12 months, however his stroke doesn’t present any main flaws, apart from a gradual launch which implies he wants time to get it off, a la the Ball brothers, and accounts for his struggles over the season. On the constructive facet, he’s a flexible wing , exhibiting some lead guard attributes, plus he’s the highest wing defender among the many lottery projected prospects.
NBA Comparability: Iman Shumpert
8. *San Antonio (from Toronto) Rob Dillingham 6-2 175 PG Kentucky Fr.
Dillingham is a scrappy lead guard who was spectacular all 12 months coming off the bench for Kentucky. He constructed a repute as a fierce competitor on the highschool degree, and strengthened that along with his play in Lexington. He’s a really targeted child and proved to be an environment friendly offensive participant who can actually get into the zone and put up factors in bunches. He’s a fearless sort of competitor and by no means shies away from taking large pictures. His capability to create is nice, though at instances he can pressure issues and take dangerous pictures. He did a stable job of distributing the ball for UK with out turning it over to the tune of a 2-1 a/to ratio. There’s hypothesis that each he and teammate Reed Sheppard are an inch or so shorter than their listed 6-3 peak. It Dillingham measures properly, 6-3 in sneakers, it definitely helps his trigger.
NBA Comparability: Kemba Walker
9. Memphis Donovan Clingan 7-2 270 C UConn So.
Two seasons, two NCAA titles, there’s no knocking the outcomes. Clingan has actually excited groups along with his defensive dominance, nice dimension and perceived upside. He’s properly favored as a bigman who can run the ground, defend and go. He’s nonetheless younger at simply 20 years of age and the thought is that his willpower and toughness will enable him to proceed to achieve mobility and increase his talent set. His 2.5 blocks per recreation in simply 22 minutes of motion is definitely intriguing. It’s not a powerful draft so he in all probability will get curiosity within the high 10. However with an absence of nice foot pace to defend on switches, plus considerations about his offensive potential, only a 55% profession FT shooter, he may very well be a participant that will get over-drafted primarily based on the tourney hype.
NBA Comparability: Jakob Poeltl
10. Utah Ronald Holland 6-8 205 SF G-League Fr.
Holland got here into the season as a close to consensus high 5 decide. However his deficiencies have been uncovered as he has turned the ball over at a particularly excessive fee, and his scoring and capturing talents proved to be barely beneath marketed. He’s a stable defender, however not elite, and a piece in progress on the offensive finish. Taking part in within the G League for the Ignite’s last season gave him publicity with NBA scouts, however the normal feeling turned that this system didn’t replicate the faculty expertise and not needed with NIL potentialities. Holland remains to be seen by some as a default mid lottery decide, however might slide some on draft night time with fears about his upside an excessive motor participant with beneath common talent and readiness.
NBA Comparability: Will Barton
11. Chicago Ja’Kobe Walter 6-5 180 SG Baylor Fr.
Walter was among the many greatest freshmen within the nation from an effectivity standpoint, however his effectivity deteriorated some on the finish of the 12 months. Whereas his athleticism doesn’t soar off the display screen, he’s acquired good size and a stable talent set, with the power to shoot and create in addition to some combo guard potential. Taking part in for one of many elite packages within the nation, he’s averaged stable scoring and effectivity numbers general. He performed some level guard in highschool, and whereas he’s probably not seeing any time on the place at Baylor, the truth that he’s acquired a historical past on the place helps his trigger. Walter is just not elite by way of athleticism, extra of a clean athlete, however his talent set is superior for his age and he carried out persistently all through a lot of the season.
NBA Comparability: Reggie Bullock
12. Oklahoma Metropolis (from Houston) Nikola Matter 6-5 200 PG Serbia Intl.
Matter is a degree guard with good, not nice, dimension with a 6-5 body and a 6-6 wingspan. He’s an absolute maestro with the basketball, and has an incredible really feel for the sport at a younger age. He’s probably the greatest decide and roll gamers to emerge within the draft in numerous years. He’s within the operating together with Kolek as one of the best passer on this draft and he’s 4 years youthful. At 6-5, he has the scale to see over defenders and performs with nice confidence for an 18 12 months previous. The capturing is just not there but, as he actually struggles from the perimeter, however there may be some hope he improves from 3 in time, as he does have good kind on his shot and hits his FTs. Matter missed a big portion of the season resulting from harm which raises questions on growth and readiness, and it might price him a couple of spots on draft night time.
NBA Comparability: Vasilije Micić
13. Sacramento Terrence Shannon 6-5 220 SG Illinois Sr.
Following his mid-season suspension, resulting from an assault cost, and reinstatement, Shannon went on an absolute tear over the ultimate couple months of the season. He’s the one participant in faculty or professional, apart from Luka Doncic, to common seven made free throws and a pair of made three level pictures. Shannon exhibits the power to attain proficiently on all three ranges. He assaults the protection relentlessly, utilizing his highly effective construct, and pace within the open flooring. Regardless of being one of many older gamers being projected within the first spherical, his readiness provides him a component of safety for groups in search of some prompt impression. Shannon appeared like one of the best participant in all of school basketball in direction of the top of the season. His assault trial is now underway, and it might in the end derail his draft inventory if the trial lingers or he’s discovered responsible.
NBA Comparability: Donovan Mitchell
14. *Portland (from Golden State) Tyler Smith 6-11 215 PF G-League Fr.
Whereas Smith was the much less heralded of the three important GLeague Ignite gamers coming into the 12 months, a powerful season put him within the combine with teammates Matas Buzelis and Ronald Holland as a prospect. He has good size and used two seasons at OTE, previous to this season with the Ignite, to refine his jumpshot. He has grow to be a lethal mid-range and out of doors shooter, one of the best facet of his recreation, however struggles to impression the sport a lot in different areas. He’s a bit of like a smaller Myles Turner along with his lack of nice pace and athleticism however a really composed and mature recreation and the power to play as a stretch large. Smith lacks large upside, however is intriguing resulting from his size and capturing stroke. Late lottery is a risk for the candy capturing bigman.
NBA Comparability: Kelly Olynyk
15. Miami Tidjane Salaun 6-9 205 PF France Intl.
Salaun is a uncooked bigman who performed this season for Cholet in France. Regardless of not being a constant outdoors shooter but, he had a string of video games the place he hit at a excessive clip from three level. He has an enormous wingspan and customarily provides superb effort. However his really feel for the sport remains to be a piece in progress. In Treviso, on the 2023 Eurocamp, he tried to point out some elements of his recreation that simply weren’t there but. He drove the ball from the perimeter on numerous events, exposing his excessive dribble and lack of creation abilities. However when he focuses on doing the soiled work and utilizing his athleticism across the basket, he’s a handful. His spirit for the sport is obvious and should you want a wall run by way of, he’s your man. It’s clear that he’s extra of an vitality 4 than a fringe participant, however the truth that he’s begun to knock down spot up threes at an rising fee put his inventory on the rise.
NBA Comparability: Dorain Finney-Smith
16. Philadelphia Isaiah Collier 6-4 210 PG/SG USC Fr.
Collier exploded out of the gates and rose as much as the tops of draft boards with a 40% three level share and numerous large performances. Sadly his sizzling begin was not indicative of his true capability as a shooter. He proved in highschool that he was distributor of the ball, however at USC he proved to be turnover susceptible with a bent to get uncontrolled when attacking the basket. Regardless of being the consensus primary participant within the class following his senior season, there are considerations about how his recreation interprets to the following degree. Collier might be a bit of shorter than his listed 6-5 peak, he lacks an enormous wingspan, and is seen by NBA scouts as a little bit of a beneath the rim athlete, regardless of his nice pace off the dribble. He’s nonetheless a possible lottery decide and probably provides a staff dimension and pace on the lead guard place.
NBA Comparability: Marcus Banks
17. *New Orleans (from LA Lakers) KyShawn George 6-8 200 SF Miami Fr.
George is certainly one of this 12 months’s wildcards. The Swiss born wing benefited from some added minutes resulting from accidents to starters at Miami round New Years and has took benefit of the chance, displaying versatility and clean capturing capability. He’s nonetheless uncooked and desires expertise, and is already 20 years of age. Regardless of that he oozes upside along with his clean offensive abilities and capturing capability. Whereas there are definitely questions on readiness, the primary spherical of this 12 months’s draft consists of numerous gamers that shall be drafted on upside. In addition to having the same bodily look, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson involves thoughts as a participant comp contemplating he’s a flexible ahead with excessive degree capturing capability.
NBA Comparability: Cameron Johnson
18. Orlando Jaylon Tyson 6-7 225 SG California Jr.
Tyson was one of many breakout stars of the NCAA season. The Plano, Texas native put up monster stats for Cal with 19.6 ppg and 6.8 boards to associate with nice effectivity numbers. his calling card is his super outdoors capturing capability. He’s an above common athlete with a giant body for a wing and exhibits a really polished flooring recreation. He’s extraordinarily adept at creating offense in isolation and has a number of methods to get defenders off stability whether or not or not it’s pump fakes or jab steps. He’s not the quickest or most explosive athlete, however he performs a really managed model and will be capable of discover success contemplating his capability to get pictures off with out a lot area. Defensively, he’ll must work on turning into higher at anticipation and utilizing his energy to beat an absence of supreme foot pace.
NBA Comparability: Desmond Bane
19. *Toronto (from Indiana) Carlton Carrington 6-6 190 PG/SG Pittsburgh Fr.
Carrington had a sizzling begin to the 12 months and likewise completed robust. In the course of the 12 months the Baltimore native struggled along with his capturing effectivity, however by no means misplaced focus of his aim as a pacesetter and staff participant. Carrington is a skinny level guard with wonderful dimension and playmaking capability. He’s acquired a really good trying capturing stroke and does job of getting his personal appears to be like within the stream of the sport and solely after getting his teammates appears to be like. His 4.1 to 1.9 help to turnover ratio present that he’s a wonderful determination maker. Whereas his capturing appeared to hit a wall, his numbers on the season usually are not so dangerous when you think about scoring was his second duty after operating the staff.13.2 ppg on 41.2 32.2 78.5 whereas not sensational present a number of promise as only a freshman, who got here into the season barely seen as a high 100 recruit. 5,2 rebounds per recreation can also be a wonderful stat from a guard. He additionally plaus wonderful on ball protection and will solely get higher as he provides energy. Carrington might find yourself one of many high 10 gamers out of this draft and will find yourself a steal within the teenagers to early 20s.
NBA Comparability: Shaun Livingston
20. Cleveland Johnny Furphy 6-8 200 SF Kansas Fr.
Whereas possessing intrigue, Furphy is without doubt one of the much less NBA prepared gamers probably accessible. Furphy improved his play at Kansas because the season went alongside. He suits in greatest with a staff with a long run outlook as he figures to take a while, however the truth that he’s a hardworking child that confirmed a number of enchancment in a brief period of time is encouraging. He performs with a number of spirit and vitality and his capability to knock down pictures with good dimension on the wing provides him an opportunity to make it on the subsequent degree.
NBA Comparability: Julian Strawther
21. New Orleans (from Milwaukee) Yves Missi 7-0 230 PF/C Baylor So.
Missi is someway a stiff and an athlete on the similar time. Missi impressed scouts this 12 months along with his excessive motor and depth. He confirmed a willingness to compete and carry out properly in large video games. He additionally confirmed the power to make use of his size to impression each ends of the ground. And whereas there are definitely considerations associated to his fluidity and coordination, he’s an explosive athlete. He has some rim safety capability in addition to some ball dealing with that scouts took observe of as he was, at instances, in a position to take slower bigs off the dribble and create baskets in isolation. Missi figures to discover a spot someplace within the second half of the primary spherical.
NBA Comparability: Gorgui Dieng
22. Phoenix Kel’el Ware 7-0 240 C Indiana So.
The sophomore switch from Oregon put up spectacular statistics at Indiana this 12 months. He has doubled his output in each minutes and factors and has a really perfect NBA heart body. He additionally shoots the ball with good kind. He stays a mission for the NBA degree resulting from his focus and depth nonetheless being inconsistent. However you received’t discover many athletic 7-footers averaging a close to double double, 14.7 and 9.3, with three level capturing potential (7-19) 27 p.c and the power to rim defend (1.5 blocks per recreation). If he can land in the proper scenario with an incredible passer setting lobs for him repeatedly, he might maximize his upside on the subsequent degree.
NBA Comparability: Ivica Zubac
23. Milwaukee (from New Orleans) Devin Carter 6-2 200 SG/PG Windfall Jr.
Carter has NBA bloodlines and had a breakout season at Windfall. His 6-9 wingspan permits him to play larger than his 6-2 dimension. He’s acquired a bit of little bit of a gradual launch however his shot exhibits good kind and contact in any other case. He actually will get after it on the defensive finish utilizing his large wingspan to his benefit, Whereas he has late lottery grades from some scouts and early second spherical grades from others, it’s a weaker draft that means groups shall be in search of extra position rtpe gamers versus stars with their mid-late first spherical picks. Carter has an opportunity to be a contributor on each ends of the ground, regardless of being a little bit of an undersized two.
NBA Comparability: Ayo Dosunmu
24. *New York (from Dallas) Kyle Filipowski 7-0 245 PF/C Duke So.
The sophomore bigman for Duke had a stable if unspectacular season. He exhibits stable mobility, physique management and toughness for a 7-footer. Whereas not essentially the most athletic participant, he has proven some development in his capturing throughout his two seasons in Durham. He might want to enhance a bit extra to actually be an element on the subsequent degree. Filipowski had offseason surgical procedure to enhance his hips and it has resulted in some further mobility. Contemplating that he’s hardworking, it a secure wager that he’ll develop right into a stable shooter on the NBA degree. The place he figures to wrestle is defensively, as he lacks lateral quickness and isn’t a lot of a rim protector for a close to 7-footer. Whereas his scoring output has not improved tremendously, his effectivity in A/TO and his capturing splits have proven enchancment.
NBA Comparability: Isaiah Hartenstein
25. New York Jared McCain 6-3 190 SG Duke Fr.
McCain was Duke’s high participant all season. He’s a really stable performer who wonderful in catch and capturing. He’s acquired super vary on his shot and superb physique energy. There are nonetheless query marks surrounding his capability to play the purpose guard place. Whereas not dangerous passer and stable determination maker (1/9 TO 1.3 A/TO), his really feel for taking part in the purpose guard place and decide and roll wants sharpening.
NBA Comparability: Bryn Forbes
26. Washington (from LA Clippers) Tyler Kolek 6-4 195 PG Marquette Sr.
Kolek turned 23 on March twenty seventh which places him among the many COVID membership members, and one of many older, and extra skilled gamers accessible. At 6-3, he’s acquired fairly good dimension for the purpose guard place. He’s an absolute wizard along with his ball dealing with and notably passing,operating the decide and roll like a maestro. His creativity to seek out teammates with passes and at simply the proper time is at a complicated degree. He led the nation in assists at 7.7 per recreation. His 4.9 rebounds per recreation present his willingness to get his nostril soiled and play bodily. He’s additionally a wonderful shooter, with scoring capability from all three ranges as his capturing splits point out: 49.3 fg%, 39.5 3p% and 83.5 ft%. His three level capturing was very constant all through his 4 12 months faculty profession, flattening quantity at roughly 1.5 three per recreation.
NBA Comparability; TJ McConnell
27. Minnesota Tristan da Silva 6-8 210 SF Colorado Sr.
The Brazilian by the use of Munich is without doubt one of the extra skilled wing prospecrs on this 12 months’s draft with 4 years at Colorado underneath his belt. The upside is just not as intriguing as with a youthful participant, Da Silva turns 23 on May15, nevertheless his capability to contribute sooner is the tradeoff. Da Silva exhibits a really good capturing movement and skill to stroke the lengthy ball. He’s an honest athlete within the open flooring with lengthy arms and will get some dunks on unfastened balls and again doorways. Whereas not a giant time isolation man, he can create baskets at instances when referred to as upon and will proceed to increase on this space. Whereas not the best upside decide within the late first spherical space, his capturing and size give him a pleasant mixture of flooring and ceiling. Whereas his scoring and effectivity have been fairly even from his junior 12 months, 16 ppg on 49.3 fg% 39.5 3ppercentm 83.5 dt%, his a/to going from a 1/2 destructive quantity to 2.4 to 1.8 was his greatest soar in effectivity.
NBA Comparability: Cody Martin
28. Denver Trey Alexander 6-4 190 SG Creighton Jr.
Alexander is without doubt one of the extra skilled guards with out being previous the usual expiration level. he returned to high school and targeted on exhibiting that he’s a succesful lead guard on high of the scoring capability. Whereas questions stay about his pace and skill to get by defenders off the dribble, he’s acquired an intriguing set of abilities within the late first to early second spherical vary. His 6.2 rebounds per recreation on the guard place is a valued asset and enhances his analytics projections. He has a 6-8 wingspan, giving him a plus 3-4 inches on his peak. Alexander additionally performed properly within the NCAA tourney, exhibiting that he’s in a position to step up to date when referred to as upon.
NBA Comparability: Alec Burks
29. *Toronto (From Oklahoma Metropolis) Kevin McCullar 6-7 210 SG Kansas Sr.
One other 23 12 months previous, McCullar is a seasoned guard who constructed a repute as a tricky nosed defender and stable athlete. His capturing is the world of his recreation that took a stunning soar in effectivity this season. He suffered a late season bone bruise that took him out of motion for the NCAA event. A ten ppg scorer coming into the 12 months, jumped to 18 per recreation, and his capturing splits of 45.4 fg%, 33.3 3p%, 80.5 ft% have been one of the best of his profession. His 33% three level share dipped on the finish of the 12 months resulting from a chilly spell capturing. McCullar is without doubt one of the high defenders on this 12 months’s draft and will present a gentle throughout talent set with readiness on the subsequent degree. McCullar capturing properly in exercises will in all probability be the issue that will get his identify referred to as on day one or day two of the brand new two day format June draft.
NBA Comparability: Quentin Grimes
30. Boston Pacome Dadiet 6-7 210 SF Ratiopharm Ulm 2005
One of many youngest gamers accessible, Dadiet is a participant who has made a late push up draft boards and has a shot to seize a spot within the late first spherical. He’ll flip 19 after the draft in July. Whereas not the flashiest of prospects, he’s a man that connects the staff along with his throughout abilities and skill to carry what’s wanted to the desk. A stable athlete who may be very sensible and has good really feel for the sport. He exhibits good ball abilities, with the power to deal with it, discover teammates with nice imaginative and prescient and passing, in addition to knock down open pictures with contact and capturing capability.
NBA Comparability: Brandon Podziemski
