This yr’s draft is unlikely to generate the identical degree of curiosity as a draft like 2023 with unicorns and lightweight reveals, however so far as projections go, the tough drafts separate the boys from the boys. This yr’s draft, whereas clearly under customary on expertise, continues to see intriguing gamers come out of the woodworks. Right here is our second prolonged mock for the 2024 NBA Draft, as issues progressively come into focus.
1. *Detroit Cody Williams 6-8 190 SF/PG Colorado Fr.
Along with his size, athleticism and talent set, Cody has essentially the most upside of any participant on this yr’s draft. However he’s an unfinished product and a dangerous decide at this level and nonetheless has work to do to solidify a place this excessive. After lacking just a few video games as a consequence of damage, he’s again showcasing the expertise we witnessed in highschool. His actual intrigue is his potential to run the purpose guard place at 6-8 with a 7-3 wingspan. He has the velocity to blow by defenders, and impression video games together with his potential to create offense for himself and others off the dribble. Cody has a excessive ceiling, however is clearly a swing for the fences kind of decide and will battle some initially. He’s a humble child, who prefers to let his play do the speaking. His selection of Colorado, over the excessive profile packages, is a mirrored image of his persona, and doubtless a sign that he would thrive extra seamlessly with a smaller market group like San Antonio or OKC. Some might get the flawed concept that he lacks ardour for the sport. Following his rise to the highest of the category as a HS senior, there have been quite a lot of cases the place he did not impress when the expectations rose, and a backlash subsequently started to kind. Issues have arisen about his dedication and toughness, so it is going to be as much as him to disprove the doubters with a powerful finish to the season and the way he challenges himself to standout on the subsequent degree. He wants to wash up the defensive lapses, however in a draft devoid of any clear reduce franchise/tradition gamers (Chat, Banchero and Wemby from latest drafts) a dangerous, upside decide will most likely should suffice.
NBA Comparability: Lamar Odom
2. Washington Zaccharie Risacher 6-9 200 SF/PF France Intl.
Risacher has probably the most easy strokes one can find. He reminds a few of an even bigger model of Klay Thompson together with his pure capturing stroke. Whereas he’s had some ups and downs over the previous 12 months, he’s been on the radar for a while as a prime prospect for the 2024 draft as a consequence of his capturing, mobility and glorious measurement. He has basketball bloodlines with a father that performed and has proven regular enchancment with Bourg-en-Bresse in France. He’s placing up 10 factors per sport on environment friendly capturing numbers and lately received participant of the month after quite a lot of huge performances. Detractors contest that he lacks toughness and shies away from contact. He struggled to shine on the 2023 Hoop Summit sport in Portland, however scouts commented that they beloved the expertise in the course of the week of practices. He has rebounded properly this season, following a irritating Hoop Summit sport, exhibiting a variety of promise, as each a shooter and shot blocker. Gaining power and discovering a very good scenario will likely be key, as there are many indications that he might battle initially on the NBA degree. The flawed media market and group match might find yourself turning into tough to bounce again from a sluggish begin.
NBA Comparability: Detlef Shrempf
3. San Antonio Ja’Kobe Walter 6-5 180 SG Baylor Fr.
Statistically Walter has been one of the best freshmen within the nation among the many elite draft prospects. Whereas his athleticism doesn’t bounce off the display, he’s received good size and a complicated talent set, with the flexibility 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 averaging over 15 ppg on capturing splits of 43.0 fg, 38.5 3p, and 84.6 ft, numbers that point out that he may be elite as a shooter on the subsequent degree. He performed some level guard in highschool, and whereas he’s not likely seeing any time on the place at Baylor, the truth that he’s received a historical past on the place helps his trigger. Walter isn’t elite when it comes to athleticism, extra of a easy athlete, however his talent set is superior for his age and he has carried out persistently at a excessive degree up to now this season.
NBA Comparability: Tyler Herro
4. *Charlotte Carlton Carrington 6-6 190 PG/SG Pittsburgh Fr.
The Baltimore native, Carrington, has been the breakout freshman of the yr in school basketball. He got here into Pitt with out a lot nationwide acclaim, as a borderline prime 100 recruit, and immediately introduced his presence as one of many prime younger prospects within the nation. Nonetheless simply 18, he’s at the moment averaging 14.3 ppg, 5.2 reb, and 4.8 apg. Spectacular numbers for one of many youngest gamers within the draft, who will flip 19 in July. The power of his sport is setting teammates up with nice imaginative and prescient and passing. Detractors level to his struggles at getting all the best way to the rim and ending. Power ought to assist with that as his first step seems strong and he’s selecting up higher methods of operating off screens and timing his burst. One different main criticism has been consistency together with his outdoors shot, the place he has struggled after a sizzling begin. In 16 video games, he’s made 32 three pointers at only a 31% clip. He’s nonetheless studying a brand new place as a full time level guard in school, so perspective is vital in not being too fast to guage his lack of effectivity early on. He has made simply 16 of 70 threes over his previous 11 video games, 22.8%. Regardless of the struggles, it’s evident that he possesses ISO scoring potential and a textbook capturing stroke. At 80% from the FT line, there’s a transparent signal that capturing will likely be a power to his sport long run. He’ll must proceed to enhance on his decide and roll potential, and power, to complete on the rim. However in a draft devoid of excessive upside, excessive ground picks, “Bub” Carrington qualifies as one. Now the actual query is when he makes a sport profitable shot if he’ll get away “the Carlton”.
NBA Comparability: Shaun Livingston
5. *Portland Alexandre Sarr 7-1 205 C France Intl.
Sarr has been mentioned as a possible prime total decide, having seen time at that spot on our board earlier than the season. He carried out properly within the Perth vs Ignite GLeague summer season showcase, towards a participant that on the time was thought of a a lot increased degree prospect in Ronald Holland. Sarr has an intriguing talent set together with his potential to impression the sport together with his size and athleticism on each ends, with an athleticism package deal just like Mitchell Robinson. However Sarr has a extra fluid and efficient shot and offensive sport. Whereas he’s fluid and agile, there are nonetheless some holes to his sport as he lacks consistency and at 205 lbs, nonetheless wants so as to add a great deal of power. His sport has some intrigue however it stays to be seen if he has the expertise to intrigue groups on the very prime of the draft.
NBA Comparability: Mitchell Robinson
6. Memphis Wooga Poplar 6-5 195 SG Miami Jr.
Poplar is an explosive guard who has stepped up his degree of play as a junior, including power to his physique and turning into an environment friendly capturing risk from all three ranges. His capturing splits of 51% fg / 51% 3ptt / 88% ft illustrate his proficiency. The place he nonetheless must turn out to be higher is in his ball dealing with and passing and restrict his turnovers. Presently he’s averaging a under 1:1 a/to ratio at 2.2/2.6.Poplar is an above the rim finisher who thrives at filling the lanes and getting dunks on the break, in addition to acrobatic finishes across the rim.
NBA Comparability: Devin Vassell
7. *San Antonio (from Toronto) Matas Buzelis 6-10 210 SF G-League Fr.
Buzelis has been one of many highest rated gamers in his age group for quite a lot of years. He’s lastly added some weight to his body and has room for extra progress. He’s not extraordinarily lengthy, however with a 6-10 body and close to 7-foot wingspan, his potential as a stretch 4 makes him intriguing. He’s had some huge video games lately, and though there stay quite a lot of questions together with his lack of consistency and power. However he’s lastly placing up some very huge video games lately, and gaining momentum as a possible lottery choice in June. Whereas Franz Wagner is an bold comparability as a consequence of his capturing, Matas was a excessive rated recruit at youthful levels and will probably make up floor in his capturing.
NBA Comparability: Franz Wagner
8. Atlanta Kanaan Carlyle 6-3 185 PG/SG Stanford Fr.
Carlyle spent final season within the OTE program. He used the season properly as he clearly improved upon his capturing mechanics and effectivity. He’s no longer simply an excessive degree athlete, however has one of many extra polished ISO and pull up video games in school among the many prime draft prospects. He’s not thought of a real level guard, however the truth that he’s received nice imaginative and prescient and passing expertise provides him potential to develop on the place. Carlyle is a bouncy 6-3 guard with lengthy arms (wingspan within the 6-6 vary) and glorious composure. He had a signature efficiency early in his school profession with 28 factors, serving to Stanford upset Arizona and continues to impress at one of many elite tutorial Universities within the nation.
NBA Comparability: Anfernee Simons
9. Houston KyShawn George 6-8 200 SF Miami Fr.
George is likely one of the draft’s quick risers. The Swiss born wing benefited from some added minutes as a consequence of accidents to starters at Miami round New Years and has taken full benefit of the chance, displaying his versatility and easy capturing potential. Whereas he’s nonetheless unproven, averaging simply 7 ppg, his effectivity statistics have been extraordinarily spectacular. He’s already 20 years of age and continued effectivity will give him an actual alternative to be a excessive draft decide. Whereas there nonetheless could also be considerations about readiness, the primary spherical of this yr’s draft will include a quantity gamers which might be drafted extra on upside than readiness. Other than the truth that he has the same bodily look, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson involves thoughts as a comp with versatile ahead with excessive degree capturing potential.
NBA Comparability: Cameron Johnson
10. *Chicago Adama Bal 6-7 190 PG/SG Santa Clara Jr.
Bal might make it the third straight season {that a} Santa Clara Bronco is chosen within the prime 20 of the draft, following Jalen Williams and Brandin Podziemski, Bal is a extremely expert Junior who spent two seasons at Arizona, however did not crack the rotation, and has damaged out as a star this yr. Bal reveals superior ball dealing with and passing expertise together with a elegant capturing stroke. His physique isn’t as toned as he appeared in the summertime enjoying for Workforce France, and it has value him some foot velocity, however his size and measurement as a possible combo guard give him a variety of intrigue. Bal is averaging 16 ppg on a particularly environment friendly 49% fg/41% 3ptt/ 88% ft break up. Whereas not fairly as lengthy or athletic as Jalen Williams, his physique kind and talent set are eerily just like the previous Santa Clara standout. Bal additionally advantages from being a yr younger for his grade at simply 20 on draft night time.
NBA Comparability: Jalen Williams
11. *Memphis (from Golden State) Hunter Sallis 6-5 185 SG Wake Forest Jr.
Salis had an unimpressive two yr stint at Gonzaga and in a change from the norm, his sport has exploded following a switch from Gonzaga. Salis has improved upon his consistency and scoring potential and now has some potential to create offense for himself. His three level capturing has turn out to be a weapon and he’s received the athleticism to be a excessive degree defender and transition standout. The place Sallis actually wants to enhance is to proceed to get stronger, with the intention to make the most of his athleticism and play with extra of a bodily model.
NBA Comparability:Terrence Ross
12. *New Orleans (from LA Lakers) Aaron Bradshaw 7-1 225 PF/C Kentucky Fr.
Bradshaw has confirmed the flexibility to not solely run the ground and be a rim protector, however even knock down the occasional three level shot. He’s an unfinished product and nonetheless working by way of some rising pains, however has good palms and prototypical measurement, Bradshaw is within the dialog with Sarr to be the primary heart taken. He has a little bit of a uneven gait operating the ground, and a few might query his toughness, however he has proven a willingness to compete. Toughness and leg power are considerations, however candy capturing 7-footers with the flexibility to rim run aren’t a dime a dozen.
NBA Comparability: Samuel Dalembert
13. Oklahoma Metropolis (from Utah) Dalton Knecht 6-6 215 SG Tennessee Sr.
With quite a lot of bigtime spotlight dunks and massive performances, Knecht (pronounced join) has been one of many breakout draft prospects this season. He wasn’t excessive on group’s lists coming into the season, however following a switch from Colorado State, Knecht has confirmed it on the SEC degree with a strong senior season during which he has demonstrated the flexibility to impression video games together with his outdoors capturing and athleticism. He’s an older participant and can flip 23 in April so it places a cap on his upside, however within the publish COVID period of drafts, being 23 not carries the stigma that it as soon as did. Knecht has hit some bumps in SEC play, so establishing a spot in the primary spherical would require ending the season properly and a few optimistic exercises main as much as the draft.
NBA Comparability: Pat Connaughton
14. *Oklahoma Metropolis Reed Sheppard 6-2 190 SG/PG Kentucky Fr.
Sheppard is more likely to be probably the most polarizing prospects come draft time. The attention take a look at doesn’t favor him, but the analytics are off the charts. Yearly, a participant turns into the “analytics darling” of that specific draft. Sheppard has that title after the primary half of the season, and in a foul draft a participant like Sheppard might actually fly up draft boards if groups really feel he can legitimately play some level guard. Detractors level to the truth that he’s possible 6-1 barefoot. And have a look at him as a restricted, undersized athlete with nice defensive analytics however query how a lot of his sport will translate and whether or not he’ll have the ability to get pictures off going towards longer athletes on the subsequent degree. The identify Jimmer Freddete comes up with Sheppard, however whereas not the prolific scorer but that Jimmer grew to become, Sheppard does much more with steals, rebounds and even blocked pictures. Is he Mark Value or is he Seth Curry? In all probability someplace within the center.
NBA Comparability: Jeff Hornacek
15. *Phoenix Tyler Smith 6-11 215 PF G-League Fr.
Whereas Smith was the much less heralded GLeague Ignite participant coming into the yr, he’s put himself proper within the combine with teammates Matas Buzelis and Ronald Holland in draft projections. He has good size and used two seasons at OTE, previous to this season with the Ignite, to refine his jumpshot. He has turn out to be a lethal mid-range and outdoors shooter, one of the best facet of his sport, however struggles to impression the sport a lot in different areas. He’s somewhat like a smaller Myles Turner together with his lack of nice velocity and athleticism however a really composed and mature sport and the flexibility to play as a stretch huge. Smith lacks large upside, however is intriguing as a consequence of his size and capturing stroke.
NBA Comparability: Kelly Olynyk
16. Orlando Rob Dillingham 6-2 175 PG Kentucky Fr.
Dillingham constructed a repute as a fierce competitor on the highschool degree. He’s a really targeted child and has gotten off to a terrific begin. He’s confirmed to be an environment friendly offensive participant who can actually get into the zone and put up factors in bunches. He’s a fearless kind of competitor and by no means shies away from taking huge pictures. His potential to create is sweet, though at instances he can power issues and take unhealthy pictures. He’s doing a strong job of distributing the ball and never turning the ball over with 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: Brandon Jennings
17. Miami Nikola Subject 6-6 200 PG Serbia Intl.
Subject is a maestro with the basketball. He’s among the finest decide and roll gamers to emerge within the draft in quite a lot of years. So why is he not rated increased right here? The measurements on him are clearly inflated as he’s nearer to 6-5 than 6-7 and he has a wingspan that’s close to even to his peak, round 6-5 not the 7-feet that has been disseminated. From an athletic standpoint, he’s a under common athlete that performs extra like a 6-3 participant than an enormous level. His peak provides enhances his potential to see over defenders, which he makes use of to his benefit. and it’s clear that he’s properly favored for his superior really feel and nice basketball IQ. The capturing isn’t there but, as he actually struggles from the perimeter, however there’s some hope he improves from 3 in time, as he’s a strong shooter from the road.
NBA Comparability: Vasilije Micić
18. New York Bobi Klintman 6-10 225 PF/SF Sweden Intl.
The Swedish nationwide enjoying within the NBL for the Cairns Taipans has had some breakout performances, however has struggled to develop any kind of consistency on a sport to sport foundation. He’s received good measurement and a few versatility to play each ahead positions and shoot from outdoors. He’s somewhat reliant on teammates to set him up however finds methods to make the most of his mobility to get some simple baskets. He’s simply a mean athlete when it comes to leaping potential, however he’s a fluid and cell participant with strong size. His three level capturing potential at his measurement (36% on the yr, with 26 makes in 19 video games) is what makes him intriguing as a attainable mid to late first rounder.
NBA Comparability: Trey Lyles
19. New Orleans 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 quite a lot of huge performances. Sadly his sizzling begin was not indicative of his true potential as a shooter. He proved in highschool that he was a superb distributor of the ball, however at USC he has been turnover inclined and tends to get uncontrolled when attacking the basket. He was the consensus primary participant within the class following his senior season. Collier might be somewhat shorter than his listed 6-5 peak, he lacks an enormous wingspan, and is seen by NBA scouts as a little bit of a under the rim athlete, regardless of his nice velocity off the dribble. He’s not out for quite a lot of weeks with an damage, so he’ll must get again to kind shortly as soon as again to recapture a few of the buzz he was creating.
NBA Comparability: Tony Wroten
20. New York Kyle Filipowski 7-0 245 PF/C Duke So.
Filipowski had offseason surgical procedure to enhance his hips and it has resulted in some further mobility. Whereas he lacks nice athleticism for the following degree, he finds methods to beat this with grit, dedication and toughness. He has improved his 3 level capturing throughout this season, as much as 37%, granted he’s solely hitting one per sport and at hitting simply 70% from the FT line. However contemplating that he’s hardworking, it a protected guess that he’ll develop right into a strong shooter on the NBA degree. The place he figures to battle 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 huge enchancment.
NBA Comparability: Isaiah Hartenstein
21. Cleveland Tidjane Salaun 6-9 205 PF France Intl.
Salaun is at the moment a really uncooked bigman enjoying for Cholet in France. He lately had a string of video games the place he hit 17-24 from three level. He has an enormous wingspan and provides superb effort always. However his really feel for the sport continues to be a piece in progress. In Treviso, on the 2023 Eurocamp in June, he tried to indicate some points of his sport that simply weren’t there but. He drove the ball from the perimeter on quite a lot of events, exposing his excessive dribble and lack of creation expertise, a evident weak spot. 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 unequalled amongst draft prospects and when 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 charge has his inventory on the rise.
NBA Comparability: Tiago Splitter
22. *Atlanta Jaxson Robinson 6-7 190 SG/SF BYU Sr.
Robinson is likely one of the attention-grabbing tales on this yr’s draft. He has already transferred to a few packages, finally touchdown at BYU. And he’s clearly one of the best expertise on BYU, but comes off the bench for them. He’s received a narrative considerably harking back to New Orleans Pelicans star ahead Trey Murphy, that of a late bloomer that emerged late in his school profession, who has a candy capturing stroke. He nonetheless wants to enhance on his determination making, significantly when passing, however does present some intriguing handles to set himself up for seems.
NBA Comparability: Trey Murphy
23. *Toronto (from Indiana Trey Alexander 6-4 190 SG Creighton Jr.
Alexander is likely one of the intriguing upperclassman in school basketball. He continues to enhance his sport, having taken over extra of the playmaking duties this yr. He’s averaging 4.5 assists per sport and has a strong (1.8) help to turnover ratio. Whereas his capturing effectivity has dipped some in his junior yr (31.6 from three and 77.6 FT), the truth that he hit 41% from three as a sophomore and over 80% in every of his first two years proves that the capturing potential is there. He reveals an actual willingness to make hustle performs and play bodily. His 6.2 rebounds per sport on the guard place will likely be a valued asset and certain to reinforce his analytics projections. He has a 6-8 wingspan, giving him a plus 3-4 inches on his peak.
NBA Comparability: Alec Burks
24. Philadelphia Ronald Holland 6-8 205 SF G-League Fr.
Holland got here into the season as a close to consensus prime 5 decide. However his deficiencies have been uncovered as he has turned the ball over at a particularly excessive charge, and his scoring and capturing talents haven’t been as marketed. He’s a strong defender, however not elite, and a piece in progress on the offensive finish. Taking part in within the G League has given him publicity with NBA scouts, however some really feel the extent of competitors doesn’t fairly replicate the school expertise. There’s nonetheless time to get again on monitor, however Holland has dropped within the minds of scouts to a mid/late first rounder, versus the potential prime total decide hype he acquired early within the season.
NBA Comparability: Will Barton
25. Oklahoma Metropolis (from LA Clippers) Kevin McCullar 6-7 210 SG Kansas Sr.
McCullar has constructed a repute as a tricky, defensive minded group participant after 4 years in school, touchdown with Kansas the previous two years after transferring from Texas Tech. He’s proven regular enchancment in each productiveness and effectivity as a shooter. On the destructive aspect he’ll be 23 in April and a few will argue he’s beating up on gamers 2-3 years youthful than him and lacks a lot upside. However the optimistic is that he’s received the readiness that groups appear to be on the lookout for an increasing number of, publish COVID.
NBA Comparability: Quentin Grimes
26. Denver Melvin Ajinca 6-8 200 SF France Intl.
Ajinca is a flexible French participant with the potential to be a mid to late first rounder. He has 3-and D potential, with the flexibility to protect a number of positions. The 19 yr outdated lefty already has a professional physique and has no drawback with physicality on the French professional degree. He nonetheless must work on creating a dependable outdoors shot. He’s had an up and down yr, however lately he has strung collectively quite a lot of high quality video games to carry his common close to double digits in scoring, (9.3 ppg). On the yr, he has knocked down 35.6% (34/96) of his three level pictures, His really feel for the sport is a piece in progress, which means his situational dependence might be increased than most.
NBA Comparability: Saddiq Bey
27. Milwaukee Ryan Dunn 6-8 215 PF/SF Virginia So.
Dunn is a ridiculously lengthy and athletic ahead with a really uncooked talent set. His defensive metrics are off the charts, together with his potential to generate steals and lock down opponents on the defensive finish. However up to now, he has not proven any actual offensive potential, apart from rim operating and principally rubbish buckets. His really feel for the sport nonetheless has a methods to go. He’s capturing 22% from three and 58% from the FT line. All of which makes him an upside play, more likely to go within the late first to early second spherical of the draft.
NBA Comparability: Matisse Thybulle
28. *Toronto (From Oklahoma Metropolis) Ulrich Chomche 6-11 235 C Cameroon 2003
Gesundheit! Regardless of not receiving a variety of hype in the meanwhile, the Cameroonian bigman who performs inside the NBA Africa program possesses a tantalizing mixture of size, energy (6–11 with a 7–4 wingspan) and explosiveness. He additionally shows an intriguing kind on his jumpshot. He’s uncooked however exhibiting some early indicators, and the truth that this draft is extensively thought of a weak one implies that some much less confirmed, excessive ceiling choices might be taken on this vary of the draft. He has proven some actual flashes, together with contact that you simply don’t usually discover in an athletic huge. Making him probably the most intriguing beneath the radar prospects with potential draft eligibility, being 2005 born.
NBA Comparability: Trayce Jackson-Davis
29. Minnesota Kel’el Ware 7-0 240 C Indiana So.
The sophomore switch from Oregon is placing up spectacular statistics at Indiana this yr. He has doubled his output in each minutes and factors and has a super NBA heart body. He additionally shoots the ball with good kind. He stays a undertaking for the NBA degree as a consequence of 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 % and the flexibility to rim shield (1.5 blocks per sport). If he can land in the correct scenario with an ideal passer setting lobs for him frequently, he might maximize his upside on the subsequent degree.
NBA Comparability: Jacob Poeltl
30. Boston DJ Wagner 6-3 185 SG Kantucky Fr.
Wagner got here in as one of many prime recruits within the nation and whereas he’s been strong, he’s slid some as a draft prospect as a consequence of lack of effectivity, specifically capturing. He’s capturing simply 31%, 15-48 from distance by way of 14 video games. his sport relies on being a scorer, which suggests with the ability to shoot is crucial for his sport. Whereas the group has been experimenting with placing him extra on the ball as some extent with the intention to get him concerned extra in playmaking, he stays simply common in isolation as a consequence of a scarcity of size and velocity off the dribble. He nonetheless has an opportunity to enhance his inventory and cement a spot within the first spherical, however he’ll must maintain scoring at a constant clip and proceed to lift his effectivity numbers. At 6-3 and with no huge wingspan, a group drafting Wagner will likely be banking on his shot enhancing.
NBA Comparability: Jared Butler
