2024 NBA Mock Draft
Who Will Atlanta Pick First?
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The first round of the NBA Draft will be held on Wednesday, June 26th, and round two will follow up on Thursday June 27th. This year’s draft is not as strong as last season’s and in fact may be one of the weakest in some time.
Below is Draft Nation’s Mock Draft, taking a deep dive into picks one through thirty. Enjoy!
- Atlanta Hawks
There are a lot of question marks surrounding the Hawks. Will they trade Star point guard Trae Young? Will they move the #1 overall pick for a veteran to combine with Young?
Draft Nation thinks the weak draft class will make it difficult for Atlanta to move the pick and will likely go with the draft’s best defensive prospect and the player with the most upside overall. Sarr’s defensive ability and shot blocking skills will be a huge addition to a team who struggles on defense.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/Alexandre-Sarr-jbq
Alexandre Sarr- F/C, Australian NBL Perth Wildcats (France)
2). Washington Wizards
The Wizards have as many needs as any other team in basketball and will be selecting the best available player on the board. They also have pick #26 to try and start to rebuild this franchise. Risacher has a 6’9” frame with above average length. He is as athletic as any other prospect in this class. He is still learning the game, but when it clicks the Wizards may have themselves a future superstar.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/zaccharie-risacher-2evz2h
Zaccharie Risacher- G/F, JL Bourg-en Bresse (France)
3) Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn Nets)
The Rockets acquired this pick in the James Harden deal. The Rockets will add some depth to their backcourt by taking Nikola Topic, who has the potential at 6’6” to be a matchup nightmare at point guard. Topic’s vision and his ability to run an offense will help the Nets start to rebuild their offense.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/nikola-topic-mqan9q
Nikola Topic, G, Serbia
4) San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have been rumored to be looking at trading this pick and were considered one of the teams looking to make a move for guard Trae Young of Atlanta. Draft Nation thinks that the Spurs stay put and select the best pure shooter in the draft. Reed Sheppard can hit shots from anywhere on the court and will play off Wembanyama, making them a very difficult 1-2 punch to stop.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/reed-sheppard-8osx3c
Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
5) Detroit Pistons
The Pistons luck took another hit in 2024. After having the best odds of winning the draft lottery, they fell to #5. The Pistons look to add to the young core of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson. Matas Buzelis can help out at several spots for Detroit. Buzelis is 6’10” and can beat teams with his shot or he can beat them driving to the basket with his eurostep. He should mix in well with the other youngsters.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/matas-buzelis-w5fjgn
Matas Buzelis, F, G-League Ignite
6) Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets’ backcourt took a hit in 2023-2024 from injuries and they should be happy to see a player with Stephon Castle’s ability still on the board. Castle can help out at both guard positions and is one the best at creating off the dribble in this class. He needs to get more aggressive on offense and this should be something he can fix once he joins the Hornets.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/stephon-castle-nyau79
Stephon Castle, G, UConn
7) Portland Trail Blazers
Portland has some question marks at the center position and they are ecstatic that big man Donovan Clingan is still on the board. DeAndre Ayton and Robert Williams have not proven they can stay healthy and Clingan can step right in and play. Clingan is 7’2” and plays the game with a non-stop motor. He should be a rebounding machine and a big guy who will clog up the paint for opposing teams.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/donovan-clingan-sw8xve
Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
8) San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors)
The Spurs—with two picks in the top 10—look to fill out the lineup around Victor Wembanyama. After taking sharp shooter Reed Sheppard at #4, they go after a player who has tremendous upside in Ron Holland. Holland at certain points was in the discussion to be the first player off the board this draft season. He’s 6’6” but has a 7’0” frame and is creative with the basketball. He has the athleticism and size to project as a 15+ points per game scorer. He would be a perfect compliment to Wembanyama and #4 pick Reed Sheppard.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/ron-holland-lzemqt
Ron Holland, F, G-League Ignite
9) Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are an up and coming team that seems to be a piece or two short of contending with the big boys in the Western Conference. Dalton Knecht is a guard/forward out of Tennessee who will add sweet stroke and versatility to the Grizzlies squad. His ability to cut to the basket and his creativity on offense will allow him to step into a rotation right away. His defense is the one part of his game that he must work on to be a big minute player.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/dalton-knecht-urrbci
Dalton Knecht, G/F, Tennessee
10) Utah Jazz
The Jazz take the best player left on the board and look to strengthen their point guard position by selecting point guard Robert Dillingham out of Kentucky. Dillingham has elite speed and exceptional ball handling skills to step right in and run the offense in Utah.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/rob-dillingham-xgxvml
Robert Dillingham, PG, Kentucky
11) Chicago Bulls
Chicago adds some much needed energy to the team. Tidjane Salaun is a 6’9” forward who will help stretch the opponents defense. Salaun is a hustler who plays the game hard and never takes a minute off. He has an effective jump shot to offer to any offensive set. He is still young and will have to add strength, but that will come over time.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/tidjane-salaun-ctdry6
Tidjane Salaun, SF, France
12) Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston Rockets)
This could be a pick that easily gets moved as the Thunder look to add to their young squad with some veteran additions. For now though they stay put and add to their front court with forward Cody Williams out of Colorado. Williams will add some playmaking ability from the power forward position. He has the makeup to be an effective scorer in the NBA.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/cody-williams-pl6x9o
Cody Williams, F, Colorado
13) Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings have improved their roster significantly over the past several years but still seem to need a piece or two to be considered serious contenders. They will add to their backcourt depth with another high energy guard who has unlimited depth in his shot. The Sacramento Kings are a high scoring team and Kansas SG Johnny Furphy will add to this. He can shoot from anywhere and adds a high energy brand of offense.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/johnny-furphy-atztxt
Johnny Furphy, SG, Kansas
14) Portland Trail Blazers
After getting their big man with the #7 pick (Donovan Clingan), they grab a pure shooter at the shooting guard position to help out with their backcourt depth. Ja’Kobe Walter out of Baylor can step in and score points on day one. On defense however, he has some issues with his consistency and desire to play tough.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/jakobe-walter-2qmsi2
Ja’Kobe Walter, SG, Baylor
15) Miami Heat
This spot is another pick Draft Nation wouldn’t be surprised to see moved. Miami can compete with a veteran addition or two. Here, they hold onto the pick and select Devin Carter out of Providence. Carter is a player who will add some depth behind Terry Rozier and can also play some shooting guard. His defense is NBA ready right now, although he may need to work on his overall ball handling and aggressiveness on offense.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/devin-carter-m3f4gd
Devin Carter, PG, Providence
16) Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers playoff run ended early in 2023-2024 and they look to add some much needed depth to the backcourt. Jared McCain out of Duke is a tough point guard who should fit right into the 76ers system. He has a consistent 3-point stroke and does an adequate job of running an offense. He should be a nice backup to Tyrese Maxey.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/jared-mccain-02czpp
Jared McCain, PG, Duke
17) Los Angeles Lakers
There will be drama in anything the Lakers do in this draft. Will they draft Bronny James? Draft Nation says “not here.” Instead, they look to add some pieces around LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Kyshawn George is a 6’8” versatile wing player who can be as versatile as the Lakers see fit. George is an effective catch and shoot player who should help Los Angeles in their halfcourt sets.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/kyshawn-george-z3lzex
Kyshawn George, SG/SF, Miami, Fla
18) Orlando Magic
The Magic have done a fantastic job rebuilding this roster through the draft with Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero. They will add a high energy tough defender with the selection of Tristan da Silva out of Colorado. He plays an “in your face” style and will not back down from contact. He has improved his offensive game over the past couple of seasons and once he adds some weight and strength he projects as a future starter in the league.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/tristan-da-silva-5qiq0f
Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado
19) Toronto Raptors (via Indiana Pacers)
With some question marks at the point guard position, the Raptors should be happy to see USC point guard Isaiah Collier still on the board. Collier is an explosive point guard who can get to the basket in several different ways. His ball handling skills are at the top of the class and he does an excellent job of drawing contact. Collier was at one point in the draft process considered a top-5 pick.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/isaiah-collier-in6908
Isaiah Collier, PG, USC
20) Cleveland Cavaliers
With the Donovan Mitchell rumors heating up, Draft Nation thinks the Cavaliers look to add a young shooting guard with some athleticism. Terence Shannon has as much skill as any other shooting guard prospect but he has some off-the-court issues hanging over his head. Shannon is athletic and can shut down opponents one-on-one. At 6’6” he could be a matchup nightmare.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/terrence-shannon-jr-9h66gk
Terrence Shannon, SG, Illinois
21) New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee Bucks)
The Pelicans add another Duke Blue Devil to their organization that already includes Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. Kyle Filipowski is a versatile big man that will help the Pelicans stretch the defense. At 7’0”, Filipowski could help stretch the floor and leave more space for Williamson and Ingram to drive to the basket and get some easy points. Filipowski has a strong basketball IQ and will help mesh this Pelicans offense together.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/kyle-filipowski-3gy5qe
Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke
22) Phoenix Suns
Phoenix is looking for depth behind starting center Jusuf Nurkic and take a chance on Baylor big man Yves Missi. Missi is a mobile big man who has a 7’5” wingspan and will be a terror in the paint for the Suns. His shot blocking skills and rebounding prowess will make the perfect backup center to Nurkic.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/yves-missi-71v1bl
Yves Missi, C, Baylor
23) Milwaukee Bucks (via New Orleans Pelicans)
The Milwaukee Bucks could easily move this pick for a veteran acquisition to help their contending club. The Bucks may have taken a step back in their overall play in 2023-2024 and will look to add pieces. Tyler Smith is a bit of a project who has enormous upside potential. Smith is a 6’11” athletic power forward who can create block shots and disruptions. He definitely needs some time to develop.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/tyler-smith-ecz7gn
Tyler Smith, F, G-League Ignite
24) New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks)
The Knicks are coming off a nice playoff run and they have back to back picks to add some depth to their roster. They will take a young point guard with some upside with their first pick. Bub Carrington is a 6’6” guard who can play the point or help out on the wing. He has the skill set to run an offense but needs to shore up his spotty shot selections at times.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/carlton-carrington-jzihh2
Carlton (BUB) Carrington, PG, Pitt
25) New York Knicks
Draft Nation is imagining how Zach Edey will perform under the bright lights of New York City. Edey will add some depth to New York’s frontcourt and seems like the type of player who won’t be affected by the bright lights of the Big Apple. Edey would be stepping into a great situation. A winning team, and a place where he can chip on contributions without a ton of pressure. The team needs some strength at the center position and Edey’s 7’11” wingspan and rebounding prowess will help the Knicks rotation to flourish.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/zach-edey-4a28pv
Zach Edey, C, Purdue
26) Washington Wizards (via Los Angeles Clippers)
The Wizards are rebuilding and need all the pieces they can get. After selecting French superstar Zaccharie Risacher with the #2 pick they look to improve their center position with the best big man left on the board. Kel’el Ware is a 7’0” center who is able to stretch the defense with his 3-point shooting ability. He needs to work on his physicality however. At times in college he played soft and that won’t translate well in the NBA.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/kelel-ware-h3r9di
Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
27) Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota should be able to compete for several seasons in the wild, wild west. Forward, Justin Edwards out of Kentucky is the type of player who can step right into the fast paced offense of the Timberwolves. He is athletic and can create off the dribble and be a part of Minnesota’s rotation next season.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/justin-edwards-gravfj
Justin Edwards, F, Kentucky
28) Denver Nuggets
Denver was knocked out of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves and needs to add depth. Draft Nation believes this pick could be moved to add some depth but if Denver holds onto the pick they may go with Bobi Klintman. Klintman has huge upside but will need some time to develop. He is a 6’10” forward who has flashed some skills at Wake Forest and over in the Australian League.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/bobi-klintman-136c7l
Bobi Klintman, F, Australian League (Swedish player)
29) Utah Jazz (via Oklahoma City)
After selecting point guard Robert Dillingham with pick #10, the Jazz take big 6’10” power forward DaRon Holmes II, who will help them on the defensive end of the court. Holmes is 6’10” and one of the strongest big guys coming out in this class. He has the rebounding prowess and low post ability to get some quality minutes as a rookie.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/daron-holmes-ii-578eei
DaRon Holmes II, PF, Dayton
30) Boston Celtics
Boston does not have many needs but will keep the pick and select Tyler Kolek, a point guard who can run an offense with high basketball IQ and the ability to shoot the 3-point shot. Kolek is the kind of player that Boston loves to have in their organization and he should be able to play some quality minutes right away.
https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/tyler-kolek-t5unod
Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette
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