2024 NBA Mock Draft V.3
Let's Have Some Fun. The No Ceilings Crew Puts Together V.3 of Their Mock Draft for the 2024 NBA Draft cycle.
It’s beginning to get exciting around here.
The 2024 NBA draft class has drawn a wide range of reviews throughout the 2023-24 calendar year. Plenty have been quick to point out the lack of certainty at the top. Those statements are warranted, as no prospect has separated themselves as the clear “alpha” amongst the competition.
Despite the lack of questions at the top, there are plenty around the basketball world who are starting to get intrigued with the overall depth of the upcoming class.
“There’s talent in every class…now it’s time to find it.”
For the No Ceilings family and draft sickos, you should know the drill by now. For the newcomers, let’s break it down real quick.
The below draft order is as of February 10th, 2024. The format for every Mock Draft here at No Ceilings remains the same. Our entire crew comes together for a “War Room” video chat in which we nominate a player for each pick before debating and taking it to a final vote.
Here are the latest results from those heated discussions.
Enjoy, No Ceilings family!
#1. Detroit Pistons — Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
11.4 PTS | 3.6 REB | 1.1 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.4 BLK
51.8 FG% | 46.3 3P% | 69.7 FT%
37 Games | 22.9 MIN
Tyler Metcalf: The first pick in this draft is such a toss-up at this point and could easily end up being based far more on fit than best player available given the myriad of players in conversation for this pick. The Pistons still desperately need a wing who can defend and shoot, so their biggest need just so happens to fit with the best player available. After barely looking like an NBA prospect this time last year, Zaccharie Risacher has been one of the most dominant and consistent prospects in the world. Risacher has proven that he is a deadly off-ball shooter as he’s maintained preposterous percentages on high volume. He hasn’t proven much, outside of occasional flashes, as an on-ball creator in the halfcourt, but he has been a menace in transition. Risacher isn’t an offensive cornerstone to build a team around, but he is a perfect complement to Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. Additionally, Risacher has tremendous defensive upside. While his defense hasn’t been perfect, the good far outweighs the bad. Risacher’s length and tools are exactly what teams look for with elite perimeter defenders. He’s also currently taking the toughest options on most nights and acting as the point-of-attack defender. This early exposure will only help him grow in the long run and improve his versatility. Risacher’s two-way versatility and consistency not only make him a seamless fit with any of the teams at the top of the draft, but it also makes him the best prospect available.
#2. Washington Wizards — Alexandre Sarr, F/C, Perth Wildcats
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
9.5 PTS | 4.6 REB | 1.0 AST | 0.4 STL | 1.4 BLK
50.0 FG% | 28.3 3P% | 67.7 FT%
25 Games | 17.9 MIN
Ignacio Rissotto: The Wizards, currently ranking near the bottom of the league in almost every defensive metric while also having recently traded Daniel Gafford to the Mavericks, are in dire need of a defensive anchor. Enter Alexandre Sarr. The 7’1” French center has returned from a hip injury that kept him off the court for a month, and he has not missed a beat, playing some of his best basketball of the season after his return. Sarr offers tremendous size, length, and mobility—all traits that allow him to impact the game on defense by both protecting the rim and offering a certain level of perimeter switchability. Sarr is not a self-creator at this point, but he’s far from a zero on offense, being able to finish plays at the rim with his length and athleticism. He also shows intriguing flashes in the perimeter, being able to attack closeouts with the ball in his hands, as well as to convert three-pointers off the catch. Overall, Sarr fits a position of need and could prove to be a much-needed bridge between the self-creators (Kuzma, Poole) and the glue guys (Coulibaly, Avdija) for the Wizards.
#3. San Antonio Spurs — Nikola Topic, G, Crvena Zvezda
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
16.4 PTS | 3.6 REB | 6.1 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.2 BLK
49.8 FG% | 28.2 3P% | 87.8 FT%
19 Games | 30.8 MIN
Ignacio Rissotto: If you've paid attention to the discourse around the San Antonio Spurs during the current season, you probably have heard about the lack of playmaking around Victor Wembanyama. Nikola Topic offers just that for the Spurs. The Serbian guard is a 6’7” passing wizard who has an unselfish approach to the game, makes the right play consistently, and is able to find teammates on drives and pick-and-roll plays with quick reads and accurate, creative deliveries. Topic is also able to call his own number, relentlessly putting pressure on opposing defenses with the ball in his hands. The three-point shooting and the on-ball defense will be the biggest question marks around Topic, but San Antonio can be the perfect context for him in that regard, as the main players in their young core (Wemby, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan) can all provide some degree of versatile defense and floor-spacing.
#4. Charlotte Hornets — Cody Williams, F, Colorado
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
14.0 PTS | 3.5 REB | 1.9 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.8 BLK
56.2 FG% | 46.7 3P% | 71.2 FT%
15 Games | 30.3 MIN
Rowan Kent: What’s better than one young offensive wing? How about two? Despite taking Brandon Miller second in last year’s draft, the Hornets are still a mess on both ends of the floor, as evidenced by ranking last by a wide margin in net rating. It hasn’t been Miller’s fault, as he’s been a sparing bright spot for the team by averaging over 22 points over his last ten games. Still, adding Cody Williams to Charlotte’s core gives them another lanky scorer with room to grow. Williams has kept up his low usage, high-efficiency role even in conference play, which bodes well for his overall profile as a scorer. He has enough defensive chops to stay in front of the wings and won’t be a liability on that end of the floor in the NBA. With a young core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Cody Williams, and Mark Williams, the Hornets might just have the right blend of scoring and size to start to crawl their way out of the rubble and exit their rebuild.
#5. Portland Trail Blazers — Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
13.0 PTS | 6.3 REB | 1.6 AST | 1.1 STL | 1.6 BLK
46.2 FG% | 26.2 3P% | 68.0 FT%
26 Games | 29.7 MIN
Corey Tulaba: The Portland Trail Blazers have young talent littered throughout their roster. The backcourt is loaded with three heavy usage on-ball creators, so Portland happily selects Matas Buzelis, a 6’10” swiss-army forward from the G League Ignite who not only fits their core but also may be the best talent available. Buzelis can operate with the ball in his hands and run ball screens; he can also fill the wings in transition, cut to the hoop for easy offense, and spot up and space the floor for Scoot, Simons, and Sharpe. Buzelis needs to get stronger and will struggle early with the physicality of the game, but he can move his feet and use his length to guard multiple positions. Buzelis is a work in progress, but the flashes of versatility, feel, and two-way potential at his height could be exactly what the doctor ordered in PDX.
#6. Memphis Grizzlies — Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
19.5 PTS | 6.7 REB | 3.1 AST | 2.4 STL | 0.9 BLK
45.5 FG% | 23.7 3P% | 72.8 FT%
29 Games | 31.9 MIN
Maxwell Baumbach: The Memphis Grizzlies have long searched for depth on the wing. After a season derailed by injuries, the Grizzlies will have the chance to take one last big home run swing high in the draft. Enter Ron Holland. The G League Ignite forward is an athletic, high-energy, high-impact defender who should be able to guard up and down the lineup comfortably as he continues to fill out his frame. After a rocky start to his pre-draft season, Holland has grown more polished and poised as a passer and ball handler. While his three-point shot needs work, his 75.7% mark at the charity stripe gives room for optimism. Plus, the Grizzlies having shooting at the big spots from the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama should insulate him a little bit. Holland’s blend of athleticism, length, and defensive production, when paired with his offensive improvements, make him too tantalizing for the Grizzlies to pass up with the sixth pick.
#7. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR) — Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
12.4 PTS | 4.3 REB | 4.1 AST | 2.4 STL | 0.9 BLK
53.0 FG% | 52.0 3P% | 80.8 FT%
23 Games | 28.2 MIN
Nick Agar-Johnson: The San Antonio Spurs shored up their playmaking and took their potential point guard of the future at #3 in this draft with Nikola Topic. At #7, they opt to further improve their backcourt depth with one of the best prospects in college basketball this season. Reed Sheppard would provide a massive boost to San Antonio’s spacing with his lethal shooting, and his defense on the perimeter would be a huge boon to Victor Wembanyama on that end of the floor. With Topic in the fold as well, Sheppard could comfortably settle into a complementary role on offense while wreaking havoc on the defensive end. There would certainly be room for him to grow in San Antonio, but his game as it is now would unlock the offense for Wembanyama and allow the rest of the team to slot into more cohesive roles in the lineup.
#8. Houston Rockets (via BKN) — Johnny Furphy, W, Kansas
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
8.6 PTS | 4.2 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.3 BLK
51.1 FG% | 37.5 3P% | 75.6 FT%
24 Games | 21.4 MIN
Tyler Metcalf: The Rockets have some fascinating building blocks and are headed in the right direction, but they are still desperately missing a consistent, high-level off-ball shooter. Johnny Furphy still has a lot of development to go, but at 6’9”, he is one of the best shooters in this draft. Furphy has a quick, consistent release and is a preternatural off-ball mover. On top of that, Furphy’s spatial awareness also makes him an elite positional rebounder as he constantly crashes the glass on both ends of the floor. While Furphy has shown some flashes of attacking closeouts, his on-ball creation is by far the biggest hole in his game. It shouldn’t really matter, though, especially with the Rockets. With the offensive creators they already have, Furphy will be a reliable outlet for them with legitimate athleticism and a lot of defensive upside.
#9. Atlanta Hawks — Stephon Castle, G, UConn
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
10.9 PTS | 4.4 REB | 3.1 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.6 BLK
48.3 FG% | 32.4 3P% | 71.6 FT%
18 Games | 26.3 MIN
Rowan Kent: Although Dejounte Murray survived the trade deadline, the increased chatter combined with the stagnant nature of the Hawks gives strong signals that the team is looking to shake up their roster. Levying all the ball-handling duties onto Trae Young hasn’t worked before, making Stephon Castle’s selection an excellent way for Atlanta to get younger in a position of need. Castle battled through injuries early before settling into his current rhythm, which includes topping 17 points in three of his last five games. He’s looked increasingly like the aggressive driver he was in high school and has defended on the perimeter at a high level all year. With good positional size and the mystery of his jumper, there’s still enough untapped potential for Castle to be a possible star fit next to Young in Atlanta’s backcourt.
#10. Oklahoma City Thunder (via HOU) — Kyshawn George, W, Miami
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
7.6 PTS | 3.2 REB | 1.9 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.4 BLK
43.3 FG% | 41.5 3P% | 82.6 FT%
23 Games | 22.0 MIN
Albert Ghim: Kyshawn George going in the Top 10 is probably a huge shock to most of our readers. Although some may be surprised by the pick, this is exactly the type of move that the Thunder could pull off. Try to move past the fact that this is the 10th pick in the draft and focus on why we landed here. Kyshawn George has blossomed throughout the college basketball season. Heading into the year, most people looked at guys like Wooga Poplar and Matthew Cleveland as the biggest names coming out of Miami, but George has really flashed a set of skills that would be very appealing to NBA scouts. He has great NBA wing size and offers many supportive skills that would make him a perfect fit with most teams. George has shown some awesome efficiency as a shooter and some nice flashes of creation on the ball and as a connective passer. George must get stronger and work on some of his on-ball defense, but adding a guy like George, with his size and array of skills, to an already-loaded Thunder team is a smart bet. George may not be ready from day one to contribute in a big way, but the Thunder could afford to wait for him to grow into his final form. It was not too long ago when the Thunder took a bet on Jalen Williams in the lottery. That bet paid off big time, and taking another bet on Kyshawn George could also pay off.
#11. Chicago Bulls — Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
14.3 PTS | 4.7 REB | 1.7 AST | 1.3 STL | 0.2 BLK
39.0 FG% | 33.6 3P% | 85.7 FT%
23 Games | 30.2 MIN
Corey Tulaba: The Chicago Bulls franchise has many questions moving forward. For many, that question is about choosing a direction. At the deadline, the Bulls looked themselves in the mirror and chose the direction. They chose the middle (cue Jimmy Eat World). And so with the 11th pick, the Bulls take Ja’Kobe Walter, a shooting guard out of Baylor whom many believe is a safe pick with fairly limited upside. Walter came out of the gates on fire, looking the part of a three-level NBA scorer, knocking down tough movement threes, hitting contested jumpers off the bounce, and getting to the free throw line at an impressive rate. Walter is still getting to the charity stripe; however, the shooting has cooled, and he is now down to 39/34/86 splits on the season. Walter has also had trouble finding defensive consistency and hasn’t shown the kind of playmaking flashes he displayed in high school. Still, Walter is 6’5”, long with a good frame, and young enough that you buy into the flashes he showed early in the season. That was a guy who looked like a Top 5 pick. If Walter can find that kind of consistency in the league, he provides great value at this part of the draft.
#12. Portland Trail Blazers (via GSW) — Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
12.2 PTS | 6.4 REB | 1.5 AST | 0.3 STL | 2.1 BLK
63.3 FG% | 20.0 3P% | 50.6 FT%
19 Games | 20.5 MIN
Maxwell Baumbach: Donovan Clingan is an absolute force on the interior. His 12.8 BLK% through two college seasons is an outstanding mark. But rim protection isn’t just about blocked shots—it’s about the shots opponents are too fearful to take. Clingan is a paint deterrent who forces opponents to settle for less-than-ideal looks thanks to his sheer size, instincts, and mobility. On offense, he’s an extremely efficient play finisher, but he’s also become a skilled passer. Given that the Blazers have struggled with rebounding and creating rim gravity on offense, Clingan feels like an ideal fit, especially given the health woes that Robert Williams has dealt with over the past few seasons. A downhill lob target for Scoot Henderson who can spray the ball out to Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe while providing excellent rim protection? Sign up the Trailblazers with the twelfth overall pick.
#13. Oklahoma City Thunder (via UTA) — Kyle Filipowski, F/C, Duke
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
17.4 PTS | 8.3 REB | 2.8 AST | 1.1 STL | 1.8 BLK
49.8 FG% | 34.5 3P% | 64.6 FT%
24 Games | 30.3 MIN
Albert Ghim: Kyle Filipowski entered the 2022-2023 college basketball seasons as a potential one-and-done prospect. After a tumultuous freshman season, though, he returned to Duke for his sophomore year. So far, it’s looking like he made the right decision. Filipowski is currently averaging 17.2 PPG, 8.2 TRB, and 1.7 BLK per game. Not only has the production been better, but it’s clear that he is the engine that makes the team run. The per-game averages have been good, but his shooting splits also look better. He’s currently shooting 49.5/35.9/65.0, which is better, but that free-throw shooting number could also use some work. With eyes towards the NBA, you could easily see Filipowski being a stretch-4 with maybe some minutes at the 5 in spurts. The jump in block percentage (2.7% to 6.5%) and assist percentage (11.4% to 18.3%) is also encouraging and highlights some of his growth in year two. If the Thunder walk away with a developmental wing and a skilled big man in the lottery, they’re probably doing something right.
#14. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL) — Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
15.0 PTS | 3.0 REB | 4.0 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.1 BLK
48.4 FG% | 44.0 3P% | 75.0 FT%
22 Games | 23.7 MIN
Nick Agar-Johnson: The New Orleans Pelicans wrap up the lottery by selecting Rob Dillingham to bolster their offense. Dillingham slots in nearly perfectly as a sixth-man type of microwave scorer for a Pelicans team that has proven to be elite defensively this season. The Pelicans have Herb Jones, Dyson Daniels, and Jose Alvarado (among others) to help hide Dillingham defensively and allow his offensive game to shine. This isn’t just a great situation for the Pelicans, though; Dillingham would not only have a clear avenue to playing time as a bench spark plug but would also have an excellent mentor in CJ McCollum to help him as a fellow undersized scoring-first guard trying to make the translation from the college game to the NBA level.
#15. Orlando Magic — Dalton Knecht, W, Tennessee
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
20.3 PTS | 4.8 REB | 1.9 AST | 0.7 STL | 0.8 BLK
47.7 FG% | 40.5 3P% | 76.6 FT%
23 Games | 29.4 MIN
Maxwell Baumbach: The Orlando Magic are one of the league’s worst three-point shooting teams, both from a volume and efficiency standpoint. Enter Tennessee graduate Dalton Knecht. Oh, and before you knock his age, keep in mind that Knecht is a late bloomer who was 5’4” entering high school and didn’t finish growing until his freshman year of college at a JuCo program. Knecht is launching over 10 threes per 100 possessions and draining 40.5% of them. He’s also doing this while playing in the SEC and on a team that played a tough out-of-conference schedule. Knecht has grown as a passer in two-man game situations, a must for shooting specialists. Plus, he’s a high-wire athlete and above-the-rim finisher who can put someone on a poster when chased off the line. He needs to grow as a defender, both on and off the ball. Even still, the fit here is ideal for Knecht and Orlando. He can take his time to improve on defense while giving them a much needed shooting punch.
#16. Miami Heat — Kevin McCullar Jr., G, Kansas
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
19.5 PTS | 6.4 REB | 4.6 AST | 1.5 STL | 0.4 BLK
47.2 FG% | 36.1 3P% | 80.4 FT%
22 Games | 35.5 MIN
Nick Agar-Johnson: The Miami Heat have traditionally not shied away from older prospects, whether that be Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the draft last year or the long line of undrafted free agents with years of college development under their belts who come to Miami with a defensive focus and a chip on their shoulder. With all of that in mind, Kevin McCullar to the Miami Heat is a near-perfect match of player and team. McCullar has been on the draft radar for years now as an elite defensive prospect on the wing, but he’s really put together the pieces of his offensive game at Kansas this season. McCullar is a good decision-maker who moves the ball well, and his improved shooting on solid volume (currently shooting 36.1% from deep on a career-high 4.4 attempts per game) makes it even easier to envision him fitting in as a key cog for the Miami Heat machine.
#17. Toronto Raptors (via IND) — Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
13.1 PTS | 5.0 REB | 1.5 AST | 0.9 STL | 1.0 BLK
47.1 FG% | 38.7 3P% | 72.9 FT%
34 Games | 21.9 MIN
Rowan Kent: After the trade deadline, it’s clear that the Toronto Raptors are trying to pull the plug and rebuild. The vacuum in the frontcourt left by OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam will have to be filled for the team to improve, and Tyler Smith can step in and be a crucial part of the team’s retooling process. Smith has shot efficiently from his spots on the floor, often does the dirty work with rigid screens and box-outs, and has averaged almost a block and a steal per game this season. He’s a versatile forward who can play bigger or smaller, depending on the lineup around him. That sort of consistent, dependable versatility is precisely what the Raptors need around Scottie Barnes to create their next playoff contender. Even though both players occupy frontcourt spots, they should form a synergy due to their malleable games.
#18. New York Knicks (via DAL) — Yves Missi, C, Baylor
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
11.0 PTS | 5.9 REB | 0.3 AST | 0.8 STL | 1.7 BLK
63.9 FG% | N/A 3P% | 58.2 FT%
22 Games | 22.3 MIN
Tyler Metcalf: Yves Missi provides the Knicks with a lot of what they already have from their starting center. He’s very springy, he’s a great rebounder on both ends, and he has a ton of defensive upside. He won’t provide much in terms of shooting or offensive versatility, but once he acclimates to the NBA game, the transition between him and Mitchell Robinson could be seamless. Missi likely doesn’t make the Knicks better right away, but he is a terrific insurance policy for a position that they consistently struggle with due to injuries. Even if they bring back Isaiah Hartenstein, Missi will be put in a great developmental spot to learn from them while also being a solid option should injuries arise again. Missi is very low-maintenance, has a tremendous motor, and is a terrific complement to how the Knicks already play.
#19. New Orleans Pelicans — Tidjane Salaun, F, Cholet Basket
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
9.4 PTS | 3.5 REB | 0.7 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.2 BLK
41.7 FG% | 37.0 3P% | 79.4 FT%
37 Games | 21.7 MIN
Ignacio Rissotto: After improving their perimeter scoring with the 14th pick, the Pelicans can afford to swing for the fences by selecting the boom-or-bust prospect of this draft in Tidjane Salaun. Standing at 6’9”, the French forward has legitimate potential as a versatile scoring threat from the perimeter with his combination of fluidity, ball-handling chops, and touch from range. The downsides with Salaun should be familiar to anyone who has followed a prospect during their very first season at the professional level: the lapses in his feel for the game and defensive awareness are real. If Salaun continues to learn the game, the Pelicans will come away from the draft with a big wing who can create his own shot from multiple levels of the floor—a type of player that is rarely available with the 19th pick in the draft.
#20. Philadelphia 76ers — Ryan Dunn, W, Virginia
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
9.0 PTS | 7.1 REB | 0.9 AST | 1.5 STL | 2.1 BLK
58.4 FG% | 24.0 3P% | 57.8 FT%
24 Games | 27.1 MIN
Nick Agar-Johnson: The Philadelphia 76ers have a grand total of three players under team control next year, with Joel Embiid and Paul Reed signed to long-term deals and Tyrese Maxey set to enter restricted free agency. Even though Maxey is all but a lock to return, the contract situation means that the 76ers will need help up and down the roster. One thing that seems certain, though, is that they will need defenders around Embiid and Maxey a lot more than they will need any offensive help. That creates a great landing spot for Ryan Dunn, Virginia’s exceptionally talented defensive forward who has some real holes in his offensive game. That’s not saying that Dunn is without offensive strengths; his elite cutting and transition play will work wonders in Philadelphia, while his lack of a jump shot would be less of a problem for the 76ers than it might be for another squad. Playing off Embiid and Maxey would be an exceptional situation for Dunn to maximize his strengths defensively while allowing the rest of his offensive game to come around more slowly.
#21. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC) — Zach Edey, C, Purdue
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
23.3 PTS | 11.7 REB | 1.8 AST | 0.3 STL | 2.3 BLK
62.3 FG% | 50.0 3P% | 71.0 FT%
24 Games | 30.8 MIN
Albert Ghim: Context is ridiculously important. Suppose this were a regular draft where we had huge marquee names at the top and a stable number of future superstars in the making; this Mock Draft would look very different. With that said, Zach Edey is in this class and will be selected by someone in the 2024 NBA Draft. I’ve seen multiple people on the Internet deduct points from Edey because of his perceived lack of lateral movement and quickness. Considering his size and build, it makes sense that Edey wouldn’t be the fastest lateral mover on the planet. With that being said, Edey is nowhere near as slow and limited as a mover as people make him out to be. Considering how large he is, Edey has shown some impressive lateral movement and the ability to stay active on the defensive side of the ball. I’m not saying he’s prime Chris Bosh or Draymond Green, but he can move much better than people on the Internet are making it seem. Edey has been a ridiculously productive player in college, and with his improved physique and blossoming game on both ends, any team in the league should feel great about using a potential first round pick on him. Edey will be tough to guard and will be a better defender than people think, and adding giant people to a roster will always be a plus—23.3 PTS, 11.7 TRB, and a box plus/minus score of 15.4 is production you just can’t ignore or discredit.
#22. Phoenix Suns — P.J. Hall, F/C, Clemson
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
19.9 PTS | 7.3 REB | 1.7 AST | 0.9 STL | 1.8 BLK
49.7 FG% | 30.6 3P% | 80.7 FT%
23 Games | 29.3 MIN
Maxwell Baumbach: The Phoenix Suns still need shooting around their star players. That’s where PJ Hall comes in. The Clemson big man has NBA range and is comfortable moving into his shot. A physical screener who excels on pick-and-pop threes (35.7% on those attempts), Hall could be a low-maintenance, plug-and-play floor spacer who is content to do the dirty work for Phoenix’s top options. Add in that he’s an improved shot blocker and a quick-thinking passer, and Hall checks a lot of boxes for a complementary big man. For a Suns team with an open window for contention, a polished, high-motor big man who can space the floor like PJ Hall makes a great deal of sense.
#23. New York Knicks — Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
15.6 PTS | 4.9 REB | 7.5 AST | 1.7 STL | 0.1 BLK
49.6 FG% | 40.6 3P% | 87.0 FT%
23 Games | 33.1 MIN
Corey Tulaba: Since the arrival of Leon Rose and Co., the New York Knicks have been one of the best-run franchises in the league. They’ve done that by building a culture that values hard-working, gritty, skilled basketball players with track records of success. While New York has their point guard of the future in Jalen Brunson, the backup position lacks true depth post-Anunoby trade. Enter the Big East’s Tyler Kolek. The 6’3” lefty point guard’s hyper-competitiveness is tailor-made for New York. Kolek may not be a high-upside swing, but he’s a winner who is ready to step in on day one and help New York make an impact with his high-level decision-making and knockdown shooting.
#24. Milwaukee Bucks — Devin Carter, G, Providence
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
19.0 PTS | 7.9 REB | 3.4 AST | 1.7 STL | 0.9 BLK
48.1 FG% | 38.4 3P% | 71.7 FT%
23 Games | 34.7 MIN
Rowan Kent: In the wake of Bryce Hopkins’s ACL injury, Devin Carter has taken a massive step forward for the Friars. He’s become their leading offensive option and best perimeter defender, all while improving his shooting from deep. He’s averaging 19.0 points and 1.7 steals per game while hitting 38.9% of his 6.5 attempts from deep per contest. His two-way ability is precisely what the Bucks need to shore up their roster, as their defense has fallen off a cliff with their roster reshuffling. Carter wouldn’t start for Milwaukee, but he’d be one of the team’s best point-of-attack defenders from day one, which is beyond valuable for the team’s title pursuits. In the late first round, teams prioritize finding players who can play distinct roles for their team, and Carter has the perfect skill set to fill the specific niche that the Bucks crave.
#25. Denver Nuggets — Dillon Jones, F, Weber State
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
19.8 PTS | 9.7 REB | 5.0 AST | 2.1 STL | 0.1 BLK
48.8 FG% | 33.3 3P% | 84.5 FT%
24 Games | 36.5 MIN
Nick Agar-Johnson: What to get for the team that has everything? The reigning champions don’t have a strong specific need, so picking up a versatile do-it-all forward in Dillon Jones fits the bill better than almost anybody. He’s done a remarkable job leading the show for Weber State for the second year running, but Jones’s exceptional nose for the glass, great playmaking for his position, and skills around the basket make him a great fit for almost any team. He’ll be able to run second-side pick-and-roll actions when called upon, but Jones will mostly be leaning on his complementary skills for the Nuggets. Jones’s versatility will enable him to play alongside pretty much any frontcourt partner, and it should make things easier for his teammates on both ends of the floor.
#26. Washington Wizards (via LAC) — Isaiah Collier, G, USC
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
15.8 PTS | 2.7 REB | 4.0 AST | 1.3 STL | 0.2 BLK
49.2 FG% | 32.7 3P% | 65.8 FT%
18 Games | 28.7 MIN
As evidenced by their current 9-44 record, the Wizards are in an early stage of rebuilding and at least a few years away from playoff contention. After addressing their frontcourt rotation with the Alexandre Sarr pick, the Wizards can afford to pass on "safer" bets at this point of the draft and take a gamble on pedigree by selecting Isaiah Collier. The former #1 prospect in the high school class of 2023 has dealt with a broken hand, a disappointing team structure at USC, and his own respective finishing and turnover problems, but Collier is still a strong driver, solid passer, and great athlete who possesses a rare type of frame for guards his age. If Collier can provide anything close to the value that he was projected to provide when he was coming out of High School, it would be a steal for the Wizards, especially at this point in the draft.
#27. Cleveland Cavaliers — Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
10.0 PTS | 2.9 REB | 3.5 AST | 0.7 STL | 0.1 BLK
43.7 FG% | 35.5 3P% | 76.2 FT%
21 Games | 28.7 MIN
Tyler Metcalf: The Cavaliers have struggled with backup point guard minutes all season, and Tyrese Proctor could be a quick fix. Regardless of Donovan Mitchell’s future, Proctor makes a ton of sense for this team given his sound decision-making, team defense, ability to run the pick-and-roll, and threat as a spot-up shooter. Proctor’s size and defense will allow him to play alongside either Darius Garland or Mitchell, and his experience running the offense will allow him to initiate the second unit. Proctor won’t be an offensive dynamo, but his two-way consistency will be a stabilizing presence.
#28. Utah Jazz (via OKC) — Kwame Evans Jr., F, Oregon
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
8.0 PTS | 5.3 REB | 1.4 AST | 1.4 STL | 1.2 BLK
44.2 FG% | 28.1 3P% | 83.6 FT%
24 Games | 21.8 MIN
Albert Ghim: At the end of the first round, you’re either taking a flyer on a guy with some question marks and limitless potential or a better-known guy with a more apparent baseline of skills and abilities. Kwame Evans Jr. falls in the former. Kwame came into the season as a five-star prospect but had his fair share of question marks attached to him. Evans has good size, flashes of passing feel, and a developing outside jumper. If all pans out, he could become a really great complimentary piece next to a “1A” star. I’ve compared his game to Lamar Odom’s in the past, and there’s a realm of possibility that he becomes the modern-day version of him. His overall production as a freshman hasn’t been huge, but if you look long-term at what he could be, grabbing someone like that at the end of the first round is a worthwhile lotto ticket.
#29. Minnesota Timberwolves — Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
15.5 PTS | 5.3 REB | 2.4 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.5 BLK
48.3 FG% | 37.5 3P% | 82.9 FT%
21 Games | 32.5 MIN
Corey Tulaba: It is mid-February of the year 2024, and the Minnesota Timberwolves remain in first place in the Western Conference. I mean what?! I know, Metcalf can’t believe it either. The Wolves add to the depth of the loaded roster that got them here by selecting Tristan da Silva, the versatile 6’9” forward from Colorado. At this part of the draft, some teams may elect to take a swing on a more high-upside prospect, but as of late, we’ve seen title contenders decide to take prospects that they feel can contribute earlier on their rookie contract. Tristan da Silva can do just that, playing a complementary role off Anthony Edwards and KAT, making smart connective plays, and spacing the floor at a high level. Da Silva may not be the sexiest prospect available, but he fits the roster and timeline of one of the best teams in the NBA.
#30. Boston Celtics — AJ Johnson, G, Illawarra Hawks
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
3.0 PTS | 1.3 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.2 STL | 0.1 BLK
34.8 FG% | 26.5 3P% | 53.8 FT%
26 Games | 8.7 MIN
Tyler Metcalf: The Celtics have taken a few big swings in recent seasons, and there may not be a bigger swing in this draft than AJ Johnson. If you just go off the raw numbers, Johnson doesn’t come close to resembling an NBA player. However, the 6’7” guard has a ton of potential that is just begging to be unleashed as he gets stronger. Despite inconsistent opportunities, Johnson continues to stay engaged, play extremely hard, and display some of the flashes that made him a tantalizing high school recruit. By taking him in the first round, Boston will have an extra year of control over his contract, making it much easier to develop him behind the scenes for a year. The Celtics have the core of their team solidified and have title aspirations. Johnson won’t help in the short term, but if things go right, he could be an unfair infusion of athleticism, scoring, and creativity in a few years.
SECOND ROUND
#31. Toronto Raptors (via DET) — Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
14.6 PTS | 9.0 REB | 1.7 AST | 0.6 STL | 1.5 BLK
55.8 FG% | 44.8 3P% | 68.8 FT%
21 Games | 31.1 MIN
#32. Utah Jazz (via WAS) — Jared McCain, G, Duke
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
12.9 PTS | 5.0 REB | 1.9 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.0 BLK
45.1 FG% | 38.5 3P% | 84.8 FT%
24 Games | 29.9 MIN
#33. San Antonio Spurs — Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
13.4 PTS | 7.1 REB | 2.7 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.8 BLK
57.8 FG% | 45.5 3P% | 82.5 FT%
24 Games | 29.3 MIN
#34. Portland Trail Blazers (via CHA) — Pacome Dadiet, W, Ratiopharm Ulm
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
6.1 PTS | 1.9 REB | 0.5 AST | 0.6 STL | 0.1 BLK
48.0 FG% | 32.9 3P% | 75.9 FT%
39 Games | 14.7 MIN
#35. Milwaukee Bucks (via POR) — DaRon Holmes II, F/C, Dayton
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
19.4 PTS | 7.7 REB | 2.5 AST | 0.7 STL | 2.2 BLK
54.3 FG% | 39.0 3P% | 68.6 FT%
23 Games | 31.4 MIN
#36. Minnesota Timberwolves (via MEM) — Alex Karaban, F, UConn
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
14.7 PTS | 5.6 REB | 1.5 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.9 BLK
53.2 FG% | 40.2 3P% | 87.2 FT%
23 Games | 31.2 MIN
#37. Philadelphia 76ers (via TOR) — Bobi Klintman, F, Cairns Taipans
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
10.2 PTS | 4.8 REB | 1.0 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.5 BLK
43.0 FG% | 33.3 3P% | 81.9 FT%
25 Games | 21.7 MIN
#38. Memphis Grizzlies (via BKN) — Oso Ighodaro, F/C, Marquette
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
14.1 PTS | 7.3 REB | 2.7 AST | 1.0 STL | 1.2 BLK
62.1 FG% | 0.0 3P% | 64.5 FT%
23 Games | 32.4 MIN
#39. Portland Trail Blazers (via ATL) — Trentyn Flowers, G, Adelaide
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
5.5 PTS | 3.1 REB | 0.6 AST | 0.2 STL | 0.1 BLK
43.6 FG% | 35.7 3P% | 64.9 FT%
21 Games | 14.4 MIN
#40. Oklahoma City Thunder (via HOU) — Jaylon Tyson, G, Cal
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
20.1 PTS | 7.5 REB | 3.3 AST | 1.3 STL | 0.4 BLK
48.5 FG% | 37.1 3P% | 78.8 FT%
23 Games | 34.4 MIN
#41. Boston Celtics (via CHI) — Izan Almansa, F/C, G League Ignite
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
10.3 PTS | 7.4 REB | 1.7 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.9 BLK
54.5 FG% | 14.3 3P% | 54.2 FT%
33 Games | 27.0 MIN
#42. Houston Rockets (via GSW) — Adem Bona, C, UCLA
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
12.2 PTS | 6.0 REB | 1.3 AST | 1.1 STL | 1.9 BLK
59.0 FG% | 0.0 3P% | 65.7 FT%
24 Games | 26.5 MIN
#43. New York Knicks (via UTA) — Harrison Ingram, F, UNC
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
12.5 PTS | 8.7 REB | 2.3 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.5 BLK
44.0 FG% | 42.2 3P% | 55.6 FT%
24 Games | 32.2 MIN
#44. San Antonio Spurs (via LAL) — Juan Nunez, G, Ratiopharm Ulm
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
10.5 PTS | 3.6 REB | 5.3 AST | 1.8 STL | 0.0 BLK
49.4 FG% | 34.6 3P% | 61.5 FT%
33 Games | 24.2 MIN
#45. Miami Heat — Trey Alexander, G, Creighton
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
16.9 PTS | 6.2 REB | 4.7 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.6 BLK
44.3 FG% | 29.2 3P% | 81.3 FT%
24 Games | 36.7 MIN
#46. Orlando Magic — Wooga Poplar, G, Miami
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
13.9 PTS | 5.1 REB | 2.2 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.3 BLK
44.2 FG% | 42.4 3P% | 84.3 FT%
22 Games | 30.7 MIN
#47. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND) — Ariel Hukporti, C, Melbourne
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
8.8 PTS | 7.3 REB | 0.8 AST | 0.6 STL | 1.4 BLK
57.8 FG% | N/A 3P% | 62.5 FT%
28 Games | 18.7 MIN
#48. Boston Celtics (via DAL) — KJ Simpson, G, Colorado
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
19.4 PTS | 5.4 REB | 4.6 AST | 1.8 STL | 0.0 BLK
49.4 FG% | 42.9 3P% | 89.6 FT%
24 Games | 32.8 MIN
#49. Indiana Pacers (via NOP) — Jalen Bridges, W, Baylor
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
10.6 PTS | 4.6 REB | 1.7 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.7 BLK
44.7 FG% | 39.8 3P% | 86.1 FT%
23 Games | 29.4 MIN
#50. Sacramento Kings — Dillon Mitchell, F, Texas
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
11.0 PTS | 8.6 REB | 1.7 AST | 0.9 STL | 1.1 BLK
58.5 FG% | 0.0 3P% | 62.3 FT%
21 Games | 18.8 MIN
#51. Philadelphia 76ers — FORFEITED
#52. Washington Wizards (via PHX) — Ajay Mitchell, G, UCSB
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
20.0 PTS | 4.0 REB | 4.0 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.4 BLK
50.2 FG% | 37.7 3P% | 84.7 FT%
21 Games | 31.2 MIN
#53. Detroit Pistons (via NYK) — Justin Edwards, F, Kentucky
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
8.1 PTS | 3.6 REB | 0.9 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.3 BLK
44.2 FG% | 29.1 3P% | 75.0 FT%
22 Games | 21.9 MIN
#54. Indiana Pacers (via MIL) — Hansen Yang, C, Qingdao
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
15.6 PTS | 11.4 REB | 4.1 AST | 0.7 STL | 2.3 BLK
56.8 FG% | 20.0 3P% | 62.1 FT%
39 Games | 34.3 MIN
#55. Phoenix Suns (via DEN) — FORFEITED
#56. Indiana Pacers (via CLE) — Reece Beekman, G, Virginia
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
13.8 PTS | 3.0 REB | 6.1 AST | 2.4 STL | 0.5 BLK
44.7 FG% | 30.1 3P% | 75.3 FT%
24 Games | 31.5 MIN
#57. Los Angeles Lakers (via LAC) — Kobe Johnson, G, USC
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
10.2 PTS | 4.3 REB | 3.4 AST | 1.9 STL | 0.9 BLK
37.2 FG% | 27.7 3P% | 71.7 FT%
22 Games | 29.4 MIN
#58. Memphis Grizzlies (via OKC) — Adama-Alpha Bal, G, Santa Clara
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
15.2 PTS | 3.1 REB | 3.3 AST | 1.0 STL | 0.2 BLK
45.9 FG% | 36.2 3P% | 84.2 FT%
24 Games | 31.2 MIN
#59. Denver Nuggets (via MIN) — Trevon Brazile, F/C, Arkansas
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
8.9 PTS | 6.5 REB | 0.5 AST | 0.7 STL | 1.3 BLK
46.3 FG% | 34.6 3P% | 69.8 FT%
19 Games | 27.8 MIN
#60. Charlotte Hornets (via BOS) — Jaxson Robinson, G, BYU
Stats (as of 2/13/24):
13.5 PTS | 2.5 REB | 1.6 AST | 0.9 STL | 0.4 BLK
44.0 FG% | 36.7 3P% | 88.0 FT%
22 Games | 26.2 MIN
AJ Johnson has two different heights listed if I’m reading correctly; 6’5 in the header & 6’7 in the body
The photos for picks 51 and 55 made me laugh. Unexpected. Well played. Good overall piece.