It is officially draft day in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks still hold the top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, although they have been discussing every possible scenario presented to them leading up to the draft, including the option of possibly moving the first overall selection. The debate of Zaccharie Risacher vs. Donovan Clingan is ongoing, which brings us to our final 2024 NBA Mock Draft 5.0 with intel not only pertaining to the draft at hand, but the fallout of the blockbuster trade made on Tuesday night.
In a move that sent shockwaves across the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets moved on from star Mikal Bridges in exchange for a plethora of draft assets and Bojan Bogdanovic from the New York Knicks. The Nets then went and included the Houston Rockets in a side deal that allowed Brooklyn to retain some of their draft picks that were dealt in the initial James Harden trade. After fully committing themselves to a rebuild, the Nets now have an arsenal of draft picks at their disposal to build a sustainable, long-term core.
On the other side of this trade is the Knicks, who add Bridges to their already talented core of Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Julius Randle, and presumably OG Anunoby, whom the team is still prioritizing entering free agency, league sources told ClutchPoints. The Knicks have no intentions to let Anunoby go, which now raises questions about Isaiah Hartenstein's future in New York. This trade involving Bridges not only impacts the Knicks in future drafts since they gave up numerous draft picks to land him, but executive Leon Rose and his front office now have decisions to make regarding their back-to-back picks at the end of the first round.
Aside from all the talk surrounding the Nets and Knicks, the main focus of the 2024 NBA Draft lies at the very top with the first few selections. The Hawks will set the pace for how things play out, as the potential fall of Clingan will result in numerous teams working the phones to try and move up in the draft. Perhaps this isn't the deepest draft, but there are going to be plenty of fireworks on Wednesday night. With the amount of chatter happening around the league, a couple of star-level players could have new homes by the conclusion of the first round.
This final NBA Mock Draft 5.0 features one final change at the top spot in the draft, as well as projections, notes, and intel from scouts, agents, and league personnel. Updates will be provided leading up to the start of the NBA Draft with changes being made as appropriate, especially in regards to trades being made.
Previous 2024 NBA Draft Big Boards: 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0
Previous 2024 NBA Mock Drafts: 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0
1. Atlanta Hawks – SF Zaccharie Risacher – France (JL Bourg – LNB)
A decision on the Hawks' first overall pick won't be made until the team is officially on the clock. General manager Landry Fields and Atlanta's front office continue to field calls from teams interested in this first pick, and they are actively weighing Zaccharie Risacher and Donovan Clingan against one another, sources said. While anything is possible, rival teams no longer expect the Hawks to pursue Alex Sarr, who declined a workout with the team and did not show up despite agreeing on a set date. The general consensus among league executives is Risacher is the player who presents more long-term upside to Atlanta.
On the wing, Risacher has the tools to become a high-level defensive option, and his shooting abilities from the perimeter would provide an immediate spark to the Hawks' offense. The French forward also presents a more stable sense of direction in terms of growth should the organization decide to part ways with either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray in the offseason. Then again, Clingan is the player Atlanta holds in high regard, league sources said. At this juncture, this No. 1 overall pick is very much in play to be traded to the San Antonio Spurs, who have interest in Risacher.
If the Hawks are unable to reach an agreement to a trade with the Spurs, do not be shocked if Atlanta ends up selecting Clingan first overall. The question for the Hawks and Spurs revolves around what kind of price tag is being put on this first overall selection and Risacher. There is a belief that Atlanta is wanting their 2025 first-round pick, currently owed by San Antonio, included in a deal for this first pick of the draft. Even if the Hawks make their selection and take Risacher, they could still reach an agreement with the Spurs before they are scheduled to pick fourth overall.
It would come as a major shock if the Hawks didn't end up with either Risacher or Clingan by the end of the night.
2. Washington Wizards – PF/C Alex Sarr – France (Perth Wildcats – NBL)
All indications point in the direction of Alex Sarr being the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards have him at the very top of their draft board, sources said, paving the way for him to become their new focal point alongside 2023 first-round pick Bilal Coulibaly. Sarr and his camp would reportedly prefer to play for the Wizards given the opportunity to be the versatile frontcourt option that he is. Whereas he would be utilized as a center with the Hawks, many league personnel view Sarr playing minutes at the power forward position early on in his career alongside a true center.
Between his length and immediate defensive impact, Sarr will make a difference during his rookie season alongside Coulibaly. By selecting Sarr, Washington would create a very strong one-two punch with the two Frenchmen, forming what they believe could be the start of a great defensive unit. The Wizards also have full belief in head coach Brian Keefe's abilities to develop the team's young core while addressing other needs of the franchise in trades and free agency. Washington is of the mindset that drafting Sarr will only escalate their rebuilding process.
While Sarr was in the running to be drafted by the Hawks early on in the pre-draft process, this no longer appears to be the case. Sarr will be the will be the second overall pick in this year's draft unless a team puts together a massive trade package to move ahead of Washington and draft him.
3. Houston Rockets – PG/SG Reed Sheppard – Kentucky
There are no indications the morning of the draft that the Houston Rockets are eyeing a different player other than Reed Sheppard in this spot. Sheppard has impressed members of the Rockets throughout he pre-draft process with his shooting skills and his demeanor as it translates to winning, sources said. At the same time, Houston has received numerous calls from rival teams about potentially moving up in this year's draft, especially with Clingan still on the board. The Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are three teams with lottery picks behind the Rockets that are interested in Clingan, sources said.
After making their trade with the Nets on Tuesday night involving multiple draft assets, the Rockets are operating with the mindset of pursuing a star player right now in order to make a legitimate playoff push in the Western Conference. Many around the league are wondering if Houston's front office will turn their attention to Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Paul George, who is a candidate to opt into his $48 million player option and seek a trade ahead of free agency. There are also Kevin Durant rumblings, as far-fetched as that may seem.
Even though they drafted Amen Thompson last year and still have veteran guard Fred VanVleet leading their backcourt, Sheppard would bring a whole new dynamic to the Rockets. Houston ranked 23rd in the league in three-point shooting this past season, which is where Sheppard would leave his mark right away. He would also provide a spark to the Rockets' bench, as Sheppard's toughness would be valued by Ime Udoka and his staff.
In the event that a team trades up to select Clingan in this spot, that may just give the Rockets the future draft capital that they need to pull off a trade for a superstar on Wednesday night.
4. San Antonio Spurs – C Donovan Clingan – UConn
Aside from what the Rockets do with the third overall pick, this fourth overall selection by the San Antonio Spurs is truly where the draft starts. The Spurs are searching for ways to improve immediately and surround Victor Wembamnyama with players who can not only present a path to growth, but also be long-term building blocks around the French phenom. Stephon Castle is viewed as San Antonio's most likely choice in this spot given his two-way play in the backcourt and ability to be a lead guard in San Antonio. However, Clingan recently met with the Spurs and is a real candidate to join Wembanyama in the frontcourt, league sources said.
The idea of creating a pairing of Wembanyama and Clingan is something San Antonio finds intriguing, especially considering the UConn big man's perimeter game is evolving. Not only could Clingan run pick-and-roll situations as the team's center, but this young duo would instantly be the best defensive pairing in the league when it comes to rim protection and altering shots. The Spurs still own the eighth pick in the draft and have future draft capital that could be leverage to move back into the lottery and add a guard they have had their eyes on later on.
This fourth overall pick could be in play for the Hawks, who are expected to take Risacher first overall. Atlanta has interest in getting their 2025 first-round pick back from the Spurs in any scenario where San Antonio would look to move up in the draft to try and secure Risacher. There is certainly still a path to the Hawks and Spurs making a trade during the draft as Atlanta evaluates their options pertaining to Risacher and Clingan.
It it looking increasingly likely that a UConn Huskie will be going to San Antonio in this spot. Whether or not the pick is Castle or Clingan is yet to be seen.
5. Detroit Pistons – SF Matas Buzelis – G League Ignite
There continues to be dialogue around the league that the Detroit Pistons are a potential trade-down candidate, especially if Clingan finds his way to this fifth overall pick. Trajan Langdon, the Pistons' new President of Basketball Operations, is being aggressive with his approach entering the 2024 NBA Draft in terms of finding ways to capitalize on Detroit's positioning. While a trade is always a possibility, Matas Buzelis is the player Detroit has been focused on the most since hiring Langdon.
Ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, the Pistons are being viewed very much as a wild card due to their unpredictability. This is a franchise that wants to change quickly, and they believe Langdon will be the answer to turning around their recent mishaps. With Cade Cunningham, whom the organization views as an All-Star-quality talent, and Jaden Ivey in their backcourt, it would be unwise for the Pistons to waste the fifth overall pick on another guard. The idea of pursuing frontcourt help wouldn't make a ton of sense either unless Detroit were to move on from Jalen Duren or Isaiah Stewart in the offseason.
Buzelis is the ideal fit for the Pistons in this spot due to his size and shooting abilities on the wing.
6. Charlotte Hornets – PG/SG Stephon Castle – UConn
The Charlotte Hornets are interested in Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, and Reed Sheppard, sources said. If Clingan were to fall to them with the sixth pick, there is a belief that the Hornets would pass on him due to the existence of Mark Williams and Nick Richards in their frontcourt.
New head coach Charles Lee is tasked with trying to turn around a Hornets team that has steadily declined since drafting LaMelo Ball to be the face of their franchise. Ball will be returning from injury during the 2024-25 season, and standout rookie forward Brandon Miller is expected to take on more responsibilities as a primary scoring option for the Hornets. The idea of adding another true playmaker like Castle and a guard who can give it his all defensively should be very appealing to the Hornets in this spot. After all, Ball has always played better when he has another reliable ball handler by his side.
This pick could very much come down to if the Hornets prefer to add a primary shooting options like Knecht or a two-way guard like Castle. Whereas Castle provides more long-term upside in Charlotte's backcourt, Knecht would provide a more immediate upgrade in terms of his scoring prowess on the perimeter.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – SG/SF Dalton Knecht – Tennessee
Clingan potentially falling to seventh overall would be a dream scenario for the Trail Blazers, as he is the player they have actively been pursuing trade-up opportunities for. However, it is hard to see a scenario in which the possible first overall pick could fall this far in the first round. As a result, the Blazers are still evaluating trade scenarios and attempting to move up in the draft, sources said. The seventh pick is unique for Portland simply because there are a couple of players who will be available that can provide immediate upside. Dalton Knecht is one of those players.
The general belief around the league is Knecht will be selected anywhere from sixth to ninth this year's draft. Through the years, the Blazers have long targeted young, high-potential players such as Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. However, there is a sense of urgency growing in Portland, and the higher-ups of the franchise are not wanting to see their team go through a long rebuilding process. Knecht possesses the shooting and offensive abilities to be a plug-and-play talent immediately during his rookie season.
Knecht is right behind Clingan as a player the Blazers want to target in this draft, sources said. It is believed that Knecht would not fall past the Spurs with the eighth overall selection if both the Hornets and Blazers passed up on the Tennessee product.
8. San Antonio Spurs – SF/PF Tidjane Salaun – France (Cholet Basket – LNB)
The Spurs hold high interest in French forward Tidjane Salaun, sources said. Nikola Topic, Devin Carter, Rob Dillingham, and Knecht are other players who are appealing to the Spurs in this spot. Still 18 years old and not turning 19 until August, Salaun finds himself as one of the youngest players in the 2024 NBA Draft. At the same time, Salaun may just possess the most potential to turn into an everyday starter. Although he is still very raw, Salaun would provide an immediate boost in either forward position because of his length and defensive awareness.
This organization's dream scenario would be landing Risacher and Salaun on draft night to pair with Wembanyama. In addition to the length the Spurs would possess by adding Risacher and Salaun, they would also give Wembanyama two fellow Frenchmen to play with. It is no secret to anyone that Salaun has fans inside San Antonio's front office.
If the Spurs don't add a guard with the fourth pick, this will be a spot in the draft that many would anticipate them doing so. Assuming Castle is off the board, the next best available guards would be Nikola Topic, Rob Dillingham, and Devin Carter, who had a very impressive workout with the Spurs, sources said. Salaun has long been a target for the Spurs inside the top 10.
9. Memphis Grizzlies – PG/SG Devin Carter – Providence
Anything could happen with the Grizzlies' ninth overall selection. In addition to having interest in moving up to target Clingan, the Grizzlies are also evaluating options to potentially move down in the first round to gather future assets, sources said. General manager Zach Kleiman is always aggressive on draft night, which is why we should expect nothing less from Memphis yet again. With Cody Williams and Devin Carter on the board, the Grizzlies would be forced to make a decision between two prospects that they have interest in.
Scouts always have great things to say about Carter, and he would fit in with a gritty Grizzlies team that is looking to get back on the path to competing in the playoffs after injuries derailed their 2023-24 season. With Ja Morant coming of shoulder surgery and Marcus Smart coming off of a finger injury, the Grizzlies could use an experienced 22-year-old guard who can not only contribute right away but still has room to grow as a two-way factor. Carter's father is currently an assistant on Taylor Jenkins' staff, leading to more speculation that he is one of the Grizzlies' top choices.
The Providence guard has drawn interest from the Spurs, Jazz, Bulls, and Kings in addition to the Grizzlies during the pre-draft process. There have been whispers that Memphis will be interested in Zach Edey should they be unable to trade up for Clingan. As a result, Memphis could realistically move down a few spots to grab Edey, while also adding future value. The Jazz are another team that has a level of interest in Edey, as they have made Walker Kessler available in trade talks.
10. Utah Jazz – SF Cody Williams – Colorado
The Jazz will have options with the 10th pick. With Keyonte George being the future of their backcourt, as well as Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton still on the roster, Utah may not have interest in creating a logjam with their guards. Williams, who is viewed as a top-10 player on many team's draft boards, would fill an immediate void the Jazz currently have on the wing. Even though he has two-way potential on the wing, Williams is still a very raw talent who will need time to develop, especially as a three-point shooting weapon. Drafting Williams would be a high-upside selection by Utah, who could eventually turn into their starting small forward.
There is a wide range of players the Jazz can consider with this 10th overall selection, especially in terms of talents on the wing. Topic still being available makes for an interesting conversation, plus Ron Holland's slip draws more questions about whether he could be the guy Utah needs. Whatever the case may be, the Jazz have not hidden their intentions to target a star this offseason. If the right All-Star becomes available between now and the draft, the Jazz will be open to dealing this selection.
11. Chicago Bulls – SF Ron Holland – G League Ignite
It is looking more than likely that Ron Holland will fall out of the top 10. Once thought to be in the discussion for the first overall pick, Holland, still has the potential to be a two-way factor on the wing with the right team. The Chicago Bulls have seemed to take a step back after trading Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, and they also run the risk of losing DeMar DeRozan in free agency. Securing Holland in this spot gives the Bulls a young, dynamic wing they can spend time developing into their future star. Carter and Dillingham are two other names being linked to the Bulls in this spot.
Chicago had flirted with the idea of moving up in the draft to possibly secure a top-five pick, but that no longer appears to be a viable option. Still, they could be aggressive and move up one or two spots to grab Carter if he is the player at the top of their draft board.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – PG Nikola Topic – Serbia (Crvena zvezda – Serbia)
How far will Nikola Topic fall? This is one of the most polarizing questions pertaining to the 2024 NBA Draft. There are some teams that still believe Topic is the best guard prospect in this draft due to his ability to be a primary facilitator. However, the Serbian guard may end up missing all of his rookie season due to a partially torn ACL. The Oklahoma City Thunder are in no rush when it comes to development of young players, and Topic would be the perfect guard to pair with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt.
The Thunder find themselves in a position where they will have to wait and see what talents are still on the board. Salaun, Topic, and Holland would all make sense if they fell to Oklahoma City in this spot, but that may not occur. A team eyeing Edey, Dillingham, or Jared McCain could realistically move up to this spot, giving executive Sam Presti more future assets and a chance to grab frontcourt help a little bit later on. Nonetheless, drafting Topic in this spot, should he fall out of the top 10, would be great value for this young Thunder team. It remains possible that Oklahoma City may move down a few spots since they are eyeing other options that went the collegiate route.
13. Sacramento Kings – SG Ja'Kobe Walter – Baylor
The Sacramento Kings are actively shopping their 13th overall pick ahead of Wednesday's draft, league sources said. With the return of Malik Monk, the Kings are searching for ways to add win-now talent in order to get back to the playoffs. Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma continues to be linked to Sacramento as an upgrade at the forward positions. Whatever the Kings decide to do in this spot, they are going to be looking for talent that can help them win right now.
Despite being 19 years old, Walter is the ideal 3-and-D mold who could thrive in Sacramento's system with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis being the primary playmakers. Although his draft range is wide, there are plenty of teams that view Walter as a lottery pick. His shooting abilities and length on the perimeter is exactly what the Kings need at the shooting guard position.
Sacramento recently brought in Jared McCain and Zach Edey for workouts ahead of the draft, two players rival teams are targeting as trade-up options in this spot. Do not be shocked if either of these players are the Kings' initial pick before being re-routed elsewhere.
14. Portland Trail Blazers – C Zach Edey – Purdue
In addition to having interest in Clingan at the top of the draft, the Blazers also really like Purdue star Zach Edey, sources said. Edey has drawn interest from various teams picking in the lottery, as well as organizations with picks inside the top 20. At this time, it is unlikely he would fall past the Los Angeles Lakers' 17th overall pick, regardless of if Rob Pelinka kept his team in that spot during the draft.
Drafting Edey would signal that the Blazers are open for business pertaining to Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III. Portland would not take Edey with the intention of him being a rotational big man. His ability to set screens and be a lob threat every offensive possession could be key for a Blazers team that has downhill-attacking guards such as Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe on their roster. Edey would obviously be a significant upgrade for a team that ranked dead last in defensive rebounding during the 2023-24 season as well.
The Blazers are interested in wings such as Holland, Knecht, Tristan da Silva, and Cody Williams in the lottery. Do not be shocked if Portland takes two wings.
15. Miami Heat – PG Rob Dillingham – Kentucky
Rob Dillingham is a candidate to fall out of the lottery due to his ankle injury, which limited his pre-draft workout availability. At the same time, teams do know what Dillingham is capable of doing offensively, which is why he is still drawing interest from the Spurs, Jazz, and Bulls. Between his ball handling and playmaking abilities, Dillingham would be the perfect guard for the Miami Heat to add in this draft next to Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro.
The best part about Dillingham's game is he tends to thrive in pick-and-roll situations where he can get to his spots and also attack the rim. With a lob threat like Bam Adebayo in Miami's frontcourt, the Kentucky guard would find a lot of success in Erik Spoelstra's system. Many around the league anticipate the Heat going with the best player available mentality and adding a young scorer to their roster. Other guards such as Topic, McCain, and Carlton Carrington are in play here for the Heat.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – PG Jared McCain – Duke
The Philadelphia 76ers have been shopping their 16th overall pick for weeks, sources said. It continues to look very likely that Daryl Morey and the Sixers' front office will be pulling off a trade similar to the one they made in 2022 when trading for De'Anthony Melton. As a result, it is hard to project who the most likely pick will be in this spot.
McCain emerged as one of the best scoring guards in the country this past season at Duke, and he enters the NBA Draft as one of the better shooting options. He has a strong feel for the game and can be a very serviceable guard for any contending team as a backup option right away. Tristan da Silva and Carlton Carrington are two other players who have been heavily mentioned in this spot.
17. Los Angeles Lakers – SG Kyshawn George – Miami (FL)
Like the 76ers, the Los Angeles Lakers will field offers for the 17th overall pick. While Edey has long been projected to go to the Lakers in this spot, rival executives now believe he will no longer be available when Los Angeles is on the clock, sources said. While they are evaluating trade scenarios, the Lakers are also keeping an eye on what talents will be on the board in this spot in order to begin building a young core on the side for JJ Redick to help develop. Kyshawn George is one of the players in consideration for this pick, sources said.
At 6'7″ on the wing, George has the tools to be a versatile shooting guard who can drastically improve on defense. During his freshman season at Miami, he shot 40.8 percent from deep. George fits the mold of the kind of player who generally thrives in a LeBron James-led offense, and he has the tools to develop into a factor defensively with the right guidance.
18. Orlando Magic – PG Carlton Carrington – Pittsburgh
While many view the Orlando Magic as a viable destination for Johnny Furphy in this draft, they could also wind up being suitors for a dynamic guard to help lead their backcourt. Carlton Carrington received an invite to the green room, signaling that he could be a top-20 pick in the draft. With the scoring abilities he possesses and only being 18 years old, Carrington would be yet another young, dynamic player the Magic would have on their roster. Next to Jalen Suggs in the backcourt, he could help create a strong one-two punch.
What Orlando has planned in free agency will tell the tale of what direction they go in the NBA Draft. Should they have legitimate interest in pursuing Paul George, Klay Thompson, or someone else, selecting a younger player like Carrington could make a lot of sense for this franchise. The Magic could really use some more scoring weapons, and Carrington would be just that in the backcourt. The Pittsburgh guard is drawing heavy interest from teams in the lottery and could realistically go anywhere from 12-to-20 during the NBA Draft.
19. Toronto Raptors – SF/PF Tristan da Silva – Colorado
Like Carrington, Tristan da Silva's range spans from the late-lottery to the 20th overall pick owned by the Cleveland Cavaliers. In this spot, he ends up with a young Toronto Raptors team looking to find the right weapons to take the next step in their re-tooling process. Where the Raptors go with this 19th overall pick is a mystery. Masai Ujiri and this front office have been very quiet as to what their intentions are this offseason outside of retaining restricted free agent Immanuel Quickley.
Da Silva is not the most athletic player in this draft, but he is one of the most poised who can wear numerous hats for his team. The 23-year-old is a win-now type of player who can bring the ball up the floor, shoot the three, and defend multiple positions. The Raptors could benefit from adding a combo forward like da Silva, who brings years of collegiate experience with him. There are numerous players the Raptors could target with this 19th overall selection.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers – SG/SF Johnny Furphy – Kansas
The Cleveland Cavaliers have hired Kenny Atkinson to replace JB Bickerstaff on the sidelines. Atkinson, who is known for his offensive sets and player development, inherits a Cavs roster that is ready to contend right now. It appears as if executive Koby Altman is only wanting to add talent to his roster instead of giving up on the core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley. Due to Atkinson's ability to develop young players, Furphy would make the most sense for the Cavaliers.
Rumors that Furphy received a promise inside the top 20 have continued to be relevant since he kept his name in the NBA Draft at the withdrawal deadline. Cleveland would be a great spot for Furphy, not only because they need more perimeter shooting but also because a coach like Atkinson could really spend time fine-tuning his game. Expect the Cavs to target a secondary scorer in this draft rather than frontcourt depth.
21. New Orleans Pelicans – C Yves Missi – Baylor
If he is on the board, it is hard to see the New Orleans Pelicans passing up on Yves Missi in this spot, as they are the team that has been most linked to him. With Jonas Valanciunas set to become a free agent, Missi could immediately become the new starting center in New Orleans due to his ability to play above the rim, especially in pick-and-roll sets.
There are multiple scenarios that could play out for the Pelicans on draft night. Brandon Ingram continues to be on the trade block, yet there doesn't appear to be traction on a deal at this time. That could change at any moment. Dyson Daniels is another player New Orleans would be open to discussing in trades, sources said. In order to cut long-term costs, the Pelicans could realistically trade this pick for more future assets and second-round picks if they aren't sold on Missi's abilities to impact winning right now.
22. Phoenix Suns – SF Ryan Dunn – Virginia
The Phoenix Suns really like both Ryan Dunn and Tyler Kolek, sources said. Yves Missi is another name to consider in this spot should he fall past the Pelicans to them. Although there has been talk about the Suns possible trading this pick, it would be wise for them to add a youthful option to their roster due to the fact they do not have any draft capital moving forward. Dunn, who is known for his defensive abilities on the wing, would provide immediate upside as a secondary stopper who can run in transition.
Teams that have had Dunn in for pre-draft workouts have been pleasantly surprised with the strides he has made as a perimeter shooter. There is a belief that he will be able to become a viable three-point shooting option in due time. The Suns need players who can make winning plays on defense, which is why Dunn is their best option here.
23. Milwaukee Bucks – PG Tyler Kolek – Marquette
Kolek has emerged as a main target for the Suns in the NBA Draft, but their interest in Dunn could result in the Marquette guard falling further into the 20s. The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the teams to have shown interest in Kolek during the pre-draft process, which makes sense given their need for an immediate facilitator and passer behind Damian Lillard. The question for the Bucks revolves around whether or not they are going to be looking to make a big move in their frontcourt regarding Brook Lopez or Bobby Portis.
A move like this is not necessary, but should Milwaukee look to part ways with either Lopez or Portis, both Kel'el Ware and Kyle Filipowski will be in play with this 23rd overall selection, sources said. The Bucks simply need win-now talent, which is why Kolek is the best player available for them in this spot.
“Winning is in my blood,” Kolek told ClutchPoints in an exclusive pre-draft interview. “Whatever team drafts me, they know they will be getting a player that brings winning qualities that they need to win in the playoffs.”
24. New York Knicks – C Kel'el Ware – Indiana
The stunning move to trade for Mikal Bridges has put the Knicks in an intriguing spot heading into the 2024 NBA Draft. While they traded away a plethora of future picks, the Knicks still own the 24th and 25th overall picks, which rival teams expect New York to shop depending on which players become available. Kolek, Dunn, and Ware are three players the Knicks have been linked to throughout the pre-draft process, which is why the team could trade one or both of their first-round picks if these three players are not available.
In this spot, Ware does happen to still be on the draft board, and he is a player the Knicks would jump on to add to their frontcourt. Mitchell Robinson has been brought up in trade rumors recently, and it looks increasingly likely that Isaiah Hartenstein will be on the move for financial reasons. Ware still has work to do in terms of his motor and durability, but he is an avid shot blocker that can extend his offensive game to the perimeter.
Keep a close eye on the Knicks and what they do with their two late-first-round picks. If they truly want to target a big man, potentially trading up for a guy like Zach Edey could make the most sense to replace Hartenstein's rebounding intensity.
25. New York Knicks – SG Terrence Shannon Jr. – Illinois
Terrence Shannon Jr. was recently found not guilty of of felony rape and aggravated sexual assault. As a result, teams have been scrambling to get last-minute information on him and bring him in for workouts. Once thought to fall out of the first round and possibly go undrafted due to his legal status, Shannon is once again drawing interest in the first round. This seems like a spot where a team could trade up and grab Shannon if he was to fall out of the top 20.
Teams are aware of the type of scoring weapon Shannon has developed into at the shooting guard position, which is why he has interest from teams with much higher draft picks than the Knicks. If the Knicks were to trade up and package their two selections, a team could trade down with the intention of targeting Shannon in this spot. Then again, it is possible that the Illinois product could hear his name called somewhere right after the lottery.
26. Washington Wizards – PG Isaiah Collier – USC
Once thought to be in contention for the first pick before his freshman year at USC, Isaiah Collier's stock has slipped into the 20-to-30 range. This is by no means due to his skill, as Collier is one of the most explosive ball handlers in this draft. However, some teams are willing to pass on Collier completely due to his lack of defensive awareness and tendency to play out of control due to his speed. The Wizards need more help in their backcourt, especially with Tyus Jones being a free agent they may not be able to retain.
With his ability to drive downhill and get to the rim, Collier would be the perfect point guard for the Wizards to add after selecting Alex Sarr second overall. Washington would be thrilled to add a talent like Collier late in the first round. The Wizards are also expressing interest in utilizing this 26th overall selection to move up inside the top 20, sources said. Collier should be available in this spot unless another team trades up to grab him once he falls into the 20s.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves – SG Baylor Scheierman – Creighton
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in win-now mode and prioritizing prospects in this draft classwho can make an impact right away. Baylor Scheierman, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Jonathan Mogbo are three players the Timberwolves hold interest in, sources said. They will also consider players who may fall to them in this range. Scheierman can provide instant production as a second-unit player due to his shooting and playmaking abilities. While listed as a shooting guard, the Creighton product can do just about anything asked of him on the court.
Assuming they aren't going to make a drastic roster change pertaining to Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves are going to need more shooting options on their bench who can open up the floor more for Anthony Edwards. Scheierman is an experienced collegiate talent who understands what it takes to win. He would provide an instant boost to head coach Chris Finch's bench unit.
28. Denver Nuggets – PF/C DaRon Holmes II – Dayton
The Denver Nuggets have been linked to Scheierman, Jaylon Tyson, and DaRon Holmes II in this spot. As various outlets have reported, many believe that Holmes received a promise from the Nuggets in this spot early on in the pre-draft process, though there was recent pushback on this notion. Despite this notion, the Dayton product is still receiving interest from teams with late lottery picks, as well as those in the early 20s, sources said.
Holmes would be the perfect fit in Denver behind Nikola Jokic due to his strong rebounding tendencies and ability to stretch the floor as a pick-and-pop weapon on offense. There is no better fit in this draft for Holmes than the Nuggets seeing as they desperately need a serviceable big man behind Jokic.
29. Utah Jazz – PF/C Kyle Filipowski – Duke
Kyle Filipowski is drawing interest from the lottery to the very last picks in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. It is currently hard to project where the Duke big man will end up due to the fact the stock of frontcourt players is all over the place. Filipowski's ultimate landing spot will be determined by where Missi, Holmes, and Ware end up.
The Utah Jazz are in need of more production in their frontcourt, and Filipowski could supply them with this. In addition to being a strong post scorer, Filipowski has proven he can play on the perimeter as a secondary passer. He moves well for a power forward, and the 20-year-old is still growing his offensive game. If he is available here, the Jazz would be smart to take Filipowski. Utah is also evaluating scenarios where they could potentially package this pick with their 32nd overall pick in order to potentially move up inside the top 20.
30. Boston Celtics – SG/SF Jaylon Tyson – California
Jaylon Tyson is drawing interest from teams in the 20-to-30 range of this year's draft, but he is also a candidate to fall into the second round. Tyson provides another do-it-all type of player for the Boston Celtics who could learn a lot defensively from Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. With a 6'8″ wingspan, Tyson would be a solid player that the Celtics could mold into a serviceable bench talent.
Again, this is a spot in the NBA Draft where the team picking will target value based on who falls. Boston has no immediate holes to fill, which is why they could potentially go even younger and target a long-term developmental player in this spot. Executive Brad Stevens seems confident in the Celtics' chances of ending up with a player that they like in this spot.
2024 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Picks No. 31-58
31. Toronto Raptors – PG/SG Ajay Mitchell – UC Santa Barbara
The Raptors could use more backcourt depth, and Ajay Mitchell can be a key secondary facilitator off the bench during his rookie season. He is one of the only guards Toronto brought in for a workout during the pre-draft process. This 31st overall pick is certainly in play to be traded, as the Raptors are going to evaluate all of their options pertaining to a potential package with the 19th pick.
32. Utah Jazz – SG Pacôme Dadiet – France (Ratiopharm Ulm – Bundesliga)
The Jazz are looking to be aggressive and move up on draft night depending on which players fall out of the lottery. It is assumed Utah is searching for a trade partner who has a pick in the 15-to-20 range of the draft. Pacome Dadiet is drawing late-first-round interest and one of those teams interested in him are the Jazz. Still just 18 years old, there is a lot of upside with Dadiet's natural scoring abilities.
33. Milwaukee Bucks – SF/PF Bobi Klintman – Sweden (Cairns Taipans – NBL)
Bobi Klintman has long been viewed as a first-round prospect. However, he could potentially fall into the second round. The Swedish forward is a lengthy wing who possesses a 6'11” wingspan and could instantly be a factor for a team like the Bucks since they have a need for lengthy players looking to cut and slash their way to the rim without the ball in their hands.
34. Portland Trail Blazers – PF Tyler Smith – G League Ignite
There are some concerns with Tyler Smith regarding his perimeter shooting. Still, he is a first-round-rated prospect who could go anywhere from 20-to-40 in this year's draft. Portland has interest in the young forward, and they can spend time on his development.
35. San Antonio Spurs – PG Juan Nunez – Spain (Ratiopharm Ulm – Bundesliga)
The Spurs are going to grab a point guard at some point in the draft. Juan Nunez is a strong passer who would do well in a system revolving around Wembanyama. Whether or not he is a draft-and-stash guy or someone who comes over right away is yet to be known.
36. Indiana Pacers – SF Harrison Ingram – North Carolina
Harrison Ingram is a really steady player in the NBA Draft. He is one of the better rebounding forwards and can be a secondary playmaker alongside solid guard play. Ingram should be a solid rotational player given his 7'0″ wingspan and defensive instincts. The Pacers can benefit from adding another lengthy wing.
37. Minnesota Timberwolves – SG AJ Johnson – USA (Illawarra Hawks – NBL)
AJ Johnson has first-round potential. After rising up draft boards with his scrimmage performances at the NBA Draft Combine last month, Johnson is drawing interest from many teams. It is likely he will spend the vast majority of the 2024-25 season developing more in the G League.
38. New York Knicks – PG Jamal Shead – Houston
Jamal Shead is going to bring gritty defensive play and toughness to any team that selects him in the second round of the NBA Draft. His leadership and experience are tough to find in players during this portion of the draft. The Knicks could use another smart and reliable option behind Jalen Brunson, which is why Shead could see minutes right away in Tom Thibodeau's rotation.
39. Memphis Grizzlies – PF Jonathan Mogbo – San Francisco
Expect to hear Jonathan Mogbo's name called in the 25-to-40 range of the 2024 NBA Draft. At the combine, Mogbo proved to be a skilled forward who could initiate his team's offense while also being a focal point on defense. The Grizzlies are always looking for athletes with length, and that is what they would be getting in a power forward like Mogbo.
40. Portland Trail Blazers – SG Melvin Ajinca – France (Saint-Quentin – LNB)
Melvin Ajinca has drawn the attention of scouts due to his three-point presence. Teams will view him as a 3-and-D prospect in the second round of the NBA Draft, making him a potential stash player for the Wizards on the wing for Portland.
41. Philadelphia 76ers – SG/SF Kevin McCullar – Kansas
Kevin McCullar has slipped to the second round due to a variety of teams being concerned with his medicals. While he has first-round talent, McCullar's knee injury, which ended his senior season at Kansas, has carried over to his ability to perform during the pre-draft process. Still, he is a poised and experienced wing that can provide depth for a team like the 76ers.
42. Charlotte Hornets – SG/SF Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Once thought to be a potential lottery pick, Justin Edwards is likely to be a second-round selection. At the combine, Edwards showcased his abilities to impact scoring both inside and outside the arc. The Hornets need more scoring weapons, making Edwards yet another development project for them to work with.
43. Miami Heat – SF/PF Keshad Johnson – Arizona
Keshad Johnson may just be the player to take Caleb Martin's spot with the Heat. The Arizona product brings defensive intensity and strong shooting instincts as a combo forward that would do well in Erik Spoelstra's developmental system.
44. Houston Rockets – SF Dillon Jones – Weber State
Experience and size are two things the Rockets would be getting by adding Dillon Jones as a possible two-way player in the second round. At 6'5″ and 240 pounds on the wing, Jones can be a player who crashes the boards and provides some extra depth on Houston's bench.
45. Sacramento Kings – PF/C Ulrich Chomche – Cameroon (Basketball Africa League)
Standing 6'10” with a 7'4″ wingspan, Ulrich Chomche has the intangibles to be a terrific defensive big man in the NBA. Just 18 years old, he would be a young prospect the Kings look to develop into their next long-term option in the frontcourt behind Sabonis.
46. Los Angeles Clippers – PF Enrique Freeman – Akron
Enrique Freeman has gone from a likely undrafted player to someone who should undoubtedly be a second-round pick after his combine performances. For a team like the Los Angeles Clippers, Freeman would provide immediate rebounding depth and toughness in the paint. The questions for the Clippers revolve around Paul George and whether he will be back. At this time, there is momentum trending in the direction of George departing Los Angeles.
47. Orlando Magic – SG/SF Jaylen Wells – Washington State
There are quite a few teams showing interest in Jaylen Wells. After shooting above 40 percent from three-point range at Washington State, Wells figures to be a rookie who teams will look to sign to a two-way contract whether or not he is drafted. The Magic always tend to like wings with length and defensive instincts, two things Wells possesses.
48. San Antonio Spurs – PG Tristan Newton – UConn
Tristan Newton is a winner. The Spurs are one of the many teams Newton worked out for during the pre-draft process, and he would bring a level of confidence to their backcourt. Between his scoring and passing abilities as a point guard, Newton would do well in Gregg Popvich's system.
49. Indiana Pacers – SG/SF Nikola Djurisic – Serbia (KK Mega Basket – ABA)
Whatever team drafts Nikola Djurisic will be thrilled to get him at this point in the second round. Djurisic is confident as a playmaker with the ball in his hands, and he has displayed strong shooting confidence overseas. His size is appealing for teams in need of a wing in the second round.
50. Indiana Pacers – C Adem Bona – UCLA
Adem Bona is a candidate to go anywhere in the second round. Teams are interested in his length at the center position, as well as his ability to make an impact defensively off the bench. The Pacers could use another frontcourt option behind Myles Turner at this point in the draft.
51. Washington Wizards – SG/SF Trentyn Flowers – USA (Adelaide 36ers – NBL)
There is a lot of momentum surrounding Trentyn Flowers right now, and there are various teams interested in taking a swing at him in the second round. He recently conducted workouts with the Kings, Jazz, Celtics, and Hornets. While he will need time to develop in the G League, Flowers is certainly the type of player who could work wonders on the wing for the Wizards, given his athleticism and natural scoring abilities at the rim.
52. Golden State Warriors – SG Pelle Larsson – Arizona
In addition to being a strong shooter, Pelle Larsson can handle the ball in pick-and-roll sets. The Golden State Warriors are going to be thinking towards the future with this pick, and Larsson can develop into a really solid rotational shooter for them off the bench.
53. Detroit Pistons – SG Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
While he will likely spend a lot of time in the G League during his rookie season, Antonio Reeves finds himself as one of the better scoring weapons available in the second round. The Pistons could use more scoring options on their bench, hence the fit for Reeves in this spot at the end of the draft, especially on a two-way contract.
54. Boston Celtics – C Oso Ighodaro – Marquette
Oso Ighodaro is one of the best on-ball defenders at the center position in this draft. He could provide the NBA champion Celtics with more frontcourt depth behind Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, while also learning a lot from Horford since they have similar builds and skills.
55. Los Angeles Lakers – PG Bronny James – USC
Despite Rich Paul coming out and stating that various teams have interest in Bronny James, that doesn't appear to be the case. No teams other than the Suns and Lakers have been given a chance to host Bronny for a workout, and there are many who are skeptical about his camp's true intentions. Paul has made it clear James will not sign a two-way contract, which is a deal most teams would want him to sign since he will spend all season in the G League developing.
If Bronny had worked out for more teams, there would have been real momentum surrounding him possibly being a late first-round prospect. Now, with everyone knowing that Paul wants Bronny in Los Angeles, the Lakers can fulfill LeBron's wish of playing with his son. At this point, many NBA scouts feel as if Bronny will end up with the Lakers either as a second-round pick or an undrafted free agent.
56. Denver Nuggets – PG KJ Simpson – Colorado
KJ Simpson has drawn attention from teams selecting at the end of the first round after his stellar performances at the NBA Draft Combine. This would be an absolute steal for the Nuggets at the end of the second round, as Simpson can be a confident backup point guard that spends time learning from others in Denver.
57. Memphis Grizzlies – SG Cam Spencer – UConn
After helping lead UConn to their second straight national championship, Cam Spencer would bring confidence and a winning mentality to the Grizzlies. When you talk about grit-and-grind in this draft class, Spencer is certainly one of the players to come to mind. His solid three-point shooting stroke also make him a unique player for Memphis to consider in this spot.
58. Dallas Mavericks – SF Jalen Bridges – Baylor
At Baylor, Jalen Bridges displayed his brilliance as an on-ball defender who is very smart with his decision-making. Offensively, Bridges shot 41.2 percent from deep during his senior season. The Dallas Mavericks will be searching for value at the end of the NBA Draft, and Bridges can be a really solid two-way player on their bench.
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