2024 NBA Mock Draft: First round predictions and pick projections

The NBA Finals came to a close less than a week ago, but it’s already time to start looking towards next season as we approach the NBA Draft. Boston may still be in celebration mode, but the rest of the league is gearing up for the selection show on Wednesday night as the other 29 teams look to knock the Celtics off their throne.

This year’s Draft class

This year’s draft comes with considerably less hype than last year’s when Victory Wembanyama went No. 1 overall after years of following the frenchman’s progress overseas. This year, the French Revolution continues as a couple of Wemby’s countrymen are projected to go in the first few couple of the opening round.

There may be a few foreign players floating around the top of the draft boards, but there are plenty of familiar names that will be announced from Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. A couple of NCAA Tournament finalists are projected to be selected on Day 1. Zach Edy won Player of the Year for the second straight time and went up against Donovan Clingan of UCONN in the National Championship game. They headline a list of home grown players, but the story of the draft is without question Bronny James, who if selected could change the landscape of the league depending on where he ends up. For a list of the top prospects in this year’s class, click here.

Last year, we knew exactly what to expect from the San Antonio Spurs with their top pick. This year is different. Nothing is certain in this year’s NBA Draft, but we are going to give it our best to predict the first round:

1. Atlanta Hawks, Alex Sarr, France

The Hawks are just three years removed from a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, but since then Trey Young and Atlanta have been plummeting into irrelevance. They need someone to bring a little excitement in the ATL, and I think the big man from France is going to provide that.

2. Washington Wizards, Zaccharie Risacher, France

The Wizards have needed a lot of help for a long time. Despite their tendency to land lottery picks over the last few years, they continue to finish at the bottom of the barrel in the East. With necessities all over the court, I think they go for the two way Frenchman who can lock down on D and light it up from downtown. A three-and-D guy isn’t generally a pick you take in the top five, but Risacher fits their needs, and may be the most talented player in the draft.

3. Houston Rockets, Donovan Clingan, UCONN

The Rockets are another team that has stocked up on high picks over the last few years, and they are now waiting for that young talent to blossom. I wouldn’t be surprised if Houston looks to trade this pick away and bring in some veteran experience, but if they keep the pick, I could see them taking Donvan Clingan who can come in and make a difference on the defensive end with his 7′7″ wingspan.

4. San Antonio Spurs, Stephon Castle, UCONN

In the first of their two Top 10 picks, I like the Spurs to bring in Stephon Castle. This is a team that needs help across the board, and should use this pick to bring in someone who can help orchestrate a team that has been in desperate need of structure over the last few years. The NCAA champ is an electric ball handler who can defend at a high level, and bring a winning mentality to a team that didn’t win many games last season.

5. Detroit Pistons, Reed Sheppard, Kentucky

After axing former head coach Monty Williams after just one year, the Pistons are in desperate need for direction. Unfortunately you can’t take a coach in the draft, because they need one. More over, they need some one who knows what they are doing in the front offices. The Pistons have used high draft picks to bring in guys like Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson who can push the pace in transition, but they need a knock down shooter like Reed Sheppard that can stretch the floor and open up space for Cunningham and Thompson.

6. Charlotte Hornets, Zach Edy, Purdue

With plenty of fire power in the back court, the Hornets need someone with the ability to anchor the paint on both ends. Despite coming in to the draft as the two time National Player of the Year, Zach Edy is undervalued for my money. He’s a huge body, that can plug space down low and has proved to be a very proficient player on the offensive end. It’s not easy for big men to come in and dominate in the league, but the Hornets should take a chance on Edy at No. 6.

7. Portland Trail Blazers, Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

The Blazers need a player that is going to give a little hope to the city after the departure of Damian Lillard. Scoot Henderson is developing but he’s not going to bring the Trail Blazers back to a competitive level in the West all on his own. I like Dalton Knecht to fill in at Portland with the 7th pick. This kid a a scorer that can light it up from anywhere on the court. Knecht won’t be the scorer that Lillard was, but he’s a perfect guy to plug in when you are trying to build a team from the ground up.

8. San Antonio Spurs, Cody Williams, Colorado

Cody Williams is one of the guys with the biggest upsides in this draft. He is a quick, athletic, explosive slasher that brings size and strength to a team that still as a lot of pieces of the puzzle missing. He’s still got to fill out his 6′7″ body that is well under 200 pounds, but even with his slender figure he can play some pretty strong defense with his long and lengthy frame.

9. Memphis Grizzlies, Matas Buzelis, G League United

It’s so tough to say what the Grizzlies need considering they spent the entire season battling injury after injury. Obviously they will be getting back Ja Morant and the rest of a squad that was expected to compete in a meat grinder of a Western Conference, so where does that leave them? This is a pretty deep team when they are healthy, so depth should be a priority. Matas Buzelis is one of the top prospects on the board, and if he falls down the list, the Grizzlies could snatch him with the No. 9 pick.

10. Utah Jazz, Devin Carter, Providence

It’s no secret the Jazz were a historically bad team on the defensive side of the ball. They need someone to bring some blood, sweat and tears to the team in a hurry. Devin Carter has been compared to Derrick White of the Boston Celtics, and that is the kind of guy I would want on my team. Carter is a defensive stopper, but also scored almost 20 points while grabbing 8.7 rebounds at Providence last year.

11. Chicago Bulls, Tidjane Salaun, France

After the first trade of the NBA offseason sent Josh Giddey to Chicago in exchange for Alex Caruso, the Bulls will most likely look to beef up their front court. Nikola Vucevic is the rock down low, but he needs some help in the paint on a roster that is desperately thin at the forward position. If Tidjane Salaun is still available, the Bulls should bring in the young frenchman who has shown he can defend, and will develop into an offensive threat as his body and mind adjust to the speed and strength of big men in the league.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder, Nikola Topic, Serbia

The Thunder still have a pocket full of high picks coming in the next few years, and they have shown they know how to use them. After finishing top in the Western Conference last season, they don’t have any immediate needs which could open the door for Nikola Topic who is still recovering from a partially torn ACL he suffered in April. Topic is a pick and roll savant with great handles and and if you surround him with the weapons they have in OKC, that could spell trouble. He’ll need time, but luckily the Thunder’s needs aren’t urgent.

13. Sacramento Kings, Kyle Filipowski, Duke

The Kings have a plethora of talent in a back court led by De’Aron Fox and Keegan Murray, but Domantas Sabonis needs to be able to take a breather from time to time. He is one of the most productive players in the league, and the Kings can get too dependent on their big man. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sacramento try to trade for a higher pick to land one of the more prized big men in the draft, but if they choose to stay with their 13 pick, they could be looking at Duke big man Kyle Filipowski.

14. Portland Trail Blazers, Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor

Among the many needs the Blazers have, defense is on the top of their list. I was in-between Ron Holland and Ja’Kobe Walter for this pick and while each has a similar profile, I like Walter over the G-Leaguer. A three-and-D specialist with long arms could be a perfect fit for Portland’s needs who have budding talents at the guard and center position, but need to complete the rest of their roster with role players like Walter.

15. Miami Heat, Rob Dillingham, Kentucky

The Heat hit the nail right on the head in last years Draft taking Jaime Jaquez Jr. who was one of the best rookies of the class. This year, I think they need to rebuff the point guard position. Tyler Herro has proved to be less than durable, and I think you can only get so far with Herro has the orchestrator. Dillingham can light it up if he gets hot, and the Heat need a dynamic scoring option the former Wildcat. He’s not the biggest or the strongest, but he can keep a team on edge coming off the bench for the Heat, at least in his rookie year.

16. Philadelphia 76ers, Ron Holland, G League Ignite

It’s been year after year of disappointment for the Sixers. Between injuries and underachieving, fans in Philly are growing a little fed up with this team constantly falling short. They have cleared a lot of cap space which could free them up to go star chasing in the offseason, but with the 16 pick they should take Ron Holland. Holland has great size, who has shown he can score against professionals in the G League. He may not come in and make an immediate difference, but he can fill a much needed role on a team that already has two super stars in Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

17. Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny James, USC

This one is tricky. Do the Lakers go for a pick that can make them better, or will they try and make LeBron happy in attempts to keep him around a few more years? While there has been a lot of chatter, and downplaying from LeBron of his previously expressed desire to play with Bronny he’s not fooling anyone. The Lakers are going to take LeBron’s son in the first round of the draft, and then try to build a title team with some trades in the offseason.

18. Orlando Magic, Kyshawn George, Miami

Orlando finally returned to the playoffs after years of futility in northern Florida. Led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, they have a team that is a few players away from actually challenging the top teams in the East. Shooting is going to a top priority in this draft, and George showed he can light it up from downtown, but he has some work to do on the defensive side of the ball. He is sure to get toughened up in Orlando, but could be a viable option coming off the bench.

19. Toronto Raptors, Tristan Da Silva, Colorado

Da Silva took a little while to catch on in Boulder, and even though he’s 23 years old that could come as a benefit for a team that needs help now. The sharp shooter who shot over 40% from long distance last season is already has an NBA body, and can put in the work on the defensive end. He’s one of the oldest players in the draft, which is not ideal but the Raptors aren’t in a position to have someone wait on the bench and develop.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers, Yves Missi, Baylor

We saw the Cavs get struck down by injury at the center position, and that really hurt them come playoff time. This is another one of those guys who has tremendous upside considering he didn’t start playing basketball until a few years ago. There are things that need polishing, but his physicality and ability to run the floor at 6′11″ could make him the perfect pick to come in and help add some stability in the paint.

21. New Orleans, Kel’el Ware, Indiana

There could be a big void in the paint lurking for New Orleans next year, should Jonas Valaciunas elect to leave the Smoothie King Center in free agency. That would mean drafting a big man is a must this week. Even if Valanciunas stays, they could still use depth at the position, and Kel’el Ware could be the perfect fit. He’s athletic, explosive and full of potential He can protect the rim on the defensive end and his shooting can stretch a defense out on the other end which comes in handy when you have a guy like Zion Williamson constantly making rim runs through the lane.

22. Phoenix Suns, Jared McCain, Duke

Year one of the three headed monster in the desert didn’t have the desired effect, but now it’s time to start thinking about next year. This team seemed to be missing a bit of everything despite their incredible potential to score the basketball. Jared McCain brings the basketball know how that a Duke player alway possesses and mixes it with fight and fearlessness on both ends. That’s what Phoenix needs this season. Someone to make those plays while not getting in the way of the Big Three who are going to have the ball for most of each and every possession.

23. Milwaukee Bucks, Ryan Dunn, Virginia

It’s hard to say what the Bucks need because when you look at the squad they have, they never should have been as bad as they were. Defense was the Achilles heel for Milwaukee last year, and that is something they addressed by bringing in Patrick Beverly, but unfortunately for them, it wasn’t enough. Ryan Dunn is the best defender in the class and that is exactly what they need.

24. New York Knicks, Adem Bona, UCLA

The Knicks have three picks in this draft, and two back to back picks. This could be their opportunity to trade one or both of these picks away. The Knicks showed they are a deep team, in fact one of the deepest teams in the league. Isaiah Hartenstein could be on his way out depending what happens in free agency, and if that’s the case the best big man on the board come their first pick of the first round could by Adem Bona from UCLA.

25. New York Knicks, Pacome Dadiet, France

Let’s say the Knicks do keep their two first round picks, which is awfully unlikely, I’m going to say they take Pacome Dadiet and hop aboard the France bandwagon.

26. Washington Wizards, Bobi Klintman, Sweden

The Wizards are in need of players that can play now. They don’t need projects or potential future stars with upside. Bobi Klintman has already played in the pros, and did well in Australia’s NBL. Good size and the ability to shoot the ball is always coveted in this league, and the Wizards will be looking to add impact players as soon as they can.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves, Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh

The Timberwolves have created a mold of players they target for their team and it carried them all the way to the Conference Finals this season. Carlton Carrington isn’t the biggest point guard in the draft, but neither is Mike Conley. If he could bring Carrington under the veteran’s wing for a year or two he could be a valuable asset to this team in a couple seasons.

28. Denver Nuggets, Kevin McCullar Jr. Kansas

Depth, depth, depth. There was no question what the Nuggets number one concern was once the playoffs rolled around this seaosn. Kevin McCullar is a mature swingman with an NBA body and the ability to shoot and defend. The Nuggets don’t need someone to come in and put the team on their shoulders. They just need someone who can play valuable minutes in the moments that their stars need a rest.

29. Utah Jazz, Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois

The Jazz need a whole lot of help on the defensive side of the ball, but that shouldn’t keep them from looking at a player like Terrence Shannon Jr. who got better and better as the season went on. The fifth year senior was about as compete of a player as there was in college basketball, and for the short term that is exactly what the Jazz need.

30. Boston Celtics, Tyler Smith, G League Ignite

While the Celtics have the most complete roster in the NBA, and showed it this year, a three-and-D guy is never a bad addition to the roster. Tyler Smith played in the G League, and put up pretty good numbers in limited minutes. Postin 13.7 and over 5 rebounds a game, he can shoot the ball from the perimeter, which we know is important in Boston these days, and can finish around the rim.