NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Sarr Destined for Atlanta at No. 1?

30. Boston Celtics - Cam Christy, G, Minnesota

Cam Christy is a project, but it’s easy to see why scouts are drooling over his potential. Cam’s got all the tools you would want at the next level. He has length, can convert at all three levels, and can be an effective defender. He needs some buffing around the edges to become a finished product, but the juice is worth the squeeze for the Boston Celtics, who can afford to take big swings at raw talent.

- Dave Connelly

2. Washington Wizards - Zaccharie Risacher, SF, France

With Alex Sarr selected first overall, the Washington Wizards are thrilled to select Zaccharie Risacher. The upside Risacher can add to a team’s frontcourt helps lock him into a top-two selection in this draft class.

- Zack Cook

3. Houston Rockets - Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee

While he’s a bit older than most of the class at 23 years old, Dalton Knecht immediately provides a scoring punch that few offer in the draft. His size, length, and sharpshooting make him perhaps the most intriguing North American prospect.

- Dave Connelly

4. San Antonio Spurs - Stephon Castle, G, UConn

Stephon Castle has made it clear to prospective NBA teams that he wants to develop into a point guard at the next level, and the San Antonio Spurs should want the challenge of making it work. Castle is already a proven defender, a strong playmaker, and relentless in playing downhill. His jumper needs some work, but if that comes together, the Spurs could be looking at an incredible tandem between him and Victor Wembanyama.

- Ben DiGiacomo

5. Detroit Pistons - Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, G League Ignite

There’s a lot that Matas Buzelis can provide that the Detroit Pistons are currently lacking. Buzelis can be an effective rim protector and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to help create offense. That said, there’s a real upside to Buzelis from beyond the arc.

- Zack Cook

6. Charlotte Hornets - Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky

Rob Dillingham’s athleticism and elite three-point shooting draw some comps to fellow Kentucky alum Malik Monk, who has carved out a solid niche role as a microwave scorer off the bench at the next level. We see a similar trajectory for Dillingham, with some starter upside in his path.

- Dave Connelly

7. Portland Trail Blazers - Donovan Clingan, C, UConn

If Donovan Clingan is still on the board when the Portland Trail Blazers are on the clock at No. 7 overall, they should run to the podium. Clingan is even getting consideration at No. 1 with the Atlanta Hawks, making this a potential steal at No. 7. The Blazers’ brass can say what they want, but Deandre Ayton shouldn’t be the Blazers' long-term center. Giving a talent like Clingan a year to sit behind Ayton may be wise, paving the way for him to be the center of the future if the Blazers can find a trade partner either midseason or next summer.

- Ben DiGiacomo

8. San Antonio Spurs - Nikola Topic, PG, Serbia

With two selections in the top ten of the 2024 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs have a great chance to take another step forward as an organization. Although there’s a wait-and-see approach with some medicals surrounding Nikola Topic, the Spurs will add a key member to their backcourt if all goes well.

- Zack Cook

9. Memphis Grizzlies - Ron Holland, G/F, G-League Ignite

Ron Holland was considered a candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick last fall until some of his offensive limitations were made public in the G League throughout the season. Regardless, he is arguably the best defender in the class. His grit, athleticism, and raw talent make him a perfect fit for the Grizzlies’ youthful and scrappy group.

- Dave Connelly

10. Utah Jazz - Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

The Utah Jazz seem committed to Keyonte George being a big part of their future, and I can’t think of a better backcourt pairing in this draft than Reed Sheppard in this spot. Sheppard and George can excel as off-ball shot creators, giving the Jazz’s offense many different looks as each takes turns facilitating. There are concerns about Sheppard’s lack of size, but the Jazz have big forwards that should allow Sheppard not to be a liability.

- Ben DiGiacomo

11. Chicago Bulls - Ja'Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Baylor

The Chicago Bulls can approach this pick in a few ways. With the Bulls missing out on Ron Holland and Reed Sheppard, they opt for a potential core piece in Ja'kobe Walter. The Baylor product brings a defensive versatility that will benefit this group.

- Zack Cook

12. Oklahoma City Thunder - Cody Williams, F, Colorado

Cody Williams looked to be much more of a raw product during his lone season at Colorado, and the Oklahoma City Thunder have proven they will never shy away from a project in the draft. While the numbers don’t jump off the page, his potential is clear, and his ceiling is that of the best player from this draft. Plus, his brother Jalen Williams should make his transition easy in OKC.

- Dave Connelly

13. Sacramento Kings - Tidjane Salaun, F, France

The Sacramento Kings need to take some massive swings on talent in the draft, as, in my opinion, their only chance of elevating into the upper hierarchy of Western Conference contenders is by hitting a home run in the draft. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis aren’t going anywhere and won’t get much better. Tidjane Salaun has the upside that is worth rolling the dice on. He can defend any position on the floor, shoot from anywhere, and finish athletically around the rim. He needs time, and it’s not like the Kings are going anywhere next season anyway.

- Ben DiGiacomo

14. Portland Trail Blazers - Isaiah Collier, PG, USC

With Donovan Clingan in the top ten, the Portland Trail Blazers are adding to their frontcourt. With this selection, they add a secondary piece to their backcourt. Isaiah Collier brings the playmaking ability to a Blazers team looking to continue building and growing in 2024.

- Zack Cook

15. Miami Heat - Terrence Shannon Jr., G, Illinois

This is a tricky selection, as it’s contingent on how Terrence Shannon Jr.'s trial plays out in the coming days as he faces a rape allegation in Kansas. Should he come out on the other side of it, he provides an elite offensive weapon that willed Illinois to a Big Ten Tournament title and was arguably the best player in the country down the stretch last season.

- Dave Connelly

16. Philadelphia 76ers - Devin Carter, G, Providence

The Philadelphia 76ers will likely look to trade this pick for immediate help in 2024-25, but if they elect to hold on to their pick, it’s hard to imagine a more NBA-ready guard than Devin Carter out of Providence. Carter might not have the highest ceiling, but he can step onto the floor on day one and contribute to both ends of the floor. There is nothing more that the 76ers can ask for!

- Ben DiGiacomo

17. Los Angeles Lakers - Tristan Da Silva, SF/PF, Colorado

It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers are in win-now mode. With LeBron James likely to stay, the Lakers add Tristan Da Silva, a piece with plenty of defensive versatility and value.

- Zack Cook

18. Orlando Magic - Jared McCain, G, Duke

Jared McCain may be the best shooter in the draft, with a quick, silky release that helps him fill it up in a hurry. Don’t underestimate his athleticism, either. He’s far from a three-point specialist who commands respect with his ability to drive past defenders glued to him.

- Dave Connelly

19. Toronto Raptors - Carlton Carrington, G, Pittsburgh

The Toronto Raptors desperately need shot-makers at the guard position, and Carlton Carrington will be able to provide that as a rookie immediately. Likely coming off the bench, Carrington will provide instant offense as a shot-creator, camping out in the mid-range and from deep. He is a bit of a defensive liability, but sometimes, that must be sacrificed for a pure bucket-getter.

- Ben DiGiacomo

20. Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyshawn George, G/F, Miami

With some question marks about what transpired for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason, there’s merit in them shooting for an upside play with length who can shoot and guard multiple positions. Kyshawn George provides that.

- Zack Cook

21. New Orleans Pelicans - Zach Edey, C, Purdue

For Zach Edey to succeed at the next level, he must find the perfect fit. While it may not be ideal, New Orleans could work with their offense currently operating with Jonas Valanciunas, a center who doesn’t step outside too often. If they can figure out how to work their offense around Edey’s gravity, he could be an effective piece off the bench to start his career.

- Dave Connelly

22. Phoenix Suns - Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana

The Phoenix Suns need to find a way to add immediate help to their current roster that desperately needs more bodies. Jusuf Nurkic didn’t perform as well as the Suns expected when they acquired him last offseason, so by bringing in Kel’el Ware, he can push Nurkic for minutes while possibly being the Suns’ answer at the center position long-term.

- Ben DiGiacomo

23. Milwaukee Bucks - Kyle Filipowski, PF/C, Duke

As long as Giannis Antetokounmpo is around, the Milwaukee Bucks will try to add pieces in the draft to help them win another NBA title. Kyle Filipowski is ready to hop into an NBA rotation from the jump.

- Zack Cook

24. New York Knicks - DaRon Holmes, F/C, Dayton

DaRon Holmes was an absolute monster in the paint throughout his collegiate career. Even at 6’10”, he is a dominant athlete who explodes at the rim and was an efficient 59 percent shooter from the floor in three seasons at Dayton. His 39 percent from deep solidifies his standing as a late first-rounder, and his fit is perfect here to help round out an iffy frontcourt in New York.

- Dave Connelly

25. New York Knicks - Jaylon Tyson, F, California

It will be interesting to see how Jaylon Tyson develops at the next level since he was ball-dominant, but the New York Knicks value versatile players, so they could be willing to take a chance on Tyson. He’s a comfortable and willing shooter from anywhere on the floor, but he’d have to be willing to create more for himself off the ball. Coach Thibs is someone who could ideally coach him up to be more of a team player.

- Ben DiGiacomo

26. Washington Wizards - Baylor Scheierman, SG/SF, Creighton

There’s a lot to like about Baylor Scheierman after his strong performance at the NBA Combine. Scheierman should be able to make an impact in Year 1 and help the Washington Wizards start piecing together a competitive basketball team at some point.

- Zack Cook

27. Minnesota Timberwolves -Yves Missi, C, Indiana

Yves Missi has the potential to provide some solid bench minutes for the Timberwolves pretty quickly. He’s got grown-man strength, elite bounce, and the defensive intensity to fit right into what is cooking in Minnesota right now. He does have limitations with his inability to shoot from outside, but a niche role suits him best at the next level.

- Dave Connelly

28. Denver Nuggets - Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette

The Denver Nuggets certainly like what they got out of Reggie Jackson as a backup point guard last season, but he’s not someone the Nuggets can necessarily rely on for the future. Tyler Kolek will come into Denver with plenty of experience after his long collegiate career, being able to operate as a pure playmaker and willing shot-maker around all of Denver’s talent.

- Ben DiGiacomo

29. Utah Jazz - Kevin McCullar, SF, Kansas

Although his late-season injuries dampened his draft stock, there’s still plenty to like about Kevin McCullar. McCullar boasts many tools to help him transition to the NBA and make the appropriate adjustments early on as a pro.

- Zack Cook

30. Boston Celtics - Cam Christy, G, Minnesota

Cam Christy is a project, but it’s easy to see why scouts are drooling over his potential. Cam’s got all the tools you would want at the next level. He has length, can convert at all three levels, and can be an effective defender. He needs some buffing around the edges to become a finished product, but the juice is worth the squeeze for the Boston Celtics, who can afford to take big swings at raw talent.

- Dave Connelly