SportsGrid’s Final 2024 NBA Mock Draft: No. 1 Still Up for Grabs?

30. Boston Celtics: DaRon Holmes, F, Dayton

Closing out the first round are the NBA Champion Boston Celtics. The C’s don’t currently have many large needs on their roster, ultimately pulling the trigger on DaRon Holmes, a big coming off a dominant season at Dayton. 

-Zack Cook

2. Washington Wizards: Alex Sarr, F/C, France

The Atlanta Hawks don’t appear to be locked into Alex Sarr at No. 1 just yet as they are doing their due diligence with other draft prospects, but unless someone like Zaccharie Risacher blows them away, Sarr will be the pick year. His offense is a work in progress, but NBA scouts like what they’re seeing from a development standpoint, while his defense is already NBA-ready. Standing roughly 7’0” in a freakishly athletic frame, his ceiling should be too much for Atlanta to let pass them by.

-Ben DiGiacomo

3. Houston Rockets: Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

It’s hard to find a real need for the Houston Rockets young core, meaning they should be swinging for the upside here with a player they believe can elevate their group. Although there are some questions about where Reed Sheppard will go on draft night, this is as strong a fit as any.

-Zack Cook

4. San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle, G, Connecticut

Stephon Castle is surely the best of the bunch for this year’s freshman class, and his 20th birthday not coming until after opening night will excite loads of scouts. He’s got plenty of room to grow in his game, but his size and athleticism make him easily moldable.

- Dave Connelly

5. Detroit Pistons: Matas Buzelis, G/F, G-League Ignite

Matas Buzelis is arguably this draft's most intriguing prospect, given his 6’9” frame and ability to be a well-rounded offensive player who can take control of the offense. I find the potential fit with Cade Cunningham fascinating, but ultimately, nothing has gone right for the Detroit Pistons, so they might as well take a massive swing here.

- Ben DiGiacomo

6. Charlotte Hornets: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn

Donovan Clingan has been rumored to go No. 1 overall to the Atlanta Hawks. Still, as it’s becoming increasingly likely that he’s not the guy there, we envision him sliding all the way to No. 6. The Charlotte Hornets don’t need a center desperately bad as Mark Williams has shown promise as a formidable NBA center. Still, he has struggled to stay healthy and doesn’t possess nearly the same ceiling as Clingan. A big three of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Clingan would set the Hornets up with their brightest future in a long time.

- Ben DiGiacomo

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee

At 23 years old, Dalton Knecht is older than most of his peers, but he brings a scoring ability that few in the draft can match. His size, length, and sharpshooting skills make him one of the most exciting domestic prospects.

- Dave Connelly

8. San Antonio Spurs: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky

By all accounts, Rob Dillingham has been sliding down draft boards, but reports are that he is eager to join Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Dillingham is nothing short of a dynamic scorer, and the Spurs should have no issues with size, given what they have in Wembanyama. After drafting Castle at No. 4, the fit for Castle and Dillingham together makes a ton of sense, with Devin Vassell sliding to the small forward position.

- Ben DiGiacomo

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

There was much to like about what Ron Holland did with the G-League Ignite last year. Holland averaged just shy of 20 points per game and has the motor that NBA franchises continue to look for in a strong wing player.

-Zack Cook

10. Utah Jazz: Tidjane Salaun, F, France

While Tidjane Salaun is a seriously gifted stretch big, fans must understand that he is one of the bigger projects in this year’s class. His game still could use some refinement, but he has all the tools necessary for a lengthy, successful career in the Association.

- Dave Connelly

11. Chicago Bulls: Nikola Topic, G, Serbia

The Chicago Bulls should certainly be entering a rebuild this summer, but at the same time, they should jump at the potential of drafting Coby White’s long-term backcourt pairing in Nikola Topic. The Bulls have time to wait for Topic to fully develop, but his shot-creation abilities, size, and ball-handling skills make him someone with a ton of upside that the Bulls need more of on their roster.

- Ben DiGiacomo

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jared McCain, G, Duke

Although last season didn’t begin on a strong note, it certainly ended on one for Jared McCain. The former Duke guard can help give the Oklahoma City Thunder another ball-handler in the backcourt as Josh Giddey was shipped out this week.

-Zack Cook

13. Sacramento Kings: Cody Williams, F, Colorado

The younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, Cody Williams showed plenty of flashes of his potential across his lone season at Colorado. His knack for scoring, length, and ability to shoot from deep makes him a surefire lottery pick in this year’s draft.

- Dave Connelly

14. Portland Trail Blazers: Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado

The Portland Trail Blazers must add length to their wings, and Tristan da Silva checks all the boxes. Scouts view da Silva as one of the safest bets in this draft, as he can seamlessly fill any role on the offensive end while providing dependable defense.

- Ben DiGiacomo

15. Miami Heat: Devin Carter, G, Providence

Heading into last year, there were questions about Devin Carter’s shooting. Those at least got put on the back burner after a strong season at Providence. Carter gives the Miami Heat another Guard option and someone who can jump into the rotation immediately.

-Zack Cook

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Carlton Carrington, G, Pittsburgh

Carlton "Bub" Carrington was an elite floor general at Pitt last season and was one of the top freshmen in the nation. He is a complete stat sheet stuffer at the point guard position, averaging 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists with the Panthers. He has elite vision and can call his own number when the defense gives him an opening.

- Dave Connelly

17. Los Angeles Lakers: Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette

There are no indications of what the Los Angeles Lakers will do with their 17th pick, and while they’d probably like to think long-term and select a high-upside player here, all signs point to the Lakers being eager to compete next season. As a result, they need a point guard capable of being reliable at all times, given the expected departure of D’Angelo Russell. Tyler Kolek makes a ton of sense here, as there are no indications that he’ll need time to develop. He’ll be able to step in immediately as a starting point guard if need be and hit his outside shots while efficiently dishing to the Lakers stars.

- Ben DiGiacomo

18. Orlando Magic: Isaiah Collier, G, USC

It’s hard to gauge in what area of the first round Isaiah Collier will fall in. At the end of the day, talent wins out at this point in the first round, with the Orlando Magic ultimately being the team to pull the trigger as they need high-upside prospects at the guard position.

-Zack Cook

19. Toronto Raptors: Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor

Ja'Kobe Walter just looks the part of a modern NBA stud. He is a lethal shooter, never looks overwhelmed, and plays hard-nosed defense. His off-ball movement is elite, and his overall knowledge of the game means there may not be much of a learning curve for him at the next level.

- Dave Connelly

20. Cleveland Cavaliers: KJ Simpson, G, Colorado

The Cleveland Cavaliers could use some depth in the backcourt as the futures of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are guaranteed in Northeast Ohio. KJ Simpson can be a Day 1 contributor off the bench after spending three years in Colorado, and despite being undersized, Simpson possesses all the qualities to be an NBA-caliber point guard. We just need to see him prove that he can compete against NBA-size, given that he’s a below-average athlete in a 6’0” frame.

- Ben DiGiacomo

21. New Orleans Pelicans: Johnny Furphy, G, Kansas

Johnny Furphy checks many boxes that the New Orleans Pelicans should be looking to add to their team. The Pelicans are multiple pieces away from contention in a daunting Western Conference, and the ceiling for Furphy is something they covet here.

-Zack Cook

22. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Shannon Jr., G, Illinois

Terrence Shannon Jr. should see his stock rise after he was officially found not guilty of a rape allegation he had been facing for nearly six months. It largely hampered an incredible run he had in postseason play, averaging 27.9 points across seven games starting in the Big Ten Tournament. Don’t be surprised if someone jumps takes him earlier than this now that he has proven his innocence.

- Dave Connelly

23. Milwaukee Bucks: Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana

The Milwaukee Bucks need to begin to look at life without Brook Lopez and the future, and Kel’el Ware projects as an immediate rotational big as a rookie and someone who likely will project to be the Bucks’ long-term center. He can finish on the inside as a lob threat, defend the paint at a high level, and has all the tools and touch to continue to develop his outside shot. He’ll need to bulk up, but isn’t that the case for all late-first-round college centers? Regardless, this would be a home run selection for Milwaukee.

- Ben DiGiacomo

24. New York Knicks: Zach Edey, C, Purdue

Multiple teams in the back half of the first round should be a fit on paper for Zach Edey. The former Purdue big can add to the New York Knicks rotation, but questions still loom about his potential to move laterally.

-Zack Cook

25. New York Knicks: Cam Christie, G, Minnesota

Cam Christie is undoubtedly a project, but it's clear why scouts are excited about his potential. He has all the attributes desirable at the next level: length, the ability to score at all three levels, and defensive effectiveness. While he needs some refinement to become a complete player, the Knicks may find the investment worthwhile.

- Dave Connelly

26. Washington Wizards: Jamal Shead, G, Houston

The Washington Wizards are in a full-blown rebuild, but regardless, they need starting-caliber players to contribute on day one. While Jamal Shead has flown under the radar in the NBA Draft process, he arguably was the best college player last season. He’ll be undersized on the NBA level, but he’s a willing defender, an able shot-maker, and a proven floor general. Most importantly, he’s a culture-setter, something the Wizards need badly.

- Ben DiGiacomo

27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Baylor Scheierman, F, Creighton

Many teams have a first-round grade on Baylor Scheierman, and we’re no different. Scheierman raised his stock at the NBA Combine and is a player that can help the Minnesota Timberwolves right away with his outside shot off the bench.

-Zack Cook

28. Denver Nuggets: Ajay Mitchell, G, UC Santa Barbara

We’ll take a flyer on Ajay Mitchell in the back end of the first round, a player who reminds us of Jalen Williams coming out of Santa Clara in 2022. He’s a bigger, physical guard with the vision and feel for the game, making him ready to leap to the next level.

- Dave Connelly

29. Utah Jazz: Kyshawn George, G, Miami

The Utah Jazz would be thrilled to have Kyshawn George fall into their laps with the 29th pick in the draft, and the Jazz shouldn’t hesitate to turn in the card. George was a valuable contributor in Miami’s backcourt last season, and he’ll transition into a long two-guard in the NBA in all likelihood, given his 6’7” frame. He’ll need to add strength to develop into an NBA-caliber defender, but he has all the tools, and the Jazz have all the time.

- Ben DiGiacomo

30. Boston Celtics: DaRon Holmes, F, Dayton

Closing out the first round are the NBA Champion Boston Celtics. The C’s don’t currently have many large needs on their roster, ultimately pulling the trigger on DaRon Holmes, a big coming off a dominant season at Dayton. 

-Zack Cook