NBA · 1 year ago

SportsGrid’s NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Who Goes Number 1?

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

30. Boston Celtics: Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas
Doesn’t Kevin McCullar Jr. just feel like the perfect Boston Celtic? He has a complete all-around game on both ends of the floor, positional versatility, and a proven winner in college with the Kansas Jayhawks. He seems like an ideal fit!
1. Detroit Pistons: Alex Sarr, France
The 2024 NBA Draft is expected to be one of the weaker ones in recent history, but the Detroit Pistons cannot afford to miss if they ultimately land the No. 1 pick. There is no clear-cut top prospect currently, but Alex Sarr is viewed as the prospect who could have the most upside. Standing 7’1”, Sarr is already considered an NBA-ready defender while being more of an offensive project. Still, all the tools are there for him to develop into a potential All-Star.
2. Washington Wizards: Stephon Castle, UConn
The Washington Wizards need to find a young franchise cornerstone to build around, and Stephon Castle out of UConn might have all the tools. As the prototypical NBA combo guard in a 6’6” frame, Castle can do it all on both ends of the floor already, but there is some work to be done for him to develop fully into an NBA shooter. For Washington, though, he’d be someone the organization could invest all their chips into.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Zaccharie Risacher, France
The Portland Trail Blazers have their backcourt locked up for the future with Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe not going anywhere, but they could certainly use some high-upside length with this pick. Zaccharie Risacher has slid down most draft boards as the year has progressed, but for a team like Portland, the traits are there for him to develop into a star if things break his way.
4. Charlotte Hornets: Cody Williams, Colorado
With this pick, the Charlotte Hornets aim to complete the trio alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. I can envision them having a ton of interest in Cody Williams out of Colorado. He is already an impressive defender, the Hornets will have to wait for him to develop as a shooter, but with Ball and Miller, I’m sure they have no issues with waiting.
5. San Antonio Spurs: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
Victor Wembanyama has already proven to be everything for the San Antonio Spurs organization, so it’s just about putting enough pieces around him to alleviate some of the pressure off him. Reed Sheppard not only checks all the boxes just by being a “Kentucky guard,” but Sheppard looks ready to shoulder heavy minutes from the jump. He’s a willing defender, a strong passer, and can knock down shots from anywhere on the floor when needed. He won’t command the ball constantly, making him the ideal pairing for Wemby to develop alongside.
6. Toronto Raptors: Donovan Clingan, UConn
Donovan Clingan will be an impact NBA defender from the center position as soon as he steps on the court. Given his potent 7’2” frame, he can hold his own with the NBA’s best big man. If he can improve his free-throw shooting and add an outside shot, look out.
7. Memphis Grizzlies: Ron Holland, G-League Ignite
The Memphis Grizzlies could use an impact presence on the wing, and Ron Holland will be able to bring that immediately in his 6’8” body. He still has a ways to go, but when the Grizzlies are at full strength, they won’t need any offense from Holland yet. He’ll have the benefit of time in this organization.
8. Utah Jazz: Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Pairing Rob Dillingham with Keyonte George has to be the Utah Jazz's best-case scenario heading into this draft. A truly dynamic scorer, Dillingham has a ways to go as an NBA facilitator, but it’s easy to view his offensive arsenal similarly to Tyrese Maxey out of college. There are talks of Dillingham becoming a potential top-three pick by draft night, so keep an eye out for his stock.
9. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn): Matas Buzelis, G-Leauge Ignite
Matas Buzelis is an extremely raw prospect, but NBA teams can convince themselves rather easily that they can develop him into an All-Star. Standing as a 6’11” point forward, Buzelis shines as a facilitator but definitely could use some added weight to improve as a finisher and defender.
10. Atlanta Hawks: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Dalton Knecht is as well-rounded of a scorer as you’ll find in this draft and can be expected to contribute immediately. While he may be a poor defender, there is enough to be excited about offensively to brush that aside, for now.
11. Chicago Bulls: Nikola Topic, Serbia
It’s unclear what direction the Chicago Bulls will elect to take this summer, but for their sake, they should pursue a full-blown rebuild. Adding Nikola Topic as the first step of the rebuild would be wise as he could use the time to develop into an all-around scorer. The ceiling on Topic, though, could be very high given his instinctual play-making and size if the scoring ability continues to elevate.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston): Zach Edey, Purdue
By far, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s biggest need is an impact presence on the glass, and who better in this range of picks than Zach Edey? Standing 7’4”, Edey can have a field day in the Thunder’s rotation by collecting rebounds and finishing easy buckets. Seems like an ideal fit!
13. Sacramento Kings: Terrence Shannon Jr, Illinois
Terrence Shannon Jr. is a proven scorer when on the floor, but the conclusion of an upcoming hearing on a rape charge Shannon is facing will ultimately determine if Shannon is drafted at all this June.
14. Portland Trail Blazers (via Golden State): Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Kyle Filipowski likely will wind up as a power forward in the NBA, making his fit alongside DeAndre Ayton for the Portland Trail Blazers easy. Filipowski has an excellent offensive arsenal for a big man both inside and on the perimeter, but he needs to improve as a defender to take the next step.
15. Miami Heat: Devin Carter, Providence
Devin Carter is the exact prototype of a player the Miami Heat is looking for. He is a relentless defender, makes all the smart reads and cuts offensively, and does all the little things other NBA teams don’t appreciate enough. Carter already presents as an NBA-ready role player that Erik Spolestra will be able to get the most out of.
16. Orlando Magic: Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor
The Orlando Magic have assembled one of the league’s best young cores, but they don’t have a player like Ja’Kobe Walter in their arsenal as a pure three-and-D role player. Jamahl Mosely would be able to do wonders with Walter in his rotation immediately with the hope that he can continue to develop as an all-around scorer.
17. Toronto Raptors (via Indiana): Isaiah Collier, USC
Isaiah Collier was one of the country's most lauded high school prospects just a year ago. However, after a disappointing season at USC, the Toronto Raptors could reap his potential outside of the lottery. The Raptors desperately need an impact guard, and Collier has the talent inside of him to blossom as the Raptors continue to rebuild.
18. New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee): Jared McCain, Duke

The New Orleans Pelicans could definitely use another shot-making guard in the fold to go along with CJ McCollum, so after drafting Jordan Hawkins last season, Jared McCain would add yet another offensive-minded player to a team itching to get over the hump.
19. Philadelphia 76ers: Yves Missi, Baylor
The Philadelphia 76ers have been searching for a proper backup center to put behind Joel Embiid for years, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them use first-round draft capital on Yves Missi out of Baylor. Like Embiid, Missi is a native of Cameroon and should be able to give the 76ers solid minutes behind Embiid and a nice developmental project that could be Embiid’s successor when he fully develops.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kel’el Ware, Indiana
The Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the league’s strongest frontcourt pairings in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Still, as both have dealt with injury concerns in recent seasons, they could certainly use another reliable backup big in the rotation. Kel’el Ware has all the physical tools to become a starting NBA center, and luckily the situation in Cleveland will allow him time to develop.
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via Los Angeles): Tristan da Silva, Colorado
You can never have enough big men to stretch the floor and knock down threes when needed. New Orleans does have decent frontcourt depth, allowing Tristan da Silva to have some time to develop and round out the other parts of his game that may not be NBA-ready just yet.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (via New Orleans): Kam Jones, Marquette
Kam Jones won’t have to leave Milwaukee in this scenario as the Bucks desperately need to add a young piece at the guard position who is a pure bucket-getter. We’ll ultimately see how the Bucks’ playoff run plays out, but Jones would be immensely valuable off the bench regardless of how the team looks next season.
23. Phoenix Suns: DaRon Holmes, Dayton
The Phoenix Suns need immediate help on their bench from whoever they ultimately select here. After a strong NCAA Tournament performance, DaRon Holmes could be drafted in the back end of the first round. He’ll make his presence known defensively and do all the small gritty things that Kevin Durant and Co. don’t do currently, while his three-point shot should translate to the NBA.
24. New York Knicks (via Dallas): Tyler Smith, G-League Ignite
Tyler Smith is a work in progress, as his defensive presence is currently essentially non-existent, but he has all the tools to become a plus NBA shooter from anywhere on the floor, considering his 6’11” frame. It will take a year or two to see how his body fills out, but the Knicks could view him as a potential replacement for Julius Randle down the line.
25. New York Knicks: Tyler Kolek, Marquette
The New York Knicks love some Big East guards, and Tyler Kolek should be able to contribute off the bench immediately. Kolek plays the game just like Jalen Brunson, adding another versatile offensive threat to this fun Knicks squad.
26. Washington Wizards (via LA): Tidjane Salaun, France
Tidijane Salaun is just 18 years old, but it’s easy for NBA scouts to identify his potential upside down the line. He has all the defensive intangibles, athleticism, and offensive foundation to develop into a well-rounded NBA player, but all he needs is time to develop. The Washington Wizards are desperate for stars, and Salaun is worth a chance for an organization that doesn’t have much else going for them.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Mark Sears, Alabama
The Minnesota Timberwolves could use a pure bucket-getter at the point guard position as Mike Conley is obviously not the long-term answer there, but Mark Sears was all of that and some at Alabama. Standing at just 5’11”, NBA scouts could be turned off by his lack of size, but if this guy were four inches taller he would be a top-five pick. The talent is there, and for a team like Minnesota who has so much length, they can deal with having an undersized guard.
28. Denver Nuggets: Harrison Ingram, North Carolina
Harrison Ingram is exactly what any contender could ask for in a young big. He rebounds well and is an intense defender. His all-around offensive game could use time to develop, but the Denver Nuggets organization has shown a willingness to let guys they believe in sit and learn their system. Regardless, Ingram could get minutes as a rookie for his defense and ability to attack the glass alone.
29. Utah Jazz (via Oklahoma City): Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh
Carlton Carrington is an elite shotmaker but lacks the strength to consistently get to the rim. However, his 6’5” frame provides the physical traits for him to one day develop into a potential all-around offensive weapon.
30. Boston Celtics: Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas
Doesn’t Kevin McCullar Jr. just feel like the perfect Boston Celtic? He has a complete all-around game on both ends of the floor, positional versatility, and a proven winner in college with the Kansas Jayhawks. He seems like an ideal fit!
1. Detroit Pistons: Alex Sarr, France
The 2024 NBA Draft is expected to be one of the weaker ones in recent history, but the Detroit Pistons cannot afford to miss if they ultimately land the No. 1 pick. There is no clear-cut top prospect currently, but Alex Sarr is viewed as the prospect who could have the most upside. Standing 7’1”, Sarr is already considered an NBA-ready defender while being more of an offensive project. Still, all the tools are there for him to develop into a potential All-Star.

SportsGrid’s NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Who Goes Number 1?

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