NBA · 1 year ago

SportsGrid’s NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Where Does Atlanta Turn?

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

30. Boston Celitcs: Tyler Kolek, Marquette
It's hard to envision anyone that the Boston Celtics' snatch up here would crack the rotation in the short-term, but Tyler Kolek could be viewed as a potential backup point guard to complement Payton Pritchard.
1. Atlanta Hawks: Alex Sarr, France
There is no clear-cut top prospect for the Atlanta Hawks to snatch up, 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: Zaccharie Risacher, France
The Washington Wizards need as many high-upside players on their roster, and Zaccharie Risacher would give them another piece to develop alongside Bilal Coulibaly. He has the traits and frame to develop into a star, but he needs time, which the Wizards certainly have.
3. Houston Rockets: Cody Williams, Colorado
I can't imagine the Houston Rockets going the guard route here, given all the names they have in their backcourt. I can see them having a ton of interest in Cody Williams. He is an impressive defender and has all the traits to develop into a well-rounded offensive presence on the wing. He's the brother of OKC's Jalen Williams, the type of player the Rockets could use on their roster to accelerate their rebuild.
4. 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 adding pieces around him to alleviate some of the pressure. Reed Sheppard not only checks all the boxes by being a “Kentucky guard,” but he looks ready to shoulder heavy minutes from the jump. He’s a willing defender, strong passer, and can knock down shots from anywhere on the floor. He won’t command the ball constantly, making him the ideal pairing for Wemby to develop alongside.
5. Detroit Pistons: Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
The Detroit Pistons need a spark, and no one on their roster currently possesses that outside of Cade Cunningham. Rob Dillingham may not be the ideal fit in the backcourt, but given their evident lack of shot creation, taking a shot on Dillingham to develop alongside Cunningham is worthwhile.
6. Charlotte Hornets: Stephon Castle, UConn
The Charlotte Hornets already have the core of their franchise with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, but the appeal of Stephon Castle is too much to pass up on. His game is as well-rounded as anyone's in this draft, and if he's able to add the perimeter shot to his game, look out. New head coach Charles Lee should be begging the front office to bring Caste into the fold here.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan, UConn
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 use some high-upside length with this pick. 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 continue to develop his jump shot, he's got everything else needed to be a dominant NBA big man.
8. San Antonio Spurs: 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. With their second top-eight pick, the San Antonio Spurs shouldn't feel pressure to add an immediate presence, giving Buzelis the needed time to develop. 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. Alongside Victor Wembanyama and Reed Sheppard, the Spurs could arguably give themselves the league's best young core come the fall
9. 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 to become a well-rounded scorer, but when the Grizzlies are at full strength this fall, they won’t need any offense from Holland yet. He’ll have the benefit of time in this organization, but immediately, his high-motor and defensive intensity will be a nice addition to the rotation.
10. Utah Jazz: 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 will determine if h is drafted at all this June. For Utah, assuming Shannon Jr. is deemed draftable, his scoring ability from the guard spot would make him a plug and play alongside Keyonte George.
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 could be high, given his instinctual play-making and size.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tyler Smith, G-League Ignite
Tyler Smith is a work in progress, as his defensive presence is essentially non-existent. He has all the tools to become a plus NBA shooter from anywhere on the floor, considering his frame and natural touch around the rim. The Oklahoma City Thunder don't need to add an immediate contributor in this draft, so the idea of developing Smith could excite Sam Presti.
13. Sacramento Kings: Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Kyle Filipowski looks to become a power forward in the NBA, so a potential frontcourt pairing with Domantas Sabonis could intrigue the Kings. Filipowski still needs to develop some strength to battle in the interior at the next level, but he has all the tools to be an above average stretch-four.
14: Portland Trail Blazers: 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. The Portland Trail Blazers should be more than grateful to land him here to start building out their forward depth.
15. Miami Heat: Isaiah Collier, USC
The Miami Heat need a offensive-minded guard off the bench, and it's hard to argue anyone has a higher upside at this stage in the draft than Isaiah Collier. A former No. 1 prospect in the country, Collier didn't have the ideal freshman season at USC, but all the tools remain for him to develop into an elite guard at the next level.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Devin Carter, Providence
Given the Philadelphia 76ers' championship timeline, they simply must take advantage of this pick. They don't have time to let a prospect develop, but luckily, Devin Carter is NBA-ready. He'd bring a defensive presence from his first time stepping on the court while making high-IQ plays offensively. There is nothing wrong with a team trying to win now taking a high-floor player.
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor
Ja’Kobe Walter didn't take the step this season at Baylor that many anticipated, but he still is someone for NBA teams to get excited about. He has the 3-and-D abilities to step on the floor and provide valuable minutes as rookie but could use a work as a ball-handler, facilitator, and finisher.
18. Orlando Magic: Zach Edey, Purdue
The Orlando Magic could use another big man in their rotation and someone to compete with Wendell Carter Jr. for a starting spot, and Zach Edey can provide that. Standing 7’4”, Edey can have a field day in the Magic's rotation by collecting rebounds and finishing easy buckets.
19. Toronto Raptors: Jared McCain, Duke
Toronto's high first-round pick was lost to the Spurs, given the protections it had and how the lottery played out. At 19, the Raptors should opt for the best player available. Simply put, the Raptors are in desperate need of a guard, and Jared McCain is the best one available who should be able to immediately eat minutes.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers: DaRon Holmes, Dayton
The future of the Cleveland Cavaliers is up in the air, but Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen aren't going anywhere and they could certainly use a reliable backup. DaRon Holmes has the interior presence both as a scorer and defender to immediately boost the rotation for 15-20 minutes per game.
21. New Orleans Pelicans: Kel’el Ware, Indiana
Jonas Valanciunas won't be in New Orleans forever, and Kel’el Ware could be a great transition big. Ware has the interior defensive skills as a shot blocker to make an immediate impact while having the ability to stretch the floor and knock out a shot from deep. His body still could use some muscle to battle with some of the NBA's best bigs, but he won't be tasked to do that right away with Valanciunas likely not going anywhere yet.
22. Phoenix Suns: Tristan da Silva, Colorado
Tristan da Silva can shoot from anywhere and defend anyone. His game isn't complete certainly, but a 6'9" 3-and-D threat is always extremely valuable.
23. Milwaukee Bucks: Tidjane Salaun, France
Tidjane 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. Milwaukee doesn't necessarily have all the time in the world to develop, but it wouldn't surprise me if they see a little bit of Giannis in him.
24. New York Knicks: Yves Missi, Baylor
The New York Knicks don't ask their centers to do much despite standing around the rim, blocking shots, making easy buckets, and grabbing rebounds. Yves Missi's game is far from complete, but he should fit the Knicks' ideal center mold.
25. New York Knicks: Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas
Kevin McCullar Jr. 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 can immediately fill a need in the Knicks' rotation as a rookie and contribute.
26. Washington Wizards: Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh
Carlton Carrington is an elite shotmaker but needs more strength to get to the rim consistently. However, his 6’5” frame provides the physical traits for him to one day develop into a potential all-around offensive weapon. Washington needs guards that can score the ball immediately, while Carrington would also have the time to round out his game on a team that has no expectations.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Mark Sears, Alabama
The Minnesota Timberwolves' biggest need is a scoring threat off the bench at the point guard position, and few were more prolific scorers in college last year than Mark Sears. He'd give the Wolves an immediate scoring threat while challenging Mike Conley for serious minutes.
28. Denver Nuggets: Baylor Scheierman. Creighton
The Denver Nuggets could use a sniper off the bench, and no one at this stage in the draft is better from deep than Baylor Scheierman. He's a high-IQ player who will make all the smart plays that will appeal to Mike Malone, making it hard to keep him out of the rotation immediately as the Nuggets currently lack a reliable three-point threat off the bench.
29. Utah Jazz: Jaylon Tyson: California
Jaylon Tyson essentially operated as Cal's point guard in college. He has a 6'7" frame and w need the ball in his hands to be effective at the next level. He has the shooting touch and shot creation to score in the NBA, but it will be interesting to see how well his game transfers to the next level. Still, Utah could be sold on his upside.
30. Boston Celitcs: Tyler Kolek, Marquette
It's hard to envision anyone that the Boston Celtics' snatch up here would crack the rotation in the short-term, but Tyler Kolek could be viewed as a potential backup point guard to complement Payton Pritchard.
1. Atlanta Hawks: Alex Sarr, France
There is no clear-cut top prospect for the Atlanta Hawks to snatch up, 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 2.0: Where Does Atlanta Turn?

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