Post Lottery 2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

 

1. Atlanta Hawks: Alex Sarr, 7'1", F/C, Perth
   In a draft where there's not a 100% consensus #1 pick, Sarr is the closest thing to it. Sarr seems like a good fit to pair with Trae Young and can form a good young front court duo with Okungwu. Sarr shows good upside as a versatile defender and has some shooting upside

2. Washington Wizards: Ron Holland, 6'6", W/F, Ignite
   My personal #1 prospect in this draft class, Holland offers a higher upside than any other prospect for the Wizards in this spot. A good slasher and transition player, Holland shows All-Defensive potential. His shot leaves a lot to be desired right now, but I think he can grow into a capable shooter. For an organization with perhaps zero building blocks (Coulibaly?), Holland gives Washington fans a prospect to get excited about.

3. Houston Rockets: Donovan Clingan, 7'2", C, UConn
   Rockets are in a weird spot here where they do not have any glaring needs. A lot of this depends on what they envision happening with Jalen Green, but for now we are acting as if he stays. Clingan offers versatility in their front court as an elite rim protector to pair with Sengun. Whether they want to experiment with Sengun at the PF spot could be interesting (I do not necessarily think this will work but am intrigued). I like the idea of Clingan learning from Steven Adams for a year before flourishing.

4. San Antonio Spurs: Rob Dillingham, 6'1", PG, Kentucky
   While Dillingham may be able to fall to the Spurs at their #8 pick, I think the Spurs jump at the chance to grab him at 4. Perhaps the best self creator in this draft, Dillingham creates an electric young duo with Wemby. He adds much needed shot creation and I think he is an underrated playmaker for teammates.

5. Detroit Pistons: Zaccharie Risacher, 6'10", F, JL Bourg
   The Pistons fell to 5 once again. This time they opt to draft Risacher, who offers size and shooting on the wing. For a team that ranked 26th in 3P% and 29th in 3PM this last season, Detroit desperately needs to add shooting. Risacher is in the elite tier of shooters in this draft class and can instantly help the Pistons. He may need some development as a creator and a defender but he fills a huge need for the Pistons and can add to their core of Cade and Duren (+Ausar and Ivey).

6. Charlotte Hornets: Stephon Castle, 6'6", G, UConn
   The second Husky taken in the top 6, Castle adds an athletic pairing to LaMelo in the backcourt. Castle insists he is a PG, but he will likely see his main offensive role be as an off-ball creator/slasher in his first year. An elite athlete and good defender, Castle shot well at the NBA combine. Adding Castle can take some pressure off LaMelo as a ball handler and creates an exciting trio with Brandon Miller included.

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Matas Buzelis, 6'9", F, Ignite
   The Blazers desperately need to upgrade their wing and front court positions, and they start doing that by selecting Buzelis. He may be a slightly raw prospect now but he has one of the highest ceilings in this draft class. Great feel for the game and potential as a secondary playmaker, Buzelis probably slots in as a day 1 starter for the rebuilding Blazers.

8. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Topic, 6'8", PG, Crvena Zvezda
   The Spurs add another PG in the top 10 with this selection. Topic may be the best playmaker in this class and is someone that can help create looks for teammates. This can also allow Dillingham to play more off ball. Topic is a great interior finisher but has work to do to improve as a shooter. Adding size in the backcourt is never a bad thing and the Spurs create another playmaker to pair with Wemby. 

9. Memphis Grizzlies: Dalton Knecht, 6'5", W, Tennessee
   The Grizzlies are a rare lottery team who are in position to be title contenders next year. Knecht adds elite shooting and off ball scoring potential as an NBA ready offensive talent. Adding more shooting to the team to create space for Morant will always be a priority and Knecht will be a day 1 plug and play wing.

10. Utah Jazz: Reed Sheppard, 6'2", G, Kentucky
    Perhaps the best shooter in the class, Sheppard immediately adds perimeter threat to this Jazz team. An underrated playmaker, Sheppard would be a fun pairing with last years lottery pick Keyonte George. While slightly undersized, Sheppard can still be at worst an average defender, and simply has the winning mentality you want in a player.

11. Chicago Bulls: Cody Williams, 6'7", W, Colorado
    The Bulls take a swing on Williams here, who did not produce at the rate he was projected to at Colorado, but still has the upside. With elite size and defensive potential ability, Williams can develop into a useful wing player in the NBA.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Isaiah Collier, 6'3", PG, USC
    The Thunder can use another ball handler to relieve Shai of some of those duties. A year ago, Collier was the projected #1 pick in this draft. A good athlete and good playmaker Collier has the tools to be a good PG for many years. He's shown defensive flashes and as the game slows down for him he can provide quality minutes in his rookie year for the defending 1 seed in the west.

13. Sacramento Kings: Kyle Filipowski, 6'11", PF/C, Duke
    While the Kings may need to replace Malik Monk's offensive production, they also lack wing and big man depth. Flip comes in as someone who can space the floor and add some size. He projects as someone who can potentially play at both the 4 and the 5 and is someone who can come in and add some versatility to the Kings roster.

14. Portland Trail Blazers: Tidjane Salaun, 6'10", W/F, Cholet
    With the final pick of the lottery, the Blazers add another high potential wing to their roster. While an extremely raw prospect at this point, Salaun is an elite athlete who has shown creation flashes and projects to be a good defender as he matures.