2024 NBA Mock Draft 6.0 | The First Round

2024 NBA Mock Draft 6.0 | The First Round

howdy welcome to the sixth and potentially final mock draft of the 2024 NBA draft cycle again featuring the top 30 picks this Cycle’s been a wild ride these mocks have been really fun albeit very polarizing but I’ve enjoyed inciting some different discussions and offering different perspectives this could be the final mock of the 2024 draft for me not sure just yet I will have a few more heat checks out as well as my big board in the coming weeks and then plenty more post-draft content after let’s jump into it for the final time I’ve mocked Alex SAR of NBL success to the Atlanta Hawks whether the Hawks want to move forward with Dynamo point guard Trey young and run this thing back or springboard into the new youth-based era alexar is the pick he’s not my personal top prospect in this draft but he’s simply too valuable and fits too well on the squad as a 7 foot Rim protecting big who can really build on his offensive game for my money he’ll be a really valuable piece long term probably a fringe all defense player who will be able to provide some real shooting and shot making in addition to his interior offensive presence I’m not sure if moving off young is the play just yet but I would in the least retool the middle of this roster between those two in the short term at number two we’ve got the Wizards taking a gamble on Nicola topic of the Euro league Washington’s got a fascinating decision here you could argue a lot of the best available players don’t really pack that upside punch the team is looking for I believe this could be the range for a ret or a kingan but I just don’t see this front office really looking for those roll s qualities at this point in the rebuild I think topic is absolutely in the mix a 6’6 point guard who for my money is probably the highest ceiling ball handler in the class and one that could really blossome with unlimited early career reps in Washington it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if the Wizards had explored a package to move up one spot for alexar there could be some real Merit to Atlanta liking rachet or kingan and if they could add a valuable piece maybe Koz or Denny drop back a spot and still get their guy that makes a lot of sense third overall we’ve got the Houston Rockets who took a lottery night jump I’ve got them selecting Reed Shepard it’s a pick I’ve mocked before a pick I love and one that I think has a decent chance of happening if the rocket stand pth Houston has a variety of options here I don’t think they can necessarily go wrong rizet offers a three and D Wing kingan could be a front Court pairing with shenon if one or both can add to their perimeter game I think both ignite Wings make sense here to a degree any Prospect the Rockets grab though undoubtedly will be added to a strong rotation next season and play off the bench and I think Shepard as probably the best shooter in this draft with phenomenal basketball instincts on both ends is a malleable prospect that can mix and match well with this Rockets core he fits great as an off ball scorer next to shenon who they’re about to sign longterm I think Shepard is destined to be a longtime NBA starter and offers Houston a backup option if and when they eventually reshuffle their backourt fourth overall we’ve got Zachary rizes a 69 French Wing being paired with soon to be superstar Victor wi minyama in San Antonio ultimately if r a is on the board at number four I do think San Antonio pulls the trigger and it makes sense a lengthy High floor 3 and D Wing who can hit shots play stingy off ball defense and potentially Bloss him into a swarming point of attack Defender is great I would bet San Antonio’s thought process right now is to leave the top eight with One Wing and one guard I myself would rather bet on toeter castle at four and hope one of the ignite Wings is there at eight but I can understand the rationale in getting your wing first and shooting on the guard later in rachet you’re probably getting a bonafide long-term NBA starter for the foreseeable future next to wimy albe at one that I think has a lower ceiling than a few other prospects at number five we’ve got one of the harder Selections in this whole draft the Pistons are in one of the most unique situations I’ve seen in some time in that they are the worst team in the league but already have a variety of prospects they need to pour into at the end of the day I think they should probably just trade this pick they already seem one foot out the door on several of their young guys some win now Talent would probably go along ways for this franchise otherwise if they keep it just take a swing I think modest balis as a wing who will play a complimentary role early but could blossom into a star makes a lot of sense I’m in the increasingly small camp of evaluators who really believe in buellis I like the frame like the feel for the game believe in the shot I think if he improves in a few areas that’s a strong starter in a few seasons I know it’s a big if but if he were to hit that would do wonders for Detroit at number six we’ve got the Hornets another pretty hard pick and I’ve got them taking Stefon castle of Yukon there’s been reports that castle is not working out for teams that already have a starting point guard despite him playing really well in the connective wing for the title winning Huskies he isn’t looking to do that in the NBA and that effectively adds charlot to his no fly zone I understand the chances of this pick happening are basically nonzero if he refuses to meet with the team and isn’t going through interviews or private workouts but there’s a part of me that feels like if the franchise thinks he’s the best option here and that he would succeed with this iteration of the roster just go grab him anyways I really believe the key to elevating this Hornet’s roster is to tap into the fact their ball handlers are already 66 and 67 I think adding the 6’6 castle to that would create a real three-headed monster seventh overall we’ve got the Portland Trailblazers swinging on Ron Holland of the g-league ignite I’ve said it a million times I’m going to say it here again and I’ll say it from my big board here in a few weeks I love Holland as a prospect in this draft I think there’s very few multiverses where is not in the least a strong two-way starter in the NBA I personally consider drafting him as the Wizards at two rockets at three Spurs at four pistons and even the Hornets and I think he’s especially strong here with the Trailblazers who are still very much just searching for talent in general you can throw him on the wing get him easy offense in transition attacking Closeouts and spotting up while he plays that patented High motor defense all while really honing things like creating passing playmaking NBA nuances and improving his perimeter game in short alongside Scoot and shayen sharp I think Holland is a great swing pick who also boasts a high floor as a two-way Wing Rob Dillingham finally off the board to San Antonio at number eight I’m a massive fan of dillingham’s game and I really think he’s going to have an impactful NBA career even factoring in the pretty lousy defense getting Riz AET at four and Dilly here at number eight would be a home run draft for the Spurs Dillingham is going to be a strong three-level scorer in the NBA I really believe that and his biggest struggle is so well covered by wiim minyama who is probably set to win the next 15 defensive player of the years in a row and even on top of the scoring I really believe in dillingh him blossoming as a playmaker too strong pick and strong fit for San Antonio I’m not sure they ultimately lean this Direction with the team valuing two-way ability but we’ll see at number nine we finally got the 7 foot3 defensive Behemoth that is Donovan kingan off the board and one of the few teams that I think is a genuinely realistic fit I touched on it in my last mock but there’s just not that many teams here in dire need of kingan’s talents Atlanta has the better option in SAR I think Washington is looking for upside and then you’ve got to run a five straight teams that already have starting centers so despite there being reports kingan will be a top three pick I’m not currently subscribing although he could be a strong trade-up candidate the fit with Memphis here is easy traditional centers are a proven success story in this Grizzlies core I think kingan’s going to be good and impactful and this move with the addition of others back from injury would really boost Memphis back to Western Conference Contender status in my book at number 10 we’ve got Jared McCain of Duke off the board to the Utah Jazz I don’t think I’ve seen this mocked anywhere else but it’s a fit that I highly enjoy for several reasons McCain has flown under the radar as one of the best oneandone freshman in this class while he’s not an on ball Juggernaut just yet and a bit undersized at the guard position he’s a lights out shooter Highfield player in general and I think he stands to have a long successful NBA career the Jazz are still feeling out the Keon George point guard project they’ve got these other assorted win now in projecty pieces I think McCain really helps you tow the line in that he is an immediate infusion of shooting in the backourt in this core but could also blossom into a legit differen maker with that AFF forementioned feel George and McCain is a likely very weak defensive back court but you’ve got Kesler backing them up I still believe in Taylor Hendrick Bryce sensah is a good Prospect I like this move for the Jazz at number 11 we’ve got the Chicago Bulls taking a swing on Cody Williams of Colorado I think the Bulls are legit trade up candidates this year and perhaps maybe finally ready to go in a fresh direction if they do stand pad at 11 though I like them swinging on one of the upside Wings in this area Cody Williams being probably the most bang for your buck at this point he’s 69 fluid offers Baseline skills like good defense transition and a decent three-point shot in the least he could fill a gap in the current roster while also developing for the future I don’t think he’ll be majorly impactful in his rookie season but this iteration of the Bulls likely doesn’t have actual Championship aspirations if they are wanting to go full rebuild though and would actually be ready to pour into a developmental Prospect I’d like a swing on Isaiah Coler right here at number 12 we have the Oklahoma City Thunder taking a flyer on donon Holmes of Dayton 12 is a tad Rich for my taste but I think this is an extremely possible landing spot for the ever versatile big at 610 Holmes has been one of the most impactful players in college basketball the last few years and in his latest season really bloomed his perimeter game to make his NBA prospects a real he can score inside spot up put the ball in the deck some pass shoot defend at a high level Holmes offers the Thunder a much needed front Court piece one that can score a lot of ways inside play the team’s face up style if needed even dribble and run some offense he can play alongside Chad homeg Gren toggling between four and five or anchor the second unit there’s more to get into here but he checks just about every intangible box for this organization as well easy fit and pick here at number 13 a small slide for Dalton connect but he eventually ends up with Sacramento where he’ll add even more off Ball scoring to a team that really can’t get enough of it I really Buy in to connect as a long-term sharpshooter in the NBA primarily using his off ball skill set but being able to turn it on and self-create when needed Deen Fox and damont sabonis usually operate with the ball in hands and while Keegan Murray malink Monk and more offer some of what connect does this pick just gives the team more lineup versatility and a player ready to make an impact in year 1 rounding out the lottery we have the Portland Trailblazers taking EES Mei of Baylor one of my favorite prospects in this draft Mei flies under the radar as a big in this class he was in the upper echelon of production among freshman this year with a mobile skill set and some pretty extreme bounce he’s very raw as a prospect in general but his 18.7 points and 2 and 1 half blocks per 36 for a good Bor team to me are really solid marks and I really don’t think he’s that far behind some of the other top bigs for a much cheaper cost this is a pretty big gamble for Portland but I like sticking with the athleticism theme in pairing scoot Henderson with a vertical threat DeAndre Aton and Robert Williams currently occupy that front court but likely shouldn’t be a part of the long-term process for various reasons kicking off the Post Lottery is the Miami Heat taking a pretty unique pick in Isaiah klier of USC cier came into the season as the number one player in the class per rsci and despite him seeing kind of a roller coaster year with the Trojans he still portrayed a ton of talent and Limitless potential at the lead guard spot the heat are in a really interesting situation where they could be majorly reshuffling the roster or going a new Direction altogether I like them taking the swing on one of the highest upside players in this class in a spot where you can really maximize your value and the Heat have done that in past years Miami has proven themselves as a strong developmental landing spot for the past several seasons and Coler could end up as one of the best players in this class I like taking the Gamble and rolling the dice here if you’re the heat at number 16 we have the Sixers taking a prospect who’s flying up boards at the moment Devon Carter of Providence at 63 Carter is a stingy Defender with a high motor who saw his production bloom in his third Collegiate season nearly 20 points nine rebounds and three stocks per game while there should be some reservations in taking Carter with Philly’s primary backourt member already being 6’2 Devon Carter plays much bigger than he is and to me offers a better fit than the likes of Jared McCain and a few other guards hovering around this spot he slots in great alongside Joel embiid with his 37% shooting on near seven attempts and generally could be a Difference Maker as early as year one for a team that’s looking to get over the hump very quickly the Lakers will now be selecting at number 17 after the Pelicans deferred the pick to next season and I’ve got them grabbing Khalil wear of Indiana a former five star who came into his own with 16 points 10 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game for the hooers as a sophomore Los Angeles desperately needs help on the interior and in tandem with what Derrik Lively is doing in the playoffs this year that’s going to make seven-footers like wear really valuable well I don’t think he’s ready to hit the ground running and definitely doesn’t pack the same defensive punch that Lively does there could be a pathway to him getting easy buckets and having some early Career Success with just his sheer size we’s high-end projection is great with the ability to eventually extend his game to the perimeter but that might not come to fruition for a while still that’s a game of the Lakers would likely be willing to take should they hang on to this pick at all 18th overall we have the Orlando Magic taking a chance on Tyler Smith the third g-league ignite Prospect off the board Smith is a 610 with a great frame for a forward he’s got bouncy athleticism a translatable shooting stroke at 37% on over 3 and a half attempts per game with the Magic’s guard lineup currently shored up with Cole Anthony jayen Suggs Marquel folz and the potential emergence of Anthony black who as an asside I still really like I think Orlando could really lean into their size and grab a big forward to create a jumbo lineup the fully realized version of Smith as an off ball scorer alongside similarly sized 610 players in Palo banero and fron Vagner would be nightmare to deal with they can all three play on the perimeter and take it down low when needed Smith is not a player that would slot in immediately for Orlando but in a few years could be a really valuable rotational play at number 19 we have the Toronto Raptors taking the ever polarizing Zack Edy of Purdue as always Edy is likely the most fascinating player in this draft 7 fo4 with some of the most elite production we’ve ever seen in collegiate ball but a ton of question marks surrounding how his game is going to translate with slow foot spe speed no real perimeter game and some questionable reaction time I’ve said it before I really think there’s a pathway for Ed to succeed if he lands in the right spot and gets the necessary reps in the right system after missing out on their top pick this season Toronto is kind of in a weird Lane where they have all these great pieces but no real true Direction and I genuinely like bringing Edie home and kind of giving him that Runway to Blossom on this unit before leaning into developmental picks in the next few years I don’t think he would be getting some 30 minutes per night but the rap need a big and I don’t think it’s out of the question he becomes a long-term contributor for them at 20 we have the Cleveland Cavs gambling on Kyle flip filipowski a sophomore forward Center hybrid for the Duke Blue Devils the Cavs are in an interesting Spot while they’d like to hang on to their entire roster it feels like the only real Mainstay at this moment is Evan Moy as it seems like signs are pointing towards one of their star guards exiting and Center Jared Allen being dealt with that being the case I’ve gone with flip as a potentially great front Court fit next to moy using his perimeter game in more of a four role and allowing Moy to play the true five for the first time in his career there’s plenty of growing to do on flips end he is not a day one Starter by any means but he adds some lineup versatility and a drastically different look for Cleveland and he could rev up quicker than we think if he starts hitting his threes at number 21 overall we have the New Orleans Pelicans grabbing an immediate Plug and Play Prospect in Tristan D Silva of Colorado at 69 D Silva can virtually do everything and should be ready to hit the ground running he scored at all three levels toggling on and off ball he’s a smart passer with some highlight worthy plays he rebounded well and a spry enough to make a difference defensively there is a case he’s not Elite at any of those things but his chameleon esque ability to jump into lineups and make an impact lends itself well to New Orleans system and would allow them to shake up their roster some in hopes of making a real playoff push next season 22nd overall are the Phoenix Suns currently undergoing one of the more interesting offse seasons and I have them adding Tyler Kik of Marquette for my money a day one contributor in the lead guard role by now we all know that Phoenix sacrificed every drop of their depth for their star core of Kevin Durant Devin Booker and Brad Beal so much so that they literally do not play a point guard and instead essentially handed the Reigns over to Booker while Kik isn’t going to start I do think he could play real minutes as a rookie and offers a great change of pace as a player able to handle the ball run offense and write the ship when things get rushed he averaged 7.7 assists in his final season with the golden eagles and would be more than capable of setting things up for the Suns core at number 23 Milwaukee selects Kevin mcculler a shooting guard out of Kansas with the way last season went I think it’s pretty vital the Bucks leave with the rookie who’s able to somewhat make an impact and I think mcculler could do that next year with some of the best perimeter defense in the class in a scalable offensive game lots are out on mcculler and I get it I’m still pretty in on his potential to be a long-term rotational piece in the NBA with his motor and against my better judgment I think the three-point shot can still come around and I just generally think he’s going to make winning plays in a small role throwing a 67 highle Defender capable of operating in the space yanis provides does not seem like the worst move to me in my last mock I had New York leaving with two players who I thought could slot in and make a difference as soon as next season helping to quell some of the shortened rotation woses for this team in this mock I’ve gone a drastically different direction taking 19-year-old jacobe Walter of Baylor a talented former five-star and one of the more productive freshman in the class Walter at 66 is an essential two guard capable of getting offense in a variety of ways shooting slashing running in transition with some decent athleticism and he projects to be an okay Defender too if he can work out some of the Kinks there’s likely no way Walter will play and especially make an impact in the short term but his fit as a lengthy 3 and DS two guard or Wing next to Brunson and Co makes a lot of sense if the Knicks are willing to be patient as previously stated I’ve gone with another hug swing with the next second pick French Wing tjan Salon of cholet who is a year away from being a few years away NBA wise but has massive potential as a 69 perimeter oriented Wing there’s a high likelihood of team in need of pure talent gambles on Salone higher than this but if enough teams are turned off by how raw his current ability is there’s a real chance he could slip to the back half of the first round there’s pretty much no way he’d see the court for a few seasons in New York but some of my reasoning with these picks revolve around both Walter and Salon remaining coveted prospects in the next few years it gives the Knicks a few developmental prospects waiting in the wings and if they want to create a package to Nava star down the line both of these players hold value for at least a couple seasons and if you hang on to them and they blossom into rotational players or even more that’s all the better here at number 26 we have the Washington Wizards grabbing Johnny Fury a surprise one andone out of Kansas at 69 Fury came on to the scene in a complimentary role for The Jayhawks managing to add nine points points five rebounds and nearly one assist in steal per game in 24 minutes Fury is certainly a project but again the Wizards have all the time in the world in that regard and with that time could mold Fury into a lengthy and sillery piece that can shoot pass handle the ball defend in space and generally connect a fiveman unit it’s a gamble sure but one that would be really worth it with a late first pick in this draft for Washington and one I could really see working out given Fury’s high energy style the Timberwolves are fresh off a defeat to the finals Bound Dallas Mavericks and have about one more season at running it back with this core of Edwards cat and goar I like Dylan Jones at number 27 as a player who sticks with the jumbo theme for Minnesota as a 66 Handler but also adds some scoring pressure to a backourt rotation that desperately needs it he’s not much of an off ball player but he can really fill it up and facilitate it if you give him the rock he’s 22 and while the Weber State 2 NBA jump is going to be a big one there’s a world where he could play some minutes off the bench next year and send a kind of static shock through that second unit which needs more ball handling many look to this nuggets pick as a way to add more win now talent to the squad desperately needing to make another push I don’t necessarily see it that way I’ve gone with pacome dier he’s 68 with a good frame he has real three-level scoring potential can create his own shot good enough movement to potentially defend at a high level down the road he is probably the swing pick to end all swing picks in 24 he’ll be still 18 on draft night and has a ways to go in continuing to learn the ins and outs of basketball in general especially within the confines of a team but sticking daddy a in the back pocket as a developmental Prospect for this franchise that’s been proven to really develop players is an interesting play to me 29th we have the Utah Jazz taking Nica jerisich of Mega in the ABA a recent Riser due to strong NBA draft combined scrimmage performances he’s 68 extremely capable of scoring at all three levels he puts the ball on the floor can operate in the pick and roll and just generally oozes that connective Euro league Style with Utah snapping up a guard in the lottery I like jerisich as a player who could potentially fill in the middling gaps of the Utah roster as a connective forward even if he doesn’t evolve into a starting caliber forward I think his obvious feel for the game and basketball IQ peg him is a long-term rotational player which is just fine for the Jazz with the 29th overall pick capping off the video is one of my favorite fits oo uodo of Marquette to the Boston Celtics at 30 igodo is an extremely interesting player he’s stands at about 610 with a plus wingspan and while he doesn’t have an immense amount of scoring versatility with no real perimeter game he brings a ton of defensive Acumen with switchability active hands mobility and is a phenomenal passer for a big apart from the fact he can’t hit threes there are real shades of Al Horford to his game and I think his insertion defensively next to stretch Bigs like Horford and porzingis with his ability to operate like a hub and move the ball to Tatum Brown and more would be really impactful for Boston even next season he

The NBA Draft is just a few weeks away, and it’s time for the sixth mock draft of the 2024 Draft cycle, and the second featuring the entire first round.

Contents of this video:

0:00 – Intro
0:27- No. 1 | Hawks
1:08 – No. 2 | Wizards
1:56 – No. 3 | Rockets
2:50 – No. 4 | Spurs
3:37 – No. 5 | Pistons
4:27 – No. 6 | Hornets
5:14 – No. 7 | Trail Blazers
6:05 – No. 8 | Spurs
6:46 – No. 9 | Grizzlies
7:30 – No. 10 | Jazz
8:22 – No. 11 | Bulls
9:07 – No. 12 | Thunder
9:53 – No. 13 | Kings
10:25 – No. 14 | Trail Blazers
11:08 – No. 15 | Heat
11:51 – No. 16 | Sixers
12:32 – No. 17 | Lakers
13:21 – No. 18 | Magic
14:10 – No. 19 | Raptors
15:03 – No. 20 | Cavaliers
15:48 – No. 21 | Pelicans
16:22 – No. 22 | Suns
17:03 – No. 23 | Bucks
17:40 – No. 24 | Knicks
18:25 – No. 25 | Knicks
19:16 – No. 26 | Wizards
19:55 – No. 27 | Timberwolves
20:29 – No. 28 | Nuggets
21:09 – No. 29 | Jazz
21:47 – No. 30 | Celtics