RADIO
This NBA mock draft is strictly what I would do as each team in the lottery. I will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the available prospects, the needs of the teams, and other relevant factors that impact player selections throughout this mock.
Building an NBA roster is difficult. It requires patience and massive upside swings. The worst place to be is the middle as the hope of a championship dwindles yearly while the potential to add a difference-maker through the draft is more difficult away from the top.
Without further further ado let's hop into it. If you have any questions or concerns, contact @RotoSurgeon on Twitter.
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1) Atlanta Hawks: C - Alex Sarr, France
The Atlanta Hawks jumped from the second-worst odds to land this top pick to holding it for the 2024 Draft. Their luck is significant but could not have come in a worse draft. This pick is far from a franchise-changer like Victor Wembanyama or Anthony Edwards. One could argue this pick could be multiple different available players and they would have a valid argument.
Alex Sarr
pic.twitter.com/ResrCjf5j0— John Fricke (@JohnFricke) May 12, 2024
Nevertheless, Alex Sarr is a skilled, athletic big who can anchor a Hawks' defense in desperate need of improvement while providing size they do not possess at center. Sarr is somewhat redundant with Atlanta's talented former lottery pick Onyeka Okongwu but given Sarr's youth, Okongwu should still have a significant role as Sarr develops. This is a safe pick for a team needing more good players and a shake-up in their overlap at guard. Atlanta packaging this pick along with one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray for a key upgrade elsewhere may be wise.
Play Style: Myles Turner
2) Washington Wizards: G - Isaiah Collier, USC
This pick would be considered consensus coming into the 2023-2024 college basketball season. However, after a tumultuous year of USC basketball, the former number-one overall recruit's stock tumbled to the late lottery but in my eyes, he is still worth selecting this high. Isaiah Collier is a stout point guard and plays like a tank. His physicality at the position is a throwback to yesteryear before the three-point revolution.
Isaiah Collier, fast pic.twitter.com/sxNPgFjcQn
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) May 13, 2024
While Collier is not the most skilled shooter, he can knock down the occasional tough jumper beyond the arc to keep opposing defenses honest. How much that shot develops will be the key to his upside as his ability to score around the rim, draw fouls, and defend are all impressive. Washington needs a leader at guard as their Jordan Poole experiment failed spectacularly along with the Johnny Davis draft pick in 2022.
Play Style: Jrue Holiday
3) Houston Rockets: G - Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Dillingham is a spectacle on the floor. Given his stature, one would not expect the confidence and creativity he possesses. Dillingham's a natural scorer who can shoot well from three, drive to the rim, and take tough contested mid-range shots late in games. Unfortunately, he is merely 6'1" with a short wingspan and struggles to defend.
The good news is that Houston has constructed the perfect roster for Dillingham as their core is long and tall. Dillingham could operate like a dynamo between Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, and Alperen Sengun while learning a thing or two about being a smaller guard from Fred Van Vleet.
Jalen Green's late-season emergence was long-awaited but we cannot be sure whether he can sustain it. Whether Dillingham replaces Green at SG or comes off the bench as a sixth man is to be determined.
Play Style: Ben Gordon
4) San Antonio Spurs: G - Nikola Topic, Serbia
Now that we have seen what Victor Wembanyama is capable of, it is time to get him a real distributor. Nikola Topic presents everything an offense desires from a modern guard. He has size, is a high-IQ passer, can shoot, can score around the rim, and can rebound. Defense is somewhat a question mark along with how well his shot translates but the Spurs would gladly take the trade-off for the skills he does possess. Plus, given the success rate of Nikola __ic in the NBA, how could you not love Topic?
Big draft prospect Nikola Topic suffered an injury during the game against Partizan.
We hope everything will be okay and the Serbian point guard won't be sidelined for long. 🙏pic.twitter.com/gQGzmYd20p
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) May 13, 2024
Sadly, Topic cannot stay healthy. Just this week, he suffered another injury and is awaiting results. The Serbian guard would have a case for first overall if he played more than 28 official games since 2021.
Play Style: Tyrese Haliburton
5) Detroit Pistons: F - Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite
Buzelis only played nine games in the G League this past season but his numbers were impressive. He posted at least one block and assist with 11.8 points and 5 rebounds per game. He would be a welcome piece on a Pistons roster needing help on the wing. Buzelis struggled to shoot threes in his short G League stint but did manage a quality 77% from the free-throw line. His shot looks good and could become a good three in due time.
The past four first-round picks for Detroit have all been lead guards in different shapes. Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson are on the larger end while Jaden Ivey and Killian Hayes represent the smaller end. Buzelis could slide into the frontcourt alongside 2022 draft gem Jalen Duren and present trouble for opposing frontcourts.
Play Style: Jalen Johnson
6) Charlotte Hornets: G/F - Cody Williams, Colorado
Cody Williams is the former fifth-overall recruit from high school who, like Isaiah Collier, experienced a dip in draft stock after the college season. Williams battled health issues but managed to play 24 games. He is a tweener guard/forward who is score-first but can hold his own defensively.
Cody Williams measurements at the NBA Draft Combine:
6'6.5" height without shoes
7'1" wingspan
8'7" standing reachReally impressive pic.twitter.com/IKuAQdMXoE
— Nick Kalinowski (@kalidrafts) May 13, 2024
The Hornets hit big with last year's second-overall pick Brandon Miller but still have holes to fill throughout the floor as they ranked third-last in O rating and second-worst in D rating last season (via NBA.com). While LaMelo Ball's absence is largely to blame, acquiring another talented backcourt piece cannot hurt.
Play Style: Khris Middleton
7) Portland Trail Blazers: G/F - Ron Holland, G League Ignite
Ron Holland was the second-best recruit from high school in the 2023 class. His season in the G League provided some positive numbers to evaluate along with some concerning metrics. The overall stats per game look great. Holland averaged 30.3 minutes, 18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 55.1% true shooting. Most impressively, the 18-year-old averaged 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks across 15 games.
The negatives come in his .190 free throw rate and 68.2% shooting from free throw. Holland's play style should draw more fouls as he grows in the league but he paired that mediocre free throw percentage with 24% shooting from three-point range. Luckily, the Trail Blazers desperately need scoring on the wing as Jerami Grant is not part of their future and the forward position is barren.
Play Style: Jonathan Kuminga
8) San Antonio Spurs: G - Stephon Castle, Connecticut
Of course, the team that landed the decade's best prospect last season has two top-eight picks this season. The San Antonio Spurs may quickly return to glory if they navigate this draft right. Pairing earlier selection Nikola Topic with UConn's Stephon Castle would be a dream backcourt tandem as they can play off each other's strengths.
Castle would be more of a secondary ball-handler and creator who plays a bigger role on the defensive end to cover tougher assignments, leaving Topic rested for his offensive output. Meanwhile, their work in the backcourt is compounded with Wembanyama and Devin Vassel's production to result in actual wins rather than stuffed stat sheets.
Stephon Castle showing off his improved shooting stroke at the combine.👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/OTXTG2BrOo
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 13, 2024
Play Style: Jalen Suggs
9) Memphis Grizzlies: F - Zaccharie Risacher, Kentucky
Risacher is a polarizing prospect as he has the tools to succeed but whether he puts them all together is a concern. The lengthy, young Frenchman can shoot from the Euro three but only made 71% of his free throws in his career. He is not much of a distributor nor overly athletic but plays savvy around the rim.
Zaccharie Risacher maintains the No. 1 spot on our board thanks to the remarkable productivity, efficiency and consistency he's displayed all season. The 18-year-old averages a point every two minutes, shooting 46% for 3, while impacting the game in a myriad of ways. pic.twitter.com/YUNfznbd0h
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 5, 2024
The Grizzlies love hoarding project wings and bigs to develop and deploy as they please. If Risacher builds up to even 60% of his potential, he would be a welcome complement between Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Play Style: Brandon Ingram
10) Utah Jazz: G - Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
Sheppard's a talented guard but limited due to his size and predictable scoring ability. The shot is pure but he struggles to create for himself and the elite defensive production he amassed in college might not translate given his smaller wingspan.
Sheppard may never become a star but he should at least be a valuable rotation piece throughout his career. At this point in the draft, that is a win for any team. This Utah Jazz roster is big-heavy and needs security at guard as Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson are unlikely to be viewed as franchise players. Sheppard and Keyonte George could be a fun backcourt for some time.
Play Style: Grayson Allen
11) Chicago Bulls: C - Kyle Filipowski, Duke
With Nikola Vucevic wearing out his welcome in Chicago, the Bulls must look elsewhere at center and luckily, Filipowski is one of the best players available. The sophomore from Duke improved this past season by increasing his scoring, assist, and block numbers. Somehow, Filipowski's two and three-point efficiency jumped but his free-throw percentage dipped. Nevertheless, his career FT numbers are solid for a center at 72%, especially given the volume in which he drew them.
The Bulls cannot rebuild soon enough and Filipowski would be a fine piece to take into the future. Aside from him, the only players they should seek to retain are the recently improved Coby White and steady Patrick Williams.
Play Style: Andrea Bargnani
12) Oklahoma City Thunder: G/F - Ja'Kobe Walter, Baylor
What more do the Oklahoma City Thunder need?? Realistically, they have all the pieces to win a championship but must remain patient as their young core matures and develops. Between recent first-round picks Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, the Thunder have two of their three best players under 25 years old while superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is just 25.
Walter is a luxury for this well-oiled machine who would fit as a counterpart to Lu Dort's defensive-minded nature. The Josh Giddey experiment is running its course after a promising sophomore campaign leaving the spot of starting SG open on the roster moving forward. Walter's shooting and ability to draw contact around the rim would be welcomed.
Ja'Kobe Walter measurements at the NBA Draft Combine:
6'4.25" height without shoes
6'10" wingspan
8'6.5" standing reach+6 wingspan alert! +6 wingspan alert! pic.twitter.com/cbWC8r28yX
— Nick Kalinowski (@kalidrafts) May 13, 2024
Play Style: Gary Trent Jr.
13) Sacramento Kings: C - Donovan Klingan, Connecticut
The Kings are in a weird spot where they may value a player who helps them win now over a player with more potential. Klingan is a low-upside big due to his limited athleticism and scoring ability but his defensive presence is overwhelming. His size and ability to navigate the court are stellar and would be welcome for a Kings roster in need of a backup big to Domantas Sabonis.
UConn Huskies big man Donovan Clingan #NBADraft
🏀 7’1.75” (w/o shoes)
🏀 282 lbs
🏀 7'6.75" wingspan— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) May 13, 2024
Klingan is game-ready and could even start alongside Sabonis against bigger frontcourts to help him around the rim where Sabonis struggles to defend. The Kings have a window of contention with De'Aaron Fox and Sabonis under contract in their respective primes and should look to capitalize.
Play Style: Zach Collins
14) Portland Trail Blazers: F - Tidjane Salaun, France
This is the arbitrage play for Portland as they avoid selecting Risacher earlier and instead pick up his fellow compatriot Salaun. Salaun, like Risacher, is an upside wing with the ability to shoot from three and can project as a plus defender on the wing. Risacher has played many more official games and averages a better three-point percentage but Salaun has the better free-throw percentage.
Which Frenchman translates better to the NBA is to be determined. However, selecting Holland and Salaun rather than Risacher and whomever else in this range is a much better outcome for the Trail Blazers in desperate need of talent.
Play Style: Simone Fontecchio
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