2024 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Full First-Round Prediction

We are right in the middle of peak basketball excitement, a few days after the first weekend of March Madness and a few days before the second. To give me something to do and you something to read, I am cooking up my second mock draft of the 2024 NBA Draft cycle. It has been about a month since my last one, and since then I put together my first big board of the cycle and watched a lot more basketball. Needless to say, there have definitely been some changes in my thought processes concerning this year's draft class, and I'm excited to lay those out here.

Disclaimers: The order of these teams was randomly generated. This is NOT a big board; it is what I think these teams would do in these positions in the draft.

1.Detroit Pistons - Zaccharie Risacher - 6'8" 204lbs - Wing - JL Bourg

With the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons select Zaccharie Risacher out of France. While Risacher isn't the top prospect on my big board, I think he would be the top pick for Detroit, who desperately needs wing depth. Risacher is the top wing on my board, as the 6'8" sharpshooter has impressed me with his shot making abilities this year, especially from beyond the arc. He's not the type to ever be a primary shot creator, but he would fit perfectly alongside guards like Cunningham and Ivey and non-shooters like Duren and Thompson. He's also a versatile defensive option, something that no team will ever complain about. Most of the time you don't like seeing teams use the first overall pick on a complimentary piece like Risacher, but the only other option here is Alex Sarr, who I think would make for an awkward fit in Detroit. I think he would be the clear pick for the Pistons, who could even trade down and get him with the second pick if they were smart.

pc: via Euroleague

2. Washington Wizards - Alexandre Sarr - 7'1" 217lbs - Center - Perth

The top player on my big board (and most big boards) goes with the second pick in this mock to Washington. This would be a seamless fit, as Washington just sent their center, Daniel Gafford, to the Mavericks at the trade deadline. Sarr is a defensive specialist at the moment, as he's an excellent rim protector both as an anchor in drop coverage and as a help defender on the weak side. He's still a raw offensive prospect, but he's already a very good rim runner and lob threat. Add to that his offensive rebounding skills and you have a guy that can produce on the offensive end of the floor. He has shown flashes of being a decent shot creator, and I think that shot will eventually come to some extent. He would immediately be the developmental focal point in Washington, where he could focus on defense and slowly getting better on offense while other guys handle most of the scoring. Long-term, Sarr is probably the safest play of any of the top-tier prospects in this draft.

pc: via NBA

3. Utah Jazz - Ron Holland - 6'8" 206lbs - Guard/Forward - G-League Ignite

In this mock the Jazz make a big jump thanks to some lottery luck. In the real world they will likely be near the eight or nine spot, but them being three here makes things more interesting. I have them taking Ron Holland, who I have been consistently higher on than most evaluators. Holland has had an up-and-down season for the G-League Ignite, but I don't put as much stock in that as others simply because the Ignite have been an incredibly poorly run organization. What I have seen from Holland is an incredible motor that has led to him becoming a legitimate defensive prospect in my eyes. His offense has a long way to go, but he's a great athlete and transition scorer already. He has a ton of room to grow if he can start to build a consistent shot. I like what I've seen from him as far as shot creation is concerned, it's actually making those shots where Holland has struggled. He would be an intriguing addition to Utah's forward depth, and I would love to see him grow alongside Utah's strong crop of young players.

pc: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

4. Chicago Bulls - Matas Buzelis - 6'10 209lbs - Wing - G-League Ignite

Like the Jazz, the Bulls jump up in this mock draft and I have them taking big wing Matas Buzelis. The Bulls are in one of the worst positions in the league, with their old guard likely heading out after this season finishes up. I think someone like Buzelis, who has really been impressing me lately, would be a great pick for a Bulls team that need to hit on their picks in this draft. He's a player with fantastic physical attributes who does a little bit of everything on a basketball court. His offensive ceiling is undeniable, and if he can start knocking down shots at a better rate, I think this ceiling could come to fruition sooner rather than later. He still needs to work on his defense and his strength, but I trust that those things will come with time. He would likely have a starting role in Chicago on day one, which would greatly benefit him in the long-term. I will admit that I don't trust Chicago's player development program, but I believe Buzelis has everything he needs to become a really good NBA player.

pc: NBA/Getty Images

5. San Antonio Spurs - Nikola Topic - 6'7" 203lbs - Guard - Crvena Zvezda

Now that the Spurs have found their franchise face in Victor Wembanyama it may be time to start upgrading at other positions in an attempt to fully maximize Victor's time in San Antonio. Nikola Topic is a big point guard with great playmaking acumen and excellent feel for the game. He's an elite driver, either finding his own shot with his crafty finishing abilities or hitting teammates for good looks. He's shown flashes of being a decent shooter, but at this point that shooting ability hasn't been consistent enough to say that Topic will be a good shooter when he gets into the league. Questions surrounding his defense have also arisen throughout the evaluation process, but I think his positional size makes up for a lot of his actual defensive issues. He won't be a great defender, but I think he can hold his own. I prefer Topic over Tre Jones when looking at the Spurs long-term outlook, and I think the San Antonio front office likely agrees with me.

pc: via NBA Draft FN

6. Charlotte Hornets - Reed Sheppard - 6'3" 187lbs - Guard - Kentucky

Here at six, I think the Hornets get their guy and take Reed Sheppard. Charlotte has struggled for several seasons now with seeming like an incredibly young and immature team, and I think Sheppard solves a lot of those issues. He doesn't have the ceiling of some of the prospects drafted around him, but his floor is very high. His shooting and offensive versatility would be very useful in Charlotte alongside guys like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. His point-of-attack defense and quick hands will also be very helpful for a Charlotte team that has clearly struggled on that end of the floor. I have questions regarding his ability to score inside the arc against NBA defenders and about his tendencies to zone out on defense from time to time. That being said, he's a player with incredibly high basketball IQ who I think will grow and adapt once he makes it to the league and will evaluate challenges in front of him.

pc: Jordan Prather/USA Today Sports

7. Portland Trail-Blazers - Cody Williams - 6'8" 190lbs - Wing - Colorado

This is a tough spot for Portland, who I think would rather take Buzelis or Holland over Cody Williams in this draft. That being said, I like Williams' upside and long-term projection, and I'm sure the Blazers front office does too. I will admit, Williams fell down my board slightly after three games in the tournament where his motor did not impress me. His ceiling is still incredibly high, so I think taking him at seven would be a risk that most teams would be willing to take. He's a versatile prospect on both ends of the floor, who's a consistent deep shot away from being a very impactful offensive option. He has great length that will help his game on both ends, but I think it especially helps him as a defender, as his shot-blocking ability impresses me every time I watch him. Like I said, his motor and drive leave me with serious questions, and I think this is something that will have to be addressed when he makes it to the league. He does fit well into a Portland system that definitely needs to draft a versatile wing who can fit alongside their young guards.

pc: Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports

8. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto) - Dalton Knecht - 6'6" 204lbs - Guard/Wing - Tennessee

San Antonio is going into this draft looking for a shooter, and I think that's why they take Knecht here at eight. I don't have him this high on my board, but I must admit that I think he would fit well as an offensive option for the Spurs. He's a fantastic shooter who can increase Wembanyama's space inside, and if they ever wanted to let him cook as a primary scorer with Victor off the floor, he would be capable of doing so. He's the best scorer in college basketball, and I think a lot of that scoring acumen will translate to the league. The questions lie with his defensive abilities, but I think the Spurs could hide him with their elite defensive talents that would be surrounding him. Having a guy like Knecht, who can score with the best of them, being a guy that defenses aren't able to focus on because of Wembanyama would be an incredibly intriguing situation for San Antonio to be in.

pc: via Knox News

9. Memphis Grizzlies - Donovan Clingan - 7'2" 280lbs - Center - UConn

Memphis only has one goal in this draft and that is to select a big man to fill the shoes of Steven Adams. Luckily for them, I can almost guarantee you that Donovan Clingan will be on the board here at nine. Clingan is an elite rim protector and shot blocker who has impressed me over the past few weeks. As far as defense is concerned, there's nothing to worry about. He moves better than you'd expect, and I think he fits perfectly next to Jaren Jackson in this Memphis frontcourt. Offensively, Clingan has been better as of late, being lethal close to the basket and in the pick-and-roll. His major concerns surround his injury history and his size. I do think he has lost some weight and has grown into his body better this season, which has led to him being healthier overall. If this never becomes a major issue in the future, he will be a very good NBA player for a very long time.

pc: via playerswiki

10. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn) - Stephon Castle - 6'6" 215lbs - Guard/Forward - UConn

Houston is in a weird situation going into this draft. They definitely don't need a big, and they probably don't need a wing. However, I think taking the pure guards left on the board over Stephon Castle would be a major mistake. Castle is capable of playing the two and the three, and could fit into the Rockets rotation. He's my favorite perimeter defender among the lottery talent in this draft, and I think he projects to develop a better offensive game. He's a good transition scorer, a good pick-and-roll scorer, a good passer, and just an overall smart offensive player. He's not an incredibly dynamic shot creator or shot maker, but he gets the job done. He does share the floor with several other NBA level players, and I think his production would be better if he were the focal point in an offense. His defense is NBA ready, his IQ is NBA ready, and I believe his offense will get there over time. The Rockets have a great young core, and adding a defensive weapon like Castle to their core of offensive talent could go a long way.

pc: Darron Cummings/AP

11. Atlanta Hawks - Kyle Filipowski - 7'0" 248lbs - Center/Forward - Duke

We find ourselves in another position where a guy moves up on the mock from where I have them on my big board. That being said, the only other option here for me was an offense-oriented guard who doesn't play defense, which the Hawks do not need any more of. Instead, I have them taking Duke big man Kyle Filipowski to either fill the four spot or play backup five assuming the Hawks move on from Clint Capela. If he took over the power forward spot then Jalen Johnson could move to his natural position at the three, and I think the Hawks would look better because of that move. If they kept him as the backup five, he could handle that too, giving the Hawks a different look with their second unit as a stretch big. Filipowski is a versatile offensive big with decent defensive skills as well. He's not a great athlete, but he's a smart player and uses this IQ to the best of his abilities. He won't ever be a star in the league, but he could be a solid impact guy for most teams, including the Hawks.

pc: via SportingNews

12. OKC Thunder (via Houston) - Rob Dillingham - 6'3" 176lbs - Guard - Kentucky

I have a ton of questions about Rob Dillingham, but if there's an organization that can find ways to hide his flaws it's the Thunder. Rob Dillingham could come into the league and be the dynamic shot creator we saw in college, or he could be the next Bones Hyland. The thing is, either way he could find some sort of role with the Thunder. I think there's a great chance that Dillingham goes higher than this on draft day, but if he were to fall to the Thunder, I could see him being a safe pick as a bench scorer for the team. If they paired him in the second unit backcourt with elite defensive specialist Cason Wallace (also from Kentucky) they could hide some of his serious defensive flaws. He does have a very high ceiling, because if his elite shot creation and shot making does translate, he will be a very dangerous offensive firecracker for whatever team he lands on. Dillingham would make the Thunder even more dangerous, further extending their grasp on the future of the Western conference.

pc: Kyle Ross/USA Today Sports

13. Portland Trail-Blazers (via Golden State) - Yves Missi - 7'0" 235lbs - Center - Baylor

At some point in this draft a center is going to jump up boards because a team is looking to draft a big, and there aren't many of them near the top of this class. I personally have another big over Baylor's Yves Missi, but I have a feeling he'll be the next big off the board. Portland doesn't want to move forward with Deandre Ayton after a very disappointing season from the former Phoenix Sun, and Robert Williams III will be coming off of several serious knee injuries. Yves Missi is a safe play for a team looking for their center to play alongside their stacked young guard class and whoever they take with their higher pick in this draft. He's an elite rim protector, utilizing his athleticism and premier timing to his advantage when going for blocks and at the rim disruptions. On offense he's a pick-and-roll and lob threat who would pair nicely with Portland's guards. I could see them going in multiple different directions here, but I wouldn't mind them securing their next big man with their second pick.

14. New Orleans Pelicans (via Lakers) - Ja'Kobe Walter - 6'5" 195lbs - Guard - Baylor

I am not incredibly high on Ja'Kobe Walter, but I do think he would fit well in New Orleans and that he would likely be their pick here at the end of the lottery. He projects to be a solid three-and-d guard who can stretch the floor and play solid perimeter defense on the other end. That is the blueprint that the Pelicans are trying to follow with their young core at the moment, presumably to surround Zion Williamson going forward. That being said, I haven't been incredibly impressed with Walter this season on either end of the floor. He did put together a good game in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but I feel like every time I watch him, I walk away disappointed. He does seem like the no-brainer pick here based on the structure that the Pelicans are trying to build, but I would be weary of Walter's long-term outlook.

15. Miami Heat - Jared McCain - 6'3" 197lbs - Guard - Duke

Miami has had some issues with securing their point guard of the future, and I think they make an attempt to solve those issues here by taking Jared McCain. McCain has been one of the top college freshmen in the nation this year, and he's gotten better and better as the year has progressed. His primary trait is his three-point shooting, but his game has grown in more ways than one throughout the season. He's a very good finisher around the rim and can turn his deep game into a mid-range game if defenders let him. He's been the shooting guard at Duke this season, but flashes of his playmaking show that he can run the point. That's likely what he would be asked to do in Miami, starting behind Terry Rozier and likely taking over down the road. He's a strong defender and a good rebounder for his size, things that evaluators had questions about to start the year. I think he would thrive in the Heat system, and I think he's a relatively safe pick here just outside of the lottery.

pc: via Dukeblog

16. Philadelphia 76ers - Tidjane Salaun - 6'9" 203lbs - Forward - Cholet

Philadelphia is in a weird situation at the moment, as they bolster a top ten player in the league in Joel Embiid and a young all-star in Tyrese Maxey. Despite those two very talented players looking like the future of the organization, the rest of the roster is relatively weak and poorly built. Luckily for Philly, they know exactly what type of player to go after in this draft considering Maxey is handling backcourt responsibilities and Embiid the frontcourt. They need a connective wing who can fit in with the two stars, and I think French prospect Tidjane Salaun could be their guy. He's a young prospect with a super high ceiling and is probably the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in this draft. He's shown incredible offensive flashes overseas and has the physical archetype of a player who should have tremendous defensive upside as well. Most of the time I wouldn't have a win-now team like the 76ers drafting a player like Salaun, but in this year's draft and at this point in the draft I think it would be a worthwhile selection. If he does get anywhere close to his ceiling, he would be a fantastic third option in Philadelphia, and I think that's a risk they're willing to take outside of the lottery.

pc: Cholet Basket

17. Toronto Raptors (via Indiana) - DaRon Holmes II - 6'10" 235lbs - Center/Forward - Dayton

Here's my favorite big in this draft, and I have him fitting in perfectly with the Toronto Raptors. Assuming the Toronto front office doesn't want the Kelly Olynyk era to last too long, Holmes would be a great replacement as a floor spacing five. Holmes is coming off of his junior year at Dayton, where he was one of the best players in the country. After impressing me all season with his elite play, he doubled down in the tournament, looking like one of the top players in the field. He's a big with the fluidity of a wing, as he's able to score in basically every way you can think of. He's also a solid rim protector for his size, and he's able to move well with smaller players around the perimeter if need be. He's an all-around very good player, and I think he would be a major upgrade to the Toronto frontcourt. He fits well with the core they're building, and he's old enough that he could immediately slot into their timeline. This is probably higher than most have him projected to go, but this is actually lower than I have him on my personal big board.

pc: Dayton Athletics

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento) - Ryan Dunn - 6'8" 216lbs - Guard - Virginia

The guard tandem of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray is likely to come to an end in Atlanta relatively soon, and even though we don't know who they are going to keep I am going to assume it's Young. For that reason, I want to fill the defensive hole that Murray is going to leave when he's shipped out, and that's why I have them taking Ryan Dunn. Dunn is probably the top defensive prospect in this draft, and for good reason. The massive guard is a matchup nightmare for opposing backcourts, and he's not too shabby against big men in the interior either. He would add an immense defensive presence to a team that has struggled in this department ever since Young came to town. He's not a very good offensive piece yet, but I don't think the Hawks are in desperate need for more offense at the moment. He's still a capable scorer in transition and has room to grow with his offensive game. I think he slots in perfectly if the Hawks decide to move on from Murray, but if they don't I doubt they would take Dunn here.

pc: Amber Searls/USA TODAY Sports

19. Phoenix Suns - Isaiah Collier - 6'5" 210lbs - Guard - USC

I'm not sure if the Suns need a guy who can slot into their rotation right away or a long-term project who could potentially take over when this current roster splits up, so I decided to go with a guy who's a bit of both. Isaiah Collier was once projected to be a contender for the first overall pick in this draft, but after a disappointing season he has dropped way down on boards. That being said, he didn't have a bad year as far as production is concerned, and I still think he has a ton of potential. He's a dynamic guard who impacts the game on the offensive end in a multitude of ways. He's a multi-level scoring threat, a promising playmaker, and one of the best rim attackers in this class. He has a good motor and I think he'll show effort on both sides of the floor and bring energy every night. He slots in perfectly as a backup guard in Phoenix, a team in desperate need of backcourt depth. He also has the upside to be a future piece once this core is eventually out of Phoenix.

pc: via PAC12

20. Orlando Magic - Johnny Furphy - 6'9" 202lbs - Wing - Kansas

Johnny Furphy is a very intriguing project piece for whatever team ends up drafting him, but I actually think he could be a legitimate rotation piece for Orlando right away. They desperately need more outside shooting, and Furphy is a player who provides just that. He's a big wing who knocks down the three at a high rate. He has a ton of room to grow, and he could do so within this young Orlando core. He's a versatile offensive option, being a solid finisher in transition and a smart passer. He has the positional size to be a solid defender down the road, but at the moment he's definitely more prized because of his offense. He wouldn't have a ton of pressure on him right away, as he'd be coming off the bench behind Orlando's two best players. Instead, he would be asked to knock down a couple threes per night, play passable defense, and not turn the ball over. I think Furphy could handle that workload and be a solid fit in Orlando.

pc: Reed Hoffman/AP Photo

21. New York Knicks (via Dallas) - P.J. Hall - 6'10" 238lbs - Center - Clemson

The Knicks are one of the few teams in the league that don't have any glaring holes in their rotation. They either need a backup point guard or a backup big. I went with backup big, only because in that case there is room for them to grow into a starting big, whereas no guard they draft here is going to ever play over Jalen Brunson. I decided to go with P.J. Hall out of Clemson, who has really impressed me this season. He's a multi-level scoring threat on offense with a dangerous interior game and solid passing flashes. On defense he can hold his own as a rim protector. He's an overall very safe pick, as he is an older prospect. That being said, I think he would fit well in a Thibodeau system as an experienced and skilled big who knows how to play his role. This is a smart win-now pick for a team in the Knicks who are surging at the moment.

pc: via ClemsonWire

22. New York Knicks - Tyler Kolek - 6'3" 195lbs - Guard - Marquette

Back-to-Back picks here for the Knicks, and I guess now I'll address the backup point guard issue. When you look at this draft and you think of a pure point guard, Tyler Kolek is the guy you think of. He's probably been the best point guard in the country this season, and he's definitely the best playmaker in this draft class. He's a senior, so he's experienced enough to immediately slot into the Knicks rotation. He could take over the New York second unit, orchestrating the offense when Brunson isn't on the floor. He's also a capable scorer and has a fantastic motor. This is a pretty straight forward selection, I think Kolek would make a ton of sense for what New York is trying to do at the moment. Like I said, the Knicks are in win-now mode, and both of these picks help further that effort.

pc: via Forbes

23. New Orleans Pelicans - Collin Murray-Boyles - 6'7" 231lbs - Forward - South Carolina

Like the Knicks, the Pelicans don't exactly need any specific type of player at the moment, so I think they could go for a high-upside project piece like South Carolina's Collin Murray-Boyles. Murray-Boyles has burst onto the scene as an incredibly intriguing young prospect after a very solid freshman campaign. He's an elite interior scorer, with the agility to face up bigger opponents and the size and strength to back down smaller ones. He's a great finisher and a smart passer, making him a more well-rounded offensive threat. He doesn't have an outside shot at the moment, but if this were to develop at some point, he would be a very dangerous offensive weapon. This versatility extends to the defensive end, where he can guard on the perimeter and the interior. He's a development piece that can sit behind players in New Orleans who have had a similar trajectory. The Pelicans are great at developing these types of guys, and I think Murray-Boyles could be the next name on their long list of success stories.

pc: via Aol

24. Cleveland Cavaliers - Tristan da Silva - 6'9" 220lbs - Wing - Colorado

Da Silva has been a riser for me over the past month or so, and that's probably because I've spent more time watching him play. I'm a huge fan of his game, and I'm pretty confident that he's a first-round talent. The Cavaliers could use some forward depth behind Evan Mobley, and I think da Silva offers the versatility they could be looking for in a backup wing. He's a three-level scorer with great positional size and length. He's a smart passer, whose experience showed in Colorado this season. He's not a lock down defender, but his size and athleticism make him a capable one. The Cavaliers are a winning team looking to add depth with guys who can play right away, and I believe that da Silva offers that at this point in the draft.

pc: Cliff Grassmick

25. Washington Wizards (via Clippers) - Kyshawn George - 6'8" 205lbs - Wing - Miami

After securing their big man of the future with the second pick, the Wizards will likely continue to look for high upside guys with their later picks. That's why I have them taking Kyshawn George, a player whose production wasn't incredibly impressive at Miami this year, but who showed legitimate flashes throughout the season. He showed a ton of promise as an off-ball shot maker who can knock down the three at a high clip. He fit well into the Miami system when he was allocated playing time, but he wasn't on the floor enough for me to have him going super high in this draft like some evaluators do. Instead, I think he falls to a team like Washington or Portland later in the first-round. He's still young and growing into his frame after a growth spurt, which could be why he wasn't as productive as some of his peers. He will get plenty of touches in Washington, which in theory would accelerate his development in a positive direction.

pc: via Canes Today

26. Milwaukee Bucks - Tyler Smith - 6'11" 224lbs - Forward - G-League Ignite

When looking at the Bucks' current roster it is clear that they should add some youth to their frontcourt. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis are holding down the fort behind Giannis, but the Bucks are relatively weak after those guys. I think adding a guy like Tyler Smith could go a long way for the future of the organization. He's a raw prospect with a ton of upside who could learn a lot by sitting behind those guys I just mentioned. At 6'11", he has great positional size, and what makes that even more intriguing is that his primary trait is shooting the deep ball. He's a big body with the fluidity and skillset of a true wing. His ceiling is very high, especially as an offensive talent, and I'd like to see him be a focal point of the next era of Milwaukee basketball. I'm not sure how he much he'd be able to impact the team right away, but anybody with the size and outside shot of Smith is going to be able to contribute to some extent.

pc: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

27. Minnesota Timberwolves - Kevin McCullar - 6'7" 212lbs - Guard/Forward - Kansas

The Timberwolves are in win-now mode maybe more than any other team in the league. Because of that, they should probably draft a player who could come in and immediately make an impact. Kevin McCullar is one of the oldest prospects in this draft class, but that actually could help him in the eyes of the Minnesota front office. The experienced two-way guard/forward/wing/whatever you want him to be has been one of the best players in the country this year in his final season at Kansas. For years he was viewed as a defensive specialist without a ton of offensive upside, but this season he shouldered some of Kansas' offensive weight and did well in that position. He can handle responsibilities on both ends of the floor and has the positional size to play one through four. He's a versatile and experienced option who could get legitimate NBA minutes right away, and I think that's what his appeal would be for a team like the Timberwolves.

pc: Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal

28. Utah Jazz (via OKC) - Kel'el Ware - 7'0" 242lbs - Center - Indiana

The Jazz can't really go wrong here as long as they're drafting for upside and not for immediate success. That's why I have them taking Kel'el Ware here, who has jumped up draft boards after a late season surge at Indiana. Ware was a projected first-round pick for most of last season but decided to stick around in an attempt to increase his draft stock. This, for the most part, worked, as he's actually much higher than 28 on my personal big board. The Jazz don't exactly need a center, but big man Walker Kessler has slumped this season. If the Jazz get a guy like Ware, they will effectively double their center depth, and in the process challenge Kessler to get better if he wants to keep his starting job going forward. The idea would be that one of the two has to work out, and that the organization can make a decision down the road on who to grow with. He's an upside guy with a ton of potential on both sides of the court, and I believe he will be a good player in the league for a long time. If the Jazz found themselves in this position they would be facing a win-win scenario.

29. Denver Nuggets - Zach Edey - 7'4" 300lbs - Center - Purdue

Do I think Zach Edey is a top-30 prospect in this draft class? Probably not. Do I think Zach Edey will ever be an overly effective big man in the league? Probably not. Do I think Zach Edey projects to be better than Zeke Nnaji? Yes. When it comes to the Denver Nuggets, they aren't exactly super worried about the center position. Nikola Jokic is so good that it really doesn't matter who their backup five is. However, Zach Edey would be a look that opponents would have to seriously prepare for when game planning for the Nuggets, a team who is already a scouting report nightmare. His size alone would challenge opponents and add an extra layer to Denver's versatile rotation. His experience would fit in well with the best team in the league, and he would be learning from one of the best centers of all-time. Like I said, I don't really think Edey projects to be a great NBA player, but he could be a not-so-secret weapon for a team who will be competing for championships for the next half-decade.

pc: via Sports Illustrated

30. Boston Celtics - Devin Carter - 6'3" 195lbs - Guard - Providence

At first glance, the Celtics don't need another guard, but Devin Carter is too good of a player to not be taken in the first-round. Also, what do the Celtics have to lose by adding another elite defensive guard to their backcourt rotation. I assume that they would rather take a big man here, but there is a big gap between Carter and the next best big in this class. Carter is one of the best perimeter defenders in this class in addition to showing significant growth on offense this season. He could add a different layer to the Celtics' bench backcourt rotation in comparison to someone like Payton Pritchard, who is an offensive threat primarily. Carter is a mid-first guy on my personal big board, so him falling to the Celtics here at thirty would be incredible value for one of the best teams in the league.

pc: via Yahoo Sports

There it is, my second mock draft of the 2024 NBA Draft cycle. Between now and draft day I would like to get a few more big boards out and a few more mock drafts. Obviously, between now and then most of these guys will make their decision on if they're staying or going, which will shake up boards. I think we see quite a few of these guys decide to stay in school for another year despite being mocked in the first-round. Be on the lookout for my next big board article, as it should be out within the next week or two. I am also working on some articles covering mid-major under the radar guys, so check those out as well.