2024 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Full First-Round Prediction

As we finish up the first round of the NBA Playoffs, we must remember that the NBA Draft Lottery is just a few days away. That means we will know who will be drafting where in the 2024 NBA Draft, and I will be able to stop using random simulations to come up with the draft order for these mock drafts. However, we do not know the official draft order quite yet, and it has been over a month since my last mock draft, so the simulation must be used one last time. So today I will be cooking up my second-to-last mock draft before the actual draft, and likely my last mock draft that only predicts the first round. Let's get started.

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

At this point in the draft process I'm relatively firm on my opinion that Alex Sarr should be taken with the first pick. There may be a couple teams that wouldn't take him only because they have a young big who's near his level and they would rather draft for fit, but those teams are few and far between. Needless to say, the Wizards are not one of those teams. After trading away starting center Daniel Gafford to the Mavericks at the trade deadline; Washington will surely be looking for his replacement in this draft. If they do end up with the first pick, there is no better choice than French big man Alex Sarr. Sarr has been the consensus top player in this class for a while now, and even though a few names have surpassed him for short stretches, he remains at the top for the majority of evaluators. He's a very fluid two-way big who offers a defensive presence on day one and a high offensive ceiling that's ready to be developed. In Washington, he wouldn't have to shoulder much of the offensive load out of the gate and could instead focus on defense on the floor while he works on his offense off of it. I think he's a relatively safe long-term bet and will be a franchise building block for whatever team takes him.

pc: via NBA

2. Charlotte Hornets - Ron Holland - 6'8" 206lbs - Guard/Forward - G-League Ignite

This is an odd situation, because I think if the Hornets are drafting purely for fit, they would take a shooting guard. However, at this point in the draft I'm not sure you draft for fit. In addition to that, I believe Ron Holland is capable of playing the two. Holland is a guy who has floated all over my big board, but I think I've settled on him being a top-three guy in this draft. I am of the opinion that he may be the only guy in this draft with real star potential, and for that reason I'm willing to somewhat ignore some of the red flags that have him lower on other boards. I think when it's all said and done, front offices will agree with that sentiment, and he will be taken near the top of the draft. He's already a fantastic defender with great size, and he has shown enough offensive flashes for me to believe in his development on that side of the floor. The Hornets are a team that really just need talent at the moment, as they are very far away from competing. They hit on their pick last year, taking Brandon Miller second overall, and I think if they go with Holland in this position they will hit with their pick once again.

pc: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

3. Portland Trail-Blazers - Matas Buzelis - 6'10" 209lbs - Wing - G-League Ignite

The Blazers aren't the most difficult team to draft for because at the very least we know what they don't need: guards. They also probably aren't interested in drafting a big man after investing in Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams last Summer. That's why I think they'll likely target a wing in this draft, and the safest wing in this class, in my opinion, is Matas Buzelis. Buzelis is a wing by virtue of his size alone, as he actually has a skillset more fitting of a guard. This is a good thing, of course, as his fluidity on the wing is incredibly impressive and unique. He has a very high offensive ceiling, as he's capable of doing just about everything on that end of the floor. His defense is below average at the moment, but I trust in his feel for the game enough to believe that he has a defensive presence somewhere in his future. I think he fits in perfectly on the Blazers, and if players like Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe can continue to grow alongside him I think you'll be shocked to see them as a playoff team in just a couple of seasons.

pc: NBA/Getty Images

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

It would be a brutal look for Detroit if they fell to fourth in this draft after the horrific season they just had. They would also likely miss out on guys like Sarr, Holland, and Buzelis if they fell out of the top three. Knowing that they need a forward more than anything, I think they would likely take a player like French wing Zaccharie Risacher in this position. In the last mock draft, I had Risacher going first overall to the Pistons, but since then he has seriously struggled. His primary strength is that he's a big wing with great size who can shoot the leather off the ball, but lately he hasn't been able to shoot much at all. He's gone on the worst shooting stretch of his young career, and it has caused him to drop on boards. I will admit, he dropped several spots on my personal big board. That said, we did see him have a stretch of very impressive basketball, which I think still gives teams and scouts hope that he can consistently be that player. He's still a very good defender with solid physical attributes, he just needs to prove he can consistently score. So, while he may not be this high on my board, I think in real time there's a good chance he still goes pretty high.

pc: via Euroleague

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

I stand firm in my opinion that the Spurs are likely targeting Nikola Topic in this draft to be their point guard of the future. I actually think there's a good argument for him being a top-three talent in this draft, but I just don't see any of the teams I listed previously taking a guard. That said, I think he's perfect for the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama. The big point guard is an excellent offensive initiator who can get his own looks and generate for others. His playmaking acumen is what makes him so intriguing for San Antonio, who are looking for a guard who can put their new franchise cornerstone in the best possible positions to score. Now, they do have Tre Jones on the roster, and he's also very good at doing that, but he doesn't have the size or scoring abilities that Topic has. While he isn't a great defender as of today, his physical traits do stand out as something that should lend themselves to helping him on the defensive end. I am of the opinion that Nikola Topic is the best bet in this draft for a long-term partner in crime next to Wembanyama, and I have a feeling that the San Antonio front office agrees.

pc: via NBA Draft FN

6. Toronto Raptors - Reed Sheppard - 6'3" 187lbs - Combo Guard - Kentucky

The Raptors are an odd team to draft for, mostly because I'm relatively happy with their starting lineup. Their issue is that they have no depth and would likely be drafting for it in this position. That's why I'm not sure what they would be looking for positionally, as they need depth at every spot. I decided to go with Reed Sheppard because he can offer support at both guard positions, and he'll be ready to play on day one. I also considered a few big men who we will talk about in a bit but decided that as long as Poeltl and Olynyk are on the roster they probably won't take a big. Sheppard was one of the best shooters in college basketball as a freshman this past season, and also spent some time in discussions for the best perimeter defending freshman in the country. He offers a ton on both sides right out of the gate and has a super high floor. This has to interest a Toronto team that always seems to be right on the verge of making a playoff run. I really do like the direction their heading with their team building process and I think that Sheppard would be a nice touch as a very valuable young role player.

pc: Jordan Prather/USA Today Sports

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

I think it's very obvious what the Grizzlies are planning to do in this draft. They cleared out their center rotation this past season with the intent to draft a center this year. Now, if they somehow vault to the top pick, they will obviously take Sarr, but if they end up anywhere else, I think they will take Donovan Clingan out of UConn. In fact, I think they will trade up to get him if they have to. Clingan has jumped up boards across the draft sphere after an amazing NCAA tournament run that saw him act as arguably the best player on the eventual championship winning team. He's a defensive beast, coming in as probably the best rim protector in this draft. He has a good touch on the other end and is able to score relatively easily in one-on-one matchups against defenders smaller than him. When he is doubled, he's a fantastic decision maker and passer who seems to always make the right read. His fit in Memphis simply makes too much sense. He'll be one-half of the twin towers playing alongside Jaren Jackson, and they will be backing up superstar Ja Morant when he returns from injury. Don't be surprised if this Memphis team ends up competing next year with Clingan as the starting five, putting him in Rookie of the Year conversations.

pc: via playerswiki

8. Utah Jazz - Stephon Castle - 6'6" 215lbs - Guard/Forward - Connecticut

Utah is another team in a sticky situation in this draft. I could see them going a lot of different ways here. They have a decent starting lineup next year that combines youth and star power, as they pair a few rookies and sophomores up with all-star Lauri Markkanen. That said, they could really use some legitimate depth pieces. I foresee them getting rid of some of their players this offseason, including guys like Jordan Clarkson, Talen Horton-Tucker, and possibly John Collins. They need to add a depth piece that can play right away while also maintaining some room to grow in a solid Utah development program. That's why I have them taking Stephon Castle here at eight. Castle is coming off a national championship with UConn where he played some of the best perimeter defense I've ever seen a freshman play in college. He was absolutely fantastic on that end of the floor, and I think he will be a positive defender in the league right away. He has a lot to work on when it comes to his offensive game, but he's shown flashes of being solid at everything on that end too. He just needs to find consistency. The Jazz have complained about not having role-playing defensive wings for as long as I can remember, and here they'll have a chance to get someone who projects to be that type of guy.

pc: Darron Cummings/AP

9. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn) - Cody Williams - 6'8" 190lbs - Wing - Colorado

This is a really tough spot for the Rockets, because I think their top target at this point in the draft would be Reed Sheppard. I think Sheppard would fit their current roster construction better than any other player in this range, but I doubt he falls to ninth. The Rockets aren't a team that need to find a starter or heavy contributor in this draft, and because of that I think they may take a swing on a high upside guy like Cody Williams. No matter who they take, if it's a younger player with room to grow, I think they'll get stowed away in the G-League. Williams is one of the more intriguing players in this draft, because he really does look like a guy who could become one of the better players out of this class. The issue is that his production wasn't fantastic in his lone season at Colorado. The flashes though, they were there, and they were incredibly impressive. That's why I think a team like the Rockets are willing to take him in and try to develop him in an NBA development system. I trust the Rockets to turn him into the best version of himself, and that's why I'm comfortable projecting him to go here.

pc: Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports

10. Atlanta Hawks - Dalton Knecht - 6'6" 204lbs - Guard/Wing - Tennessee

Again, this is a tough team to mock because of their current situation. It looks like the Hawks are going to move on from either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this offseason. There's a good chance they move on from both, but I actually think that Trae is more likely to be on a different team next season. The reason I took Knecht is because I'm comfortable he will be a solid scoring option at the two if Murray is moved to the one. The other option was Rob Dillingham, and I just don't see the Hawks wanting to take another small guard who's good on offense and awful on defense after getting rid of Trae. I have a feeling they want a guard with some size. At the end of the day, they should be building around Jalen Johnson now, and I prefer Knecht's fit alongside him to Dillingham's. I will admit that Knecht is a bad defender as well, but I do think once he gets to the league and figures out that he can't stick around just by being an above average scoring option, and he will begin to figure out how to use his size as a defensive advantage. I don't think he'll ever be a particularly good defender, but he will be better on that end than Dillingham.

pc: via Knox News

11. Chicago Bulls - Isaiah Collier - 6'5" 210lbs - Guard - USC

I think next year's Chicago Bulls team looks completely different. I don't think LaVine, DeRozan, or Vucevic will be wearing a Bulls jersey next season. That said, Coby White will be wearing a Bulls jersey, and I think they are going to give him a year to see if he can be the guy for this team going forward. In this draft they will likely take a guy that they can pair with White, and that's why I have them going with Isaiah Collier. Similar to the last pick, they will not go with a guy like Rob Dillingham, because a backcourt of him and White would be horrendous defensively. I also don't see a big on the board that they would love to take, even though I'm a big fan of DaRon Holmes personally. Because their roster is going to be empty, I have a feeling they take a swing on a high upside guy like Collier and hope that he can turn into the player that he was once projected to be. If he can reach his ceiling playing alongside Coby White, Chicago could have a very good backcourt going forward. The hope is that they build the rest of the roster out to support these guys.

pc: via Pac12

12. OKC Thunder (via Houston) - Kyle Filipowski - 7'0" 248lbs - Forward/Center - Duke

I could see OKC going one of two ways in this draft. They either take the best player available and try to get even richer despite that player maybe having to wait their turn, or they draft for fit and get a guy that they feel will immediately be a contributor in their rotation. Because they are already a contender and will be for a long time, I feel like they will go with fit. As of today, the only hole they have on their roster is size. They have Holmgren, who while he is a fantastic interior defender, isn't super strong. Then they have Jaylin Williams, who I believe is more of a four than a five. That's why I have them taking Duke big man Kyle Filipowski. The issue? I also think he's more of a four than he is a five. That said, I think he'll be a better option as a backup five than Williams will be long-term. So, while Filipowski may not be the perfect fit for OKC's needs, he's a good enough fit to justify being taken here. I just don't think they'll take the best player available again and risk causing a logjam that is already seeming to be somewhat of an issue.

pc: via Sportingnews

13. Sacramento Kings - Rob Dillingham - 6'3" 176lbs - Combo Guard - Kentucky

I could see Rob Dillingham being taken much higher than this, the issue is that I think a ton of teams are going to be incredibly weary of his defensive capabilities. I don't think the Kings are one of those teams. In addition to that, there's a chance that Malik Monk is not in Sacramento next season. They are going to need a guy to take over some of the off-the-bench offensive load if that ends up being the case. Dillingham would be the perfect guy to do that. I think that Dillingham doesn't have the highest ceiling because his defense is so bad, but I think there's a very good chance he could turn into a Malik Monk type player. He's not a guy that you draft as a foundational piece, but he can be a valuable offensive option no matter what system he plays in. His offensive output next to the defensive presence of guys like Davion Mitchell and Keon Ellis in that second unit will fit really well. I highly highly doubt that Dillingham will fall any farther than this pick.

pc: Kyle Ross/USA Today Sports

14. Portland Trail-Blazers (via Golden State) - Tidjane Salaun - 6'9" 203lbs - Forward - Cholet

The more I look at the Blazers' roster, the more I am incredibly intrigued by it. If even a few of these guys reach anywhere near their ceilings this team will be very good in a couple of years. That's why I think they keep drafting for potential and take Tidjane Salaun, who has one of the higher ceilings in this draft. I had them taking Matas Buzelis with their third pick, who's another guy with an incredibly high ceiling. Both Buzelis and Salaun will likely play the four, but there is a world where one of them find their footing at the three and they're able to play together. I just think Salaun is too interesting to not get taken in a situation like this where a team is looking for pure talent instead of for fit. The Blazers have an incredibly deep young core of wings/forwards in guys like Jabari Walker, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, Rayan Rupert, and Dalano Banton. While that seems like a logjam at face value, I think of it more as a constantly revolving rotation of guys moving up and down into and out of the G-League until they hit their potential and either make the team of the future or have good trade value. Having these guys is going to be a good problem for Portland.

pc: Cholet Basketball

15. Miami Heat - Devin Carter - 6'3" 195lbs - Point Guard - Providence

The Miami Heat have a very unique draft philosophy, and this year they have a chance to use that philosophy and select a guy who will fit into their rotation right away. Devin Carter is one of the best pure point guards in this draft who will be an NBA level guard on both ends on day one. He played three years in college, which is something that Miami actually likes when looking at prospects. They need a point guard out of this draft, because I highly doubt they're putting a ton of stock into Terry Rozier and Delon Wright going forward if they want to continue to compete in the Jimmy Butler window. Because of that window, I doubt they take a guy who may or may not be ready to play right away. All signs point to them taking a guy like Devin Carter here if they don't tear the team apart this offseason. If for some reason they do go into a rebuild they will probably take a younger player with a higher ceiling, but that just doesn't seem like something the Heat would do.

pc: via Yahoo Sports

16. Philadelphia 76ers - DaRon Holmes II - 6'10 235lbs - Forward/Center - Dayton

I'm just not super high on the 76ers' long-term outlook, which seems crazy considering they have the reigning MVP in Joel Embiid and a guy who will be an all-star every year in Tyrese Maxey. The issue is that, apart from those two, there's not a single player on the team that I'm a big fan of. I'm okay with Kelly Oubre going forward, but that's about it. That's why I have them taking DaRon Holmes, who can fill their likely hole at the four. Holmes is one of my favorite players in this draft, and he's another guy that I think will be ready to play right away. He's an incredibly skilled big that can do just about everything on the offensive end while also being a very good rim protector on the other end. This would allow the 76ers to play a diet version of the defensive system that has worked incredibly well for the Timberwolves; having Holmes as a primary matchup while Embiid lies in waiting behind him. Now, do I think this suddenly solves all of Philadelphia's issues? Not even close. But at the very least it's a good start.

pc: Dayton Athletics

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

Here's an example of a guy who I think will be drafted in the top-20 who I don't think is worth a top-20 pick, but because this is a mock draft I have to give you an accurate order and not just an order based on my opinion. Ja'Kobe Walter started his freshman year as a projected lottery pick, but an inconsistent season has left evaluators questioning his fit in the league. His primary strength is his shooting, but he had a very mediocre shooting season. He was also supposed to be a lock down defender as well, and he simply wasn't. Because his two biggest strengths were not exactly strengths this season, he has fallen on boards. That said, he showed enough flashes that I think a team will still take him relatively soon after the lottery. He had some really good outings; he just couldn't put together those outings consistently. If a team believes that the reason for that inconsistency was a lack of experience and that that won't be a problem long-term, then they can justify drafting him pretty high in this draft.

18. Orlando Magic - Jared McCain - 6'3" 197lbs - Combo Guard - Duke

The Magic are coming off of a first-round loss where they showed that they are capable of being a very good team going forward. The one thing that they severely lacked in that series, and lacked all season long, is shooting. They also lacked consistent guard play outside of Jalen Suggs. These two weaknesses are going to be present in the mind of the Orlando Magic front office, which is why I could see them taking Jared McCain here. McCain is one of the top three-point shooters in this draft, and I'm very confident that that trait will translate to the league. He is odd positionally, as he's built like a point but plays more like a two. That said, he showed flashes of being a capable lead guard this season, and I think that's likely how he will be played in the NBA. He's a strong guard who's difficult to push around, and while he isn't a fantastic defender he's definitely a good one. These traits make me a big fan of the McCain and Suggs backcourt in Orlando. He's also probably the best player available at this point in the draft, meaning the Magic are able to draft for talent and fit.

pc: via Dukeblog

19. Toronto Raptors (via Indiana) - Tyler Smith - 6'11" 224lbs - Forward - G-League Ignite

Tyler Smith is one of the more intriguing players in this draft, and the Raptors are a team that love to draft unique players with high ceilings. Not only is that the case, but the Raptors are in desperate need of depth at the three and four. For being as big as he is, Tyler Smith is an incredibly fluid offensive option with a great shot from deep. There are some serious questions concerning his defense, but the Raptors have enough very good defenders to play alongside him that these issues can be hidden. His offensive output and ability to space the floor would be massive for a Toronto team that struggled to find an offensive identity this season. He also has one of the higher ceilings in this draft, and the Raptors are well known for having a very good development system. If he can reach his ceiling, I think he could be one of the better players in this draft, meaning that this is incredible value at pick 19.

pc: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

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

Something that has stood out to me while watching the Cavaliers sneak out of their first-round matchup against Orlando is that their depth on the wing is atrocious. At first, they were playing Georges Niang, and when they realized how awful he was playing their only option was Marcus Morris. They have several options for a solid two-way wing at this point in the draft, but I think they'll go with experience and take Tristan da Silva knowing that he'll be able to play right away. Da Silva is a super interesting prospect who offers a ton on offense. He would fit well into their offensive system as a guy who can both space the floor and put the ball on the floor if necessary. His size and length also offer some versatility on defense, definitely more than guys like Niang or Max Strus. He's not going to win this Cavaliers team championships, but he's a good building block for a team seems to be heading in somewhat the right direction.

pc: Cliff Grassmick

21. New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee) - Johnny Furphy - 6'9" 202lbs - Wing - Kansas

I am pretty confident that the Pelicans will be moving on from Brandon Ingram this offseason. That means they will likely go all in on Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy, which I think is a good move. If that's the case, then you have to draft a guy who will fit well in a Zion-oriented system. What's the best trait for a player playing alongside Zion? Shooting. Who do the Pelicans love to draft? Wings with good size and athleticism. I present to you, Johnny Furphy. Furphy showed a ton of potential in his freshman season at Kansas, but what he showed the most of was his shooting acumen. He's one of the best shooters in this draft, and he may be the best shooting wing in this draft. He's also an athletic guy with a very good feel for the game, which gives me hope for his ability to defend at an NBA level. I think he's one of the best players available at this point in the draft, but most importantly, I think he's the perfect fit to play alongside Zion Williamson.

pc: Reed Hoffman/AP Photo

22. Phoenix Suns - Ryan Dunn - 6'8" 216lbs - Guard/Wing - Virginia

Look, the Suns could have the first pick in this draft, and they would still be facing a dumpster fire. They're just going to have to do the best they can with the pick they land. I think we all can admit, the Suns don't have to upgrade offensively. Could their offense fit together better? Sure, but they have shot making for days. I think their most pressing matter is defense. I thought about having them draft a center here because of how bad Nurkic has been lately, but I think they can pick up a center later in this draft. I think they should be looking to take a game breaking defender here, and Ryan Dunn is probably the best option for that. There's an argument to be made that Dunn is the best defender in this draft, and that he could be taken much higher than this. The issue is that he has no real offensive game. While you would hope that he can develop some sort of offensive game, that's not incredibly vital if he ends up on the Suns. If he's capable of guarding number-one options like I think he can down the line, he would be wildly valuable for this Phoenix team.

pc: Amber Searls/USA Today Sports

23. Milwaukee Bucks (via New Orleans) - Jaylon Tyson - 6'7" 215lbs - Guard/Wing - California

I could see the Bucks taking a swing on a guy like Jaylon Tyson out of Cal here simply because there aren't many top prospects at this point that I think fit well in Milwaukee. When I look at this Milwaukee team, I see a group that desperately needs someone to pair alongside Damian Lillard in the backcourt. While I don't see Tyson as a pure two, I think he would fit well in that spot in this situation. He offers a ton of offensive versatility, and he has the size and physical tools to defend guards. Now, the best-case scenario would be for Milwaukee to find a legitimate two and have Tyson come off of the bench as a wing. I think this would be perfect for him, as he could showcase his full bag of offensive talents. He's an experienced guy who can slot into the rotation on day one, which is incredibly important for a team who is very obviously looking to compete right now.

pc: University of California Athletics

24. New York Knicks (via Dallas) - Zach Edey - 7'4" 300lbs - Center - Purdue

Well, here ya go, I have Zach Edey getting taken by the Knicks, because of course I do. While I am not confident in Edey's outlook as an NBA player, I could see Tom Thibodeau being very interested in Edey here. While I don't see a world where Edey is the same dominant force that he was in college when he gets to the league, I can admit that he does a few things well. He will set tough screens, which will be huge for Jalen Brunson. He's going to grab rebounds and get a few buckets in the interior every game. On the other end I don't think he'll block a ton of shots, but he can act as an interior deterrent. I don't think he's capable of being a starting caliber center in the league, but I wouldn't mind him as a backup. His unique player profile offers teams some versatility when it comes to rotations and simply can throw off opponents at times. He's not a game breaker, but he's still someone that opposing teams will have to gameplan for. All that to say, I don't mind the Knicks taking him here.

pc: via Sports Illustrated

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

With back-to-back picks, I think the Knicks take back-to-back contributors. Tyler Kolek is probably the best pure floor general in this draft, and I think he could offer teams a ton as a lead guard in a second unit. I think the Knicks will move Miles McBride to the full-time backup two next season, leaving room for someone to backup Brunson at the point. That would be the perfect situation for Kolek. When he runs with the second unit, he will not only be able to get his own looks, but he'll also be surrounded by impact role players who can knocks down shots when he finds them. He really could be the missing piece for a Knicks team that some would already consider a contender. I don't think he has much of a ceiling, but he has a very high floor, and can be an impact player for a contending team on day one. I think the Knicks will be looking to walk away with him in this draft more than any other prospect.

pc: via Forbes

26. Washington Wizards (via Clippers) - Yves Missi - 7'0" 235lbs - Baylor

After having them take Alex Sarr with the first-overall pick, I think the Wizards may lock up their center rotation by taking Yves Missi with their late first-rounder. I could also see them taking a point guard, but I think there's more talent here for a backup five than for a lead guard. A ton of teams would love to have Missi as a future starting caliber five, and the Wizards are going to be able to get him as a backup. That's fantastic value. There's even a world where Sarr develops more into a four and they are able to play together. There are several options here if they decide to go with Missi, and they are all very interesting. For example, a lineup featuring Bilal Coulibaly, Deni Avdija, Sarr, and Missi would be an absolute monster defensively. That's a lineup capable of defending some of the best teams in the league if Sarr and Missi are developed properly. If things aren't working out rotationally or positionally, the Wizards could always move Missi down the road, who will have legitimate value. I think this would be a very good pickup for the Wizards, no matter how they want to go about using their newfound big men.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jamal Shead - 6'1" 200lbs - Point Guard - Houston

When I look at this Timberwolves team, I only see one position of need, and that is the backup point guard. There are a few options to fill that void, but I think the T-Wolves will be looking to take a point guard who can hold his own on the defensive end. That is simply how they are building their identity, and it seems to be working. If that is the case, the only real option is Jamal Shead, who is by far the best defensive point guard in this class. I actually think he would be the perfect fit for Minnesota. While I don't have him this high on my big board, I can admit that he's probably the best guy for the job if Minnesota is looking to draft that archetype of player. He will be able to contribute on day one, and he will be able to defend NBA level point guards. I'm not sure how much he offers them offensively, but I do believe he can run an offense and allow other guys to shine. I just hope Minnesota doesn't take a guy who will rot away sitting behind their guys, and instead gives someone like Shead a chance to make them better right away.

pc: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

28. Denver Nuggets - P.J. Hall - 6'10" 238lbs - Forward/Center - Clemson

Clemson big man P.J. Hall is one of my favorite players in this draft, and I think he would fit the Denver Nuggets very well. He is an experienced big who plays kind of like a diet Nikola Jokic. Now, that's not me saying he'll be near the level of Jokic, only that he possesses some of the traits that make Jokic so special. He's a big that can run the offense via his strong passing acumen, while also being able to generate his own points by shooting the three and backing down defenders inside. He could come in with the second unit and maintain the offensive philosophy that has separated the Nuggets from their peers. He would be a way better backup five option than anybody the Nuggets currently have, and his experience level means he has a better chance of translating right away than younger options that the Nuggets could be choosing from.

pc: via Clemsonwire

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

The Jazz have a good crop of young guys, but they need to start molding their true rotation of the future. That means they're going to have to decide whether or not Walker Kessler is their center of the future going forward. I think a great way to do that is to really challenge him for his position, and maybe even bring in a guy who's better than him. Now, I don't think Kel'el Ware has near the rim protecting ceiling that Kessler has, but he's definitely a more polished offensive piece. If they were to take Ware here and have him back up Kessler next season, they could determine if defense or offense is more valuable in their center. Whoever they don't go with will have a ton of trade value and can help the team build depth via trade. I have Ware way higher than this on my big board, so if the Jazz were able to snag him at 29 that would be incredible value.

30. Boston Celtics - Kevin McCullar - 6'7" 212lbs - Wing - Kansas

Everyone has sort of cooled off on Kevin McCullar after he wasn't able to finish out his collegiate career on the floor due to injuries. However, when he was playing, he was one of the best players in the country. For years he has been a premier defensive prospect, something that I think will come to fruition in whatever situation he finds himself in. In addition to that, this past season he really blossomed into a great offensive piece. He could immediately contribute on a Celtics team that lacks depth at times. He could play the 2 and both forward positions and offer an impact on both sides of the court. The Celtics are going to have to get a guy who can help them compete as a rookie, and I think McCullar is one of the better options available for that at this point in the draft. He won in college, and I think he can be a winning player in the league.

pc: Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal