2024 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Full First-Round Prediction

As we near the one-week away mark for the 2024 NBA Draft, it's time for me to put together my final mock draft for this year's cycle. It has been about a month since my last first-round mock draft, which means there have been several significant changes in the draft sphere, which will be represented in this mock. Since my last mock, we also saw the draft lottery come to fruition, so now we know the exact order of the draft, and for the sake of the mock I will be ignoring any potential trading of picks. All of that said, let's put together a mock draft one last time before things get real.

1.Atlanta Hawks - Alexandre Sarr - 7'1" 217lbs - Center - Perth

Nothing has changed for me as far as the top spot in this draft is concerned. Some folks have worries about Sarr's fit in Atlanta, and that they may decide to go in a different direction, but I believe that if they are still picking first on draft night, they will be taking Sarr. At this point in the draft cycle, he has simply separated himself from his peers in my mind, and I believe this to be the consensus opinion among NBA front offices. I also don't see why people aren't interested in Sarr's fit in Atlanta. He adds defense to a team that has desperately needed that for years. He also adds another lob threat to the mix alongside Trae Young, who I assume will still be a Hawk next season as of right now. I think he can play the four if Onyeka Okongwu is the preferred option at the five, and he allows the team to easily move on from Clint Capela and save some money in the process. There is a chance that Atlanta moves this pick if they truly are more interested in another prospect, and even if that does happen, I think Sarr will be the pick for whatever team ends up in this spot.

pc: via NBA

2. Washington Wizards - Donovan Clingan - 7'2" 280lbs - Center - Connecticut

If there was any team that I could see moving up to the top spot in this draft to take Alex Sarr, I think it would be the Wizards. However, I'm not sure if I would love that move as if I were running things in Washington, I would rather have both of my picks in the first-round rather than just the first selection. The Wizards desperately need a center to step in for Daniel Gafford, who they dealt to the Mavericks at the trade deadline. Some argue that they would rather draft a backup point guard, but I think their lack of big man depth is simply too glaring. That's why I think they will go with Donovan Clingan here with the second pick, as he's the clear second-best center in this draft class. He also adds a ton of defense to a team that is clearly building a strong identity on that end with young players like Deni Avdija and Bilal Coulibaly. I am high on his long-term offensive outlook as well, and while I don't think he'll be a gamebreaker on that end I do think he'll be better than your average rim protecting big man. I like his fit alongside the Wizards' young core, especially if they move on from players like Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole down the line.

pc: via playerswiki

3. Houston Rockets - Reed Sheppard - 6'3" 187lbs - Combo Guard - Kentucky

I don't think the Rockets will be drafting third on draft night, but if they do decide to keep this pick, I think they will choose to go with the sharpshooting Reed Sheppard. The Rockets need nothing more than shooting right now, as that is the clear missing link between them and being a real playoff team. That being the case, it makes too much sense to select Sheppard, who is the best shooter in this draft. The Rockets could also use consistency, as several of their players will often hit crazy highs before hitting longer slumps. I believe that Sheppard will be one of the more consistent and mature contributors out of this draft, as his IQ and feel for the game are far beyond his years. While he isn't a guy with a wildly high overall ceiling due to some size and positional concerns, he's the type of high-floor prospect that helps teams win on the margins. I think his outside shooting will shine playing alongside a fantastic playmaker in Alperen Sengun. I also think that any size concerns on the defensive end will be hidden by the elite defenders on this Rockets team. This fit is too perfect to ignore, I just think there's a chance the Rockets can trade down a few spots and still get him.

pc: Jordan Prather/USA Today Sports

4. San Antonio Spurs - Zaccharie Risacher - 6'8" 204lbs - Wing - JL Bourg

Here's one of the bigger shockers, as I really don't think the Spurs should take Risacher here at four. However, I don't see a world where they walk away without one of Risacher or Tidjane Salaun, and if he's sitting here at four, I don't think they'll pass on him. The big need for the Spurs, in my opinion, is a big playmaking guard to put alongside Wembanyama in an effort to create an unstoppable two-man game. That said, I believe they are partial to the French prospects in this draft, and Risacher is as high as number-one on some people's boards (which I believe is crazy, to be fair). I do like Risacher's ability to shoot the ball and space the floor for Victor, which is something that the Spurs lacked at times this season. That said, he'd probably have to play over Jeremy Sochan, and I prefer Sochan to Risacher by a large margin. It just seems like an awkward situation overall, and yet I have a pretty good feeling that the Spurs will take him here at four. I don't want to be overly negative, because I like Risacher's game, but I think he would fit better in most other situations.

pc: via Euroleague

5. Detroit Pistons - Matas Buzelis - 6'10" 209lbs - Wing - G-League Ignite

If Matas Buzelis is still sitting here at five I think the Pistons will be jumping for joy. I think Buzelis has a real chance at being the best player out of this draft long-term, which means he's the perfect development piece for an ever-rebuilding Pistons team that finally made some big changes in the front office this off-season. He probably has the best positional size in this draft, as he plays like a shooting guard at 6'10". He is a wing, and will play as one at the next level, but he has real guard skills. He's a super versatile offensive piece with intriguing shot-creation skills, he just has to start making those shots at a more efficient clip. He's not a bad defender, but he's also nothing to write home about on that end. Some of these defensive woes will be lessened as he'll be sharing the court with lockdown defender Ausar Thompson. I think he comfortably takes the starting four spot away from Simone Fontecchio, and if this new developmental team in Detroit is as solid as it's supposed to be I have no worries about Buzelis' future as a Piston.

pc: NBA/Getty Images

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

I would absolutely love this pick for the Hornets here at six, as I have Ron Holland as the second-best prospect on my personal board. That said, this isn't about my personal board. The reason why I think the Hornets may take Holland here is that he would immediately fill their very obvious hole at the two. Most of the time you don't want a guy like Holland, someone who isn't the greatest shooter at the moment, running your two-guard spot, but I don't think that matters as much on this Hornets team. There are a ton of good three-point shooters on their roster, which would make up for the lack of immediate outside shooting production from Holland. I think Charlotte is still at the point in their rebuild where they should be drafting solely based on talent, and I believe that Holland is one of the most talented players in this draft. They made a great move last year taking Brandon Miller second overall, so I trust their decision in this draft, but I think the value with Holland here is pretty solid.

pc: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

7. Portland Trail-Blazers - Stephon Castle - 6'6" 215lbs - Combo Guard - Connecticut

The Blazers are in a weird spot in this draft, so why not have them take a weird prospect in Stephon Castle. As of late, Castle, who was previously listed as a two-guard or small forward, has claimed that he is actually a point guard. I'm not sure I agree with this, but I do think he does have real point guard skills and I understand why he thinks this. That said, I still think he'll likely play the two at the next level, but for the sake of how his player profile has now developed I've changed his "position" to combo guard. The thing is, that works perfectly for Portland, who are loaded up on threes and wings. There is also significant buzz that the Blazers may be moving leading scorer and starting shooting guard Anfernee Simons at some point in this off-season. If that buzz ends up coming to fruition, Castle could fit in perfectly at the two next to last year's number-three pick Scoot Henderson. I like the defense he'll be bringing to the table, I like him adding to the Blazers' athletic identity, and I like his fit alongside the current Portland roster. I'm not sure he would agree with this overall assessment, but I highly doubt he'll fall too much farther than this in this draft.

pc: Darron Cummings/AP

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

I've been on the Nikola Topic to San Antonio train for a while now, and while his recent injury concerns have slightly dropped him on my board, I still see them snagging him here at eight. Topic is the best playmaker of the top prospects in this draft, so all of that stuff I said earlier about the Spurs needing to pair Wembanyama with a big pass-first playmaker reigns true here. I like his fit way too much alongside Wembanyama to have him falling past this pick. I also recognize that the Spurs do like taking international prospects, and that the value here at eight is fantastic considering he was a top-five guy before his recent ACL injury. He's a great interior scorer and a decent outside shooter, so he offers more offensive value than just his passing. He is a not-so-good defender at the moment, but his positional size is fantastic, and he would have the best shot-blocker in the league backing him up here. I trust in the San Antonio development team to polish up his weaknesses, which is another reason why I love him here. Again, the fit is just too perfect to ignore.

pc: via NBA Draft FN

9. Memphis Grizzlies - Devin Carter - 6'3" 195lbs - Point Guard - Providence

Do the Grizzlies desperately need to get a center in this draft? Yes. Do I think their first pick in this draft will be a backup point guard? Yes. You may be asking me why that is, so let me tell you. First, I think if this ends up being the case then the Grizzlies will trade down a couple of picks to get Carter and a late first-rounder to get their center. Second, there is some serious stuff that is leading me in this direction. A couple of weeks ago it came out that a lottery team gave Carter a promise that they would select him with their lottery pick. He then stopped working out for teams, which further supported this report. His father is an assistant coach for the Grizzlies, which means Carter has been connected to Memphis for a while now. I just don't see another team here that I think would give him that promise, which leads me to believe it's the Grizzlies. In addition to all of that, he would make a fantastic backup point guard behind Ja Morant. He's one of the best two-way players in this draft and adds win-now value to a team that will be looking to contend as soon as next season. Does he fill their biggest need? No. Does he fill a need, and offer more value than the centers available here? Yes.

pc: via Yahoo Sports

10. Utah Jazz - Cody Williams - 6'8" 180lbs - Wing - Colorado

Cody Williams is a super intriguing prospect, and while I have no idea what he will end up being at the next level, I think Utah would be crazy to pass on him here. I really like his defense, but his offensive game does confuse me. That said, he has shown flashes of being a real three-level scorer and I think at worst he will find his niche on the offensive end and be very good at whatever that niche ends up being. I do think he will end up being a very solid defender at the NBA level, and in a draft like this, that alone should carry a ton of weight. I believe he has one of the higher ceilings in this draft, and while I also think he has a pretty low floor, I wouldn't be too worried about that if I were in the Jazz front office. Here at 10, I think Williams is probably the most valuable prospect they could take, and at this point in the Jazz's rebuild I think that's all that really matters.

pc: Roy Chenoy/USA Today Sports

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

This Bulls team is in a really awkward spot considering their old guard is probably about to get shipped out of town, and their young core isn't fantastic. I really like Coby White, and I'm a fan of Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams, but after that there's a major talent drop off. At first, I considering having them draft a center here, as their depth at that position behind Vucevic is awful. However, I just don't see a center I think the Bulls would be willing to draft here at 11. That's why I have them drafting Isaiah Collier, who I believe is one of the most talented players in this draft. I like his fit on a Chicago team that is likely about to be very young, as he pushes the pace and gives a ton of effort on both ends. I think Collier has a higher ceiling than a lot of his peers in this tier of the draft, and that's really all that matters for a team that will probably be pretty bad for a while. I think his defense will support Coby White, who will be this team's number-one guy going forward. All in all, it may not be a perfect fit, but I do think it's a good enough fit to pick him based on his value and ceiling.

pc: via PAC12

12. Oklahoma City Thunder - Kel'el Ware - 7'0" 240lbs - Center - Indiana

One of the bigger risers since my last mock draft, Kel'el Ware has garnered a ton of lottery buzz as of late. He's a super naturally talented big man, and really the only thing that stood between him and being a lottery pick all season was his mentality. He's the type of guy to space-out during games, not give his full effort, and play lazily. That said, when he is on, he's certainly worth a lottery pick in this draft. The Thunder are a team that should be desperately looking to take a backup center in this draft, and if they stay here at twelve, I don't see a more realistic option than Ware. He spent two years in college, so he is a somewhat win-now player, but he's also still very young with a ton of room to grow. He fits the timeline, and he fits the team's current positional need. He's able to space the floor so he maintains the Thunder's overall offensive philosophy. By joining a team as competitive as the Thunder I think they will not only be able to hide his lapses in effort, but also make him care about the game 24/7. It just fits too well for both parties.

13. Sacramento Kings - Rob Dillingham - 6'2" 175lbs - Combo Guard - Kentucky

I could see Rob Dillingham being taken considerably higher than this, but there are just some positional questions that lead me to seeing him fall in the draft. That said, there's simply no chance he falls past the Kings here at thirteen. With Malik Monk likely getting paid by another team this offseason, the Kings will need a pure bucket-getter to take his minutes. If Dillingham is anything, he's a pure bucket-getter. I have serious questions about his positional fit, shot selection, and especially his defensive capabilities. Despite those questions, I do think he will be able to score the ball at the next level, especially in an off-the-bench capacity. Backing up another dynamic guard in De'Aaron Fox will be very beneficial for his long-term development and starting him off the bench will help to acclimate him to the NBA game. I think the fit makes sense here for both the Kings and Dillingham, even if he'll have to fall a bit to get here.

pc: Kyle Ross/USA Today Sports

14. Portland Trail-Blazers - Dalton Knecht - 6'6" 204lbs - Guard/Wing - Tennessee

If Dalton Knecht were to fall here to the end of the lottery, passing up on him would be a major mistake for Portland. I doubt he's who they're prepared to take here, but that's only because he will likely be taken higher than this. In fact, I could see the Blazers themselves considering him at pick seven. He's the most dynamic offensive player of any of the top prospects in this draft, but questions regarding his ceiling and his subpar defense will likely see him in the back half of the lottery. I do think Knecht would do better on a win-now team that needs an extra offensive contributor than on a young rebuilding team that's trying to figure out who to build around, so maybe he could be a trade piece. He's simply too valuable to pass up on here, even if his fit in Portland isn't ideal. If they did decide to keep him, I would actually probably start him over someone like Stephon Castle, as I just don't see Knecht as a bench guy on this Portland team. I really do think that if he landed in Portland, he would be one of their better players on day one. If I were in the Portland front office I would either trade down or trade Knecht after selecting him.

pc: via Knox News

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

I really have no idea what's going on in Miami. A month ago, I would have been almost 100% confident that they would take Jared McCain in this spot. Since then, major infighting between star Jimmy Butler and the team's front office has put the team's future in limbo. I'm still going to assume that Butler will be in Miami next season, but if they do decide to move on from him, I could see them choosing to go a different direction with this pick. As of right now I think their biggest need is consistent point guard play. That's why I have them taking Jared McCain, who while he didn't play the point at Duke does have very real point guard skills. He's a composed ball handler with fantastic feel for the game, and most importantly he's one of the best shooters in this draft. I think he could run the point for this Miami team in a year or two, but I would have him back up Terry Rozier in his rookie season. At the very least he will be a great shooter and solid guard defender, and at best he may add solid playmaking and floor general tools to his skillset. I think Miami is willing to bet on their developmental team to turn him into their point guard of the future.

pc: via Dukeblog

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

Here's another player the stopped working out for teams after he supposedly got a draft promise, but reports said it was simply a first-round team, not a lottery team. I just don't know why you would stop trying to raise your stock unless that promise came from a team right outside of the lottery. With that in mind, no other team makes quite as much sense as the 76ers. Philadelphia is a team that needs a win-now player who also has room to grow alongside Embiid, and I think Holmes is that guy. He's also positionally versatile enough to play the backup five or start at the four if they move on from Tobias Harris. This versatility gives the team more options in their team building process, which is vital for a team trying to build a contender around a top-five player in the league. His offensive playstyle and two-way impact will fit perfectly beside Embiid, who plays a very similar style (just at a way higher level). This pick makes a lot of sense, and it doesn't make quite as much sense for the teams around this part of the draft.

pc: Dayton Athletics

17. Los Angeles Lakers - Kyle Filipowski - 7'0" 248lbs - Forward/Center - Duke

I really wanted to have them draft Bronny here, but I don't think they have the guts to do that. That said, it wouldn't shock me if they just threw their draft away to keep LeBron happy. However, I do think a player like Kyle Filipowski would fill a need for them and be a very valuable win-now player for a team that believes they're still in their championship window. He's a very offensively skilled big man who I think would be better at the four for them than a Rui Hachimura. Of course, if they wanted more defense, they could start Rui and have Filipowski back up both Rui and Anthony Davis. I do think any of his defensive woes will at least be slightly hidden as he'll be sharing the court with arguably the best defensive player in the league. He will be able to further space the floor around LeBron, something that we know from experience is vital for teams led by LeBron James. He's the definition of a glue guy who checks almost all the boxes for this Lakers team, and I think here at 17 that's all they can really ask for.

pc: via Sportingnews

18. Orlando Magic - Carlton "Bub" Carrington - 6'4" 190lbs - Combo Guard - Pittsburgh

I could see the Magic taking Tidjane Salaun here, who at this point has already dropped several spots. However, the last thing this team can do is add another player who is a questionable shooter. Outside shooting is clearly the missing piece for this team right now, especially from their backcourt unit. That's why I have them taking one of the higher upside guards in this class, Bub Carrington. Carrington has been a late riser for me and most draft evaluators, and while I don't have him this high on my board, he's a player who fits their need and is realistically draftable here. Was he a prolific outside shooter in his freshman season? No. That said, he was a prolific shot creator and was great from the mid-range, and I think that will end up translating to his game beyond the arc. He shot 32.2% from deep as a freshman taking wildly difficult shots on a team where the offense revolved around him at times. I don't have time to break it down here, but I'm pretty confident in his three-point shooting long-term. That's why I think he's the perfect player to throw into the mix in Orlando.

19. Toronto Raptors - Tidjane Salaun - 6'9" 203lbs - Forward - Cholet

Do the Raptors need to add more outside shooting? Definitely. Do I think they would let a guy with the upside of Tidjane Salaun continue to fall past them here at 19? No. I think this is a situation where you draft based on talent and upside and figure it out later. The Raptors have shown in the past that they believe in this strategy, and if the cards fall in this way, I don't think there's a chance they wouldn't jump on the opportunity to take Salaun. Would he be in an awkward spot where he's stuck behind the team's best player? Yes. Again, I don't think it really matters. Salaun has one of the higher ceilings in this draft, and at this point in the draft you take that shot. I'm not a big fan of the idea that he could maybe one day play the three, but maybe they move RJ Barrett to the two, Scottie Barnes to the three, and slot Tidjane into his natural four spot. I don't know, and neither do they, but I think the talent is too obvious to ignore for a rebuilding team like the Raptors.

pc: Cholet Basketball

20. Cleveland Cavaliers - Ja'Kobe Walter - 6'5" 195lbs - Shooting Guard - Baylor

I simply have no idea what this Cleveland team is going to look like next year. I'm almost positive one of Darius Garland or Donovan Mitchell won't be a Cavalier by the start of the season. If I had to guess who they keep I would probably say Donovan Mitchell, even though that would be dumb considering he will get out of there as soon as he's given the chance. So, I'm drafting here as if the team has a hole in the backcourt. That's why I have them taking Ja'Kobe Walter, a player who I'm not particularly high on but who has the ability to play the perfect role for this team. He came into college as a projected lottery pick who was supposed to be an elite outside shooter and lockdown defender. He really didn't do either of those things, but he showed flashes throughout the season. He was only a freshman, so that upside is still there, and if he were to reach that ceiling, he would be the perfect partner alongside Mitchell. Again, I don't think his chances are great at achieving that goal, but I do think his floor is high enough that he will be a solid two-way player at the very least.

21. New Orleans Pelicans - Yves Missi - 7'0" 235lbs - Center - Baylor

Back-to-back Baylor picks here as I have the Pelicans taking draft darling Yves Missi here to fix their hole at the backup five. Missi is one of the more traditional centers that I think will be taken in the first-round, but I think he's a pretty safe bet to be successful in the league. I do think the Pelicans would prefer to have a shooting big beside Zion, but unless they plan on moving Valanciunas to get one, I think that that is a moot point. For the time being they have a traditional center at the five, so might as well bring a young traditional center in to back him up, learn from him, and develop. Missi is a super athletic big who would be pretty scary alongside Zion as they form an uber-athletic above-the-rim frontcourt. I also think his strength and screening acumen will do wonders for the team's shooters. His defense will add another layer to this team's defensive identity that they've begun to build around Zion. He may not be the perfect piece, but he's solid enough for the time being and I like his value here at 21 for New Orleans.

22. Phoenix Suns - Tyler Smith - 6'11" 224lbs - Forward - G-League Ignite

Yeah, this is probably the most difficult team to draft for this year, as I have absolutely no idea what they're planning to do going forward. There's a very good chance that they still believe they're a contender, and they end up drafting a win-now player, but in reality, they are just so so far away because of their depth issues. In my opinion, there is nothing they can do this season to fix those issues and contend for a championship, so might as well make an upside pick here and let a young player develop around some of the best offensive players in the league. I think Tyler Smith has one of the higher ceilings in this draft as a near 7-footer who can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc. I think he got screwed by the G-League Ignite this year, and that he would probably be a lock to go higher in this draft had he taken a different route. He has serious defensive woes, which normally would be bad for this team, but again I really don't think it matters this year. This is a guy with serious offensive firepower who could be one of the better players in this draft long-term. I think that's a great bet for a team that will likely be rebuilding within the next few seasons.

pc: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

23. Milwaukee Bucks - Jaylon Tyson - 6'7" 215lbs - Guard/Wing - California

The Bucks have such a clear hole at the two, and there really isn't a fantastic selection of two-guards at this point in the draft. Jaylon Tyson, for example, is not naturally a two-guard, but is someone who I do think could play the position. He had a prolific year at Cal, and I think he will come in and immediately be an impact player. That's huge for a Milwaukee team that is definitely still in its championship window whenever Giannis is healthy. On a team with Giannis and Damian Lillard, Tyson doesn't have to be the offensive gamechanger that he was in college. All he needs to do is add supplemental scoring, shooting, passing, and play solid defense. He has great positional size and the physical tools necessary to defend the perimeter. To be completely honest, I just think he would be significantly better than the options Milwaukee currently has to play that position. If they were to add a shooting guard in free agency or via the trade market, Tyson could always be an impactful bench option at the two or as a wing. He gives them several options.

pc: University of California Athletics

24. New York Knicks - Tristan da Silva - 6'9" 220lbs - Wing - Colorado

For a while I thought that the Knicks biggest needs in this draft were a backup point-guard and a backup center. However, their recent playoff run left some doubt in my mind regarding that opinion. I am now of the opinion that Miles McBride is a more than capable backup point who still has room to grow. I also think that if they decide to pay Isaiah Hartenstein, they won't have a need for another center with Mitchell Robinson still on the roster. This was a team that was a few less injuries away from the Eastern Conference Finals, so if I'm viewing them from a healthy perspective the clear need is a backup wing. Josh Hart was having to play power forward minutes for them in these playoffs, and he's a natural two-guard maybe small forward at most. That's why I have them taking Tristan da Silva, a win-now upperclassmen who can play the three and four. He's the perfect piece for a team that needs to add some depth in that department, and he's positionally versatile enough to give the team a ton of options. He's not great defensively, but I don't think that would be the biggest deal on this team that has shown they're pretty solid on that end already. He would add a massive offensive punch to the frontcourt and take some of that offensive load off of Brunson and Randle. I think this would be a fantastic move for them.

pc: Cliff Grassmick

25. New York Knicks - Zach Edey - 7'4" 300lbs - Center - Purdue

With all that said regarding the Knicks, I actually do think they decide to save money, let Hartenstein walk, and select Edey with one of their two picks. I've been of this opinion for a while now, but I think he's a Tom Thibodeau guy. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of how Edey will translate to the league, but I do think he fits well with this Knicks team. This is a team that faced size issues at points throughout the season and playoffs, and this would completely eliminate those concerns. I also do think he will be better offensively and a better rebounder than Mitchell Robinson, even if I do think that Robinson will actually be the better defender of the two. He gives Thibs some new rotation schemes that I'm sure he will love to toy with, and that's why I think he's the perfect coach for Edey. If he ends up not being great, so what, you got him at the end of the first-round. If he does end up better than I think he will be, then this Knicks team gets a whole lot more dangerous. I really don't see any of the teams above the Knicks taking a swing on Edey unless teams somehow value him more than guys like Ware, Holmes, and Missi, but I also don't think he falls past New York.

pc: via Sports Illustrated

26. Washington Wizards - Johnny Furphy - 6'9" 202lbs - Wing - Kansas

The Wizards got their center with the second pick, and now they should look to add upside. At first, I thought they may take a point guard here, as I don't think Tyus Jones is a long-term guy for them. However, there isn't a point guard here I like for them, as a guy like Tyler Kolek doesn't have the upside I'd like to see from a Wizards draft pick at this point in their rebuild. Johnny Furphy is a sharpshooting wing who showed a ton of flashes in his lone season at Kansas. I may not be as high on him as some evaluators, but I recognize that he has more to his game than just an outside shot. I like his athleticism and transition scoring, and think he will end up being a solid defender. I think once this team moves on from Kyle Kuzma he can fill that gap perfectly, as he does have a very similar playstyle to Kuzma when you think about it. Him and Corey Kispert on the floor together will be a great outside shooting duo, and they will be supported defensively by lockdown guys like Deni Avdija, Bilal Coulibaly, and now Donovan Clingan. I would love this move by the Wizards, and I'm a huge fan of the direction this team is heading.

pc: Reed Hoffman/AP Photo

27. Minnesota Timberwolves - Ryan Dunn - 6'8" 216lbs - Guard/Wing - Virginia

We saw in the playoffs that this team is perfectly constructed to give a powerhouse team like the Denver Nuggets real matchup issues. We also saw them get torched by Luka Doncic in the Western Conference Finals. As Anthony Edwards gets better and better and continues to shoulder the majority of their offensive load, they need to key in on getting defensive stoppers so they don't run into these issues again. I'm not sure if anybody can truly stop Doncic, but if anyone in this draft can it's Ryan Dunn. I think Dunn was the best defender in all of college basketball this season, and at his size he could potentially give some of the top offensive options in the league real problems. He's a hyper athletic and super strong defensive wing who has fantastic feel for that end of the floor. He has real issues when it comes to his offensive game, but I don't think that's the biggest deal if he were to end up in Minnesota. This is a team that knows who they are, they just need a few pieces here and there to win on the margins. That's why I think they take a player like Dunn here, who would at the very least give them hope in a playoff environment.

pc: Amber Searls/USA Today Sports

28. Denver Nuggets - P.J. Hall - 6'10" 240lbs - Forward/Center - Clemson

This selection is pretty cut-and-dried, as the clear need for the Nuggets is a backup center. The only centers left on my board who they could take here without causing a firestorm are P.J. Hall and Adem Bona, and I simply prefer Hall's fit for them. He's bigger, he can shoot, he's a great passer, and he showed at the combine that he's just as athletic. He has a full four years of college experience under his belt, so he should be able to come in and make an impact right away. I think what sells me on Hall the most is that he will be able to maintain this team's identity whenever Jokic is off of the floor. That's not to say he's anywhere near Nikola Jokic, because duh, but he does have a playstyle that mirrors what the Nuggets have played for years now. He's a center who can play from the perimeter due to his shooting and passing abilities. He can playmake for others while also finding efficient scoring opportunities for himself. He's a guy who can come in right away, doesn't have to be taught how to play Denver's style of basketball, and who can make an impact on day one for a team who's right in the middle of their championship window.

pc: via Clemsonwire

29. Utah Jazz - Pacome Dadiet - 6'8" 210lbs - Forward - Ratiopharm Ulm

I would be shocked if the Jazz didn't take Pacome Dadiet if he's still sitting here at 29. He's one of the youngest players in this draft and has a crazy high ceiling. He didn't have the world's greatest production in Europe, but the flashes he showed were more than intriguing. This Utah team needs to add as much high upside talent as they possibly can, just like how I have them taking Cody Williams at pick 10. Dadiet is a big wing/forward who can shoot the ball from deep, score inside, and rebound like a big. I'm a huge fan of the young core that the Jazz are building and think that Dadiet would be the perfect guy to get and sit behind last year's ninth pick Taylor Hendricks. I think as long as Utah secures value in this draft and takes three guys who have high ceilings, they can't go wrong. If they hit on one of these prospects, great, if they hit on more than one, fantastic, if they strike out, so what this wasn't the make-or-break draft anyways. The team is likely going to tank again next year as they look forward to the stacked 2025 draft, so I expect them to let these young guys get a ton of developmental minutes this season.

pc: Langer & Steiner

30. Boston Celtics - Adem Bona - 6'9" 240lbs - Center - UCLA

Boston really can't go wrong here at 30, as they really are just trying to get a guy who may be able to play a few minutes for them here and there. That's why I have them going with Adem Bona, who offers some athletic center minutes off the bench that they have sorely needed at times. He's also a young-enough player with solid upside who will join the young group that Boston is building behind the scenes. In these playoffs the Celtics have struggled at the five, as the Porzingis injury has forced them to put a ton of trust in Al Horford, who is approaching the end of his career. They don't trust Luke Kornet and have even caught themselves giving Neemias Queta a couple of minutes. They seem to really be missing that athletic punch at the five that they had when Robert Williams was in town, and Adem Bona fits that archetype. I'm not super high on Bona's long-term outlook, but for a team that will be competing for years to come, I think he could be an interesting rotation piece.

pc: via Linesman

Just Missed the Cut:

Terrence Shannon Jr: Under normal circumstances he would probably be a first-round pick, but due to forces outside of his control he has missed almost the entire pre-draft process. I'm not sure a team who hasn't had a workout with him will feel confident about selecting him.

Tyler Kolek: Was a first-rounder in my last mock, but team fit and how the picks fall knocked him out on this one. I still think he's a first-round talent and will be a solid backup point guard in the league.

Kevin McCullar: Similar to Kolek, was featured on my last mock draft. Is a win-now wing with first-round talent who I could see one of the contending teams taking. Just didn't think he was the top guy for any of the picks we talked about today.

There's my final mock draft for the 2024 NBA Draft cycle, and I feel pretty good about it. At this point in the cycle, we have a good idea what each team is looking for, and what players fit those needs. Only a couple of teams are still in limbo when it comes to knowing what they want out of this draft, and really only those teams have the potential to shake things up. Like I said, I feel pretty confident in a lot of these predictions. Even if I have the player wrong, I'm confident that the team will be looking to take someone who plays a similar role. Now with that done we don't have to wait too much longer before these mocks are obsolete and we actually get to see where these prospects will be heading for next season. I may come back and grade this mock draft after the actual draft takes place, we shall see, but for the time being, thanks for stopping in.