NEWSLETTER
The NBA Draft is just around the corner, and the future of basketball hangs in the balance. This year’s class is an intriguing one, lacking a clear-cut superstar but boasting a deep well of potential across various positions. Teams are faced with tough decisions: Do they gamble on the raw athleticism of a young international prospect, or prioritize a polished college standout ready to contribute immediately? With the lottery order set and the scouting combine complete, we take a shot at predicting where these future stars will land. Let’s dive into our first-round mock draft and see how the NBA landscape might be reshaped.
2024 NBA Draft Order – First Round
The 2024 NBA Draft promises to be interesting if nothing else. The Atlanta Hawks, despite having just a small chance, defied the odds and secured the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. Following them at No.2 are the Washington Wizards, hungry for a franchise-altering talent. The Houston Rockets, boasting Brooklyn’s pick, landed at No.3, while the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons round out the top five picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. See the entire NBA Draft First Round order below.
- Atlanta Hawks
- Washington Wizards
- Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn)
- San Antonio Spurs
- Detroit Pistons
- Charlotte Hornets
- Portland Trail Blazers
- San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto)
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Utah Jazz
- Chicago Bulls
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from Houston)
- Sacramento Kings
- Portland Trail Blazers (from Golden State)
- Miami Heat
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Orlando Magic
- Toronto Raptors (from Indiana)
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- New Orleans Pelicans (from Milwaukee)
- Phoenix Suns
- Milwaukee (from New Orleans)
- New York Knicks (from Dallas)
- New York Knicks
- Washington Wizards (from LA Clippers)
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Denver Nuggets
- Utah Jazz (from Oklahoma City)
- Boston Celtics
2024 NBA Mock Draft
1. Atlanta Hawks – F Zaccharie Risacher – JL Bourg, France – 18 Years Old – 6’8, 204 lbs
Zaccharie Risacher is a rising star from France with a skillset coveted in today’s NBA: a 3-and-D wing. Standing at 6’8″ with a smooth shooting stroke and a knack for finding open looks, Risacher has impressed scouts with his ability to knock down threes (career average of 40.7%). He’s also a capable defender, possessing the size and athleticism to guard multiple positions.
2. Washington Wizards – F/C Alexandre Sarr – Perth, France – 18 Years Old – 7’1, 218 lbs
Alexandre Sarr is a 7’1″ center with a monster 7’5″ wingspan, making him a defensive force in the 2024 NBA Draft. His mobility and footwork are exceptional for his size, allowing him to switch on guards and patrol the paint. Offensively, he’s a lob threat and finishes strong at the rim, but his outside shooting is still a work in progress. While his overall offensive game is developing, his defensive dominance could make him a starter right away, with the potential to be a two-way force in the NBA.
3. Houston Rockets – G Reed Sheppard – Kentucky – 19 Years Old – 6’3, 187 lbs
Sheppard shot an amazing 52.6 percent from three-point range last year at Kentucky. With LaMelo Ball in the fold, Charlotte doesn’t necessarily need a lead guard. But adding a high-upside sharpshooter who can also bring something to the floor defensively never hurts!
4. San Antonio Spurs – G Stephon Castle – UConn – 19 Years Old – 6’6, 190 lbs
Stephon Castle, a 6’6″ combo guard out of UConn, is a rising star with a unique skill set. He thrives with the ball in his hands, showcasing shifty ball-handling and an array of moves to get into the lane and create scoring opportunities. Despite his size, he isn’t a high-flyer, but his body control and ability to change pace keep defenders off balance. A strong finisher around the rim, he can absorb contact and convert through it. If he can develop into a consistent threat from beyond the arc, Castle has the potential to be a dynamic two-way force in the NBA.
5. Detroit Pistons – F Matas Buzelis – G League – 19 Years Old – 6’11, 195 lbs
He suffered an ankle injury that kept him off the floor early in the season, but after coming back and getting comfortable, Buzelis showed why he’s likely to be a lottery pick. He is versatile on offense, though his ball handling needs some work. Defensively, he’s capable of guarding multiple positions. He won’t be a top option offensively early in his career, but his catch-and-shoot ability gives him quite the high ceiling.
6. Charlotte Hornets – F Cody Williams – Colorado – 19 Years Old – 6’8, 185 lbs
Brother of OKC’s Jalen Williams, Cody can also do a little bit of everything. Defensively, he can guard just about any position. Offensively, he’s dangerous in transition, a great finisher at the bucket, and a very good catch-and-shoot player. He’s got a chance to make an immediate impact wherever he ends up.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – C Donovan Clingan – UConn – 19 Years Old – 7’2, 265 lbs
Cling Kong is coming off an amazing NCAA Tournament run and was impressive guarding Zach Edey in the National Championship game. Clingan is a monster defensively, and he’s shown enough ability to finish around the rim offensively. He’ll likely never be a massive threat on the offensive end, but he can play with the best of the NBA’s bigs defensively and can make an immediate impact on that end. In a league dominated by players like Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, high-end rim protection is becoming a necessity.
8. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR) – F Dalton Knecht – Tennessee – 22 Years Old – 6’6, 213 lbs
Dalton Knecht, a senior transfer from the University of Tennessee, has rocketed up draft boards with his lights-out shooting and well-rounded offensive game. This 6’5″ shooting guard boasts a lethal jumper, with a career 38% three-point average and a knack for finding open looks off the ball. He’s more than just a spot-up shooter though, displaying impressive athleticism with strong finishes at the rim and surprising bounce. While defense is a work in progress, Knecht’s offensive firepower makes him a potential lottery pick and a dream for teams seeking a floor-spacing wing who can contribute immediately.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (via BKN) – SF/PF Ron Holland – G League – 18 Years Old – 6’8, 200 lbs
Holland has some incredible athleticism and all the physical traits you could want in an NBA Draft lottery pick. He can contribute defensively right away, but offensively he likely will need a little bit of time to grow and develop. If he can maximize his potential on the offensive end, he’ll be a very dangerous player.
10. Utah Jazz – G Rob Dillingham – Kentucky – 19 Years Old – 6’3, 176 lbs
Dillingham can beat you in so many different ways offensively. He can get to the hoop, finish at the rim, find the open man, and get hot shooting the ball. He’s a versatile guard who showed special flashes at Kentucky but might need some development time in the NBA. He’s not an awful defender, but not particularly noteworthy on that end either.
11. Chicago Bulls – PG Devin Carter – Providence – 21 Years Old – 6’3, 195 lbs
Devin Carter, a 6’3″ combo guard out of Providence, has skyrocketed up draft boards with his impressive junior season. Son of former NBA player Anthony Carter, Devin brings a different kind of energy. He’s a defensive menace with his long wingspan (6’8″) and surprising rebounding ability for a guard. Offensively, Carter’s a well-rounded scorer, driving hard to the basket and developing a reliable three-point shot (nearly 38% last season). While his playmaking might not be elite, his basketball IQ and winning mentality make him a valuable asset on both ends of the court.
12. Oklahoma City (via HOU) – PG Nikola Topic – Red Star, Serbia – 18 Years Old – 6’6, 201 lbs
Nikola Topic is a name that’s been generating buzz despite a recent ACL tear. The young Serbian guard boasts elite playmaking instincts with a knack for finding teammates in scoring positions. He can operate as a point guard, shooting guard, or even a small forward thanks to his well-rounded skillset. While his shooting needs refinement, his ability to create off the dribble and orchestrate the pick-and-roll makes him a potential offensive weapon. However, his athleticism raises concerns, especially on defense where NBA guards can exploit his lack of elite speed. Still, Topic’s basketball IQ and passing prowess are undeniable, making him a gamble worth taking for a team seeking a future floor general.
13. Sacramento Kings – G Isaiah Collier – USC – 19 Years Old – 6’4, 205 lbs
Collier can do just about everything. He’s a two-way player that impacts both ends of the floor. He’s dangerous driving with the basketball and can get to the bucket in a hurry. His shooting from three can use some consistency, but his ability on both ends of the floor guard gives him a pretty high floor it would seem.
14. Portland Trail Blazers (via GSW) – C Zach Edey – Purdue – 22 years Old – 7’4, 300 lbs
Zach Edey, Purdue’s mountain of a center, is a walking paradox in the 2024 NBA Draft. At 7’4″ and nearly 300 pounds, he boasts an unstoppable post presence with a dominant hook shot and elite rebounding ability. He even surprised scouts with a developing three-point shot. However, his lack of foot speed raises concerns about his ability to defend the perimeter in the fast-paced NBA game. Edey is a high-character, back-to-back National Player of the Year, but his fit in today’s league hinges on finding a team that can utilize his strengths while mitigating his defensive limitations.
Find great NBA gear at Fanatics!
15. Miami Heat: G Ja’Kobe Walter – Baylor – 19 Years Old – 6’4, 195 lbs
16. Philadelphia 76ers: G Jared McCain – Duke – 20 Years Old – 6’2, 200 lbs
17. Los Angeles Lakers: F Tristan da Silva – Colorado – 23 Years Old – 6’8, 217 lbs
18. Orlando Magic: G Johnny Furphy – Kansas – 19 Years Old – 6’9, 202 lbs
19. Toronto Raptors (via IND): G Kyshawn George – Miami – 20 Years Old – 6’8, 209 lbs
20. Cleveland Cavaliers: G Bub Carrington – Pittsburgh – 19 Years Old – 6’4, 195 lbs
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via MIL): C Yves Missi – Baylor – 20 Years Old – 6’11, 230 lbs
22. Phoenix Suns: F Ryan Dunn – Virginia – 21 Years Old – 6’6, 215 lbs
23. Milwaukee Bucks (via NOP): PG Tyler Kolek – Marquette – 23 Years Old – 6’3, 195 lbs
24. New York Knicks (via DAL): C Kel’el Ware – Indiana – 20 Years Old – 7’0, 223 lbs
25. New York Knicks: Terrence Shannon Jr. – Illinois – 23 Years Old – 6’6, 220 lbs
26. Washington Wizards (via LAC): F Bobi Klintman – Cairns, Sweden – 20 Years Old – 6’10, 225 lbs
27. Minnesota Timberwolves: G KJ Simpson – Colorado – 22 Years Old – 6’0, 185 lbs
28. Denver Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II – Dayton – 21 Years Old – 6’10, 221 lbs
29. Utah Jazz (via OKC): F Tyler Smith – G League – 19 Years Old – 6’11, 224 lbs
30. Boston Celtics: F Baylor Scheierman – Creighton – 23 Years Old – 6’6, 200 lbs
