Our updated 2024 NBA mock draft has dropped with the 2023-24 season well in the midst of the second half. Our initial iteration had Bronny James as a much higher pick. But an uneven freshman season at USC has placed into question that spot.
There are high-end prospects such as Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland who will make waves in the pre-draft process. We’re also anticipating a high number of international players to go high.
Without further ado, here is our most-recent 2024 NBA mock draft. Note that the draft order is based on Sportsnaut’s most-recent NBA power rankings.
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Despite boasting single-digit wins on the season, Detroit does have its backcourt of the future in Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. The idea has to be to go best-player available at a frontcourt spot. That’s where Sarr comes into play. The 7-foot-1 big is seen as extremely athletic with a ton of upside on both ends of the court. Sure, he’s not the same caliber prospect as Victor Wembanyama. But Wemby is an outlier. This is an ideal pick at No. 1 in our most-recent NBA mock draft.
Risacher is someone who could complement what the Wizards are attempting to build in the frontcourt with Kyle Kuzma. He’s already seen as a top-end outside shooter (46% against international competition this season). The France native will struggle on the defensive end of the court initially. But his offensive prowess can’t be overlooked.
This 6-foot-11 wing was offered by big-time programs such as Kentucky and Duke. Instead, Buzelis opted to go the G-League route. He was considered the consensus No. 1 prospect in what looks to be a weak 2024 NBA Draft class early in the process. The Lithuanian-American has an impressive mix of playmaking ability and athleticism that will entice teams such as the San Antonio Spurs next to Wemby.
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A top-10 recruit, the 6-foot-5 Walter has performed well for Baylor as a freshman. He’s averaging 14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. More of a slash and drive player, he needs to improve his shooting to be considered a true all-around NBA Draft prospect. Even then, Charlotte needs someone of his ilk to team up with Brandon Miller moving forward. The upside is too much to pass up here.
Portland seems to be set with Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson in the backcourt. The team also loves what it has in power forward Jabari Walker. In attempting to expedite a rebuild, acquiring a wing such as Walker makes a ton of sense. Other NBA mock drafts have him as high as No. 1 overall. While we’re not sold on that, his game is impressive. The 6-foot-8 wing is shooting a supurb 47% from three-point range as a freshman. He also boasts a 59% mark from inside the three-point range. There is a lot of levels to his game on offense.
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Memphis is not going to return to playoff contention until Ja Morant returns fully healthy next season. But the team still needs another athletic wing to go with him out in the perimeter. That’s exactly what the 6-foot-8 Holland is. While he’s still raw as a perimeter shooter, that athleticism is frame is something the Grizzlies could work with moving forward.
Dillingham was not even a top-15 recruit in the Class of 2023. But he’s carved out a nice role for Kentucky as a freshman. The 6-foot-2 guard is averaging 14.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He’s also shooting 45% from three-point range on 4.5 shots per game. After picking up a forward in Buzelis earlier in this NBA mock draft, the Spurs find a point guard for Wembanyama. It’s an ideal fit given his ability to dish and three-point prowess.
Ime Udoka has his Rockets playing surprising basketball and in the midst of the play-in race out west. The team has a ton of young talent in that of youngsters Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson. Houston could still use some more backcourt help. A product of Serbia, Topic won the U18 European Championship MVP in 2023. While Topic needs to improve his shooting, he already has plus-level passing ability and instincts. That would come in handy with the plethora of young talent in Houston.
Shooting. Shooting. More shooting. The 6-foot-3 Sheppard his hitting on a resounding 52% of his shots from distance as a freshman for Kentucky. He might not be able to create his own shot a whole heck of a lot. But teams will pay a premium for this. In our initial NBA mock draft, we have Atlanta adding the guard to the mix with the assumption that either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray is traded this summer.
After going backcourt with their initial pick in this NBA mock draft, we have the Rockets finding a complement for Alperen Şengün inside. The No. 4 recruit in the Class of 2022, some were surprised that Filipowski didn’t go pro following his freshman season. It seemed to be a great decision. He’s averaging 17.4 points and 8.3 rebounds on 50% shooting as a sophomore. The 7-foot big has also expanded his game to the perimeter, hitting on 35% of his three-point shots this season compared to 28% as a freshman.
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After adding a wing earlier in this NBA mock draft, Portland goes big with Clingan. After helping UConn to a national championship as a freshman last season, Clingan has upped his game as a sophomore. He’s averaging 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds on 63% shooting while playing stellar defense.
A transfer from Northern Colorado, Knecht has not let improved competition impact his game. The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 20.3 points while hitting on 41% of his shots from three-point range. That’s the type of tonic a struggling perimeter team in Chicago needs.
Oklahoma City really doesn’t need a whole lot. It can afford to go best-player available with this selection. That’s Dunn. The 6-foot-8 guard is averaging only 9.0 points per game this season. He struggles from the perimeter. But his rebounding skills and elite-level defense would be a great complementary piece in OKC.
With a core of Zion Williamson, C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram, there is not a whole heck of a lot that the Pelicans need with this selection. We opt for upside in our most-recent NBA mock draft. A top-10 recruit this past cycle, Castle is averaging 10.9 points to go with 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 48% shooting as a freshman.
15. Orlando Magic: Isaiah Collier, guard, USC
16. New York Knicks (from Mavericks): Kel’el Ware, center, Indiana
17. Toronto Raptors (from Pacers): Yves Missi, center, Baylor
18. Miami Heat: Trey Alexander, guard, Creighton
19. Atlanta Hawks (from Kings): Zach Edey, center, Purdue
20. New Orleans Pelicans: Tyler Smith, forward, G-League Ignite
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21. Phoenix Suns: Kevin McCullar, guard, Kansas
22. Philadelphia 76ers: Oso Ighodaro, forward, Marquette
23. Milwaukee Bucks: Ajay Mitchell, guard, UC Santa Barbara
24. New York Knicks: Bronny James, guard, USC
25. Cleveland Cavaliers: Tyrese Proctor, guard, Duke
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26. Denver Nuggets: PJ Hall, forward, Clemson
27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jared McCain, guard, Duke
28. Washington Wizards (from Clippers): Bobi Klintman, foward, Sweden
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: KJ Simpson, guard, Colorado
30. Boston Celtics: Adem Bona, center, UCLA