Mock Draft Monday
A quick 2024 NBA Draft mock with analysis.
Just released a new dynasty trade calculator update over at Patreon.com/NBADynastyADP which includes trade values for 2024 rookie draft picks. Doing that exercise inspired me to create a quick 2024 NBA Draft lottery (draft slots based on pre-lottery odds).
Here’s what I came up with:
A few thoughts:
Sarr gives the Pistons a much higher upside version of what the "Isaiah Stewart as a stretch four" lineup does now. His shooting is a work-in-progress but I think he becomes an above-average 3PT shooter for an NBA power forward.
Nikola Topić in Washington would be a fantasy dream-come-true. He has the potential to be a huge AST and FT% contributor with his playmaking and ability to get to the rim and finish. For a roster that needs creation, I love the fit.
Charlotte and Portland will have a coin flip for the third-best lottery odds. With all of the shooting that Ball and Miller give Charlotte, adding Castle on the wing as a defensive anchor and (another) big playmaker makes a lot of sense. Portland doubling up on big wing/forward types in Buzelis and Salaün is probably where they'll go in this draft.
The Spurs added a super-high feel prospect in Reed Sheppard just feels right. Having Reed's shooting around Victor feels almost unfair.
I struggled with Zaccharie Risacher - he's absolutely hit the wall in his season with JL Bourg and has shot poorly for a couple months. The bones are there for a standout 3-and-D wing, but there's real concern that the shot may not be what we thought earlier in this draft cycle. Toronto's love for 6-8 prospects (and need for theoretical shooting around Scottie) won me over.
If Donovan Clingan doesn't end up in Washington, it feels like his next landing spot would be in Memphis. This would be incredible for Clingan's fantasy prospects as he'd have a chance to start as early as his rookie season.
Utah is going to take swings on toolsy wings like Holland in the next few drafts. Does Houston already have too many prospects? Yes. But you can't have too many wings in the NBA and taking an upside swing on Cody Williams make sense here.
Do the Hawks move Trae Young? If so, adding some on-ball creation from Rob Dillingham makes all the sense in the world. Similar thought process for Chicago - if Zach LaVine is traded and/or DeMar DeRozan moves on - the Bulls will need to rebuild a viable offense.
OKC adds some size without sacrificing their five-out offense by adding Kyle Filipowski. Sacramento loves to draft older prospects and Dalton Knecht looks like he'll be a viable rotation wing as a rookie.
I’ll be releasing my 2024 Rookie Draft Guide over on Patreon in the next few weeks. Like every year, we are going to find the hidden gems in this class.
-Matt