2024 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Sarr goes #1

With the season starting and the NCAA season starting let’s get down to this. There is a big deal of movement, and this class is shaping up to be of huge importance for the league going forward.

With a blend of seasoned college standouts and rising international prospects, this year’s draft class holds the potential to reshape the league’s landscape. From potential franchise cornerstones to hidden gems ready to shine, the selections are rife with intrigue and speculation. In this comprehensive breakdown, we delve into the prospects that have scouts buzzing and examine the potential destinations that await them on draft night.

Beyond individual player potential, the 2024 NBA Mock Draft also carries significant implications for the teams involved. Struggling franchises yearn for transformative players who can resurrect their fortunes, while established teams seek complementary pieces to bolster their championship aspirations. The intricate dance of trades, surprises, and strategic selections will ultimately shape the league’s competitive balance for years to come.

This 1.0 version of our 2024 NBA mock draft has a simulated lottery order via Tankathon.com. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @hoop_social and @HoopSocialDraft to stay up-to-date on all big board updates, player profiles, and additional mock drafts.

Related: 2024 NBA Draft Big Board: Prospects Ranked 1-100

1 – Utah Jazz: Alexander Sarr

19: 7’1 210 Pivot Perth Wildcats (France). Comp= Rasheed Wallace? 

Well, there isn’t an ultimate lead guard in this class. And while Sarr would have to take Collins’ spot in the starting group it would be totally worth it. A front line of both Sarr and Kessler means no one is scoring at the rim ever. And Sarr can also spread the floor. 

2 – Toronto Raptors: Ron Holland

19: 6’8 195 Forward Ignite. Comp= Harrison Barnes

Sarr and Holland are clearly ahead of everyone else at this moment in my mind. Holland fits exactly what the Raptors want to do especially since if the Raptors end up this bad both OG and Siakam are probably gone. 

3 – Miami Heat: DJ Wagner

19: 6’4 165 Guard Kentucky. Comp= less athletic JR Smith 

The Heat needs another shooter and someone who can run the offense. I’m going with DJ over Collier here and it causes some bizarre ripple effects down the board. 

4 – Memphis Grizzlies: Justin Edwards

6’7 180 Wing Kentucky. Comp= Poor mans Glen Rice 

The most Grizzlies player on the board is Justin Edwards. They need offense that doesn’t give up a ton on defense. 

5 – Oklahoma City Thunder (Via Houston Rockets): Matas Buzelis

19: 6’9 195 Point Forward Ignite. Comp= Lamar Odom

The Thunder get a very Thunder player in Matas. He fits on as an offensive plug off the bench to start and hopefully grows into the starting 4 between Chet and Williams. 

6 – Cleveland Cavaliers: Mackenzie Mgbako

19: 6’8 210 Forward Indiana. Comp= Dale Davis

The Cavs go with defense here but I expect this pick to be traded or for them to do some major soul-searching if they actually wind up this bad. 

7 – Portland Trailblazers: Stephon Castle

19: 6’6 205 Wing UCONN. Comp= Smaller, less explosive Paul George

Castle brings a good offensive punch to the Blazers. His shooting should definitely help. 

8 – Charlotte Hornets: Cody Williams

19: 6’8 180 Forward Colorado. Comp=  Kyle Anderson

Bridges should never see the NBA again and PJ seems to be a bench guy. Cody Williams is the smoothest player in the draft and would fit amazingly with Miller and Ball. 

9 – Washington Wizards: Isaiah Collier

19: 6’3 180 Point USC. Comp= Poor man’s Baron Davis

Ok, Collier should have gone higher but the team not needing a point guard has made him drop a bit. Me not at all being a Poole guy has the Spurs probably cursing as the exact guy they need is taken the pick before them. 

10 – San Antonio Spurs: Ja’Kobe Walter

19: 6’5 180 Guard Baylor. Comp= Super Skinny less athletic DeMar DeRozan 

The Spurs get someone who very much fits the vibe of other players they currently have. But he doesn’t fix their need of another point guard. 

11 – Minnesota Timberwolves: Milan Momcilovic

19: 6’8 205 Forward Iowa St. Comp= Doug McDermott 

The Wolves pick up an incredible shooter at the forward spot here to help them build around Anthony Edwards’s rim pressure. 

12 – Houston Rockets (Via Brooklyn Nets): Izan Almansa

19: 6’10 220 Big Ignite (Spain). Comp= Marvin Bagley III with defense

The Rockets need a backup center. Almansa is similar to Sengun in the way that he has dominated the competition. He’s a smart defender who could really help the Rockets in their biggest need. 

13 – New Orleans Pelicans (Via Los Angeles Lakers): Donavan Clingan

20: 7’2 220 Pivot UCONN. Comp= Ivica Zubac

The Pelicans probably need to move on from Jonas at some point. This allows that but to still have a good rim protector with Zion. 

14 – Atlanta Hawks: Caleb Foster

19: 6’5 190 Guard Duke. Comp= Derrick White 

The Hawks need to blow up the team if they miss the playoffs. If that happens look for a Trae Trade and Caleb could fit well next to Murray. 

15 – Detroit Pistons: Nikola Topic

19: 6’7 210 Point Forward Mega Basket (Serbia). Comp= Poor man’s Manu 

The Pistons need shooting around Cade, also Topic’s ability to play on and off the ball helps as well. They need scoring outside of Cade and he does that. 

16 – Chicago Bulls: Robert Dillingham

19: 6’2 165 Guard Kentucky. Comp= Brandon Knight 

The Bulls need a direction. They keep drafting only 3 and D wings when they need to do something different. Dillingham could really be a great player if the shooting is real. 

17 – New York Knicks: Andrej Stoakavic

19: 6’6 185 Wing Stanford (Greece). Comp= Marco Bellinelli

The Knicks could use the idea of who Andrej is supposed to be. It will take a year or two but it could really work. 

18 – Orlando Magic: Kyle Filipowski

20: 6’11 200 Big Duke. Comp= Shorter Vlade Divac 

I think the Magic could use a better backup big and the skills of this kid are going to be fun. 

19 – Indiana Pacers: Nikola Durisic 

20: 6’8 220 Point Forward KK Mega Leaks (Belgium/Serbia). Comp= Kostas Papanikolaou 

I was surprised that Durisic didn’t come out this last year. He’s an excellent fit in the offense-first Pacers lineups. 

20 – New Orleans Pelicans: Judah Mintz

20: 6’3 165 Guard Syracuse. Comp= Brandon Knight ish 

The Pelicans take a point guard here, hopefully, Mintz becomes what Lewis was supposed to be. 

21 – Oklahoma City Thunder (Via Los Angeles Clippers): Aday Mara

19: 7’3 245 Pivot UCLA (Spain). Comp= Salah Mejeri+ 

Mara might be the most beloved player that I can’t get in on. I have seen some people have him first overall in the class. I don’t see it. He is a very unique player with his passing but I don’t see him as a long-term starter yet. Hopefully, UCLA opens it up for him. 

22 – Atlanta Hawks (Via Sacramento Kings): Adem Bona

20: 6’9 225 Big UCLA (Nigeria/Turkey). Comp= Clint Capela.

Bona being the other UCLA big can hopefully make a big jump. He fits well with what Atlanta does and with them trying to trade Clint he could backup Okongwu. 

23rd overall pick the Phoenix Suns: Tyrese Proctor

20: 6’4 175 Point Duke (Australia). Comp= Dante Exum. 

The Suns could use a point guard for depth purposes. Proctor is a good fit here. 

24 – Milwaukee Bucks: Riley Kugel

20: 6’4 175 Guard Florida  Comp= Dion Waiters 

Kugel is someone I am struggling with figuring out who he is. The Bucks tend to take those guys for me. 

25 – Philadelphia 76ers: Elmarko Jackson

19: 6’3 185 Guard Kansas. Comp= Patrick Beverley

This defender could really help off the Philly bench. 

26 – Indiana Pacers (Via Oklahoma City Thunder): Kwame Evans Jr.

19: 6’9 200 Forward Oregon. Comp= Jonathan Isaac 

Rick Carlisle would LOVE Evans. He’s the kind of forward he would play over an obviously better rookie. 

27 – Portland Trailblazers (Via Golden State Warriors): Zaccharie Risacher

19: 6’8 210 Forward ASVL. Comp= Nick Batum 

Portland can either stash him or bring him over immediately. He fits the long range athletes they love. 

28 – New York Knicks (Via Dallas Mavericks): Melvin Ajinca

19: 6’8 210 Forward Saint Quinten (France). Comp= Taller Reggie Bullock. 

This kid is fun. The Knicks need shooting and defense he brings, in theory, both. 

29 – Boston Celtics: Baye Fall

19: 6’10 205 Pivot Arkansas (Senegal). Comp= Kevon Looney 

Fall is going to be a fun addition to the team. Boston needs a backup big and this could help. 

30 – Denver Nuggets: Coleman Hawkins

22: 6’10 200 Forward Illinois. Comp= Royce White-ish 

The Nuggets will take a more ready player here Hawkins I think could really help them. 

Honorable Mentions: 

1. JJ Starling- 20: 6’4 200 Guard Syracuse. Comp= Josh Green
2. Omaha Biliew- 19: 6’8 210 Big Iowa St. Comp= Al-Faruq Aminu 
3. DaRon Holmes- 21: 6’10 220 Big Dayton. Comp= Amir Johnson
4. Thierry Darlan- 20: 6’6 190 Point G League Ignite (Central Africa Republic). Comp= Spencer Dinwiddie. 
5. Tucker DeVries- 21: 6’7 210 Wing Drake. Comp= Doug McDermott 
6. Mark Armstrong- 20: 6’2 185 Point Villanova. Comp= Colin Sexton lite 
7. Trey Alexander- 22: 6’4 185 Wing. Creighton. Comp= Deshawn Stephenson 
8. Tyler Smith- 19: 6’10 210 Big G League Ignite. Comp= Al Harrington
9. Babacar Sane- 20: 6’7 230 Forward Ignite (Senegal). Comp= Darius Miles
10. Grant Nelson- 22: 6’10 215 Big Alabama Comp= Dario Saric ish.