We are back with the fourth iteration of The Basketball Bulletin 2024 NBA Mock Draft (version 3.0, our post lottery mock, can be found here). For this mock draft we really had some fun as this is the first time we allowed trades. This led to a much longer process, almost two weeks, where we gave three hours (and often more) for trades to be proposed and countered before making the ultimate decision of accepting or standing pat and making the selection. We hope you enjoy it!!!
Notes on the process
Majority of the “General Managers” controlled three teams with two only having two
If a GM offered a trade to another team he was in control of and wanted to accept that trade it would have to be majority approved by the rest of the GMs
For the first 15 picks - I would text each GM that they had 3 hours to give their proposed trades (sometimes we would give “rest of the night” or “until tomorrow morning” as the timeframe). At the end of three hours the GM that was “on the clock” could then either accept one, counter one or deny all trades and make their selection
For the second 15 picks - I only allowed the GM that was in charge of the team “on the clock” to initiate and offer any trades OR simply make the selection
CONTRIBUTORS and TEAMS MANAGED
RECAP OF ACCEPTED TRADES
Hawks - Alex Sarr (7’1 Big - Perth)
a. Selection by Nick Crain
b. Recap - WE HAVE A TRADE TO ANNOUNCE. No. 1 overall pick Alex Sarr will be staying with the Hawks BUT he will not be playing with Trae Young. The Hawks have sent Young to the Spurs for No. 4 + 2025 FRP (best of) + Keldon Johnson + Zach Collins. Atlanta starts a new era with the defensive minded big man here at No. 1 to pair with DeJounte Murray and will quickly be back on the clock at No. 4 to add more young talent.
Wizards - Zaccharie Risacher (6’9 Wing - JL Bourg)
Selection by Matt Modderno
Recap - Fireworks do not continue with the Washington Wizards on the clock. At least not in terms of trades as none were offered in any direction. With that said, we do get a little bit of a surprise as the wing/forward heavy Wizards take another one here as opposed to a primary creator or big. I would guess that Nikola Topic (or the Kentucky guards) are very much in play here along with Donovan Clingan. I think I would have taken Topic, who is slightly higher on my board, but I am still VERY high on Risacher and it seems like you can never have enough 3-and-D wings in the modern NBA.
Rockets (via Nets) - Donovan Clingan (7’2 Big - Connecticut)
Selection by Tyler Metcalf
Recap - The Chicago Bulls tried to make a play here to get up to No. 3 with a trade that revolved around Alex Caruso but it was not accepted. The Rockets continue to be one of the tougher teams for me to get a beat on with this draft because of the current talent on the roster. In this iteration they take Clingan who gives them major defensive upside and I would be fascinated to see what this would mean for Alperen Sengun long term.
Spurs (for Hawks) - Ron Holland (6’6 Wing - Ignite)
Selection by Nick Crain
Recap - Remember that this pick is part of the Trae Young to Spurs trade that happened earlier meaning Holland will join Alex Sarr in Atlanta. Holland is one of the bigger upside plays at the top of the draft and could be a nice fit as an off ball scorer now that DeJounte Murray has the keys to the offense. There is a lot of intriguing young talent in Atlanta after these moves and it would be interesting to see what they do with other older vets on the roster like Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic. *Reminder - the Hawks could have their own 2025 pick back as part of that Young trade, as well*
Pistons (for Hawks) - Stephon Castle (6’5 Guard/Wing - Connecticut)
See AlsoYou say you want a revolutionhow to fall out of loveTag 'Offroad Truck Animal Transporter Unblocked' - BrightestGames.comSelection by Nick Crain
Recap - We are getting some REAL discussion around trading this pick which makes a ton of sense based on what we are hearing out of Detroit. The Hawks are trying to move back into the top 5 for their third selection AND the Raptors have made an offer to fly up the draft order……and…..WE HAVE A TRADE TO ANNOUNCE. The Hawks continue to make moves as they move DeJounte Murray (so much for “....Murray has the keys to the offense”) to the Detroit Pistons for Jaden Ivey + No. 5 + No. 53. ATLANTA has now acquired Sarr, Holland and Castle with three of the top five picks AND added former No. 5 overall pick, Jaden Ivey. They have absolutely entered the world of the rebuild and it is important to again point out they have the BEST OF the Spurs 2025 picks which could end up being their own. Detroit makes a consolidation trade of a couple of their young assets and brings in a proven backcourt veteran to pair with Cade Cunningham.
Hornets - Reed Sheppard (6’3 Guard - Kentucky)
Selection by Trevor Lane
Recap - Raptors continue to dangle Bruce Brown to try and move up into the lottery but with no such luck up to this point. The Hornets stand pat and take perhaps the most elite of floor spacers in this class to play alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
Blazers - Cody Williams (6’8 Wing - Colorado)
Selection by Tyler Metcalf
Recap - The Pelicans made a play to move up to No. 7 by dangling Dyson Daniels but the Blazers did not bite and decided to not make a counter offer either. They make the selection here and absolutely go with a position and archetype that makes sense in Cody Williams. I actually have Dalton Knecht higher on my personal board but buying into the two-way potential of a player like Williams is something I completely understand.
Spurs (via Raptors) - Tidjane Salaun (6’9 Forward - Cholet)
Selection by Wes Davenport
Recap - Not a ton of trade action with this pick (although, Keith did have to school all of us a bit one offer - that’s why Keith is the best!). Rob Dillingham is a popular name to the Spurs (at No. 4 or No. 8) but with them already acquiring Trae Young in this mock that simply does not make as much sense. Instead they make a move to build out the wing/forward room with the young Salaun who is very raw BUT has a ton of intrigue.
Grizzlies (for Pelicans) - Nikola Topic (6’6 Guard - Red Star)
Selection by Wes Davenport
Recap - WE HAVE A TRADE TO ANNOUNCE. The Pelicans jump 12 spots from No. 21 to No. 9. The Pelicans will receive the rights to Nikola Topic + John Konchar and send to the Grizzlies Dyson Daniels + No. 21 + right to 2026 First Round Pick swap with the Milwaukee Bucks. New Orleans moves that Bucks pick swap and Daniels for the opportunity to draft their point guard of the future and the No. 4 player overall on my board, Nikola Topic. We will find out later who the Grizzlies will get with No. 21 but they also added a former lottery pick in Daniels with this move. With Clingan being off the board and other bigs that should be available I can very much understand this move for Memphis.
Jazz - Matas Buzelis (6’10 Forward - Ignite)
Selection by Blake Silverman
Recap - Not much action here at No. 10 for the Jazz as no trade offers were made and they elect to go with Matas Buzelis. Even though I have started to trend in the more negative direction with Buzelis he is still one of the top players on my board at this spot. I think I might have gone with Dalton Knecht here considering Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks are already in the mix but perhaps this puts less pressure on Buzelis and the Jazz can bring him along slowly. There is a world where the theoretical idea comes together for Buzelis (and we still have to see it from Hendricks at the NBA level) and then you have some real interesting combinations you can play between those three.
Bulls - Kyle Filipowski (7’0 Big - Duke)
Selection by Oliver Arruda
Recap - Another pick that is made without much trade action at all. This is actually the highest I have seen Filipowski taken but if the Bulls are at all considering moving on from Nikola Vucevic this could be his direct replacement. “Flip” seems to be somewhat divisive in the NBA Draft media community with many people mocking him No. 12 to the Thunder while others have him in the 20s. At this point in the cycle I have him in between those spots on my board. At the end of the day, it is hard not to be intrigued by a dribble, pass and shoot 7-footer. ***I am interested to see if the trade offers pick up over the next few picks with players like Rob Dillingham and Dalton Knecht currently “falling” and then you have some more “win now” teams on the clock shortly***
Thunder (via Rockets) - Robert Dilligham (6’2 Guard - Kentucky)
Selection by Nick Crain
Recap - The trade front has died down a little bit here at the end of the lottery and honestly, I thought it might pick up with Dillingham and Dalton Knecht still on the board. Instead, the Thunder stayed put and took one of the most talented offensive players in the class. I am not sure how this will play out for him on the roster in terms of fit and minutes BUT can’t argue them taking this talented of a player.
Kings - Dalton Knecht (6’6 Guard/Wing - Tennessee)
Selection by Wes Davenport
Recap - The Sacramento Kings SPRINT to the podium as they refuse to even answer the phone on potential trade offers. Knecht has “fallen” more than any player on my board up to this point and is a tremendous offensive fit for the Kings. This could be a really nice replacement for Malik Monk if he does in fact get priced out in free agency for the Kings to bring back. This selection won’t help the defensive concerns for Sacramento but the offensive talent here is just way too much to pass up on.
Blazers (via Warriors) - Tristan Da Silva (6’9 Wing/Forward - Colorado)
Selection by Tyler Metcalf
Recap - Talk about trying to overhaul your wing/forward room in one draft. The Blazers actually do it with college teammates in Cody Williams and Da Silva. Portland takes both of them a little higher than what I have them on my personal board but I don’t mind either pick for this team and what they should be investing in moving forward.
Heat - Jared McCain (6’3 Guard - Duke)
Selection by Omari Sankofa II
Recap - The Hawks are the team that continues to be aggressive as they have made it clear that veterans Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic are VERY much available BUT…..no takers up to this point. This is a spot that Devin Carter is often mocked as he has been pegged as the most “Heat Culture Player” in the draft but in this iteration they go with perhaps the best floor spacer in the class.
76ers - Ja’Kobe Walter (6’5 Guard/Wing - Baylor)
Selection by Matt Modderno
Recap - The trade market continues to stay quiet as we have transitioned into only allowing the team “on the clock” to make one offer to another team or make the selection. I know the Wizards did consider a move here (which would have been unique since Matt was the “GM” of both teams) but ultimately decided to not even make the offer. Walter is a prospect who I have a bit lower than this but you will find as a lottery pick in many places. The one thing I do believe in is his shooting which seems to always be a smart move to add around talents like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Lakers - Zach Edey (7’4 Big - Purdue)
Selection by Trevor Lane
Recap - These last two spots were ones where I really thought we might see some movement with trades but instead both contenders stay put and add talent that makes perfect sense for their rosters. This is a pick that Trevor has made for the Lakers in past iterations and while there prospects I have higher on my personal board, I understand the idea of drafting for a very specific need with Edey. He is also a very talented, and decorated, player who has a few skills that should immediately translate to the NBA.
Magic - Devin Carter (6’3 Guard - Providence)
Selection by Keith Smith
Recap - Can’t blame the Magic for not making a trade here as Carter has fallen for long enough. I have him strongly as a lottery pick in this class so this is great value for Orlando at No. 18 and there was plenty of conversation all year about them upgrading their backcourt as they try to continue to push things forward. Carter will not only continue to help make them one of the best defensive teams in the NBA but can also play some on the ball and offer upside as a scorer and floor spacer. This is a home run selection.
Raptors (via Pacers) - Isaiah Collier (6’4 Guard - USC)
Selection by Blake Silverman
Recap - The Raptors put a VERY interesting offer on the table to try and steal Jalen Duren and Marcus Sasser from the Pistons that would have transferred this pick, others and returned Bruce Brown to Detroit but it was not accepted. Instead, they have to “settle” for one of the best players left on my board and one of the final players in my second tier. The fit for Collier would be interesting in Toronto but can’t blame them for drafting this type of talent at No. 19.
Cavaliers - DaRon Holmes II (6’10 Big - Dayton)
Selection by Oliver Arruda
Recap - Cleveland doesn’t even waste time thinking about a trade offer with Holmes II still on the board. Regardless of what happens this summer with Jarrett Allen I like this selection. He either becomes the third in a trio of bigs in which he can play with either of Allen or Evan Mobley OR he becomes a really nice fit that can play with or in the non Mobley minutes. Either way, he was easily the best player left on my board and the last player in my second tier.
Pelicans (via Bucks for Grizzlies) - Yves Missi (6’11 Big - Baylor)
Selection by Keith Smith
Recap - Just a reminder that this pick is going to Memphis as part of them trading back so the Pelicans could trade up and select Nikola Topic. The Grizzlies added Dyson Daniels in that trade (and a future pick swap) which was a move I loved considering Clingan was already off the board and that spot could be a little rich for Edey and some of the other bigs. The Grizzlies execute this perfectly as Missi is still on the board here at No. 21 and they still get themselves a young big man that possesses real potential.
Suns - Ryan Dunn (6’8 Forward - Virginia)
Selection by Nick Crain
Recap - I often think this really seems like a pick that ends up getting traded BUT perhaps with the Suns cap situation they are more inclined to keep it considering their limitations in adding talent to the roster. Dunn will be an interesting prospect to track on draft night as the defensive value is undeniable but the offense is very much in question. I tend to like him in a more flowing offensive system compared to the isolation heavy style implored by Phoenix.
Bucks (via Pelicans) - Johnny Furphy (6’9 Wing - Kansas)
Selection by Omari Sankofa
Recap - Furphy was one of the more interesting names to monitor at the NCAA withdrawal deadline (we actually paused the mock draft for the entire day to make sure he, and others, were going to stay in the draft) as there did seem to be some buzz around him returning to Kansas. That didn’t end up being the case and he now becomes one of the more intriguing young wings in this class. I would personally prefer for him to go to a spot that is going to be able to be patient with his NBA development but there is no denying that a floor spacing wing archetype is something the Bucks absolutely need.
Knicks (via Mavericks) - Jaylon Tyson (6’7 Guard/Wing - California)
Selection by Oliver Arruda
Recap - I continue to be very high on Tyson as a prospect considering his potential to be able to dribble, pass and shoot as an off the ball player. He had a ton of on ball usage this past season at California but I think those skills transition to a much more second side of the floor role in the NBA. We all know that Coach Thibodeau has a specific type of player and while Tyson’s college defensive film doesn’t hold up to that, he is an older prospect with an NBA ready body and potential for growth on that end when he doesn’t have that insane offensive usage.
Knicks - Justin Edwards (6’8 Wing/Forward - Kentucky)
Selection by Oliver Arruda
Recap - The Knicks AGGRESSIVELY shopped this pick and…the Hawks had conversations that revolved around Julius Randle and Bogdan Bogdanovic but nothing came to fruition. Instead, New York ends up staying put and doubling down at the wing position which I am very much in support of. Edwards showed some real defensive potential during his freshman season and in terms of his offense, there has to be hope he finds the skill that once had him as a top five recruit in the country.
Wizards (via Clippers) - Carlton “Bub” Carrington (6’5 Guard - Pittsburgh)
Selection by Matt Modderno
Recap - Trade markets stays calm - we haven’t had one since the top 10 at this point - with the Wizards selection at No. 26. I think this a sneaky nice pick for Washington as a primary initiator is something they absolutely should be looking for and a role I think they could look to fill at No. 2. Instead, they get the best wing in the draft (for me) with Risacher at the top and then sit patiently and watch the very talented Carrington fall to them at the end of the first round. This would be an incredible draft for the Wizards as far as I am concerned.
Timberwolves - Tyler Kolek (6’3 Guard - Marquette)
Selection by Tyler Metcalf
Recap - Minnesota literally says they will “sprint to the podium” to draft Kolek and get their backup point guard for many years. I think the excitement around some of these prospects being on the board at the end of the first round is why we have seen very little trade movement. The Wizards were ecstatic to be able to draft Carrington and many mocks do not see Kolek getting past the Knicks which is why the Wolves were so quick to jump all over the ability to draft him.
Nuggets - Kel’El Ware (7’0 Big - Indiana)
Selection by Trevor Lane
Recap - Ware continues to be a fascinating evaluation in this draft and there has been some recent intel that perhaps he has answered some of the questions about his maturity and “motor” on the court. There is no denying his size and combining that with some potential floor spacing and overall skill is very intriguing. I know some mock drafts have him much higher but here at the end of the first round is the spot where I am much more comfortable. This could be the big man for the second unit that Denver has been looking for.
Jazz (via Thunder for Blazers) - AJ Johnson (6’5 Wing)
Selection by Tyler Metcalf
Recap - WE HAVE A TRADE TO ANNOUNCE. Just when I thought we wouldn’t see any more movement, we have a deal that is worked out between the Jazz and the Blazers that will send Malcolm Brogdon into the Jazz cap space and send this selection to Portland. This move would clear up some backcourt issues for Portland and add a young and dynamic wing with real upside that is going to take some time to develop. For the Jazz, perhaps they are looking at this as a chance to add some stability to the backcourt for 50 or so games and then move Brogdon on at the deadline.
Celtics - Tyler Smith (6’10 Forward/Big - Ignite)
Selection by Keith Smith
Recap - We end the mock draft without any movement at No. 30 as the Celtics stay put and add a very interesting talent to their frontcourt. This makes sense as Al Horford is nearing 40 and both Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman will be unrestricted free agents this summer. Some people have the floor spacing Smith as a lottery talent and I could see that on the offensive end but the defense does have a long way to go. Perhaps Boston could be the perfect spot to insulate and help grow that aspect of his game in the NBA.
