Tag: draft

Nets and Knicks kick off 2024 NBA Draft with massive, complicated Mikal Bridges trade nets,and,knicks,kick,off,nba,draft,with,massive,complicated,mikal,bridges,trade,sbnation,com,front-page,nba,nba-trade-rumors,nba-draft,draftkings,dot-com-grid-coverage

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The Nets have regained control of their future heading into the 2024 NBA Draft by making two massive deals on the eve of the big day.

In the first, Brooklyn will send Mikal Bridges to reunite with his Villanova buddies across the city with the New York Knicks in exchange for FIVE first-round picks, a pick swap and a second-rounder, and in another, they will get their own 2026 first-rounder back from the Houston Rockets for a hefty price.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was all over the news:

Our own Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily noted that the Bridges trade is historic not just for the treasure trove Brooklyn got back, but as the first trade since the two franchises started sharing a city:

As Woj noted, the biggest takeaway from all these musical chairs is that Brooklyn has now retaken control of its future to a greater degree. With their 2026 pick back from the Rockets — it was originally sent out in their deal for James Harden, who has since (in)famously been traded two more times — the Nets can freely tank and not have to worry about sending a potentially valuable future pick to the Rockets.

For examples of the possible ramifications of this, one only needs to look at the draft tomorrow: Houston has the No. 3 pick in this draft because the Nets weren’t good enough around Bridges to avoid giving up lottery picks as part of the ongoing Harden deal fallout, so they sold one of the NBA’s most valuable role players for more picks while reclaiming their ability to get the benefits of being bad.

The price they paid to the Rockets for that right was steep — more complicated multi-team pick swaps, and a Suns first-rounder that could be gold if that team continues its expensive implosion, but ultimately likely… nets… out as a win for Brooklyn because it allowed them to get a haul for Bridges from the Knicks without having to worry they would just send a valuable pick to Houston as part of a lengthy rebuild.

For the Knicks, this a steep price that massively cuts into their war chest of assets, but it may be worth it to add Bridges to their core of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo as the final Villanova infinity stone. With Julius Randle’s contract still available to use in deals and OG Anunoby’s future increasingly uncertain — even with Woj noting New York still wants to keep him — it remains to be seen how strong this Knicks foundation can be.

Still, it’s hard not to imagine a devastatingly dangerous team if Bridges — a notorious NBA ironman — can hold up under Thibs’ infamous minutes loads after watching how well they did without that perfect type of 3-and-D wing in the 2024 NBA playoffs while dealing with so many injuries. This could be an NBA Finals team with a bit of luck and some more smart moves.

Or, as Posting and Toasting put it…

For Houston? It seems like the goal is still in flux, and as usual for the Rockets, perpetually chaotic: Trying to get Kevin Durant. Yes, seriously.

The ramifications of this huge, complex deal will surely continue to trickle out, but for now, beyond Brooklyn taking back control of its own destiny, only one thing is clear: If these are the fireworks teams are setting off on the eve of the draft, the next week of draft and free agency madness promises to be explosive.

This breaking news story may be updated as it continues to develop. Follow Nets Daily, The Dream Shake and Posting and Toasting for the latest on the Nets, Rockets and Knicks angles of all this, respectively.

NBA Mock Draft 2023: SB Nation writers project the first round nba,mock,draft,sb,nation,writers,project,the,first,round,sbnation,com,front-page,nba,nba-draft,nba-mock-draft,dot-com-grid-coverage

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The 2024 NBA Draft isn’t seen as the strongest class in the league’s history, but between Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, Reed Sheppard, Nikola Topic, Ron Holland and the many other players who will be selected in the first round on Wednesday night, there will surely be a few more difference-makers than expected.

And in a continuation of an annual tradition, experts from around our NBA team communities and national writers tried to pick them out from the crowd by making a selection for their club in the first round of our annual SB Nation NBA mock draft.

Trades were not allowed.

For more draft coverage, check out the latest mock drafts from our own Ricky O’Donnell, who projected the entire first round and ranked the top 60 prospects here, and you can find complete draft coverage from our team communities at our NBA draft hub.

The Atlanta Hawks were on the clock first with the No. 1 pick, and made things interesting right off the bat.

1. Atlanta Hawks – Alex Sarr, C/F, Perth Wildcats

Wes Morton, Peachtree Hoops — With the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, I select for the Atlanta Hawks: Victor Wembanyama! …I’m not allowed to do that? Dang.

Well, this pick isn’t nearly as much of a surefire selection. Both Zaccharie Risacher and Donovan Clingan were heavily considered here, but Sarr’s defensive versatility, mobility skills, and (all too brief) offensive flashes just barely win out. With the way the NBA game is trending, banking on a bouncy, rangy, 7’1 marvel who can guard on the perimeter gives you a solid defensive floor.

There are some clear downsides to his game, more than most would like to admit: he’s slender, has inconsistent hands for catching passes, and can’t reliably set screens for a team that wants to pick-and-roll you to death with Trae Young. On top of that, his jumper and handle are much more theoretical than practical at this stage.

But the Hawks don’t have control of their next three first-round picks, so it may be wise to grab as much young talent as possible and hope for a spring forward in production by the third or fourth year. If he can commit to playing the 5 a good portion of time — given the presence of last year’s breakout star Jalen Johnson — it’s hard to pass up on Sarr here.

2. Washington Wizards – Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg

Gabe Ibrahim, Bullets Forever — Zaccharie Risacher’s high floor and positional value wins the day for the Wizards. His performance over 64 games for JL Bourg provides a good view of what he could do in the NBA. He put up 11 points and 4 rebounds while shooting 39% from three in 23 minutes a game. That’ll get the job done offensively for a 3-and-D player in the NBA, and he should be able to scale his production up as he grows.

Risacher also shines defensively with his length and feel for the game. He could turn into Mikal Bridges if everything goes perfectly, but, more importantly, he should be a good wing if everything goes just okay. Of course, there are risks. Richaser struggled to consistently hit threes as a junior and rode an early shooting hot streak to his stats this season. If his shooting isn’t real, he will struggle to do anything offensively due to his lack of shot creation. The Wizards take Risacher because he’s a solid bet to be solid and he can fit into whatever they build going forward.

The other players I considered for this pick — Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, and Reed Sheppard — simply didn’t have enough upside or versatility to pass on Risacher.

3. Houston Rockets – Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

Darren Yuvan, The Dream Shake — If I’m the Rockets, I trade this pick. Houston has a plethora of young talent all fighting for court time, and injecting another kid (he’s 19) might not be ideal. I’d prefer the Rockets move this pick either for a vet or, better yet, assets in a future draft.

But since we can’t trade for our purposes, Sheppard it is. He’s the best shooter in this draft, and Houston is short on them. Despite his size (6’3), he’s also an active defender and an adequate distributor, and could find playing time at backup point guard, with Amen Thompson sliding to forward. I’d also consider Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, and Matas Buzelis here, but Sheppard is the pick.

4. San Antonio Spurs – Stephon Castle, G, UConn

Jesus Gomez, Pounding the Rock — Castle’s rumored desire to be a point guard in the NBA could scare off a lot of teams, but probably not the one that trotted out Jeremy Sochan as initiator last season. The questionable shooting is a serious concern, but Castle’s defensive versatility and secondary playmaking should be useful no matter what position he ends up playing.

5. Detroit Pistons – Donovan Clingan, C, UConn

Sean Corp, Detroit Bad Boys — The Pistons need a lot of help, and they can’t really do better than having Clingan fall to them at 5. Not only does it allow them to draft a defensive anchor on a team desperately looking for consistency on that end of the floor, it opens up a world of trade down possibilities with teams looking to add the big man themselves.

Clingan also gives the team flexibility to consolidate some youth already on the roster like Jalen Duren into a multi-player package for a more established player to slot alongside Cade Cunningham. You keep him, it’s a win. You trade him to the highest bidder, it’s a win. Winning has been in short supply, so the Pistons would be thrilled to see the draft board shake out like this.

6. Charlotte Hornets – Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite

James Dator, SB Nation Writer and Hornets Fan — In a perfect world Charlotte would have access to someone like Donovan Clingan to strengthen their interior defense, or Stephon Castle to offer depth at the guard spot — but with both gone they pick the next-best option. The Hornets have myriad youth at multiple positions, but an athletic wing is something the team needs a future plan for.

It’s unclear whether Miles Bridges will remain with the Hornets long-term, so there’s a lot to like about imagining rotations with Buzelis alongside Brandon Miller. There’s work to be done for sure, as Buzelis’ 27% from three wont suffice in the NBA — but in a weak draft he’s the best long-term upside pick at this position.

7. Portland Trail Blazers – Cody Williams, F, Colorado

Steve Dewald, Blazer’s Edge — The Blazers’ Colorado brain trust lands one of their own by selecting Cody Williams. As a player, Williams is unproven with a small sample size of effective production, but he has frame made for the NBA. If Williams develops like his brother at the next level, he could be the steal of the draft. The stakes are low and this prospect pool leaves a lot to be desired. At least Williams is a high-ceiling player at a premium position. Williams will also take time to develop, which keeps the Blazers on track for the 2025 NBA Draft.

8. San Antonio Spurs – Tidjane Salaun, F, Cholet Basket

Jesus Gomez, Pounding the Rock — At this stage, Salaun seems too raw to contribute much as a rookie but his youth, size, motor and budding skillset make him a worthwhile project. If he reaches his ceiling, Salaun could be a do-it-all forward who offers shooting, passing and defense while also being able to play center for stretches on small lineups. The Spurs would need to be patient with him, but they could mold him into a uniquely valuable player.

9. Memphis Grizzlies – Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite

Clint Nielson, SLC Dunk Draft Expert — Ron Holland was once considered the top prospect for the 2024 draft, before the G-League Ignite’s abysmal season. His elite athleticism, measurements, defense both on the perimeter and in the paint, ability to get to the rim, and motor make him a great choice for the Grizzles. In a draft lacking star potential, Holland certainly has the potential to make multiple all-star games, though he needs to improve his 3-point percentage.

While some say the Grizzles need a starting center, Jaren Jackson Jr. could be a full-time starting center and Ron Holland could start at the power forward spot in today’s small-ball era. Morant and Holland on the fastbreak could be one of the most terrifying sights for opposing teams all season.

10. Utah Jazz – Nikola Topic, G, Red Stars

James Hansen, SLC Dunk: Danny Ainge in his postseason presser said that he’s not sure that Keyonte George is a point guard, and drafting Topic could potentially fill that need. Topic had some underwhelming recent measurements recently including a negative wingspan. He’s also recovering from a partial ACL tear. Those things combined are why it’s possible he’s there for the Jazz at 10.

But despite all that, he’s arguably the best point guard prospect in this draft, with good size and numbers while playing in a good league. Even if it takes time for Topic to come back from his injury, the Jazz aren’t under huge presssure to rush to any wins. With a fantastic 2025 draft coming, the Jazz can stand to give Topic plenty of time to recover and develop this season.

11. Chicago Bulls – Isaiah Collier, G, USC

Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation Draft Expert — I made this pick before the Bulls traded Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, and admittedly it doesn’t make much sense now. Giddey has to play on the ball because of his lack of shooting, and that makes it unlikely the Bulls draft another on-ball player with a shaky jumper in Collier. Chicago’s loss will be someone else’s gain: the USC freshman is one of the best creation bets in this class as a speedy guard who can consistently pressure the rim, and brings plus passing vision. Providence’s Devin Carter makes a lot more sense now if he’s still on the board at No. 11.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky

Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation Draft Expert — Dillingham is the best player available on the board, and the Thunder would have good reason to end his slide. Oklahoma City lost a little bit of shot creation in the Josh Giddey trade, and Dillingham would immediately fill that hole by adding shooting at the cost of size.

The Kentucky freshman is one of the best shooters in this class — whether he’s on or off the ball — with a quick trigger, deep range, and excellent relocation chops. He’s also one of the best ball handlers and passers in this class. Dillingham is just very small, but OKC has enough size and length to insulate him on the defensive end.

This would feel like something of a luxury pick for the Thunder, but they have cap space and so many potential draft picks to trade to fill bigger needs later this summer — starting with adding some more size and rebounding on the interior.

13. Sacramento Kings – Devin Carter, G, Providence

Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation Draft Expert — There’s so much to like about Carter’s game: he’s a monster athlete, a lockdown defender, a fantastic rebounder, and an improved shooter who proved he can get up three-pointers with volume this past year at Providence. Though he only measured just over 6’2 barefoot at the combine, Carter plays so much bigger than his size with long arms, a strong chest, and explosive leaping ability. He can play next to either De’Aaron Fox or Malik Monk in the Kings’ backcourt, and add a tenacious defender and another shooter.

14. Portland Trail Blazers – Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee

Steve Dewald, Blazer’s Edge — Ideally, the Blazers avoid making two lottery selections this year. If Portland is unable to trade out of this slot, Dalton Knecht is a serviceable option. Knecht is a proven scorer and would boost the Blazers’ floor spacing immediately.

Knecht was a subpar defender in college and that weakness could serve as an advantage for Portland next year. In order to increase their lottery odds for the loaded 2025 class, the Blazers could feature Knecht early and often.

15. Miami Heat – Jared McCain, G, Duke

JP Acosta, SB Nation Writer and Heat fan — The Heat need some more spacing and shooting from their guards, and with Terry Rozier missing the last stretch of the season due to injury and Tyler Herro being a bit of a problem defensively, I could see the Heat going with a sweet-shooting guard like McCain here. He would open the floor up a bit more for Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, while also having the upside of a second or third-option scorer.

16. Philadelphia 76ers – Ja’Kobe Walter, F, Baylor

Paul Hudrick, Liberty Ballers — If this scenario presents itself on draft night, expect Daryl Morey to trade back — maybe even out of the first round entirely to maximize cap space and collect more draft capital — but Walter is the pick here for me.

His floor is a high-level 3-and-D wing, something that is always coveted in the NBA. While the consensus seems to be that his ceiling isn’t that high, he’s only 19 years old. Some will suggest a plug-and-play prospect here, but Morey’s track record suggests he’ll take the best player available, regardless of age or position.

17. Los Angeles Lakers – Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado

Jacob Rude, Silver Screen and Roll — The Lakers have a handful of ways they could go in the draft, whether it be drafting a big or a wing. As has been their approach for quite some time, they’ll take the best player available, and that turned out to be da Silva in this draft.

He’s a wing that can step in and contribute from day one, whether through his 3-point shooting or his defense. And there is no such thing as too many 3-and-D wings, especially alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

18. Orlando Magic – Bub Carrington, G, Pitt

Sven Karabogovic, SLC Dunk draft expert — During their post-season run, the Orlando Magic displayed their most glaring needs: shot creation and playmaking. While the guard core of Jalen Suggs, Markelle Fultz, and Cole Anthony offered a valiant conglomerate effort at addressing these issues, their sub-par shooting led to their offense lacking enough torque to cut through the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense.

Bub Carrington, while inefficiant at times, showed the ability to generate offense for the Pittsburgh Panthers through creative shot creation and solid court vision. With this pick, the Magic can hope that Carrington develops into a serviceable lead ball handler who decreases the pressure on Wagner and Banchero when the offense stalls.

19. Toronto Raptors – Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana

JD Quirante, Raptors HQ — The Toronto Raptors have been searching for the ideal center to pair with Siakam (failed), and now, not just with the soon-to-be-extended Scottie Barnes, but would also fit coach Darko Rajakovic’s offense.

Kel’el Ware’s a “modern big starter pack” with plenty of upside. He’s a lottery talent hidden outside of the lottery, as it would take the right team to bring out his upside into actuality. The Raptors have a solid developmental record, and given how they dropped the ball for the past two or three years, and how the NBA’s new salary cap rules are affecting roster construction, we have to believe that getting back into producing diamonds in the rough is something that was a mandate for President Masai Ujiri when he made a coaching change last year.

20. Cleveland Cavaliers – Johnny Furphy, F, Kansas

Jackson Flickinger, Fear the Sword — The Cavs lack of wing options was exposed in their series with the Celtics. They need wings that can stretch the floor and fit in alongside other high-usage players. Cleveland also needs team defenders who can guard opposing wings without being physically outmatched. Furphy isn’t the perfect solution, but he’s likely the best that can be found in the bottom third of the first round.

21. New Orleans Pelicans – Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette

Lake Hale, SLC Dunk Draft Expert — If Brandon Ingram leads your team in assists with just 5.7 a game, things could be better for you from a playmaking perspective. Tyler could be a true, pass-first point guard who can set up lobs with Zion Williamson, hit CJ McCollumn and Trey Murphy III coming off screens, and can shoot the ball well himself.

He might have some diet TJ McConnell in him, but his ability to push the pace and pass ahead feels more like Lonzo Ball to me.

22. Phoenix Suns – Yves Missi, C, Baylor

John Voita, Bright Side of the Sun — What do the Suns need (outside of an attitude adjustment)? Athleticism. Defense. Size. Yves Missi from Baylor gives Phoenix all three at the 22nd pick. While we had our eyes and hearts set on Tyler Kolek (we need a plug-and-play point guard, damn you Pelicans), drafting Missi gives Phoenix an upside play as Missi oozes with potential.

His affinity for offensive rebound — coupled with his rim-running ability — would be a welcome sight in the Valley of the Sun. He could replace Drew Eubanks by the end of training camp. Yay!

23. Milwaukee Bucks – Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia

Kyle Carr, Brew Hoop — The Bucks’ struggles for the entire season were on the defensive side, and their playoff series loss to the Indiana Pacers exposed how their lack of athleticism played a large role in that.

Ryan Dunn’s defensive ability has been highly praised by scouts, and he is someone who can come in and help Milwaukee immediately — especially if paired with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. There are concerns about his offensive abilities, but the potential defensive impact is too good to pass up.

24. New York Knicks – Zach Edey, C, Purdue

Russell Richardson, Posting and Toasting — Zach Edey, the reigning two-time Naismith College Player of the Year, fits Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau’s preference for traditional big men. Offensively, Edey excels in the post, although he needs improvement in passing and ball security. Defensively, he’s a strong rim protector but lumbers a bit and may struggle with the NBA’s pace and spacing.

But despite his limitations, Edey’s work ethic, durability, and offensive rebounding could make him a valuable asset for the Knicks, especially with the looming possibility of losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency.

25. New York Knicks – Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite

Russell Richardson, Posting and Toasting — With Precious Achiuwa possibly departing this offseason, the Knicks may need another power forward in their stable.

Meet 19-year-old Tyler Smith of G League Ignite. Ranked No. 12 among 2024 prospects by our own Ricky O’Donnell, Smith is a 6’10 forward who averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, shooting 36% on 3-pointers. Plus: A seven-foot-one wingspan! Gimmie those offensive boards!

Smith aims to emulate players like Jabari Smith, Kyle Kuzma, and Michael Porter Jr. — which might be a stretch (pun sort of intended) — but he does have promise. At best, he starts out giving Julius Randle 10-15 minutes of rest per night; at worst, he chops it up with the Westchester Knicks for a season.

26. Washington Wizards – KJ Simpson, G, Colorado

Renzo Salao, Bullets Forever — Picking Colorado point guard KJ Simpson this early may be a reach. But given the state of the Wizards’ backcourt, Simpson is worth the additional stretch. The 21-year-old junior was the top scorer on a team with projected top-20 picks Cody Williams and Tristan Da Silva.

Simpson averaged 19.7 points on stellar efficiency: 47.5% from the field, 43.4% from three, and 87.6% from the line. Standing under 6’1 without shoes, Simpson will be limited defensively at the next level. But he does possess NBA range, can shoot off the bounce, and is adept off the ball. He was also a top-15 rebounder in the Pac-12 averaging 5.8 per game – the only player on the list under 6’6”. Adding Simpson to arguably the worst guard rotation in the NBA is an easy call.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves – Baylor Scheierman, G, Creighton

Thilo Widder, Canis Hoopus — I don’t think it is physically possible for this draft to have gone worse for the Wolves’ needs.

Mike Conley is older than the internet and Nickeil Alexander Walker is entering 2025 on an expiring contract. Unfortunately for everyone involved (me), it seems that the rest of the league is looking at point guards as well. While it was certainly ambitious to hope for a Rob Dillingham to fall, seeing as KJ Simpson was the last draftable point guard on my board, I was forced to pivot.

That brings us to Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman. Before any amount of basketball analysis, before a discussion of skillset and fit, we need to talk about the numbers. Not the statistics, but about Scheierman’s preference for number 55. That’s right folks, I drafted a player to have him play against Luka Garza for a jersey number.

But Baylor is an excellent shooter and off-ball mover and would add a movement shooter to buoy the offense that the Wolves have lacked ever since the departure of Malik Beasley. While Conley’s successor may have been the clear need, Scheierman provides a different approach to solving the offensive problems that a young point guard would have been asked to fix.

28. Denver Nuggets – DaRon Holmes II, F/C, Dayton

Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation Draft Expert — Holmes was one of the most productive players in the country as a junior for Dayton, packing the box score with blocks, rebounds, assists, free throw attempts, and consistent scoring all season long. At 6’8.75 barefoot with a 7’1 wingspan, Holmes knew he couldn’t bully opponents forever and needed to add more skill to his game.

He came back as a much improved 3-point shooter, ball handler, and passer. Holmes could play some minutes at the five backing up Nikola Jokic, and it’s possible he could also play with him at times if his shot continues to develop. Holmes has proven himself to be a very good basketball player, and those guys usually find a way to make it work.

29. Utah Jazz – Kyshawn George, F, Miami

James Hansen, SLC Dunk — The Utah Jazz need size and shooting and that’s what Kyshawn George brings. There’s some questions about his production, or at least the lack thereof, but he shot 40% from three and looks like he can likley get his shot off being 6’8, but he’s not explosive, and so there are some concerns about getting his own looks reliably.

That said, there are flashes of playmaking to his game as well as some high-IQ plays on the defensive end. If he’s crafty in the league, he could potentially be a secondary shooter/playmaker in the mold of former Jazzman Joe Ingles.

30. Boston Celtics – Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke

Jeff Clark, CelticsBlog — What do you get the team that has everything? Well, given how expensive this team is going to get, the answer is probably cap relief. So don’t be too surprised if the Celtics trade out of this spot in order to avoid locking into a guaranteed salary for someone that might not contribute next season.

However, if they keep the pick, they should look to add long-term, cost-controlled depth. There’s no Al Horford replacement in the draft (or in the whole world for that matter), but the Celtics could always use some more depth at the big man spot. Filipowski has the tools to be a stretch option with good offensive skills.

And he can swap Duke stories with Tatum on the bus, which might be as close to game action as he’ll get.

How close did we get to how this thing will actually shake out? Find out when the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 26 on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.

NBA Draft 2024: How to watch, major storylines, and more nba,draft,how,to,watch,major,storylines,and,more,sbnation,com,front-page,nba,nba-draft

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The 2024 NBA Draft will look a little different than previous versions.

The league announced back in January that this year’s installment would play out over two days. The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft — officially known as the 2024 NBA Draft Presented by State Farm — will take place on Wednesday, June 26. The 2024 NBA Draft will conclude on Thursday with the second round.

The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., home of the Brooklyn Nets, will be the site of the first round. ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York will host the second round.

In addition to the 2024 NBA Draft being spread out over two days, there is a slight tweak to the format. On the first night, teams will still have five minutes between draft picks. However, they will get a little more time during Thursday’s second round, as the time between selections has been doubled to four minutes.

Why the change to two nights? According to the league, it is a move to give the decision-makers a little more time while also “enhancing” the experience for fans.

“Based on feedback about the NBA Draft format from basketball executives around the league and my own experience in draft rooms, we believe that teams will benefit from being able to regroup between rounds and having additional time to make decisions during the second round,” said Joe Dumars, NBA Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations, earlier this month. “Two nights of primetime coverage will also enhance the viewing experience for our fans and further showcase the draftees.”

Here is how you can watch the 2024 NBA Draft, and what you should watch for.

How to watch

NBA fans have several ways they can watch the 2024 NBA Draft.

Round 1: Wednesday, June 26 | 8:00 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN/ESPN+

Round 2: Thursday, June 27 | 4:00 p.m. ET | ESPN/ESPN+

According to the NBA Thursday’s coverage “ … will include a comprehensive review of the first round and in-depth storytelling about the draftees.” You can also follow along with the 2024 NBA Draft on ESPN Radio.

Major storylines of the 2024 NBA Draft

So that is how you can watch, but what are the major storylines?

The first storyline is that this draft class lacks a consensus No. 1 prospect. Unlike recent NBA Drafts — like last season when it was clear that Victor Wembyama was going to be the first player selected — the race for No. 1 is wide open. Zaccharie Risacher from France is at the moment the consensus No. 1 selection by the Atlanta Hawks — coming off the board first-overall on approximately 60% of mock drafts according to NBA Mock Draft Database — but it is by no means a guarantee that the swingman from France will go first. Other options for the first-overall selection include Risacher’s countryman Alex Sarr, as the 7-footer is seeing a bit of a pre-draft climb, Kentucky guard Reed Shepard, and Connecticut Huskies Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle.

In our most recent NBA Mock Draft, we had Clingan coming off the board first overall.

Another major storyline?

Bronny James.

The guard out of USC has eschewed pre-draft workouts, a strategy that his agent Rich Paul says is “by design.” This approach has been highlighted as perhaps Paul trying to steer James to a particular destination, something we outlined is par for the course when it comes to the NBA Draft.

And of course, there is the potential for James to land with his father, LeBron, in Los Angeles with the Lakers. Certainly, something to monitor.

Also, where does Ron Holland land? For a time it looked as if Holland might be the top player in this draft, but a stint in the G League seems to have put a dent in his draft stock.

We will have answers to these questions and more in just a few short days.

NBA Draft rankings big board for 2024

Check out Ricky O’Donnell’s top-60 NBA Draft big board for the 2024 class. Read our latest NBA mock draft here.

NBA Draft: 60 best players, ranked for 2024 class nba,draft,best,players,ranked,for,class,sbnation,com,front-page,nba,nba-draft,draftkings

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The 2024 NBA Draft feels like the weakest class to enter the league in a decade. You have to go back to 2013 for the last time a draft had such a distinct lack of starpower at the top, but that class also offers offers some valuable lessons for this one. Anthony Bennett was a shocking No. 1 overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers back then, and he turned into a monumental bust. At the same time, there were still two future Hall of Famers lurking after the lottery (Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert) and plenty of solid pros scattered throughout.

Even bad drafts have good players, and this one will, too. It’s just going to be extremely difficult to identify the eventual best player in the class with the No. 1 overall pick, because no one can agree on who that player is this year. Before we delve into our final rankings, here are a few notes about my draft philosophy as someone who has been on the beat since about 2013.

I put the most value into how good a player can be in his prime years. I don’t really care if I’m wrong, because unlike NBA GMs, I face no consequences for it. For that reason, I tend to prefer players with higher ceilings than more certain floors. I typically go for players with elite physical tools, because it gives them more outs for success … but I have a habit of falling for super-skilled smaller guards, too. I put more value into shot creation than any other skill. I try to give the benefit of the doubt to players with a strong feel for the game. I value off-ball defensive impact greatly. I always look at advanced metrics like BPM and enjoy checking out different draft models, but typically rely more on my own eye test and gut check.

I released my first big board for this class the day after the 2023 draft. So much has changed since then. Here are our final top-60 player ranking for the 2024 NBA Draft.

2024 NBA Draft board

Rank Tier Player From Position Age
Rank Tier Player From Position Age
1 1 Nikola Topic Serbia G Born 2005
2 1 Alex Sarr France C/F Born 2005
3 1 Ron Holland G League Ignite F Born 2005
4 2 Reed Sheppard Kentucky G Freshman
5 2 Rob Dillingham Kentucky G Freshman
6 2 Matas Buzelis G League Ignite F Born 2004
7 2 Isaiah Collier USC G Freshman
8 2 Donovan Clingan UConn C Sophomore
9 2 Devin Carter Providence G Junior
10 2 Zaccharie Risacher France F Born 2005
11 2 Stephon Castle UConn G Freshman
12 3 Tyler Smith G League Ignite F Born 2004
13 3 Kel’el Ware Indiana C Sophomore
14 3 Cody Williams Colorado F Freshman
15 3 Tidjane Salaun France F Born 2005
16 3 Kyle Filipowski Duke C Sophomore
17 3 Yves Missi Baylor C Freshman
18 3 Dalton Knecht Tennessee F Senior
19 3 Zach Edey Purdue C Senior
20 3 Jared McCain Duke G Freshman
21 3 DaRon Holmes II Dayton F/C Junior
22 3 Ja’Kobe Walter Baylor F Freshman
23 3 Jaylon Tyson Cal G Junior
24 3 Bub Carrington Pitt G Freshman
25 4 Tristan da Silva Colorado F Senior
26 4 Pacome Dadiet France F Born 2005
27 4 Kevin McCullar Kansas G/F Senior
28 4 KJ Simpson Colorado G Junior
29 4 Johnny Furphy Kansas F Freshman
30 4 Ryan Dunn Virginia F Sophomore
31 4 Terrence Shannon Jr. Illinois G/F Senior
32 4 Jamal Shead Houston G Senior
33 4 Adem Bona UCLA C Sophomore
34 4 Ajay Mitchell UC Santa Barbara G Junior
35 5 Tyler Kolek Marquette G Senior
36 5 Kyshawn George Miami F Freshman
37 5 N’Faly Dante Oregon C Senior
38 5 Bobi Klintman Sweden F Born 2003
39 5 Judah Mintz Syracuse G Sophomore
40 5 Juan Nunez Spain G Born 2004
41 5 Keshad Johnson Arizona F Senior
42 5 Dillon Jones Weber State G Junior
43 5 Melvin Ajinca France G Born 2004
44 5 Jaylen Wells Washington State F Junior
45 5 Nikola Djurisic Serbia F Born 2004
46 5 Isaiah Crawford Louisiana Tech F Senior
47 5 Jonathan Mogbo San Francisco F Senior
48 5 Cam Christie Minnesota G Freshman
49 5 Harrison Ingram North Carolina F Junior
50 5 Baylor Scheierman Creighton F Senior
51 5 Ulrich Chomche Cameroon C/F Born 2005
52 6 Oso Ighodaro Marquette C Senior
53 6 Anton Watson Gonzaga C/F Senior
54 6 Tristen Newton UConn G Senior
55 6 Reece Beekman Virginia G Senior
56 6 Bronny James USC G Freshman
57 6 Antonio Reeves Kentucky G Senior
58 6 Justin Edwards Kentucky F Freshman
59 6 AJ Johnson Illawarra Hawks G Born 2005
60 6 Jalen Bridges Baylor F Senior

Tier 1: All-Star upside if things break right

1. Nikola Topic, G, Red Stars (Serbia)

Topic first emerged as the top player in our board in Dec. during a torrid start to the season for Mega in the Adriatic League. Since then, he changed teams and suffered two knee injuries, the latest of which resulted in a torn ACL. This is the least confident I’ve ever felt about ranking a player No. 1 overall in a draft class, but ultimately Topic’s polish at an extremely young age (he turns 19 years in August) and upside as a potential on-ball engine won out.

The main appeal for Topic is his shot creation potential, his positional size as a 6’6 point guard, and his undeniable production going against grown men. Topic is a downhill attacking guard who can burn defenders off the dribble with his tremendous burst going to the basket. While he lacks vertical explosion (he finished with zero dunks this season), he’s an extremely crafty finisher who used long strides and extension finishes to convert his rim opportunities efficiently all season. He’s at his best operating out of the pick-and-roll, where he can leverage the threat of his own scoring to open up passing lanes to teammates.

In 13 games with Mega, Topic averaged 18.6 points, 6.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds per game on terrific 62.9 percent true shooting. He got to the foul line a lot (and made 87.8 percent of his free throws), posted an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio, and finished with an “excellent” grade on pick-and-roll ball handling, isolations, and transition opportunities, according to Synergy Sports.

There’s still considerable downside here. Topic is not a good three-point shooter at the moment, and will face teams going under every screen early in his career. He tends to drift a bit when he doesn’t have the ball in the halfcourt. He shows poor technique and effectiveness defensively. It’s fair to wonder how a player so reliant on his burst will look coming off a torn ACL.

Still, Topic put up fantastic numbers as an 18-year-old in a solid pro league, and has a rare ability to generate easy baskets with his speed as a ball handler. His combination of scoring and playmaking as a downhill guard feels like the clearest pathway in this class to All-Star potential if everything breaks right.

2. Alex Sarr, C/F, Perth Wildcats (France)

Sarr has the best physical tools in this class as an athletic 7’1 big man with a 7’4 wingspan. He has the potential for elite defensive versatility as a big man who can protect the rim from the backline, or switch screens and stick with smaller perimeter players. Sarr can fly in the open floor, or soar above the rim to finish plays on both sides of the ball. While his offense remains a work in progress, he’s shown some tantalizing flashes as a ball handler and shooter. Sarr can be frustrating to watch at times because he doesn’t play with much force offensively, he’s not a plus passer, and he tends to give up opportunities on the glass. Will he shoot it well enough long-term to be an NBA four? Will he rebound it well enough to play center? The offensive upside here comes if Sarr’s three-point shot develops, or his body blows up and he’s able to start running over guys. Even with questions about his offensive role, Sarr’s ground coverage and explosion is a rare combination at 7’1 and gives him real star equity long-term as a play finisher.

3. Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite

Read my profile on Holland here. I’m betting on Holland’s ability to make winning plays when he’s not overmatched in a primary creation role like he was for the Ignite. His athleticism, slashing, defensive motor, passing touch, and transition scoring should all translate well to the league. He will obviously have to improve his jump shot, and I wish he was a little bigger to play the four. While his G League numbers were underwhelming, the fact that he was able to learn what it’s like to carry such a huge usage rate at a young age should be beneficial for his long-term development. Still only 18 years old on draft day, Holland is one of the few players in this class to have star upside with his physical tools, pedigree, and hustle.

Tier 2: Potential high-end complementary players

4. Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky: Sheppard is tiny and doesn’t offer a ton of on-ball creation upside, but he’s such a good shooter and has a special ability to force turnovers defensively. He’d be at this best filling in the cracks for a team with length and athleticism around him, allowing him to tap into his shot versatility and maximize spacing. Sheppard will get physically overpowered defensively in certain matchups, but he has incredible hands to generate turnovers and is excellent kickstarting the break with outlet passes. He’s going to be below the size and athleticism thresholds for most NBA guards, but if he can continue the elite three-point stroke he showed at Kentucky (52.1 percent from deep on 144 attempts), he should bring enough to the table to be an elite complementary piece.

5. Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky: Dillingham is dangerously small at 6’1 barefoot with a 6’3 wingspan, and will be the lightest player in the NBA next season after weighing in at 164 pounds at the combine. You need to be enormously skilled to thrive in the NBA at that size, and I believe Dillingham meets the criteria. The Kentucky freshman is one of the great shooters in this draft class, able to rip deep pull-ups off the dribble or relocate off-the-ball for backbreaking catch-and-shoot threes. He hit 44.4 percent of his 144 attempts this season, and knocked them down on every action possible. Dillingham also has a case as the best ball handler in this class, able to link together moves to keep his defender off balance while attacking. He has awesome vision as a passer, and looks comfortable throwing everything from lobs to skips to pocket passes to the roll man. His inability to play through any contact is a big concern, but the shot-making and playmaking here is too thrilling to discount.

6. Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite: Buzelis is simply going to have to shoot it better from three than he did with the G League Ignite (26.1 percent from three on 115 attempts in 34 games) to be successful in the NBA, but track record as a shooter at lower levels inspires some confidence that could happen. Having a reliable spot-up jumper would unlock the rest of Buzelis’ offensive game. It’s rare to find forwards this big (6’8.75 with a 6’10 wingspan) who can attack off the bounce with creativity and make plays for themselves and others. Buzelis also showed a surprising amount of defensive toughness at the rim (64 blocks in 34 games) despite a skinny frame. This ranking could look bad if the shot doesn’t come around, but the ideal version of Buzelis is type of well-rounded forward every team covets.

7. Isaiah Collier, G, USC: Collier entered the cycle as a potential top-3 pick, but quickly lost momentum during a slow start for USC. There was less attention on his hot close to the season, but it deserves the same consideration. Collier is simply one of the best shot-creation bets in this class as a strong and fast downhill guard with the requisite passing vision. At 6’2.5 barefoot, Collier has a burly 205-pound frame which he uses to put consistent pressure on the rim. He finished well at the rim (61.7 percent) with nearly 74 percent of those looks being self-created (without an assist). He got himself in trouble with turnovers for much of the season, partially because his passes too ambitious, partially because USC didn’t have the spacing or lob threats to maximize his vision. Collier’s biggest swing skill is definitely his jump shot: he made 33.8 percent of his 80 attempts on the year. For a player who gets to the line a ton, he should probably start working on his free throws, too, because he only hit 67 percent from the charity stripe. If Collier can develop any kind of shot — even from mid-range — his speedy, bully ball game could still have serious pro upside.

8. Donovan Clingan, C, UConn: It’s hard to grasp just how huge Clingan is. At 7’1.75 barefoot with a 7’6.75 wingspan and 280 pound frame, he would have been one of the NBA’s tallest, longest, and heaviest players last season. Clingan was the rock on back-to-back national championship teams at UConn, and his game has an easy translation to the NBA as a rim protector. While he’ll mostly have to play drop coverage, his length and shot-blocking instincts give him a chance to be one of the league’s top paint deterrents. The offense could be a bit worrisome to me, despite the impressive playmaking chops and sparkling 63.7 true shooting percentage he posted this year. Clingan just doesn’t get much pop off the ground as a leaper, and his finishes will get much tougher against more athletic NBA defenders. I also find it concerning that Clingan played less than half the available minutes for UConn on the season, and only played over 30 minutes four times in his sophomore year. Clingan feels safer than other prospects for his size and easy role translation, but his scoring and conditioning issues give me some pause with a top pick.

9. Devin Carter, G, Providence: Carter took a superstar leap in his junior season at Providence by adding improved three-point shooting and paint finishing to his already tenacious defensive ability. Carter Carter went from hitting 29.9 percent of his threes as a sophomore to 37.7 this past season while nearly doubling his number of attempts. He confidently stepped into pull-ups when the defense went under screens, and quickly relocated for spot-ups when he was off-the-ball. Carter’s improved stroke opened up the rest of his offense, and his added craft as a driver (he noted he started playing off two-feet more to model his game after Jalen Brunson after a suggestion from the coaching staff) helped him finish an impressive 65 percent of his shots at the rim. Carter’s best attribute is his defense. Carter has length (6’8.75 wingspan) and explosive leaping ability (42-inch max vertical) that helps him play so much bigger than his size. His 26 dunks this season are a shocking number for a guard who measured 6’2 barefoot. The catch with Carter is he’ll turn 23 years old during his rookie season, and is already the same age as someone like Jalen Green who has three NBA seasons already under his belt. Still, Carter’s fantastic defense and improved shooting stroke earmarks him as a disruptive guard who would thrive next to a bigger initiator.

10. Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg (France): Risacher just doesn’t have enough shot creation upside to go higher than this to me, but it does feel like he has a high floor as an off-ball wing who can space the floor. At 6’8.5 barefoot with a 6’9.5 wingspan, Risacher played a big role in the top French pro league, and had some of his best games of the year deep in the playoffs. He hit 38.7 percent of his threes on 238 attempts this season, usually getting up three or four attempts per game. In addition to the shooting, Risacher looks like a good defensive forward, but it feels like he defends guards better than wings. Is he capable of defending someone like Jayson Tatum a few years from now in a playoff series? If not, it’s hard to see why he’s in the mix for No. 1 overall given that he’s not someone you ask to take the ball and create offense.

11. Stephon Castle, G, UConn: Forget the noise about Castle viewing himself as a long-term point guard: right now, he’s perfectly suited as a defensive stopper who is more of a connective wing offensively. At 6’5.5 barefoot with a 6’9 wingspan and strong 210-pound frame, Castle is a physical guard who wins loose balls and rebounds and can play through contact on both ends. His three-point shot is just very bad right now (26.7 percent on 75 attempts), so a team will have to get creative how to use him offensively (as a short-roll playmaker, in the dunker’s spot, etc.) early in his career. Castle’s size and physicality stands out even with a broken jumper, and if he ever fixes it, this could be one of the better players in this class.

Tier 3: Players with a pathway to success, but with more risk

12. Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite: Smith was just about the only player on the Ignite who surpassed expectations this year. A 6’9 forward with a 7’1 wingspan, Smith is a classic stretch four whose biggest value will come from his shooting and spacing. He hit 36 percent of his threes on 161 attempts for the year. Smith also gets off the floor pretty quickly for a big man, and had 58 dunks as a powerful inside finisher. His ball handling is too limited to create off the dribble, and his defense is an adventure at this point. He’ll need to shoot it at a high level to return this type of a value, but he’s worth a chance as a tall, athletic marksman with deep range.

13. Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana: Ware is oozing with talent, and it’s something of a gift and a curse for him. At 6’11.75 barefoot with a 7’4.5 wingspan, Ware is a huge center with tantalizing athleticism and a nice shooting stroke. He has an easy translation as a rim roller who can slam home dunks on offense (he had 63 dunks this season) and block shots in drop coverage defensively. The upside here comes if Ware’s shot continues to develop after he hit 42 percent of his threes on low volume (40 attempts in 30 games) this year. So what’s the catch? Ware is so talented that he often leaves you wanting more. He’s long been a player said to have a low motor dating back to his freshman year Oregon, and there are times on tape when it feels like he could have grabbed a rebound or blocked a shot but didn’t. He’s not a plus passer, and isn’t someone who should be tasked with decision-making on offense. Ware’s combination of physical tools and shooting potential is still so rare that teams are going to be kicking themselves for passing on him if it all comes together.

16. Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke: Filipowski isn’t the biggest or most explosive center, but he has a case as the most skilled big in the class offensively. The Duke sophomore is a pick-and-pop threat who can also act as a passing hub in the halfcourt. He made 34.8 percent of his threes on 112 attempts this season, and finished with an impressive 18.4 percent assist rate. His defense is likely going to be a problem because he’s not very long (6’10.50’ wingspan) and he can’t really jump, but his playmaking and shot-making is valuable in a league always looking for stretch bigs.

18. Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee: Knecht is the best story in the draft, emerging as a potential lottery pick after a winding journey that included two seasons of JUCO ball and two years at Northern Colorado before his superstar turn at Tennessee this past season. He has an easy translation to the NBA as an off-ball shooter and scorer who can stroke it from deep and attack the rim with some athleticism. I’m lower on Knecht because I’m highly skeptical of his defense, and can’t get over the fact that he turns 24 years old at the end of his rookie year. Still, a team that needs a wing with real shooting versatility and enough juice to finish above the rim when he gets a clear lane will probably take him much higher than this.

19. Zach Edey, C, Purdue: Read my big breakdown of Edey’s pro potential here. His unprecedented size, scoring touch, offensive rebounding, and motor gives him a sliver of star upside at this point in the draft. I just don’t know how he defends an opposing big who can shoot, or a speedy guard on a spaced floor. I’d have him higher if I felt better about him as a processor and passer.

Tier 4 bets

21. DaRon Holmes II, C/F, Dayton: Holmes was one of the very best players in college basketball as a junior for Dayton, unleashing a new dimension of his game by adding offensive skills on the perimeter. Holmes has always an impressive roll man, dunker’s spot finisher, and rim protector with the Flyers. This past season, he improved as a shooter (38.6 percent from three on 83 attempts), ball handler, and passer. Teams will wonder if Holmes is big enough to play the five in the NBA (he measured 6’8.75 barefoot with a 7’1 wingspan) or skilled enough to play the four. That might be overthinking it. He’s just a really good player with legit size who can find a way to make an impact regardless of his role.

25. Bub Carrington, G, Pittsburgh: Carington is a tall (6’3.75 barefoot with a 6’8 wingspan), extremely young (turns 19 a month after the draft) guard with an innate ability to take and make pull-up jumpers. He wasn’t always an efficient scorer (53 percent true shooting), but Carrington’s ability to create his own shot and cash difficult pull-ups is trait that defines star guards. It might take some time, but Carrington’s upside is worth betting on in a weak class.

26. Pacome Dadiet, F, Ulm (France): Dadiet is a super young French young (turns 19 in late July) with an intriguing combination of positional size, athleticism, and shooting touch. Measuring at 6’7.5 barefoot with a 6’9 wingspan, Dadiet hit 39 percent of his threes, a high percentage of two-pointers, and showed a good motor to get rebounds and steals. It might take a few years before he’s ready for the NBA, but the tools are there.

4 NBA Draft sleepers worth targeting

28. KJ Simpson, G, Colorado: Simpson was one of the best guards in college basketball by any measure as a junior for Colorado. He’s a quick and dynamic lead ball handler who can blow past his defender off the dribble, hit a tough floater or mid-range pull-up, or generate free throw attempts at the rim. Best of all, Simpson is a high-volume three-point sniper, hitting 43 percent of 181 attempts on the season. Simpson plays bigger than his size and posted impressive defensive rebound rates and steal rates this season. It’s hard to make it in the league as a guard who measured 6’0.25 barefoot, but Simpson is skilled enough to have a chance.

32. Jamal Shead, G, Houston: Shead an absolute menace defensively. The Houston senior consistently makes multiple efforts on possessions to get over screens, break up passing lanes, and press up on opposing ball handlers with tight, physical coverage. His 4.3 percent steal rate and 2 percent block rate this season are impressive numbers for a guard who measured 6-foot without shoes. Shead also took on the biggest offensive load of his career this season, and answered the challenge by becoming a fantastic college distributor and capable volume scorer. His jump shot and his size are major questions, but Shead’s motor and IQ are too impressive to bet against.

33. Adem Bona, C, UCLA: Bona is an explosive athlete with length who makes plays above the rim on both ends of the floor. The UCLA sophomore was a monster finisher at the rim this year (76 percent) by running the floor hard and getting off the ground quickly as a leaper. He posted the highest standing vertical leap at the combine (35 inches), and was among the top performers in max vertical (40 inches), too. Putting up those numbers at 243 pounds with a 7’3.5 wingspan is undeniably impressive. Bona is definitely short for an NBA center (6’8.5 barefoot) and he doesn’t have any perimeter skill offensively, but his length, strength, hustle, and elite leaping are worth consideration as an energy big off the bench.

37. N’Faly Dante, C, Oregon: Dante has the size and strength to fit on an NBA court as a play finisher right now. He measured at 6’ 10 barefoot with a 7’6 wingspan at 260 pounds. He made 69.5 percent of his field goals exclusively hammering home inside feeds created by his teammates. He has to play a relatively narrow role and will turn 23 years old at the start of the season, Dante’s tools, touch, and production shouldn’t be discounted.

Bronny James is rejecting NBA Draft workouts, and it makes sense bronny,james,is,rejecting,nba,draft,workouts,and,it,makes,sense,sbnation,com,front-page,nba,nba-draft

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The 2024 NBA Draft’s lack of superstar talent has helped make the biggest name in the class a player who might not even be selected. Bronny James, the oldest son of LeBron James, entered the draft after one season at USC. James’ freshman year started with a terrifying heart scare when he collapsed at practice in July, and he never really found his footing after returning to the lineup.

USC was disappointing, finishing under .500 and missing the NCAA tournament despite having another top freshman guard in Isaiah Collier. James made his debut in Dec., mostly coming off the bench to space the floor and defend. He ended up averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on 36.6 percent shooting from the floor and 26.7 percent shooting from three-point range.

It’s rare that a freshman who scores less than five points per game gets drafted into the NBA, but of course James isn’t a normal freshman. With NBA Draft approaching on June 26-27, James and his agency Klutch Sports appear to be keeping teams away from James so they can steer him to a particular destination.

NBA teams have been unable to bring James in for workouts, according to ESPN’s Jon Givony, with two big exceptions. James had a workout for his father’s team, the Los Angeles Lakers (who own the No. 17 and No. 55 pick), and is scheduled to have a second workout with the Phoenix Suns (who own the No. 22 pick). Here’s Givony’s latest reporting:

“NBA teams that I talk to say they cannot get Bronny James into the building,” Givony said. “The sense among teams is that his agent, Rich Paul, does not want him on a two-way contract. […] It’s looking like Bronny James is going to slide to No. 55. I don’t think any NBA team wants to pick him and deal with the repercussions of that.”

This may feel like James is getting special treatment as the son of an all-time legend, but it’s really not. Players and their agencies try to push their way to a certain destination all the time, especially those projected to go in the second round. One recent example is Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who bypassed a chance to go No. 42 to the Pistons so he could be undrafted and sign with LA.

Fred VanVleet is another example of a player who turned down second round opportunities to go undrafted so he could choose his team.

ESPN’s latest mock draft has Bronny James going to the Lakers at No. 55. The Suns don’t currently have a second round pick, though they could acquire one on draft night. Playing with a veteran Phoenix team led by Kevin Durant would be a nice outcome for James, but it sure feels like he’s destined to fulfill his father’s dream by being drafted by the Lakers.

SB Nation’s latest mock draft had the Lakers taking G League Ignite forward Tyler Smith at No. 17.

The real question is what does Bronny want? He shouldn’t be a pawn in his father’s legacy dreams. His career deserves to be taken seriously on its terms. Playing with his famous dad will only bring more pressure, and it’s fair to wonder what happens once LeBron Sr. finally retires.

Everything that’s happened to Bronny over the last year has been kind of sad. We scouted him extensively in high school and believed he was good enough to NBA consideration without his father’s help. The heart issue and the pressure put on by his father have made Bronny’s career seem like a sideshow. Pretty soon, it will be time to sink or swim.

NBA mock draft 2024: Updated projection with latest rumors after NBA Finals nba,mock,draft,updated,projection,with,latest,rumors,after,nba,finals,sbnation,com,front-page,nba,nba-draft,nba-mock-draft,draftkings

NBA mock draft 2024 Updated projection with latest rumors after
On: By: admin


The 2024 NBA Finals are over with the Boston Celtics emerging as champions. The league is now ready to turn the page to next season, starting with the 2024 NBA Draft. The first round of the draft is happening on Wednesday, June 26 on ESPN starting at 8 p.m. ET, and for the first time, the second round will happen the next day.

This has always been a tricky draft to project due to the lack of consensus at the top of the class. Information is slowly starting to trickle out about how teams are approaching this draft, and at this point a framework for team preferences is slowly starting unfold.

Last week, we dropped a mock draft based on what we would do with every pick. This week, we’re delving into the latest intel around the draft to project how the first round looks like it will actually play out. The Hawks hold the keys to the draft at No. 1, and their decision will set the rest of the picks into motion.

1. Atlanta Hawks – Donovan Clingan, C, UConn

No one knows what the Hawks are going to do with this pick mostly because there hasn’t been a consensus No. 1 player in this class at any point in the cycle. The fact that Atlanta was preparing to draft at No. 10 entering the lottery before jumping all the way up to No. 1 probably didn’t help matters. We know the Hawks have scouted French wing Zaccharie Risacher in person at a playoff game and brought him in for a workout. There are rumors the team is also considering trading down, perhaps to target UConn center Donovan Clingan. With Washington and Houston lurking as potential Clingan suitors slightly down the order, it’s starting to feel like Atlanta could just take the Huskies big man at No. 1.

The Hawks’ defense has always been bad since they drafted Trae Young. Last season, Atlanta finished No. 27 in defensive efficiency. Rim protection was a distinct weakness, with the Hawks finished No. 26 in blocks per game. Clingan is the draft’s best shot-blocker, and arguably its most impactful overall defender. An underrated factor in this pick is that Atlanta owes unprotected first round picks to the San Antonio Spurs in 2025 and 2027. Clingan feels more ready to contribute than someone like Sarr (who was my personal pick here last week), and that might make the difference for a team that doesn’t want to surrender a high pick next season.

Photo by COLIN MURTY/AFP via Getty Images

2. Washington Wizards – Alex Sarr, C/F, Perth Wildcats (France)

Sarr has only worked out for one team according to HoopsHype, and that’s the Washington Wizards. This feels like an obvious match if he’s still on the board at No. 2. Sarr has the best physical tools in the draft as an athletic 7’1 big man with a 7’4 wingspan who can run the floor, make plays above the rim on both ends, and has shown flashes of ball handling and shooting ability. The Wizards’ rebuild still feels like it’s in its infancy, and that means someone like Sarr — obviously talented but still years away from his potential ceiling — also fits the team’s big picture timeline.

3. Houston Rockets – Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

The only elite prospect Houston has brought in for a workout so far is Clingan. There have also been rumors that the Rockets are looking to trade this pick, maybe even seeing if they can get the Nets to bite on a Mikal Bridges deal. If Houston stays at No. 3, Sheppard makes a lot of sense as a long-term addition to the backcourt. Sheppard is tiny by today’s standards (6’3 with a proportional wingspan), but he’s an elite three-point shooter (52 percent from deep) and has razor sharp hands defensively that help him force turnovers. The Rockets have enough freak athletes to cover for Sheppard’s limitations, and he can help Houston’s existing young core by providing spacing and more transition opportunities via turnovers.

4. San Antonio Spurs – Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg (France)

Risacher has only worked out for the Hawks and Spurs, according to HoopsHype. This is starting to feel like his floor, and the Spurs would probably be elated to have him fall. Risacher is a good fit in San Antonio, and not just because he’s another young Frenchman to put around Victor Wembanyama. The 6’9 wing played a big role in the top French league as an 18-year-old, contributing shooting, on-ball defense, and transition playmaking. He hit more than 39 percent of his threes on the season, and had some of his best games deep in the playoffs. The Spurs can still fill their obvious need in the backcourt with their next pick at No. 8 overall.

5. Detroit Pistons – Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite

The Pistons are still fleshing out their new front office led by Trajan Langdon, and he has a ton of work to do coming off a 14-win season. He inherits a team built by former executive Troy Weaver that’s loaded with former lottery picks (Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren) who haven’t gelled into anything resembling a competitive NBA team yet. Buzelis is a nice on-paper fit in the existing young core, adding a raw but talented 6’10 forward who flashes perimeter skill and showed surprising toughness at the rim defensively. I continue to really like the fit for Rob Dillingham here, because the Pistons desperately need shooting and playmaking. Buzelis just feels more likely to go in the top-5, and this is a sensible enough fit.

6. Charlotte Hornets – Stephon Castle, G, UConn

One of the few rumors of this draft thus far is that Castle wants to play point guard in the NBA, and doesn’t want to work out for teams with star point guards already in place, according to ESPN. Castle hasn’t had any workouts yet according to the HoopsHype tracker, but insiders are saying he won’t slip past the Hornets at this pick. Castle might want to be a point guard, but he plays much more like a connective wing, and that makes him a good fit between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller in Charlotte. Castle defends his ass off, fights for loose balls and rebounds, and has the strength to finish through contact at the rim. His jump shot is terrible at the moment, but his 75.5 percent mark from the free throw line could inspire some long-term hope in his shooting.

Colorado v Marquette

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

7. Portland Trail Blazers – Cody Williams, F, Colorado

The Blazers have been connected to several players at this point in the pre-draft process: Clingan (who they might have to trade up for), Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht, and French forward Tijane Salaun, all of whom have officially had workouts with the team. Cody Williams has also reportedly had a less publicized meeting in Portland, and would seem to fit well as a long-term piece on the wing around Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson. The real question is how much pressure Portland’s front office is under to try to inch this thing closer to competitiveness. The Blazers still feel far away from making a real push in the West, and Williams is far away from hitting his potential ceiling as an NBA player. This pick makes sense unless someone powerful in the organization is starting to lose patience.

8. San Antonio Spurs – Nikola Topic, G, Red Stars (Serbia)

The Spurs need to fill their hole at point guard somehow this summer, whether they’re trying to trade for a veteran like Darius Garland or nabbing a playmaker in this draft. Topic likely would have been gone by this point in the draft had he not torn his ACL in May. While the length of Topic’s recovery remains a point of speculation, he makes sense for San Antonio even if he has to miss his whole rookie year. Topic is a super fast lead guard who thrives getting downhill and finishing with craft below the rim. Isaiah Collier and Rob Dillingham would also make sense here. The reality is that San Antonio — with Victor Wembanyama in tow — feels like by far the best landing spot for any young guard prospect.

9. Memphis Grizzlies – Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite

The Grizzlies struck gold in the draft last year by taking a former highly-touted recruit who slipped in the draft after struggling in his pre-draft season. If it worked with GG Jackson, it can work with Ron Holland too. Holland had a brutal year shooting the ball for a G League Ignite team that was so bad they shut down the program. Still, his defensive motor, transition scoring, and wicked athleticism will quickly remind you why he was once considered the front-runner to go No. 1 overall in this class. The Grizzlies reportedly want to contend in the West this season and Holland is a little too young and too raw to do that, but with Ja Morant only turning 25 years this summer, Memphis still has a wide window. Holland could fit their long-term vision well as a player who embodies the franchise’s old grit-n-grind spirit.

10. Utah Jazz – Tidjane Salaun, F, Cholet (France)

Salaun has been the most active lottery prospect in team workouts thus far, already spending time with the Pistons at No. 5, the Blazers at No. 7, the Spurs at No. 8, the Jazz at this pick, and the Thunder at No. 12. Utah doesn’t seem like they’re in any rush to be competitive, and likely has its eye on Cooper Flagg at the top of the 2025 draft. Salaun is a good long-term prospect for his size, motor, and shooting potential at forward, and his development fits the timeline of the organization.

11. Chicago Bulls – Devin Carter, G, Providence

The Bulls are reportedly eying trading up in this draft, but parting with future draft capitol to do it would be a huge mistake. Chicago is in a great spot at No. 11 to just take the best player who falls, and Carter, Rob Dillingham, and Isaiah Collier could each fit that description in this mock. Carter was the first lottery prospect to work out for the Bulls, and there has been speculation that they gave him a promise. Carter would be a good long-term replacement for Alex Caruso as a tenacious on-ball defender who made real strides as a shooter and driver last season as a junior at Providence. Carter and the Bulls have been connected so often in the pre-draft process that this feels like the safest player to peg here.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky

Dillingham should go much higher than this based on talent, but it’s understandable that teams would be weary of a guard this small, this weak, and this bad defensively. The Thunder are smart enough to spot a great value when they see one. Dillingham might be the best ball handler in the class, and he has a case as the best shooter available, too. He’s deadly at ripping deep shots whether he’s on or off the ball, and his passing vision is underrated, too. OKC has so much length and defense already in place that it can accommodate a small guard bursting with offensive talent like Dillingham.

13. Sacramento Kings – Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee

This feels like the low-end for Knecht’s range in the draft, with the Blazers lurking as his floor with the next pick. Knecht fits Sacramento’s existing style well: he’s a high-volume, highly-accurate three-point shooter for a team that finished No. 3 in three-point rate last season. Sacramento could probably use a little more size at this pick, but Knecht feels like a plug-and-play option for a team that wants to stay competitive in the West.

14. Portland Blazers – Tristan da Silva, F, Colordo

A four-year player at Colorado, da Silva is a tall shooter who lacks premium athletic ability. Portland is the only team he’s worked out for at this point, according to HoopsHype, and it’s easy to see his potential value there as a floor spacer for Scoot Henderson and Co. Indiana center Kel’el Ware and Miami forward Kyshawn George feel like other options here.

California v USC

Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

15. Miami Heat – Isaiah Collier, G, USC

Collier was supposed to compete for the No. 1 pick entering this cycle before an up-and-down year filled with losing for USC. Collier has only worked out for the Heat, according to HoopsHype, and Miami should jump at the chance to take a player with the potential to be a long-term offensive engine if everything goes right. Collier is a fast and strong lead guard who can bully his way into the paint and has impressive passing vision. He needs to work on his jumper, but the Heat do player development better than anyone.

16. Philadelphia 76ers – Bub Carrington, G, Pitt

Carrington has reportedly been earning some lottery buzz lately — he worked out for the Kings at No. 13 — and has the mix of size and shooting teams look for in a guard. At 6’5 with a 6’8 wingspan, Carrington is at his best shooting pull-up jumpers off the dribble from deep and from mid-range. Philly feels likely to shop this pick in a trade for a win-now veteran, but this is starting to feel like Carrington’s range regardless of who’s choosing here.

17. Los Angeles Lakers – Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite

Smith has been extremely active on the team workout scene over the last month, stopping by the Heat, Lakers, Pelicans, Knicks, Thunder, Trail Blazers, Raptors, and Wizards. In a weaker draft, his combination of size (6’9 barefoot) and shooting feels like a worthy bet. Even as he readies to turn 40 years old this season, surrounding LeBron James with shooters is always a good move. Smith was one of the few G League Ignite players who wasn’t a disappointment this season, and he has a pathway to NBA success if he can improve his defensive awareness.

18. Orlando Magic – Jared McCain, G, Duke

The Magic typically prefer players with long wingspans, and McCain does not fit that mold after measuring at 6’2 barefoot with a 6’3.5 wingspan at the combine. Still, McCain feels like exactly what this team needs as a sharpshooter in the backcourt who can space the floor for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. McCain isn’t a natural on-ball creator, but his jump shot would really help out Orlando’s offense.

19. Toronto Raptors – Zach Edey, C, Purdue

Edey has made the rounds in the pre-draft process, working out for the Lakers, Heat, Bucks, Pelicans, Raptors, Blazers, and Jazz. Toronto makes sense as a landing spot for the 7’4 giant, and not just because he’s Canadian. Edey offers a sliver of upside other players in this range don’t due to his unparalleled size and production at the college level. He’s incredibly skilled as an interior scorer and offensive rebounder, and it’s undeniably impressive that he often played all 40 minutes for the Purdue at nearly 300 pounds. He’s a worthwhile flier in this range for a team that needs a long-term ceiling raiser.

Nebraska v Indiana

Photo by David Berding/Getty Images

20. Cleveland Cavaliers – Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana

Cleveland has so much up in the air entering the offseason. Will Donovan Mitchell sign a long-term extension? Will Darius Garland be shopped if that happens? Will the trade rumors that have floated around Jarrett Allen in recent years come to fruition? Ware makes sense as the best player available if the Cavs do decide to swap out Allen for a wing. He has similar athletic tools to Allen, but has the potential to be a real floor spacer with his jump shot. This would be an extremely skilled young front court if Cleveland can keep Ware’s motor up.

21. New Orleans Pelicans – Jaylon Tyson, G, Cal

Tyson has been everywhere in the pre-draft process with reported workouts in Cleveland, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, and Toronto. At 6’5.5 barefoot with a 6’8 wingspan, Tyson offers advanced ball handling and footwork, a solid shooting stroke, and some passing flashes. He can fit into almost any team context as a wing who can provide off-ball scoring and some secondary creation.

22. Phoenix Suns – Yves Missi, C, Baylor

There’s been a lot of buzz for Tyler Kolek in this spot, but if a talent like Missi falls, the Suns should feel comfortable taking a swing. Phoenix could really use some rim protection and athleticism in the front court, and Missi has that in spades. He may not fit Kevin Durant’s win-now timeline, but Missi has great long-term tools as an above-the-rim play finisher and shot blocker.

23. Milwaukee Bucks – Kyshawn George, F, Miami

George measured at 6’7 barefoot with a 6’10.5 wingspan, and made 40.8 percent of his threes as a freshman for Miami. He moves well enough to have some defensive potential, and he knows who he is as a player: 68.4 percent of George’s field goal attempts were from three-point range. Milwaukee would probably prefer a more “NBA ready” player, but this feels like the right range for George and a decent landing spot.

NC State v Duke

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

24. New York Knicks – Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke

Filipowski is probably too talented to fall this far in the draft, but it would be a boon for the Knicks if it happened. While the Duke sophomore is relatively slow and gravity-bound, he’s one of the most skilled bigs in this class. Filipowski could replicate a lot of Isaiah Hartenstein’s playmaking, and he has more shooting potential. There are some defensive concerns with Filipowski, but he can be a weapon offensively if he shoots it.

25. New York Knicks – Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor

Walter was getting lottery hype for most of the year, but it’s easy to see a scenario where he starts to fall on draft day. He’s a wing in the ‘three-and-D’ mold, but both his shot and his defense were inconsistent as a freshman at Baylor. If he slips this far, he’d be a great value as an off-ball floor spacer for the Knicks.

26. Washington Wizards – Johnny Furphy, F, Kansas

Furphy makes sense for a Washington team trying to develop young players next season without any real pressure to win. A 6’8 freshman wing from Kansas (via Australia), Furphy scored efficiently (61 percent true shooting) and shot the ball well from three (35.3 percent) even if his shot dipped a bit late in the season.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves – Baylor Scheierman, F, Creighton

Scheierman’s range appears to start in the late first round after he worked out for the Wolves, Jazz, and Celtics, all teams picking between 27-30. The Wolves don’t really have a designated shooter off the bench, and the Creighton super senior makes sense in that role. He hit 39 percent of his threes for his college career, and showed he could get them up with volume last season by attempting 8.3 triples per game. He’s not the longest or strongest wing, but he’s just tall enough (6’6.25 barefoot) to have a chance to stick.

28. Denver Nuggets – Pacome Dadiet, F, Ulm (France)

It would make sense if the Nuggets shopped this pick for a win-now veteran, but we can’t have Dadiet falling much farther. The French wing measured at 6’7.5 without shoes with a 6’9 wingspan, and showed solid athletic traits, a high motor, and decent three-point touch while playing for Ulm in the German league. He’s very young, but he feels like one of the best upside fliers in the draft once we get to the 20s.

29. Utah Jazz – Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia

Dunn is a defensive monster as a rangey forward with elite athleticism who can defend out on the perimeter or provide secondary rim protection. The issue is that he can’t just can’t shoot at all right now — he went 7-of-35 from three as a sophomore at Virginia. Dunn has worked out for Utah and makes sense as a long-term development bet if they can fix his jump shot.

30. Boston Celtics – DaRon Holmes II, C/F, Dayton

Holmes has reportedly shut down his pre-draft workouts amid rumors that he’s received a promise somewhere in the first round. If he slips this far, it would be highway robbery for the Celtics. The junior big man was one of the best players in college basketball for Dayton this past season, combining improved shooting and playmaking ability with the athletic big man skills he’s always showcased. Holmes may be a tad undersized as a center, but his perimeter offensive development gives him a chance to play next to other bigs down the road.

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This week eight men’s college baseball teams arrive in Omaha with a shot at a national championship, and NCAA baseball immortality.

But for some of the players in Omaha, the Men’s College World Series is just the next stop on their way to achieving their personal MLB dreams.

The 2024 MLB Draft is now a month away, as it gets underway on July 14 in Fort Worth, Texas. Many prospects have done all they can to impress the scouts, but some players still have some baseball to be played, as they chase down a National Championship in Omaha.

How might the first round play out, and what players should you keep an eye on in the Men’s College World Series? Here is our first MLB mock draft of the 2024 scouting season..

1. Cleveland Guardians: Charlie Condon, 3B, Georgia

Throughout the spring Charlie Condon and Travis Bazzana have flip-flopped in this position, and if the Guardians end up drafting Bazzana it will certainly not be a surprise. Both players posted video game numbers this year (with Condon putting up a slash line of .433/.556/1.009 along with 37 home runs) and the Georgia infielder has room to grow into his 6’6 frame.

2. Cincinnati Reds: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State

As noted above, Bazzana and Condon have flip-flopped in the one and two spots throughout mock draft season. Many mocks have the Oregon State infielder in the top spot right now, given his production over his time on campus. A tremendous summer on the Cape, as he won Cape Cod MVP honors as well as a batting title with a .375 average — done with a wooden bat, which MLB scouts love to see — might give him the edge.

Ultimately it might come down to a preference regarding Bazzana’s middle infielder profile, and Condon’s corner infielder prospects. However, both the Reds and the Guardians are in a good spot.

3. Colorado Rockies: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida

This might be where the 2024 MLB Draft truly begins, with the Colorado Rockies in the third spot. A number of players have been linked to Colorado with this pick, but for my money Ja Caglianone is the most fascinating player in the draft. His two-way skills have earned him the nickname “Jactani” — a nod to Shohei Ohtani — but his MLB future is likely forged as a hitter.

To that point, Caglianone stands alone in the storied history of SEC baseball as the only player with back-to-back 30 HR seasons.

Coming into this season there was a concern about his strikeout numbers, as he struckout 58 times in 319 plate appearances a season ago. But this year he cut down on the strikeouts dramatically, striking out just 25 times over his 297 plate appearances. He also raised his batting average from .323 in 2023 to an impressive .411 this past season.

Given that he is absolutely a pro-level prospect with what he can do on the mound, Caglianone is absolutely worthy of an early selection.

4. Oakland Athletics: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest

A few different arms have the potential to be the first pitcher taken in July, and at the moment the nod might go to Chase Burns out of Wake Forest. Burns began his collegiate career at Tennessee — after being drafted in the 20th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres — but was moved to the bullpen after a stint as a starter in the Volunteers rotation.

Burns transferred to Wake Forest and thrived as a starter, going 10-1 this season with an ERA of 2.70 while holding opposing hitters to a .175 batting average. He has a solid array of pitches, with a fastball that can top out in triple digits, an impressive slider, and a curveball and a changeup that round out his attack.

5. Chicago White Sox: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas

Burns is one option for an arm inside the top five of the 2024 MLB Draft. Left-hander Hagen Smith is the other. Smith leaves campus having gotten better and better every single season at Arkansas. Back in 2022 Smith started 20 games for the Razorbacks, posting a 7-2 record with an ERA of 4.66 and a batting average allowed of .234.

Over the 2023 season Smith posted a win-loss record of 8-2, with an ERA of 3.64 while holding hitters to a batting average of .217.

This past season? Smith went 9-2 for the Razorbacks, with an ERA of 2.04 and an opponent batting average of .144. That is quite the trajectory.

Smith also uses a three-quarters delivery, which you can see in this cutup from Rob Friedman:

While he underwent Tommy John surgery as a high school sophomore, he has been a workhorse since then, with the potential to be a top-tier starter in the majors.

6. Kansas City Royals: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest

Wake Forest recruited Nick Kurtz as a left-handed starting pitcher, but his prowess at the dish saw him thrive as a hitter in the collegiate game. He has been a force at the plate for the Demon Deacons since arriving on campus, posting a slash line of .338/.471./.637 back in 2022 with 15 home runs. This past season saw his average dip a bit, as he hit .306, but combine that with an OBP of .531 and a .763 Slugging Percentage and you have some really solid numbers.

Strikeouts might be an issue, as he was punched out 50 times back in 2023 and another 42 times this past season. But the numbers at the plate warrant an early selection.

7. St. Louis Cardinals: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M

The Aggies are headed to Omaha, and Braden Montgomery is a huge reason why. The outfielder is part of a three-headed monster at Texas A&M, along with infielder Gavin Grahovac and fellow outfielder Jace Laviolette, that punishes opposing pitchers.

As for Montgomery, he put up a slash line of .322/.454/.733 this past season, while belting 27 home runs and driving in a team-high 85 runs. The switch-hitting prospect has seen his power numbers tick up sine the start of his collegiate career, which came at Stanford before transferring to Texas A&M.

Oh, and he also pitches. While the Aggies only used him in two games this past year with one start, he appeared in ten games for Stanford in 2023 and 13 back in 2022. In that 2022 campaign he held hitters to a batting average of just .197.

His MLB future, however, is likely as a corner outfielder.

8. Los Angeles Angels: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina

At first blush, this might seem like a reach.

But from where I sit, few players have helped their draft stock the past few weeks more than Vance Honeycutt.

The UNC outfielder is a true “five-tool” player, with lots of evidence to back up that proposition. You can point to the second straight ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award he earned this spring, or the 76 bases he swiped on campus over his three seasons. You can also point to the 63 home runs he hit at UNC, becoming the school leader in that category.

But for me it was what he delivered in the Super Regionals that tell his full story, as he belted a walk-off two run shot in Game 1 against West Virginia, and then started Game 2 with a solo shot on the very first pitch of the game.

Strikeouts are an issue, and are a big reason he is often seen in the late teens in mock drafts. His strikeout rate back in 2022 was 30%, and after dipping in 2023 crept back up to 28% this past season. But someone is going to place a big bet on those tools, and be happy they did.

9. Pittsburgh Pirates: JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, West Virginia

After taking Paul Skenes with the first-overall selection a year ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates likely look to add a bat with this selection. They have been linked to a few players already selected in this mock, including Montgomery and Kurtz, but with both taken they look at the West Virginia middle infielder.

JJ Wetherholt is one of the best hitters in the class, and showed that during a 2022 campaign where he posted an astronomical slash line of .449/.517/.782, earning Big 12 Conference Player of the Year honors. A hamstring injury at the start of the 2024 campaign cut down his production numbers, but he is as close to a sure thing at the plate as it gets. His MLB position remains a question mark, as he might be better suited to 2B in the pros, but this is a top ten pick.

10. Washington Nationals: Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep MS

After a run of college players we see our first prep prospect come off the board.

And what a prospect Konnor Griffin is.

He put up absurd numbers this past season, batting .559 with 9 home runs. He also stole 85 bases in just 43 games, and was named the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year. That combination of speed and power makes him a player with 30-30 potential at the next level.

Try and find where this home run lands. It is not easy:

While he has committed to LSU, expect him to be an early pick next month.

11. Detroit Tigers: Bryce Ranier, SS, Harvard-Westlake (CA)

The draft continues along prep lines with Bryce Ranier, a shortstop from Harvard-Westlake in California. At the National High School Invitational Ranier put on a show, going 7-for-13 with two doubles, five walks, and a pair of stolen bases. He also posted the top four exit velocities at the plate, and did that while making a relief appearance that saw him consistently in the mid 90s with his fastball.

That above link has a good cutup of Ranier’s approach at the plate.

Ranier has committed to Texas, but like Griffin he is likely an early pick in round one.

12. Boston Red Sox: James Tibbs III, OF, Florida State

This might be the second inflection point of the first round. While the first comes at pick No. 3 by the Colorado Rockies — after the expected top two of Condon and Bazzana in some order — the second is here.

Which makes me nervous as a Boston Red Sox fan.

As noted in this mock draft from MLB.com, at this point there are over a dozen college hitters “who could go anywhere from the teens to the supplemental first round and tye could come off the board in just about any order.” However, that same mock has Florida State outfielder James Tibbs going in the top-ten selections, while here (in yes a bit of homer manifestation I concede) Tibbs slides to the Red Sox at No. 12.

Tibbs put up massive numbers for the Seminoles this season, with a slash line of .374/.497/.813, and was huge for FSU in the Super Regionals against Connecticut. Tibbs went 2-for-5 with four RBI in their Game 1 win over the Huskies, and then had a massive afternoon in Game 2, going 5-for-6 with four RBI and three home runs, including this two-run shot in the top of the 12th to give FSU the 10-8 lead:

Yes, I am manifesting. But you understand why.

13. San Francisco Giants: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS (AZ)

I know what you are thinking.

No, Cam Caminiti is not Ken Caminiti’s son.

But they are cousins.

The LSU commit has done work both on the bump and at the dish, but his MLB future is likely as a left-handed starting pitcher. Caminiti has four solid pitches, including a fastball that can top out in the upper 90s along with both a curveball and a slider. That fourth pitch is a changeup, which he used more this past season according to scouting reports.

Here is a good look at Caminiti on the bump:

14. Chicago Cubs: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina

Trey Yesavage missed the AAC Tournament with a partially collapsed lung.

He came back for the Regionals and in Game 2 of the Greenville Regional against Wake Forest he went 7.1 innings, allowing just one run. His counterpart that day? Chase Burns, who lasted just five innings and gave up four runs.

On the year Yesavage went 11-1 with an ERA of 2.02, while holding hitters to a .154 clip.

His slider might be his best pitch, but he can dial it up with the fastball, which gets into the upper 90s.

15. Seattle Mariners: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

After hitting just .258 in 2023 for the Seminoles, Smith broke out in a huge way this past season. Smith put up a slash line of .402/.497/.677 for FSU this year, while cutting his strikeout rate from 29% in 2023 to just 16% this past season.

He also enjoyed a strong summer on the Cape, earning Most Outstanding Pro Prospect honors in the Cape Cod league while putting up an OPS of .981.

The draft-eligible sophomore can certainly help his cause in Omaha.

16. Miami Marlins: Seaver King, 3B/OF, Wake Forest

After two standout seasons at Division II Wingate (NC) where he slashed .411/.457/.699 with 11 homers as a sophomore, Seaver King transferred to Wake Forest. He played all over the field for the Demon Deacons this season, seeing time at shortstop, second, third, and in the outfield.

This season he put up a slash line of .308/.377/.577, while showing some pop with 16 home runs. He also has some wood bat experience, having secured MVP accolades in the Valley League in 2022, and hitting .424 with the Harwich Mariners last summer in the Cape Cod League.

His MLB position might be a question mark, and his best fit might be at shortstop, but the bat leads the way.

17. Milwaukee Brewers: Tommy White, 3B, LSU

In the bottom of the 11th inning in a game against Wake Forest in last year’s Men’s College World Series, Tommy “Tanks” White strode to the plate with a berth in the Finals on the line. He was looking for a fastball.

He did not get one.

It did not matter:

White’s walk-off home run capped off an instant classic, and has become part of LSU baseball lore. In fact the play was name the Male Sports Play of the Year by the school, and helped LSU along to a National Title.

While the Tigers’ bid for another championship fell short this year, White certainly held up his end of the bargain, slashing .330/.401/.638. He also hit 24 home runs, marking the third-straight season he left the yard at least 24 times (he belted 27 home runs at NC State in 2022, then 24 in both 2023 and 2024 with LSU).

The Brewers are rumored to be eying college bats with this selection, and White stands out as a very good option.

18. Tampa Bay Rays: William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic HS (LA)

While teams sometimes shy away from high school pitchers in the first round, the Tampa Bay Rays are not one of those teams. Looking through their draft history you see a number of high school arms in the first round, including Blake Snell, Matthew Liberatore, and most recently Nick Bitsko in 2020.

William Schmidt could be their next high school pitcher in the first round, especially if he slides to them at No. 18. Scouts believe he has the best breaking ball in the class, a low-80s “hammer” that has a spin rate over 3,000 and a heater that sits in the mid-90s.

Here are both pitches in action:

He has committed to LSU, but he might be headed elsewhere.

19. New York Mets: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State

According to reports the Mets have been looking at college hitters for this spot, and given how this mock draft has fallen, their eyes turn to Carson Benge. The Oregon State outfielder has put up monster numbers the past two collegiate seasons, slashing .343/.466/.535 during 2023 and showing a bit more pop this past year, posting a slash line of .335/.444/.665 with 18 home runs, more than double his 2023 total of seven.

Benge is also a solid prospect on the bump, as he went 3-1 this season for the Beavers with an ERA of 2.75, and an impressive BA allowed of just .175. However, like some prospects we have already discussed, his future lies with what he can do as a left-handed hitter.

20. Toronto Blue Jays: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston State

We have our first catcher.

Four catchers are potential first-round picks next month: Walker Janek from Sam Houston State, Malcolm Moore from Stanford, Caleb Lomavita from California, and NC State backstop Jacob Cozart. (For those looking ahead to this weekend’s Men’s College World Series, Cozart is a master when it comes to framing pitches … perhaps too good).

The Toronto Blue Jays have been mentioned as a team that could look to a catcher with this selection, and Janek is the pick here. He hit .281 in the Cape Cod League regular season this past summer with Falmouth, with five home runs. That will certainly help his prospects.

21. Minnesota Twins: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee

As you can probably tell there are a host of prospects that will be playing in the Men’s College World Series over the next few days, if not beyond.

One of those is Christian Moore, who helps power a Volunteers lineup that is one of the best in the college game. Moore started his college journey as a DH for the Volunteers, before cracking the lineup at second base. This season he slashed .375/.453/.796, while ripping a career-best 32 home runs. He is one of five everyday players in the Tennessee lineup with an OPS over 1.000, and he has some speed too, as evidenced by the 16 steals a season ago.

22. Baltimore Orioles: Ryan Sloan, RHP, York HS (IL)

Mike Elias has not drafted a high school pitcher since taking over in Baltimore, but if Ryan Sloan falls to this spot, the Orioles GM might just break that streak. Ryan Sloan brings three solid pitches to the table as a prospect: A fastball that hangs in the mid-90s with some upper-90s pop, a solid changeup, and a slider with some good horizontal movement.

You can see all three pitches on display in this cutup of Sloan:

23. Los Angeles Dodgers: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa

There was a time when I thought Brody Brecht would be appearing in more football mock drafts than anything else, as he enrolled at Iowa as a wide receiver for the football team as well as his duties on the bump for the Hawkeyes. But after a redshirt season, and playing sparingly the year after that, Brecht left the gridiron behind to focus on his pitching duties.

Probably a smart move.

He led all pitchers with a .143 batting average against during the 2023 campaign, when he finished with a 5-2 record and an ERA of 3.74. He went 4-3 this season with an ERA of just 3.33, while hitters managed a .165 average against him in 2024.

He has drawn some comparisons to Paul Skenes thanks to a fastball that can hit triple digits, and a slider with some snap. You can see both pitches here:

A lofty comparison to be sure, but one that will certainly grab some attention.

24. Atlanta Braves: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee

Earlier we discussed the potent Volunteers lineup that features five everyday players with an OPS above 1.000. Christian Moore, the second baseman, is one of those players.

Billy Amick is another.

Amick slashed .313/.392/.678 this past season for Tennessee, leading to that OPS north of 1.000. The third baseman also belted 23 home runs, behind only Moore on the Volunteers’ roster. A solid weekend in Omaha could see his stock move even higher than the back end of the first round.

25. San Diego Padres: Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View (AR)

A.J. Preller has drafted a high school player in the first round of the last seven MLB Drafts.

Will he make it eight?

Slade Caldwell was the Gatorade Arkansas high school Player of the Year as a junior in 2023, when he hit .512 with five home runs. Described as his high school coach as a “true five tool player,” Caldwell can be a menace on the base paths with a left-handed swing that can spray line drives to all fields.

26. New York Yankees: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City (OK)

The New York Yankees are likely to select the best bat available, unless one of the top arms falls to them.

In this scenario, one of the top arms indeed falls to them.

Kash Mayfield helped Elk City to the state semifinals in 2023, and he was named Gatorade’s Oklahoma high school Player of the Year as a result. That season he finished with a 9-1 record and a 0.75 ERA across 46 2/3 innings of work. In that span, he fanned 109 batters and walked only 13, allowing 18 hits in total. But after taking the summer off he exploded this spring, he truly made a name for himself at the Super 60 Pro Showcase in February, where he showed improved velocity on his fastball.

During the 2023 season his fastball was in the mid- to upper-80s, but starting with the Super 60 Pro Showcase and into his spring season it was hitting in the mid- to upper-90s. Add in a solid changeup and a curve that he commands well, and you have starter stuff in the big leagues.

27. Philadelphia Phillies: Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State

The Philadelphia Phillies dipped into the high school market with their first-round selection a year ago, drafting Aidan Miller out of J. W. Mitchell High School in Florida.

They could dip back into the high school market, and if the board fell this way Theo Gillen out of Westlake High School in Texas would be an option, but here we have the Phillies adding Dakota Jordan from Mississippi State. The left-handed hitting outfielder put up big numbers for the Bulldogs this season, slashing .354/.459/.671 with 20 home runs, doubling the number he posted a season ago.

Another consideration with Jordan? He might still be learning how to use his speed. He was a three-star WR recruit coming out of high school and planned on playing receiver for Mississippi State, and also ran track while in high school.

But speaking of speed, his bat speed stands out. Watch how quick he gets his hands around on this home run from the Charlottesville Regional:

That’s pretty quick.

28. Houston Astros: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State

As a sophomore in 2023 Kaelen Culpepper slashed .325/.423/.576 for the Wildcats, but there were concerns about his power projection when he struggled a bit this past summer in the Cape Cod League. Playing for the Harwich Mariners, Culpepper hit just .270 with a .318 Slugging Percentage, as his three doubles were his only extra-base hits.

But Culpepper moved to shortstop for this past season, ahd showed the ability to handle the defensive parts of the position while continuing to improve at the plate. This year he slashed .324/.416/.570 with 11 home runs, a career-high number. He may never be a 20+ HR player in the bigs, but could be a consistent 15-20 HR player with the ability to hit for average.

29. Arizona Diamondbacks: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford

Thanks to the MLB Draft rules, the Arizona Diamondbacks have three picks clustered together, starting with this selection at No. 29 overall. With Corbin Carroll winning National League Rookie of the Year the Diamondbacks will be on the clock again at No. 31, and then they will be on the clock again at No. 35, in the “Competitive Balance Round.”

So they have a lot of freedom with this pick to explore the studio space.

Catcher Malcolm Moore from Stanford could be an option. Moore put up a slash line of .255/.414/.553 this year, which does not jump off the page, but the tools are there for him to be a more consistent hitter. He showed that during his first season at Stanford, when he slashed .311/.386/.564, and the power has been there both season, as he belted 15 home runs in 2023 and another 16 home runs this past season.

30. Texas Rangers: Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State

You read that right.

Jurrangelo Cinjntje is a natural left-hander, but wanted to be like his dad, who was a right-handed pitcher in the Netherlands. So he would put on his dad’s right-handed glove and start to throw.

He first became known worldwide as a member of Curacao’s team at the 2016 Little League World Series, where his switch-pitching ability drew lots of eyeballs. As a right-handed hurler he operates with a fastball that can get into the upper 90s, while that same pitch left-handed is more of a low-90s heater.

For fun, here is an overlay of Cinjntje throwing a fastball with both arms:

Also if you are wondering, his glove is a custom design that he can change on the fly:

His best stuff comes as a right-hander, so do not be surprised if he focuses on that going forward. But he is certainly an intriguing prospect.