NBA mock draft: Projecting the top
14 post-lottery
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[May 13, 2024]
The NBA draft lottery is complete, the order of the top 14
picks is cemented and the Atlanta Hawks are on the clock.
With about six weeks left before the draft begins June 27, Field
Level Media takes a crack at projecting the lottery picks. There is
no can't-miss star like Victor Wembanyama atop this year's draft
board, but we may see a French big man go first overall for the
second year running.
1. Atlanta Hawks: Alexandre Sarr, F/C, Perth Wildcats
The Hawks, who had just a 3 percent chance to win the No. 1 pick,
now have every option in front of them. The answer, though, should
be Sarr as a successor to Clint Capela. Tall, lean, mobile and
talented as a ball-handler and passer, Sarr's most pressing task
will be to bolster one of the league's worst defenses.
2. Washington Wizards: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Clingan isn't just any old college center. He's a 7-foot-2 monster
in the interior with a 7-foot-7 wingspan who played a crucial role
helping the Huskies win back-to-back national championships. His rim
protection will make the Wizards' ghastly defense better and he'll
be a persistent dunk threat teamed with Kyle Kuzma in the
frontcourt.
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3. Houston Rockets: Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg
This Frenchman's most notable trait is his 3-point shot, which he's
connected on at ridiculous levels playing in his home nation's top
league. Doing the same for Houston is another matter, but Risacher
has the right build to fit in on the wing for a Rockets team that
can take its time with him as it completes its rebuild.
4. San Antonio Spurs: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
Rob, meet Victor. Gregg Popovich will make sure you get along
splendidly. Perhaps the best point guard in a class with several
near the top, Dillingham offers the complete package on offense
(15.2 points, 3.9 assists per game, 44.4 percent shooting from deep
at Kentucky).
5. Detroit Pistons: Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Sheppard went from being the fifth-most hyped freshman in Kentucky's
class to the consensus National Freshman of the Year. It helps to
make more than half your 3-pointers and grab 2.5 steals a game. The
Pistons tied for the fewest made 3-pointers per game and need a
catch-and-shoot threat like Sheppard.
6. Charlotte Hornets: Nikola Topic, G, Red Star Belgrade
Topic's size (6-foot-6 or 6-foot-7, depending on your source),
scoring and playmaking ability have powered his rise up draft boards
this season. After dominating the Adriatic League, the 18-year-old
projects as a major backcourt addition for any NBA team, but
especially the Hornets, who need more playmaking guards especially
considering LaMelo Ball's injury history.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
The 6-foot-11 Lithuanian-American offers a lot to Scoot Henderson
and the Blazers. He averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists
and 2.1 blocks per game in the G League regular season and comes
from multiple generations of basketball pros, highlighted by his IQ.
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8. San Antonio Spurs: Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee
Knecht took the Southeastern Conference by storm as an offensive
machine for the Vols and won league Player of the Year honors. He's
already 23 years old, but the Spurs ranked 28th in 3-point
percentage last year and Knecht offers a jolt in that department
from Day One.
9. Memphis Grizzlies: Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite
Memphis may be getting a steal in Holland, once considered a
potential No. 1 overall pick before an up-and-down G League season.
At his best, Holland scores at will attacking the basket and is a
threat as a passer and defender. The Grizzlies owned the worst
scoring offense in the NBA, but they get Ja Morant back and Holland
can give him another option.
10. Utah Jazz: Cody Williams, F, Colorado
Williams scored 11.9 points per game in his lone year at Colorado
and shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range -- though he attempted
fewer than two per game. The brother of Oklahoma City's Jalen
Williams will bring great size on the wing (6-foot-8, 7-foot-1
wingspan) to the worst perimeter defending team of 2023-24.
11. Chicago Bulls: Stephon Castle, G, UConn
Part of the reason UConn managed to win another national title was
that Castle so ably stepped into the point guard role as a freshman,
but he can play either guard role. He facilitates, defends, hustles
and drives to the rim, making him a great backcourt complement to
Coby White -- especially if the Bulls bid farewell to Zach LaVine.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devin Carter, G, Providence
The Thunder own this pick via the Rockets, yet they have no pressing
needs. Why not help themselves to a guard prospect who can do a
little of everything? Carter's stock soared as he averaged 19.7
points, 8.7 boards, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals this season.
13. Sacramento Kings: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
He's a controversial prospect for complex reasons, but don't
overthink it: Edey is 7-foot-4, scores and rebounds everything he
sees and -- most importantly for Sacramento -- protects the rim in a
way Domantas Sabonis doesn't. The Kings aren't hard-pressed for an
immediate starter, but someone of Edey's caliber spelling Sabonis
should get coach Mike Brown's wheels turning.
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14. Portland Trail Blazers: Ja'Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
For Portland's second pick in the lottery, Walter can provide
something the Blazers desperately need: shot-making. Portland ranked
dead-last in 3-point shooting (34.5 percent) and second-to-last in
overall field-goal percentage (43.9 percent) last season.
--Field Level Media
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