2024 NBA Mock Draft – Lonte Smith

The mock draft season is coming to an end. We are less than a week away from seeing whose mock draft was most accurate. Unlike last year, this year’s draft is highly uncertain.

The number one pick odds have shifted numerous times and could be on the move once again. There are not a ton of franchise-changing players, but the quality of the role-player depth is as good as in any recent drafts. Can teams spot the value and develop them from role player to star? That is why drafts, regardless of star potential, are always fun to monitor.

Below, we will get into my final mock draft. To prevent confusion and some pointless analysis, there will be no trades in this specific draft. Trades are always unpredictable, no matter what kind of information you are reading or hearing, so let’s keep it simple. Last year, we had solid draft results, and I think we have had even more success with this draft.

2024 NBA Mock Draft – Lonte Smith

First Round Mock Draft

#	Team	Pick	Pos	College
1	Hawks	Donovan Clingan	C	UConn
		Sarr and Risacher have been the consensus picks for going here for the past few months. However, reports are that the Hawks were in love with Clingan and his workouts. Does that mean he is locked in and going here? No, but in a draft where there is a lot of uncertainty, I think Clingan checks numerous boxes for Atlanta defensively. Snyder has had success with another defensive-minded center when he was in Utah and I think Clingan is more effective offensively.
2	Wizards	Alex Sarr	F/C	Perth
		Wizards had two former big men in the NBA Finals this year. Think they have any regrets? Well, they have a chance to get a younger version of that with Sarr. His offensive skillset is not a strength, but he has the ability to rim run and block shots. His versatility defensively is what sets him apart from other prospects. Washington was bottom three in defensive rating and bottom two in offensive and defensive rebounding. Sarr has to get better on the boards, but someone of his skill set could help that Wizards frontcourt.
3	Rockets	Zacharrie Risacher	F	G-Ignite
		Rumors are swirling that Rockets want to move this pick BUT if Risacher is there, he would be a nice addition to a team who lacks wing shooting. Risacher has had an inconsistent shooting career but with his size and upside, he could fit right in to help space the floor. His playmaking and shot creation needs some work but he will not be used much to initiate offense right away. If the shooting is consistent, he could be the best player in this draft.
4	Spurs	Reed Sheppard	G	Kentucky
		Two things the Spurs need badly are shooting and a point guard. Well, how about getting that all-in-one pick? Reed is the best shooter in the draft and has the ability to play on or off the ball. He’s played with numerous NBA players in college and was by far the most productive. Insert him in the Spurs system with Wemby, and watch out. Not to mention, he is a great off-ball defender and plays the passing lanes as well as anyone.
5	Pistons	Matas Buzelis	F	G-Ignite
		His shooting was an issue during the G-League Ignite season, shooting under 30% from deep. Is that a sign of things to come, or can he revert back to what he shot in high school (43%)? I believe he can be somewhere in the middle, and his size on the wing is something that Detroit does not have. He plays well in transition and rebounds well for his position. If he can get stronger and be more efficient at finishing in the paint, he will be a nice addition to Cade & Ivey.
6	Hornets	Stephon Castle	CG	UConn
		It is rumored that Castle was not working out for any teams with a point guard, but how about if that team's point guard is more of a combo guard? Lamelo Ball, when healthy, is as dynamic of a young guard as there is. He has the ability to play off-ball like he did with Rozier in the lineup before he was traded. Castle is an elite on-ball defender who can score in multiple ways. The shooting has to improve but the defensive dominance and ability to score without the ball in his hands is something not many players in this draft possess.
7	Trail Blazers	Cody Williams	F	Colorado
		He showed flashes of what so many hoped he would be. Injuries and somewhat of a bad fit resulted in an underwhelming season. Although Cody shot a high percentage from three, it was on a low volume of attempts. So, I would not classify him as a shooter. His biggest attributes are his positional size and ability to get downhill to finish at the rim. None of the wings on the roster possess what Cody has or can potentially become. If the shooting can be steady, he would be a nice positional piece on a guard-loaded team.
8	Spurs via TOR	Devin Carter	G	Providence
		Once upon a time, the Spurs had a player named Derrick White. Years later, they have the ability to draft a similar prospect. Carter opened the season as the Friars' second-best player, but after an injury, he soared to become not only the number one player on the team but also one of the best guards in the country. In a tough Big East, he led everyone in scoring and rebounds at a HIGH level for a guard. The guard depth of the Spurs can use some upgrades. Reed and Devin could be cornerstones to complement Wemby.
9	Grizzlies	Dalton Knecht	F	Tennessee
		Similar to the Miami Heat last year, Memphis is in a position where they need a ready-made prospect who can contribute immediately. Their wings are “okay,” but none of them can shoot the ball or score as proficiently as Knecht. The best performances Knecht had this season all came against elite competition, so he has the ability to do it against premier defenders. With a healthy Ja, Bane, and Smart, he would get a ton of open looks. In the West, you can never have too many good-scoring wings with size. Knecht checks all of those boxes.
10	Jazz	Ron Holland	F	G-Ignite
		To be honest, no one knows what Utah is doing with their roster. They have a decent number of young pieces and always start out hot, but then the youth catches up to them. I would be surprised if they keep this pick, but Holland does possess some things they need. He has a high motor, and despite his poor shooting, he led the G-League Ignite in scoring. I think Collins, Lauri, and Clarkson will all be out of Utah soon, so why not continue with the youth movement?
11	Bulls	Rob Dillingham	G	Kentucky
		We saw Caruso get traded, reports of Lavine being shopped, and the Lonzo era is likely coming to an end. The emergence of Coby White gives you a proven guard and if you can convince Derozan to stay, you at least have a starting point. Rob has the ability to come off the bench and be a microwave scorer. He can score at all three levels, which is something the Bulls bench lacked last year. Not only can he score, but he showcased the ability to operate in pick and rolls, which was a question coming into the season. With a lot of outgoing guards, it would be a nice jolt of energy for Rob to come in and do what he does best: score.
12	Thunder via HOU	Zack Edey	C	Purdue
		Out is Giddey, and in is Caruso, who helps with perimeter defense and three-point shooting. Now, they need some size on the front line. Chet was beat up throughout the playoffs and had no type of relief. The Thunder were bottom three in rebound%, and their biggest player (who gets minutes) outside of Chet is 6-9 240. Edey instantly fills a void for the size and rebounding on the front line. He may not be able to play a ton of minutes right away, but he can be effective off the bench and even next to Chet.
13	Kings	Nikola Topic	G	Serbia
		Despite receiving bad news on the injury front, Topic still received a green room invite and has met with numerous teams around this range. The Kings could use an upgrade at the guard position, especially next to Fox. He’s likely going to have a redshirt year, but that’s proven to be a good thing for multiple prospects. In a system with ball movement and pace, Topic’s size and playmaking could be enhanced.
14	Trail Blazers via GS, BOS, and MEM	Tidjane Salaun	F	Cholet/b>
		Salaun is a raw, talented wing who has showcased his versatility defensively. He has the ability to make an impact on or off the ball, which is important with the amount of ball handlers the Blazers have. Shooting and lack of playmaking is a minus, but when you are drafting one of the younger prospects, the upside could outweigh the risk. The defense is good enough right now to play, but if the offense comes around, he and Cody Williams could be two key pieces in the rebuilding process.
15	Heat	Isaiah Collier	G	USC
		Nikola Jovic showcased his point guard skills after Miami moved on from Lowry, and it looked good at times. However, he is not a traditional point guard, and his lack of playmaking was noticeable in the playoffs. Insert Collier, who is a bruising downhill finisher who is comfortable with the ball in his hands. The shooting and decision-making have to improve, but with one of the best development and coaching staff in the league, I think he is in good hands.
16	76ers	Carlton Carrington	G	Pittsburgh
		Lowry plans on returning, but he is on the downside of his career. He is a perfect veteran for Carrington to learn under. You want the ball in Maxey’s hands as much as possible, but I do think it is some value in a point guard setting the table for both him and Embiid. Carrington is a good playmaker who sees the floor well in the half-court and transition. He can play in the pick-and-roll with Embiid and knock down the mid-range shot consistently. He does need to bulk up and be able to get to the rim and free-throw line more, but that will come with experience.
17	Lakers	Jared McCain	G	Duke
		The Lakers' three-point shooting suggests that they were a good shooting team, but that was far from the truth. They were 29th in percentage of shots coming from deep. Insert Jared McCain, who improved drastically from November to March. During Duke’s Sweet 16 run, he had 50/50/90 shooting splits and was by far their best player. He also showed the ability to initiate offense and be pivotal in the pick and roll, which raises his floor. Spot-up shooters have made a living off of passes from Lebron, and McCain is next in line.
18	Magic	Ja’Kobe Walter	G	Baylor
		Did you watch Orlando in the playoffs? If you didn’t, here are some numbers for you: 32, 31, 29, 26, and 22. Those are what the Magic shot from three in five of the seven games against Cleveland. Walter did not shoot 40% like Sheppard or McCain, but he was 34% on nearly six attempts per game. What impresses me and could benefit Orlando is the variety of ways he made those threes. The deep ball is a plus, but he can score at every level in multiple ways.
19	Raptors via IND	Kel’el Ware	C	Indiana
		It is a copycat league, and Ware could benefit from Lively and Gafford's success this postseason. Skillset-wise, he has it all, but the talk amongst scouts is the low motor. That is one thing that will scare teams away, regardless of how talented you are. Ware is a springy highflyer who can finish through contact. He’s shown the ability to step out and shoot but on a low volume. Toronto could take a swing due to their lack of rim protection and overall rim-running bigs.
20	Cavaliers	Tristen Da Silva	F	Colorado
		Da Silva was the unquestioned leader on the Buffs team, potentially having three top 35 picks, so he understands how to play with other talented players. He can defend multiple positions and stretch the floor. He is not the most athletic guy, but he still finds ways to get to the paint and make an impact. The frontcourt depth is thin, and if Allen leaves, they’ll need someone with Da Silva’s skill set.
21	Pelicans via MIL	Yves Missi	C	Baylor
		Pelicans are likely to let Jonas walk in free agency and do not have a backup center. Nance did a great job coming in as a small ball center, but not sure he is built to be a high-minute-producing big man. Missi is a young and raw prospect who can rim run, dunk everything, and block shots. He averaged 2.1 STOCKS (steals + blocks) per game, and his motor is always at a high level. Pelicans have good on-ball defenders, and Missi would be a perfect rim protector, which would allow the defense to be even more aggressive. He has to get better at defending without fouling, but with his motor skills and athleticism, he is a solid fit for the Pelicans.
22	Suns	Tyler Kolek	G	Marquette
		Phoenix has all sorts of issues. A draft or two may not be able to patch those up, but that’s okay. Let’s start with one of the more critical positions on the floor. Using Beal and Booker as point guards this year was a disaster. Tyler Kolek is the perfect guy for the job. He is a maestro in the pick and roll while also being able to work off the ball and score at every level. He is an older player who understands how to get guys going and when to be aggressive. Suns fans will be delighted with Kolek and his playmaking to their “Big 3.”
23	Bucks via NOLA	Kyle Filipowski	F/C	Duke
		Once perceived as a lottery pick, Filipowski finds himself going later than he would’ve gone last year, but that could be a good thing. Milwaukee is in championship or bust mode, and they could use a player who is as versatile as he is. He has a great teacher in front of him in Brook Lopez, who has a similar skillset but is not as athletic. If the shooting can be consistent, Filipowski could find himself on the floor and producing for a championship contender.
24	Knicks via DAL	Terrance Shannon	CG	Illinois
		I have been higher on Shannon than most all draft processes. Now that he has his off-court situation behind him, more teams in the early 20s should be taking a long look at him. The Knicks could use a secondary ball handler who can score at all three levels. I know Thibs doesn’t love playing young guys, but I find it hard to believe Shannon won’t be able to produce in small windows of games due to his skill set on both ends.
25	Knicks	Kyshawn George	G	Miami
		The Knicks went with an older, more polished prospect with their first pick. Now we have a high-upside swing with George. He is a late bloomer who can shoot the lights out and has the ability to showcase more at the pro level than he did in Coral Gables. He has to be better at finishing in through contact and being more locked in defensively. It may be tough to crack the rotation immediately, but with development, he could be a nice young piece waiting in the wings.
26	Wizards via LAC, DAL, OKC	Tyler Smith	F	G-Ignite
		The Wizards are in rebuild mode, and they got Sarr as a defensive anchor, so adding a versatile wing makes sense. Smith has good positional size and the ability to knock down open shots at a high level. He can finish at the rim as well, which compliments Kuzma off the bench. He has shown flashes defensively, but consistency is key. If he can pick it up on the defensive end, he could be a late gem for the Wizards, who need all of the high-level talent they can get.
27	Timberwolves	Baylor Schierman	G	Creighton
		We saw the Twelves struggle to stretch the floor. It allowed defenses to build a wall to shut down Anthony Edwards while ignoring the perimeter shooting. Baylor is a versatile shooter who can drain shots in a ton of different ways. He moves well without the ball and, at his size, is a great rebounder. He averaged nearly 10 per game last year with a 14.8 rebound. He’s an older player who understands a role, and if he plays right, he could find himself in the rotation and playing decent minutes.
28	Nuggets	Daron Holmes II	F	Dayton
		Aaron Gordon struggled in game seven, and they had no other options in the forward spot. Holmes has a throwback forward skill set that can post up as well as face up to get his own shot. He averaged 20 points and 8.0 rebounds on almost 40% from deep. Not only that, but he also blocked 2.0 shots per game, which shows how versatile he is on both ends of the floor. Denver lacks depth in general but specifically in the frontcourt. Holmes, to me, could be similar to Bobby Portis for Milwaukee.
29	Jazz via OKC, TOR, IND	Johnny Furphy	F	Kansas
		After being out of the rotation early, Furphy elevated himself into the lineup and finished the year with a ton of momentum. Season-long stats are a bit misleading due to his lack of minutes early on. If you filter out games where he played 20 or more minutes, he averaged 12.1 points per game. He had eight games where he scored 15 or more, and his shooting got better as well. He may not be ready right away due to his lack of defensive ability and the inability to create for himself, but he could be a nice stash piece for Utah to develop and bring along slowly.
30	Celtics	Jaylon Tyson	F	California
		I would say the Celtics had some success with the last Cal player they took. All reports have been positive on Tyson and his ability to perform in workouts. For players like Tyson, it is always a question of if he is putting up empty calories due to his team or if he is just a clear notch or two above the competition. My eyes tell me it is somewhat of a combination, but to Tyson’s advantage, he does not have to be great right away. He can come in and learn under two of the best wings in the league, and he hopes to perform well enough to crack the rotation in a year or two.

If you are looking for Bronny James to appear in my mock draft, you are in the wrong place. However, we do have a ton of quality players who I think will contribute at a high level, especially outside of the lottery.

Prior to the college basketball season starting, Isaiah Collier was a pretty common pick to go number one overall. From October until Christmas, we saw a huge shift, with players like Alex Sarr, Matas Buzelis, and Ron Holland being on top of some respected mocks. Now that we are just a few short days away, nobody can still say who is going number one.

Since the conclusion of the college basketball season, Alex Sarr has been the consensus player at the top of everyone’s board. That has changed in the past three to four weeks, with steam coming in on both Zaccharie Risacher and Donovan Clingan.

The workouts have all been concluded, and of course, everyone had the best workout for their respective teams, and everyone interviewed great. Rumors are swirling, and a lot of them are smoke screens, but leave it to me to filter all of that out and put together an accurate, profitable mock draft.

SECOND Round Mock Draft

#	Team	Pick	Pos	College
31	Raptors via DET, NYK, BRK	Ryan Dunn	F	Virginia
32	Jazzvia WSH, DET, BRK	Bobi Klintman	F	Cairns
33	Bucksvia POR and SAC	Cam Christie	G	Minnesota
34	Trail Blazersvia CLT, DEN, OKC, NOLA	Harrison Ingram	F	North Carolina
35	Spurs	Pacome Dadiet	F	Ratiopharm Ulm
36	Pacersvia TOR, PHL, LAC, MEM	Nikola Djurisic	F	Mega MIS
37	Timberwolvesvia MEM, LAL, WSH, OKC	Justin Edwards	F	Kentucky
38	Knicksvia UTH	Trentyn Flowers	CG	Adelaide
39	Grizzlies via BRK and HOU	Kevin McCullar	F	Kansas
40	Trail Blazersvia ATL	Melvin Ajinca	F	Saint Quentin (France)
41	76ersvia CHI, BOS, SA, NOLA	Pelle Larsson	F	Arizona
42	Hornetsvia HOU and OKC	Adem Bona	F/C	UCLA
43	Heat	PJ Hall	F	Clemson
44	Rocketsvia GS & ATL	Ulrich Chomche	F/C	NBA Africa/b>
45	Kings	Ajay Mitchell	G	UC Santa Barbara
46	Clippersvia IND, MEM, MIL	Tristen Newton	G	UConn
47	Magic	Cam Spencer	G	UConn
48	Spursvia LAL & MEM	Keshad Johnson	F	Arizona
X	76ers	FORFEITED
49	Pacersvia CLE	Dillion Jones	F	Weber State
50	Pacersvia NOLA	Jaylen Wells	G	Washington State
51	Wizardsvia PHX	Zyon Pullin	G	Florida
52	Warriorsvia MIL & IND	Oso Ighadaro	F	Marquette
53	Pistonsvia NYK, PHI, CLT	KJ Simpson	G	Colorado
54	Celticsvia DAL & SAC	Jonathan Mogbo	F/C	San Francisco
55	Lakersvia LAC	Bronny James	CG	USC
56	Nuggetsvia MIN & OKC	Jalen Bridges	F	Baylor
57	Grizzlies via OKC, HOU, ATL	Enrique Freeman	F/C	Akron
X	Suns	FORFEITED
58	Mavericks via BOS & CLT	Juan Nunez	G	Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)