(Photo by Yahoo! Sports)
Now that the Finals are over, it's time to chug along to the 2024 version of the NBA Draft.
Okay, the Hawks have the first pick and let's get this out of our systems.....
"I hope Atlanta doesn't Michael Penix Jr. this pick."
ONE. ATLANTA- ALEXANDRE SARR C, PERTH
The Hawks take the safe selection in Sarr. Clint Capela is getting older and they need a younger body in the paint.
MOCK TRADE ALERT! MOCK TRADE ALERT!
The Spurs decided to be bold and trade up with Washington.
San Antonio receives the #2 pick and Deni Advija as Washington receives Keldon Johnson or Devin Vassell, the #4 and #9 pick and two future picks. The Spurs are looking to build around Wemby by speeding up the process.
2. SAN ANTONIO- ZACCHARIE RISACHER G/F, JL BOURG-EN-BRESSE
Many consider him the best prospect in this draft. San Antonio swings for the fences by selecting Wemby's fellow countryman.
MOCK TRADE ALERT! MOCK TRADE ALERT!
The Brooklyn Nets have become desperate. They just saw the Celtics win the NBA championship with picks that they owned. They package three of the picks they received from Phoenix to Houston for the #3 pick.
3. BROOKLYN- REED SHEPPARD G, KENTUCKY
Good ball-handler and lethal three-point shooter. The Nets secure their point guard of the future as new coach Jordi Fernandez hopefully gets his DeAaron Fox-type leader.
4. WASHINGTON- STEPHON CASTLE G, UCONN
Castle will make millions of dollars because of that outstanding tournament run. He will be a piece to the Wizards' rebuild and their hopeful uprising.
5. DETROIT......Okay, I don't know what the Pistons did to the basketball gods but having one of the worst seasons in recent history and not securing a top 3 pick is pouring salt on the wound.
Anyways, the pick is MATAS BUZELIS F, G LEAGUE IGNITE
Versatile and can scoot in a 6'9" frame. Detroit could put him in both forward positions to frustrate opponents. Hopefully, the incoming head coach can maximize his potential.
6. CHARLOTTE- RON HOLLAND F/G, G LEAGUE IGNITE
The Hornets are technically in a reset but could use a high-flyer to receive beautiful passes from LaMelo and feed off Brandon Miller. This team could be exciting but still bad.
7. PORTLAND- DONOVAN CLINGAN C, UCONN
The Blazers need motivated big men, like really. Clingan benefited from a solid tournament to shoot up the draft boards and hopefully into a Blazers team that needs intensity in the paint.
8. WASHINGTON- ROB DILLINGHAM G, KENTUCKY
The Wizards grab their PG of the future to pair with Stephon Castle. He hasn't worked out for teams but his talent is worth the risk.
MOCK TRADE ALERT! MOCK TRADE ALERT!
The Sixers need something, anything, to inject some energy to their franchise. They trade up with Memphis for a couple of picks.
9. PHILADELPHIA- DALTON KNECHT F/G, TENNESSEE
Philly needs a tough-as-nails player who could be a catalyst for a much-needed uprising. Knecht is 23 and seems well-seasoned to start in the NBA.
10. UTAH- CODY WILLIAMS F, COLORADO
The Jazz continue to stockpile on young talent with the athletic Williams. They can hopefully find a place in the rotation to maximize his talent.
11. CHICAGO- KEL'EL WARE C, INDIANA
Vucevic is 33 and after acquiring Josh Giddey, the Bulls need to continue to get younger. Ware can develop into a dominant force in the paint.
MOCK TRADE ALERT! MOCK TRADE ALERT!
The Lakers make a deal to move up with OKC. Is this where a certain player's son gets selected?
12. The Los Angeles Lakers select......ZACH EDEY C, PURDUE
It's time for L.A. to realize that AD is going to continue to get banged up and need a beefy big man to help him. Why not the two-time College Player of the Year?
13. SACRAMENTO- TIDJANE SALAUN F, CHOLET
The Kings select an 18-year old versatile forward who can finish and develop his defense......since this team needs some defensive power, badly.
MOCK TRADE ALERT! MOCK TRADE ALERT!
The Raptors trade their 19th pick to Portland to move up to 14.
14. TORONTO- NIKOLA TOPIC G, KK CRVENA ZVEZDA
Despite a torn ACL concern, the Raptors take a gamble and hopefully, can develop Topic into a superstar that draft "experts" see in him.
15. MIAMI- TRISTAN DE SILVA F, COLORADO
Jimmy Buckets is old, and his body is wearing down. It's time to add a player who can play both forward positions and cause matchup problems.
16. MEMPHIS- JA'KOBE WALTER F, BAYLOR
The Grizzlies are primed to get Ja back healthy and pair him with an athletic forward in Walter. They could fix their big man problem through free agency.
17. OKLAHOMA RELOAD- KYSHAWN GEORGE F/G, MIAMI
The Thunder will continue to add young prospects to a championship-caliber squad. George will have time to develop in OKC.
MOCK TRADE ALERT! MOCK TRADE ALERT!
The Phoenix Suns use their only first-round pick in a while as a way to trade up with Orlando.
18. PHOENIX- DEVIN CARTER G, PROVIDENCE
The Suns wanted a point guard, so they get a seasoned one who can get minutes on a playoff contender.
19. PORTLAND- JAYLON TYSON F, CALIFORNIA
The Blazers use this first round pick on a forward who can pass the ball well and score in bunches.
20. CLEVELAND- ISAIAH COLLIER G, USC
With rumors of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland being dealt, the Cavs get an insurance policy with the former #1 high school prospect.
21. NEW ORLEANS- YVES MISSI C, BAYLOR
The Pels need physical bodies in the paint and Missi is only 19. He could be able to add some build on his 6'10" frame.
22. ORLANDO- KYLE FILIPOWSKI F/C, DUKE
The Magic broke out this season, but need a bruiser to help Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. Filipowski can cause havoc when needed.
23. MILWAUKEE- TYLER KOLEK G, MARQUETTE
Damien Lillard is getting older and reportedly miserable. The Bucks get a hometown prospect who can contribute right away.
24. NEW YORK- DARON HOLMES II C, DAYTON
Isaiah Hartenstein is about to get a huge payday in free agency. The Knicks get a big man who is versatile and can move.
25. NEW YORK- RYAN DUNN G, VIRGINIA
What does Coach Thibs preach? DEFENSE! Why not get the best defender in this draft class in Dunn?
26. WASHINGTON- BOBI KLINTMAN F, CAIRNS TAIPANS
The Wizards continue their quest in adding young talent by selecting the long-armed Swede.
27. MINNESOTA- JARED MCCLAIN G, DUKE
Mike Conley signed an extension, but he is 37. The T-Wolves grab one of the best three-point shooters in this class.
28. DENVER- KJ SIMPSON G, COLORADO
Jamal Murray's health has been a question for NBA followers. Adding Simpson as depth could ease the worries from Nuggets fans.
29. UTAH REBUILD- BUB CARRINGTON G, PITTSBURGH
The Jazz are surprised to see Carrington fall this far, so they can pounce at the chance to select him.
30. BOSTON- HARRISON INGRAM F, NORTH CAROLINA
The champs grab a prospect who can be a good role player for a team who can continue to dominate the league for years to come.
So, now you are wondering, where is LeBron James Jr. going? He goes to the Lakers in the second round which makes his dad happy and everyone can stop the hype.
There is the 2024 mock draft. I tried my best, but that's why they call it a mock draft, right?
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