Damichael ColeMemphis Commercial Appeal
The clock is ticking, and we’re just about three weeks away from the 2024 NBA Draft.
This class is expected to be a talented one, but there doesn’t appear to be a can’t-miss prospect who can change a franchise, like Victor Wembanyama in 2023 or Paolo Banchero in 2022.
The Memphis Grizzlies and the other teams projected to pick in the top 10 have their work cut out for them. There isn’t much separation at the top of the class, which means player workouts, evaluations and interviews are all vital to determining which teams can land its missing piece.
Here’s our first mock draft ahead of the real one, which begins June 26 at Barclays Center in New York.
1. Atlanta Hawks — F/C Alex Sarr, Perth Wildcats (NBL), France
Height/weight: 7-foot-1, 224 pounds
Alex Sarr has long been the favorite to go No. 1 overall, but he isn't as much of a lock anymore due to questions about his offensive ability. Defensively, he should be an impact player from day one with elite size, quickness and ability to protect the rim. The Atlanta Hawks have talented young frontcourt pieces in Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson, but Sarr's potential two-way upside exceeds both.
2. Washington Wizards — Zaccharie Risacher, F JL Bourg (LNB), France
Height/weight: 6-9, 204 pounds
Zaccharie Risacher is drawing a lot of attention as a possible No. 1 pick because of his potential fit in Atlanta alongside a talented frontcourt and guard duo, but he could also make a big impact in Washington. The Wizards must get more out of Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma, two ultra-talented offensive players with major defensive weaknesses.
The best way to maximize their strengths would be to surround them with plus defenders with offensive upside. Washington did that by adding Bilal Coulibaly last season. Risacher's defensive upside in that group could help lead a turnaround.
3. Houston Rockets — Reed Sheppard, PG/SG Kentucky
Height/weight: 6-3, 182 pounds
Truth be told, the Rockets have no business picking third, with the amount of talent they've put together in the past three seasons. They can afford to play it safe and get a player with easily translatable skills. Reed Sheppard's shooting should be one of the most seamless transitions to the league. He can play both guard spots, and Houston can pair him with 6-7 dynamo Amen Thompson, two players with complementary skill sets.
4. San Antonio Spurs — Nikola Topic, PG/SG, Crvena Zvezda (Serbian KLS), Serbia
Height/weight: 6-6, 201 pounds
Nope, the partially torn ACL and subpar wingspan aren't enough to turn the Spurs away from what should be a solid fit alongside Wembanyama. They need a point guard, and Topic has some of the best passing vision in the draft.
5. Detroit Pistons — Stephon Castle, PG/SG, UConn
Height/weight: 6-7, 210 pounds
Rumors are swirling that Castle wants to be a point guard. If that's the case, Detroit is not the place for him. However, if he can accept an off the ball role as a dynamic scorer playing alongside Cade Cunningham, the Pistons may have their backcourt of the future.
6. Charlotte Hornets — Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
Height/weight: 6-10, 197 pounds
LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams are good building blocks for Charlotte. Buzelis' multi-position versatility as a wing fits right into what should be a fun team to watch in the coming years.
7. Portland Trail Blazers — Cody Williams, F Colorado
Height/weight: 6-8, 178 pounds
Center may be the best player available here, but the Blazers already have Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams. There would be little value for Portland to make that move. With Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson in the backcourt, the Blazers should take a swing on a high upside wing. Cody Williams' defensive measurables are off the charts, and he flashed high offensive upside at times as a freshman.
8. San Antonio Spurs — Donovan Clingan, C UConn
Height/weight: 7-3, 282 pounds
Reports indicate that multiple teams want to trade up for Clingan, so him making it to No. 8 may be a long shot. However, the Spurs are the best fit among the teams currently in the top eight. Wembanyama would slide over to power forward, giving San Antonio one of the game's most frightening frontcourt duos. Good luck scoring at the rim.
9. Memphis Grizzlies — Dalton Knecht, G/F, Tennessee
Height/weight: 6-7, 212 pounds
Memphis hearts drop when Clingan comes off the board one pick earlier, but ease is restored with the selection of Dalton Knecht. As much as the Grizzlies need bigs, they also need shooters. The team hasn't finished in the top 10 in 3-point shooting since the 2006-07 season. Adding Knecht to go with Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard is just what Memphis needs to surround Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. as dominant paint scorers.
Best of the rest
10. Utah Jazz — Ron Holland, F G League Ignite
11. Chicago Bulls — Rob Dillingam, G Kentucky
12. Oklahoma City Thunder — Tidjane Salaun, F Cholet (LNB Pro A), France
13. Sacramento Kings — Ja'Kobe Walter, G Baylor
14. Blazers — Kyle Filipowski, F/C Duke
15. Miami Heat — Devin Carter, G Providence
16. Philadelphia 76ers — Jared McCain, G Duke
17. Los Angeles Lakers — Kel'el Ware, F/C Indiana
18. Orlando Magic — Kyshawn George, G/F Miami
19. Toronto Raptors — Zach Edey, C Purdue
20. Cleveland Cavaliers — Tyler Smith, F G League Ignite
21. New Orleans Pelicans — Yves Missi, C Baylor
22. Phoenix Suns — Isaiah Collier, PG USC
23. Milwaukee Bucks — Ryan Dunn, G/F Virginia
24. New York Knicks — Tyler Kolek, PG Marquette
25. Knicks — Tristan da Silva, F Colorado
26. Wizards — DaRon Holmes, F/C Dayton
27. Minnesota Timberwolves — Carlton Carrington, G Pittsburgh
28. Denver Nuggets — Kevin McCullar Jr., G/F Kansas
29. Jazz — Johnny Furphy, G, Kansas
30. Boston Celtics — Jaylon Tyson, G, California
ADDING A BIG: Five center prospects Memphis Grizzlies could pursue in 2024 NBA Draft
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
