NBA Mock Draft 2024: Edition 3 (Final Edition)

Zaccharie Risacher, France

1. Atlanta Hawks

Zaccharie Risacher, G/F, France

This late in the pre-Draft process, it can be hard to distinguish between truth and rumor when it comes to movement at the top of the boards, but Zaccharie Risacher's ascent to the No. 1 overall pick certainly seems more than a mirage. The French forward is now the overwhelming betting favorite to be Atlanta's selection on Wednesday night, coming in ahead of two bigs, Alex Sarr and Donovan Clingan. You can understand why the Hawks would want to go in his direction, adding a skilled 6'9" combo forward with enough versatility to excel in just about any role.

2. Washington Wizards

Alexandre Sarr, F/C, France

I had Alexandre Sarr mocked at No. 1 for a long time but the closer we've gotten to draft night, the more apparent it has become it's Washington where he'll likely end up when it's all said and done. The Wizards are enamored with the seven-footer, whose defensive abilities should make him an impact piece right away one of the NBA's worst rosters.

3. Houston Rockets

Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

Trade rumors have circulated around the No. 3 pick throughout the pre-Draft process but as things stand today, it will still be Houston moving forward with this selection. If that indeed holds, I absolutely love the fit of Reed Sheppard and the Rockets. He's a high IQ, well-rounded lead guard who looks to be the perfect complement to Amen Thompson and Jalen Green in this Houston backcourt, and learning from Fred VanVleet to begin his NBA career will only benefit him.

4. San Antonio Spurs

Stephon Castle, G, UConn

Finding the right piece to pair with Victor Wembanyama and become a cornerstone of San Antonio's long-term core has proved to be a difficult process for the Spurs, but UConn's Stephon Castle seems to be trending as the guy as we inch towards draft night. Castle played off-ball often during his lone season in Storrs, but has a skillset to imagine he could become the San Antonio lead guard and with his two-way potential, the possibilities for his career are endless in the right spot.

5. Detroit Pistons

Matas Buzelis, F, Lithuania

With Troy Weaver departing for a front office role in Washington, Detroit's draft decisions will now be made by Trajan Langdon, a former lottery pick himself back in 1999. With this move happening so close to draft night, there's potential for the Pistons to be a major wild card but instead I see them sticking firm and selecting a player they've been connected to for some time, Lithuanian forward Matas Buzelis. Questions surround the 6'9" forward, but his versatility and playmaking potential will be much-needed for a Detroit team looking to claw out of the hole of a 68-loss 2023-24.

NBA Draft 2024: Top 30 Big Board

Stephon Castle, UConn

 1. Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

Ceiling: NBA All-Star

Bust Potential: Low

The McGowanMania Take: The latest John Calipari product, Reed Sheppard is the best of a weak draft class. He's a bit different than past Calipari guards, a well-rounded prospect who wasn't considered by most to be a future lottery pick coming out of high school before dazzling in his lone season of college. As a three-point sniper with a tremendous feel for the game and elite perimeter defense, he's going to find a role in the pros and don't discount his athleticism - Sheppard tied at the Combine for the top max vertical of this class. Of the prospects set to go likely in the Top 5 this Wednesday night, he's the one I'm most confident will have a long, productive NBA career.

2. Zaccharie Risacher, F, France

Ceiling: NBA All-Star

Bust Potential: Moderate

The McGowanMania Take: It's hard to distinguish the international prospects set to dominate the top of the draft board come Wednesday night, but Zaccharie Risacher seems to be trending up at the right time. The main selling point here is the versatility - at 6'9", 200 pounds with the ability to play and defend multiple positions, he could contribute to just about any NBA team and fill in any role. Sure Risacher is raw, but at 19 years of age, his jump shot is farther along than most, and he seems to have the most ready game of the international group.

3. Stephon Castle, G, UConn

Ceiling: NBA All-Star

Bust Potential: Low

The McGowanMania Take: Stephon Castle came on to the reigning National Champion as a true freshman and played a critical role, and now looks to be a likely Top 5 selection in this draft. As a combo guard, Castle has proven to be an elite complementary piece, finding ways to contribute both as an off-ball scorer and defender, but I'm curious to see whether he can take on more of a leading role. Where he ends up landing could have a major impact on his eventual ceiling, but his skillset is perfect for the modern NBA.

4. Alexandre Sarr, F, France

Ceiling: NBA Starter

Bust Potential: Moderate

The McGowanMania Take: Once primed to be the No. 1 overall pick, Alexandre Sarr has been pushed out of that position in most mock drafts by Risacher. It's clear there are concerns about his offensive skillset, but with his blend of size and footwork, Sarr should be an impact defender from Day One in the pros. You simply don't see too many seven footers who can move the way he can, and if his offensive game can become even mediocre, he has a chance to be a quality NBA starter in short order.

5. Dalton Knecht, G/F, Tennessee

Ceiling: NBA Starter

Bust Potential: Low

The McGowanMania Take: Potentially my favorite prospect in this class, somebody is going to get a steal in Dalton Knecht. Rising from the junior college ranks to Northern Colorado and then finishing up at Tennessee, Knecht has defied the odds at every stop in his basketball journey and built an impressive offensive repertoire. He's a three-level scorer who can be so much more than a complementary piece, even if his overall upside may not be at the level of others set to hear their names called early at the Barclays Center.

NBA Mock Draft 2024: Edition 2

Rob Dillingham, Kentucky

 1. Atlanta Hawks

Alexandre Sarr, F/C, France

There are certainly no locks in the 2024 NBA Draft but with just under a month until the event, French big man Alexandre Sarr is the clear favorite to go No. 1 overall. A legit seven-footer who moves incredibly well for his size, Sarr is going to be a force on the defensive end from Day One, but it's his offense he'll look to grow as he makes the jump to the NBA. Fortunately, Atlanta won't likely have to lean on that offense too much early on, even with this roster in flux as they look ahead to the offseason.

2. Washington Wizards

Zaccharie Risacher, G/F, France

In the midst of a horrific season in the nation's capitol, forward Kyle Kuzma was a lone bright spot, averaging over 22 points per game on 46% shooting. With Kuzma's timeline not matching up with that of Washington, one would assume the Wizards will look to trade the 28-year old and instead open up a potential spot for Zaccharie Risacher, a talented French forward with real flair in his game. It will be a jump for Risacher as he moves from the LNB Pro A in France to the NBA, but he has loads of talent and is worth the risk with the top of this Draft being so weak.

3. Houston Rockets

Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

Trade rumors have been swirling around this pick but if the Rockets do indeed hold on to this spot, one would assume fortifying the backcourt is on their priority list. Sheppard likely isn't going to be a 20 point a night scorer in the NBA, but he does so many things well, from his three-point shooting to pesky perimeter defense. He's such a nice fit alongside Jalen Green in this backcourt, giving the Rockets plenty to build around for the future.

4. San Antonio Spurs

Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky

I previously had San Antonio picking Serbian guard Nikola Topic here, which would be a very Spurs move but the closer we get to the Draft, the more I suspect they may be enticed by the explosiveness of Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham. Although slightly undersized for the pros, Dillingham makes up for it with his fearlessness, looking to attack at every opportunity. Continuing to hone his shot and making better decisions with the ball are the next steps for him, but he'd be a fascinating contrast next to Victor Wembanyama on this roster.

5. Detroit Pistons

Nikola Topic, G, Serbia

As crazy as it sounds fresh off a 68 loss campaign, I actually like the young core Detroit is building. Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham could one day be a fearsome backcourt duo if they continue to develop, while big man Jalen Duren is a force underneath. Of course there's plenty of work to be done, but the Pistons need to start bringing together all these young pieces into a cohesive team. Enter Nikola Topic, a skilled Serbian guard with the playmaking, ball-handling, and passing ability to instantly upgrade this entire roster.

NBA Mock Draft 2024: Edition 1 (Combine Edition)

Reed Sheppard, Kentucky

 1. Atlanta Hawks

Alexandre Sarr, F/C, France

Atlanta came away as the surprise winners of the 2024 NBA Draft lottery despite having the tenth odds at the top spot, a major win for an organization with an uncertain future. There's no Victor Wembanyama or Zion Williamson waiting for them this year, but French big Alexandre Sarr is in line to hear his name called first. The seven-footer moves incredibly well for his size, which has been on full display at the Combine, and has a chance to be an instant impact defender. The offensive game needs work, but you can imagine him grabbing plenty of lobs from Trae Young and Dejounte Murray - if those two stick around past this offseason.

2. Washington Wizards

Zaccharie Risacher, G/F, France

Zaccharie Risacher is the other big-name French prospect in competition to hear his name called first overall in late June, a 6'8" wing with a game perfectly suited for the modern NBA. He still has to round out his game, but has the necessary physical tools NBA folks are excited about, with the potential to be a real knockdown shooter. There's still plenty of room to grow, but he's worth the risk for a Washington team with no intentions of contending anytime soon.

3. Houston Rockets

Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

I've been a huge fan of Reed Sheppard since he arrived in Lexington, and I wouldn't overlook his chances to be the first player off the board this year. He's actually one of the more athletic prospects in this Draft with a well-rounded offensive game and tremendous feel for the game. Sheppard fits in nicely with Houston, setting himself up as the long-term answer to Fred VanVleet at point and providing the perfect counterbalance to Jalen Green in the backcourt.

4. San Antonio Spurs

Nikola Topic, G, Serbia

Who do the Spurs pair with Victor Wembanyama with two selections in the Top 10 this year? Adding a playmaking guard is a great place to start, and Serbian wing Nikola Topic is in line to land somewhere early on. He has a game similar to Goran Dragic, a crafty ball-handler who can create for himself if needed, but who is at his best when setting up his teammates. Now, there may be some caution here for the Spurs - Topic recently hurt his knee in the ABA Finals playing overseas, and the extent of the injury is unknown, throwing a wrench into the pre-Draft process for him and prospective teams.

5. Detroit Pistons

Matas Buzelis, F, Lithuania

Yet another international prospect rounding out the Top 5, NBA teams should be more familiar with Matas Buzelis, as he has been playing with the G League Ignite. He could be a fine consolation prize for a Detroit team that suffered an unfortunate drop at the lottery, gifting them a versatile forward who they can pair with just about anybody and score plenty of points.