We are just a couple of weeks through the NBA season, which is crazy, considering it feels like the Boston Celtics just won the championship and Jayson Tatum silenced the haters. Not only is the NBA moving through its season, but college hoops are too. Many players, like Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and Ian Jackson, have used early-season matchups to improve their stock for 2024 NBA Mock Drafts.
Obviously, there is a lot of basketball yet to be played in both college and professional leagues, so things will change from now and my final 2024 NBA Mock Draft.
With that being said let’s take an earlier look at who may hear their name called and where they could end up in this NBA Mock Draft.
NBA Mock Draft and Projected Order
1. Washington Wizards – Cooper Flagg – Duke (Freshman)
It was kind of strange going through a draft last season without a surefire number-one pick. This year is a little different though, as superstar Duke freshman Cooper Flagg seems like he is the real deal. Flagg already has competition against professional players, as he joined the Olympic Basketball Team last summer. His combination of scoring, defending and playmaking ability with his size will instantly improve the Washington Wizards.
2. Philadelphia 76ers – Ace Bailey – Rutgers (Freshman)
If it weren’t for a generational player like Flagg, Ace Bailey would probably be the top pick in any other NBA Draft. At 6-8, Bailey should be able to transition well to the NBA, as he already scores at an elite level. Think of Bailey as a Brandon Miller-type prospect, as he can score from anywhere on the court. Philadelphia goes Bailey here as concerns surrounding Paul George continue to transpire. If Joel Embiid can get things figured out, a young corps of Embiid, Bailey, Jared McCain and Tyrese Maxey is really exciting.
3. New Orleans Pelicans – Kon Knueppel – Duke (Freshman)
As CJ McCollum’s contract with the Pelicans is set to expire at the end of next season, I am wondering if he is a candidate to be moved if the Pelicans continue to struggle this season. Drafting Kon Knueppel gives the Pels an opportunity to replace the shooting ability of McCollum. Knueppel can light up teams from anywhere in the half-court and will get in a hurry. I am not out on Zion Williamson yet, so adding the spacing for Williamson to work the paint is going to be instrumental for the Pelicans to get back to the playoffs.
4. Utah Jazz – V.J. Edgecombe – Baylor (Freshman)
In reality, the Utah Jazz probably need to move on from John Collins if they are committed to keeping Lauri Markkanen. I think that this is a spot where Utah can certainly trade back, given their need for depth in the frontcourt. If the players available are in fact the players that are available, I think going V.J. Edgecombe here gives the frontcourt a little more size, as he should be able to slide between the 1, 2 and 3 positions. He would be a little undersized if he were to play the three. His explosive athleticism is too hard to pass up though, as he will leap out of the gym. Edgecombe’s motor will excite Jazz fans.
5. Toronto Raptors – Dylan Harper – Rutgers (Freshman)
While he is certainly capable of running the offense, I think moving Scottie Barnes back to the power forward position is best long-term for the Raptors. That leaves somewhat of a void at the guard position. Gradey Dick is more of an off-ball scorer, so it only makes sense to go Dylan Harper here. Harper is a capable ball handler who can work well inside due to his physicality. At 6-6, Harper has great size to defend as well.
6. Indiana Pacers – Khaman Maluach – Duke (Freshman)
Myles Turner’s contract is up at the end of this season, so it is possible that Indiana moves on from their long-time center. While the center class is not particularly great by any means, Duke freshman Khaman Maluach is not a bad pick here. Maluach is big. At 7-2, Maluach weighs 250 lbs and has a 7-6 wingspan. He should be as effective as a rim protector as Turner is. Maluach will need to be a developmental project on offense, but his defense and rebounding alone should garner minutes right away.
7. Brooklyn Nets – Egor Demin – BYU (Freshman)
As the Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of a rebuild, it sounds like they could try to move Cam Thomas. That means that anything and everything is on the table in the draft. I think that the best player available is BYU guard Egor Demin. Demin’s 6-8 size allows him to score everywhere around the court, as well as defend at a decent level. Denim is also an able passer. Denim feels like a solid do-it-all player that Brooklyn can instantly install in their lineup and build around for years to come.
8. Charlotte Hornets – Tre Johnson – Texas (Freshman)
Tre Johnson is an absolute hooper in every meaning of the term. He gets shots up early and often and has never seen a bucket that he does not like. Think of him like a Cam Thomas-type player. If LaMelo Ball struggles to get going, Charlotte often times dips in their team scoring output. Moving Brandon Miller to the three and starting Johnson at the two will bring instant offense to a team that looks like it could be very fun in a few seasons.
9. Detroit Pistons – Will Riley – Illinois (Freshman)
In college and coming out of the draft, I was as big of a Jaden Ivey as anyone in the country, but things haven’t seemed to have caught on yet. Ivey is a restricted free agent at the end of next season, but if someone came asking for him, I don’t think Detroit automatically says no. Anyways, drafting Will Riley in this draft gives the Pistons some flexibility if they are looking to move on. Much like Tre Johnson, Riley is a player who can get hot quickly. His number one skill is scoring the ball and can do so on any sort of balance. With Detroit continuing to need scoring, I love the pick here.
10. Portland Trail Blazers – Collin Murray-Boyles – South Carolina (Sophomore)
I am not sure how much longer the Portland Trail Blazers stick with Jerami Grant. As they are still in the midst of rebuilding, I think moving on from Grant and trying to replace the production in the draft might be the way to go. I have them taking Collin Murray-Boyles here, as he has shown the ability to kind of switch between the 3 and 4 positions. Murray-Boyles excels at getting to the rim and working off of screens to find the paint.
11. Sacramento Kings – Derik Queen – Maryland (Freshman)
12. San Antonio Spurs – Liam McNeeley – UConn (Freshman)
13. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota Timberwolves) – Asa Newell – Georgia (Freshman)
14. Dallas Mavericks – Nolan Traore – France
