NBA

Consensus Mock Draft: Final update before 1st round begins

Published

5 months ago

June 26, 2024

Admin

Consensus Mock Draft: Final update before 1st round begins

If the mock drafts are accurate, Frenchmen Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher are heavily favored to go 1-2 in the Draft.

• Complete 2024 NBA Draft order

Some notes in our final look at the mock drafts from around the web before the 2024 NBA Draft presented by State Farm, where the the Atlanta Hawks are on the clock with the No. 1 pick.

The Consensus Mock Draft is a compilation of the best mock drafts around the web. We bring them together to provide a solid estimate of how the Draft could play out (Last update: June 26, 1 a.m. ET):

There’s consensus at the top. With the Draft tipping Wednesday night (8 ET, ESPN/ABC), Zaccharie Risacher has firmed up his hold on the projected top spot, with fellow Frenchman Alex Sarr, Kentucky sharpshooter Reed Sheppard and Connecticut guard Stephon Castle rounding out a clear top 4.
Castle’s UConn teammate Donovan Clingan edges out G League Ignite forward Matas Buzelis in our final projections, though Buzelis is most common (five) at No. 5 to Detroit, with Clingan appearing three times at No. 5 and another three at No. 7. For what it’s worth, each slots twice in the 6 hole. Tight range there.
Defensive stalwarts Cody Williams (projected 7th, plus-three this round) and Tidjane Salaun (9th; plus-four) were the highest risers on the final board.
Robert Dillingham ended up dropping six slots in this final consensus, landing at a projected 13th pick, the lowest of his trajectory since we started tracking for this year’s event. From a high of 7th on June 19, at that.
Though Serbian prospect Nikola Topic has a partially torn ACL, he’s managed to keep afloat at No. 11, just ahead of Ron Holland II as our field believes he could be picked off as early as 7th.
Ja’Kobe Walter once again returns to bump Isaiah Collier for the final mock lottery slot, though he most commonly appears at No. 13 (4 times).
Ten players appear in the lottery on all 10 updated mocks we surveyed: Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Matas Buzelis, Donovan Clingan, Dalton Knecht, Cody Williams, Tidjane Salaun and Ron Holland II. Devin Carter just misses with nine, and Nikola Topic eight.

MOST COMMON PICKS

No. 1 (Hawks): Zaccharie Risacher (8)

No. 2 (Wizards): Alexandre Sarr (9)

No. 3 (Rockets): Reed Sheppard (9)

No. 4 (Spurs): Stephon Castle (7)

No. 5 (Pistons): Matas Buzelis (5)

No. 6 (Hornets): Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan (3)

No. 7 (Trail Blazers): Cody Williams (5)

No. 8 (Spurs): Tidjane Salaun (5)

No. 9 (Grizzlies): Ron Holland II (3)

No. 10 (Jazz): Dalton Knecht, Nikola Topic (3)

No. 11 (Bulls): Devin Carter, Robert Dillingham, Ron Holland II (3)

No. 12 (Thunder): Carlton Carrington, Robert Dillingham, Nikola Topic (2)

No. 13 (Kings): Ja’Kobe Walter (4)

No. 14 (Trail Blazers): Tristan da Silva (3)

Most common (above): Pick at which the player is most commonly projected, with the number of mock drafts in parentheses. For example, Zaccharie Risacher is projected to go first in eight of 10 updated mock drafts listed below.

Top 14 (below): To calculate the consensus, we award 14 points for every mock draft in which the player went first overall, 13 for second, continuing to one point for the final lottery pick. The player with the highest point total represents the top overall selection, which is as follows:

1. Zaccharie Risacher | Atlanta Hawks

JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France) | Position: G/F | Height: 6-9
Status: International
Most Common: 1 (8)

Looks the part and has all the two-way ability to deliver on that potential. The floor is high, but so is the ceiling. What will he reach?

2. Alexandre Sarr | Washington Wizards

Perth Wildcats (Australia) | Position: F/C | Height: 7-0
Status: International
Most Common: 2 (5)

An impact player on defense who’s been growing into a larger role at the other end. Should offer immediate complementary help with the potential for more.

3. Reed Sheppard | Houston Rockets

Kentucky | Position: G | Height: 6-2
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 3 (9)

Sharpshooting and award-winning freshman for the Wildcats who elevated right on up the Draft boards, especially given the open field.

4. Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs

Connecticut | Position: G | Height: 6-6
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 4 (7)

Will do what needs to be done, whatever it is, whichever end of the floor. A move on the ball could unlock another level.

5. Donovan Clingan | Detroit Pistons

Connecticut | Position: C | Height: 7-2
Status: Sophomore
Most Common: 5, 7 (3)

A defensive anchor for the back-to-back NCAA champs, and should provide a steadying presence once he’s adjusted to the pro game.

6. Matas Buzelis | Charlotte Hornets

G League Ignite | Position: F | Height: 6-9
Status: G League
Most Common: 5 (5)

Big forward with shooting touch that escaped him in his single season playing for Ignite. Its return could deliver a big win for a team willing to bank on that.

7. Cody Williams | Portland Trail Blazers

Colorado | Position: F | Height: 6-7
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 7 (5)

Brother of Thunder prodigy Jalen, Cody has the game and physique to cleanly fit most styles. All it takes is one team to believe the upside is real for a surprise shot up the board.

8. Dalton Knecht | San Antonio Spurs

Tennessee | Position: G/F | Height: 6-5
Status: Senior
Most Common: 10 (3)

Capitalized on a transfer to Tennessee, averaging 21.7 points while scoring all kinds of ways, especially from long range.

9. Tidjane Salaun | Memphis Grizzlies

Cholet Basket | Position: F | Height: 6-9
Status: International
Most Common: 8 (5)

Raw 18-year-old projects as a rangy, switchable defender who can capitalize on strong off-ball instincts and a developing shot from range.

10. Devin Carter | Utah Jazz

Providence | Position: G | Height: 6-2
Status: Junior
Most Common: 11 (3)

A defensive standout with offensive potential, the 3-and-D mold seems like a firm floor. Combo guard with the chance to develop as a leading man.

11. Nikola Topic | Chicago Bulls

KK Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) | Position: G | Height: 6-6
Status: International
Most Common: 10 (3)

A tall guard with a deft passing touch and the ability to create opportunities for himself and others, the upside play here is a bet that his injured knee is stable and the outside shot comes around.

12. Ron Holland II | Oklahoma City Thunder

G League Ignite | Position: F | Height: 6-7
Status: G League
Most Common: 9, 11 (3)

Athletic and explosive swingman who held his own in the G League, even as turnover problems and shooting woes put a cap on his game.

13. Robert Dillingham | Sacramento Kings

Kentucky | Position: G | Height: 6-1
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 11 (3)

The shooting is there, and he’s a certified bucket. But the size limitations kick in when playmaking isn’t the thing, which means adjust or overcome.

14. Ja’Kobe Walter | Portland Trail Blazers

Baylor | Position: G/F | Height: 6-5
Status: Freshman
Most Common: 13 (4)

The shooting and defensive potential are there, and there’s a knack for finding ways to the line. Quick contributions could come, and playmaking might follow with time.

MOCK DRAFTS

ESPN.com