Mock Draft Monday 6/24 '24
Hold On, We're Going Home
Hold On, We’re Going Home
- NBA ‘24 Mock Draft
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune on this NBA Mock Draft Monday is Hold On, We’re Going Home by Drake. This was the 8th track and a single off his album Nothing Was The Same. It peaked at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. They played it on Hot 97.1, Power 105.1, Z-100 100.3, and 92.3 Now. I’m sure it’s even gotten some run on 106.7 Lite FM and 95.5 PLJ. Rolling Stone even has this song at #129 on the Top 500 Songs of all time.
Fellas, I don’t think Lana Del Rey saw yesterday’s Stumblin’ Along. This is a great song to cope with.
At least Jhené Aiko saw last week’s Mock Draft Monday…
…along with College Football stars Princely Umanmielen, Danny Stutsman, and Tyler Booker. Also 2 NBA 1st Round PGs, Isaiah Collier and Devin Carter. All-in-all 13 of the 30 prospects have now at least seen the Week to Week Notes logo.
Enough Lana Del Rey fan fiction for today. It’s time to get serious with it being NBA Draft and Rooster Cup Week.
I got some help on this Mock Draft Monday from someone who knows a ton about ball. Duff (KD) contributed a full 1st Round NBA Mock Draft of his own. So for the first time, Week to Week Notes has 2 contrasting Mocks for the NBA Draft’s 1st Round.
On to the ‘24 NBA 1st Round Mock…
TD: With no sure thing consensus #1 pick like most NBA Drafts, Hawks go with the Big Man from UConn. The 2-time champion brings interior dominance at both ends of the floor and is much more agile than the likes of Zach Edey. Atlanta got lucky landing the #1 pick in the Draft Lottery. While they could swing for the fences, inserting Clingan into their lineup gives Trae Young a reliable big man for the next 5+ years. The way Reed Sheppard pushes the tempo with his passing up the floor is similar to Jason Kidd. While he may not have the same wizardry with the Wizards in his passing bag of tricks, unlike J-Kidd, Sheppard is entering the NBA with an elite 3-point shot (52% from 3 last season). Stephon Castle should have no issue taking over PG duties in Houston. The Rockets quietly already have a foundation of front-court youth with C Alperen Sengun, PF Jabari Smith, and SF Cam Whitmore. Whether SG Jalen Green is Castle’s running mate in the backcourt remains to be seen as both guards will need to improve on their 3-point efficiency in today’s game. The way Nikola Topic dribbles looks like Tony Parker. The Spurs with Wemby and Topic would have an updated Tim Duncan - Tony Parker duo again. Many people are saying that Zaccharie Risacher is a lock for the #1 overall pick. He looks good but compared to the likes of other European prospects entering the draft (like Luka), Risacher seems to be a bit more of a project without the tools of Victor Wembanyama.
KD: Best fit selections who may not have the highest ceilings. Risacher has a star 3&D upside but has shown to underwhelm at times. The upside though is real and if maximized I think could be the best fit alongside Trae if they keep him. Sarr has the body of a top pick but the feel for the game of a 2nd rounder. I compare Starr to a Lakers Bynum or Kwame Brown; star upside but legitimate bust potential. Sheppard seems to have the highest floor with upside who is already a lethal shooter and should become a star for the Rockets. Clingan alongside Wemby is too good to pass up and would give the Spurs the best frontcourt they’ve had since Duncan/Robinson. Buzelis is a high-upside wing who the Pistons should give time to develop.
TD: Rob Dillingham is shifty as hell. He and LaMelo Ball would be a very fun pair of young guards. Portland just drafted Scoot Henderson to play PG last year so I figure a wing slasher would be a good fit. Cody Williams, the younger brother of Jalen Williams of OKC, also provides size defensively to help out the undersized Portland backcourt. The Spurs have 2 picks inside the top 8 and I figure they land 2 Europeans. Matas Buzelis was actually born in Chicago and is full-on American, but he played in the G-League instead of College so it always throws me off. Buzelis’ long frame and quick hands defensively remind me of Andrei Kirilenko. The son of 2 Lithuanian immigrants also challenged Zaccharie Risacher to a game of 1 on 1 at the NBA Combine stating he was better than him at everything, so I like the confidence. I have Alex Sarr dropping to #9. His potential is quite obvious due to his size (7’1”) and good shooting form, but he’s a project that’ll need to put on weight to maximize that potential. Danny Ainge, the Jazz head of ops, isn’t sold on Keyonte George as a franchise PG. The former Celtic champion selects Isaiah Collier here as the floor general for Utah. While Collier will need to improve his shooting, the top recruit of ‘23 has an excellent all-around game.
KD: These five prospects seem to be easier to slot than the first 5 as their landing spots would be ideal. Knecht would become a day 1 starter and provide much-needed shooting and maturity to the young Hornets. Holland is a high upside/high floor 3 and D prospect who would be an ideal fit alongside fellow G-League Ignite alum, Scoot Henderson. Castle joining UCONN teammate Clingan to the Spurs would be an immediate chemistry boost and possibly a sign to come for fellow UCONN draft prospects. His defense and size at the point guard position alongside that frontcourt would make the Spurs the best defensive team soon enough. Williams is an elite athlete forward who would play well in their system with Ja. Salaun may have the highest upside out of this group and could play alongside Lauri or could take over his spot as the future of the Jazz if they decide to trade Markannen.
TD: The Chicago Bulls just traded for Josh Giddey of the Thunder. The Bulls still have Zach LaVine who probably wants out and an aging DeMar DeRozan. Dalton Knect connects with a young wing player who has proven to be an elite scorer in college and should be a solid #3 scoring option in the Association. The Thunder just seem to draft a bunch of quirky guys with random strengths and weaknesses in their game. Zach Edey with his size is just enough of a freak to fit in down in OKC. For the Kings, they already have 2 lefties in PG De'aaron Fox and PF Domantas Sabonis, why not add Terrence Shannon a 3rd southpaw to the equation? After going with Cody Williams at #7, the Trail Blazers double down on another wing in Ja’Kobe Walter. Williams & Walter both have elite wingspans and would have a ton of potential as defenders. Devin Carter to the Miami feels like the ultimate #HeatCulture pick. The Providence PG could play off the ball alongside Tyler Herro and defensively could play hero for Herro. Carter, Herro, and Jaime Jaquez would be a nice, young foundation of #HeatCulture for when Bam and Jimmy Butler eventually leave South Beach.
KD: Carter is an elite rebounder for a guard and could score the ball at a high level. He could help the Bulls get back into the playoffs or become a key starter for them if they decide to move on from LaVine/DeRozen. If Topic wasn’t coming off an ACL tear he’d go top 10 but the Thunder have time to wait on the potential. Dillingham with Fox would make them the quickest backcourt in the NBA from day 1. Whether he comes off the bench or plays alongside him this duo would be a nightmare for opposing guards. The Edey slide ends and let’s hope he doesn’t get the Blazers curse. The 7’4'“ center shot over 70% from the line and could become an anchor defensively for the Blazers; the upside here is too good to pass up and the Blazers would be a good fit. Ware to the Heat would be a match made in heaven playing alongside Bam. Ware is a legit stretch 5 who is good defensively guarding inside and out.
TD: Ron Holland had a pretty nonnotable year in the G-League instead of playing College Hoops. His 3-point shot (24%) is concerning but he’s only a year removed from being a top high school recruit and played a year against professionals. Bronny James to the Lakers would cause a raucous so we’ll root for that. The Lakers could draft someone else and try to trade back into the 1st, there have been rumors of that. Jared McCain would provide the Orlando Magic with some scoring from the PG position. Shooting isn’t Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz’s strength, it is McCain’s (41% from 3). The Toronto Raptors have a ton of wing players and no bigs. Kel’el Ware was the only player in the Big Ten to average over 15 points and 9 rebounds aside from Zach Edey. Ware also chipped in 2 blocks on defense. Cleveland’s only real need in their starting lineup is SF. Furphy could be a long-term answer at the minutes Caris LeVert and Max Strus got last season.
KD: Missi is a powerful center who would pair well with Embiid and could be a solid starter if and when he gets hurt. The upside defensively and on the glass is too good to pass up here. The former #1 recruit Collier staying in LA makes sense and would give them some much-needed guard help and potential star power. Holmes is another high-upside center who can stretch the floor and protect the paint which would fit the Raptors’ system well. DaSilva is a high floor - low ceiling prospect who would fit a need for the Cavs but I think they may swap picks + a future 2nd with Toronto for Holmes, a Dayton alum.
TD: Kyle Filipowski plays much like Jonas Valanciunas so he can learn behind him with the Pelicans. The Phoenix Suns have a ton of veteran star power and need a bruiser. PJ Hall fills that bill as a rebounder and screen setter who can hit an open 3. The Bucks could use a big man to eventually replace Brooks Lopez and Bobby Portis. Tidjane Salaun is still a few years away as a development prospect who is just 18 years old, the same age Giannis was when Milwaukee drafted him. For the Knicks, Sam Griffin and DaRon Holmes are 2 less heralded prospects with more collegiate experience than most of this draft. Sam Griffin could provide New York with another guard who can create his own shot. He also shot 47% on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. DaRon Holmes is a Dayton Flyer highflier, a bit like Obi Toppin. While Toppin may not have worked out in New York, Holmes may be a bit more of a polished prospect.
KD: Walter is a high upside guard who would help stretch the floor for Zion with his elite shooting and elite defensive potential. Carrington fits a much-needed position for the Suns and could be the lead guard to alleviate the pressure on Booker/Beal. With his ties to the DMV region it wouldn’t surprise me if KD is happy to hear this pick potentially keeping him around come free agency. Filipkowski is a stretch 5 center with a good feel for the game and passing. He would play well alongside Giannis and could take over for Brook Lopez. Dunn is the best defensive guard in this class and seems to be the type of player Thibs would love. Edwards was a top prospect coming into Kentucky and was overshadowed by teammates Sheppard and Rob but the potential to become an elite point forward is there and the Knicks fans should be ecstatic drafting these 2 league-ready prospects come draft night.
TD: Washington may be stuck in their Jordan Poole experiment but drafting Reed Sheppard and Tristan Newton could be a statement. Newton was a winner at UConn and the Wizards could sure use more players like him. Cam Spencer also spent last year in Connecticut and his shooting ability as well as off-the-ball movement would add another element to the Minnesota rotation. With Anthony Edwards demanding much attention, Spencer could be a good fit on the perimeter. The idea of DJ Burns subbing in for the Joker to provide 15 minutes a night of more low post-offense sounds fun. After an up-and-down season at Kentucky, Justin Edwards lands at the end of the draft. Combined with Isaiah Collier, Utah would have 2 of the top recruits from the ‘23 High School class. With the last pick of the first round, the NBA champs go with Baylor Scheierman. The lefty is an excellent rebounder for a guard and would add another versatile wing to Boston’s rotation.
KD: The Swiss/Frenchman George is a high-upside forward who fits the mold of prospects the Wizards are building around. His shooting upside alongside Deni, Couilbaly, and Sarr should give the Wizards the potential to make a run in the Eastern Conference in a few years. Shannon may be the most NBA-ready player in the draft and his scoring should take some pressure off Edwards. Scheierman fits the Nuggets’ offense to a tee, he plays at his own pace and is an outstanding shooter/passer. He’ll be ready to contribute on Day 1 in the NBA. Furphy has the potential to become a good 3 and D player and the Jazz may see some Kirlieinko in his game but it may take some time. The Celtics already hit once drafting a prospect from CAL and Tyson has a good chance to contribute to the NBA champion Celtics in Year 1. He is a crafty forward who can score at all three levels and could provide some nice scoring off the bench.
