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I haven't seen this Tyler Smith kid projected to the Knicks. Mock seems to be high on him. Knicks will take either him or Kel'el Ware. Knicks need front court help.
1. Detroit Pistons: C Alex Sarr
Ht./Wt.: 7-1, 205 pounds | Perth Wildcats (Australia)
Sarr finished his one season in the NBL averaging 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17 minutes per game. The versatile center really showed improvement in his footwork off the block and with taking players off the dribble. He's also an elite rim protector. In a draft that is considered wide open, Sarr has been a name consistently projected at the top.
Risacher has great length at the wing and the ability to get hot from 3-point range. He's been a little inconsistent throughout the season playing in the LNB Pro A league, but he has shown more variety in his shot creation and is knocking down 3s off the dribble. Risacher is currently shooting 40% from 3 and averaging 10.5 points per game.
3. Charlotte Hornets: G Stephon Castle
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 215 pounds | Class: Freshman | UConn
Castle really helped himself during postseason play, especially on defense. His assignment throughout the entire tournament was to guard the opposing team's best guard and he delivered each and every time. He also has the physicality to post up smaller guards. He showed scouts he doesn't shy away from big moments and can play under pressure.
4. San Antonio Spurs: G Nikola Topić
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 201 pounds | KK Mega Basket (Serbia)
The Spurs will likely target a ball-handler and facilitator with this pick and, when healthy, Topić has been incredible in the Serbian league. He's been sidelined with a knee injury since January, but Topić has great size and sees the floor well, averaging 6.1 assists per game.
Clingan struggled with injuries all season and was finally 100% healthy during UConn's tournament run, where he really shined as a mobile big who can run the floor well for his size. Clingan can bang with the bigs down low and is getting better at guarding outside of the paint in the way he shows and recovers on the roll. He covers so much court with his 7-7 wingspan and is an elite rim protector, recording a staggering eight blocks in the win over Northwestern in the second round.
6. Toronto Raptors: G Reed Sheppard
Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 187 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky
Sheppard and Kentucky didn't end the season the way they wanted to, but Sheppard was one of the most consistent guards on the team. He is a smart player and impacts the game positively, whether that's hitting deep 3s at the end of the shot clock or disrupting opposing guards in the backcourt.
7. Memphis Grizzlies: G Rob Dillingham
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 178 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky
Dillingham is one of the quickest guards with the ball in his hands and showed scouts this year that he can create separation off the dribble and get good shots. He averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists off the bench this year for Kentucky and is one of the best guards in this draft at getting downhill and finishing at the rim.
8. Utah Jazz: F Matas Buzelis
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 212 pounds | G League Ignite
The G League Ignite program is done, but Buzelis finished out the season strong, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds against the South Bay Lakers. Buzelis has good size and can play either inside or outside the paint.
9. Houston Rockets: G/F Ron Holland
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 206 pounds | G League Ignite
While Holland had a tough year with the Ignite and ended his season early to have surgery on his thumb, he was the go-to scorer anytime the Ignite needed a basket. He got better with his shot selection down the stretch and also has a second burst in transition that is nearly impossible to guard.
10. Atlanta Hawks: F Cody Williams
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Colorado
Williams started to play much better during the postseason after fully recovering from a facial fracture. In his final game against Marquette, he really showcased his defensive versatility in how he can guard multiple positions on the court, recover on the switch and chase down blocks.
11. Chicago Bulls: G Ja'Kobe Walter
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 195 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor
Walter projects as a 3-point threat in the NBA with his size and shooting mechanics, but struggled to stay consistent during his one season at Baylor. There was so much depth along the perimeter on Scott Drew's squad this year. Walter will have more freedom with the spacing and pace of the NBA game.
Salaun had 18 points in a recent win over Saint-Quentin and is really starting to get creative offensively while limiting his turnovers. Like other young prospects playing in the LNB Pro-A league, he struggles with consistency, but there have been positive moments this season and areas of his game that he continues to improve.
Knecht was one of the best scoring guards in college basketball this season. He averaged 26 points and shot 40% from 3-point range in four tournament games. He's a three-level scorer and, even though he's far from a finished product defensively, he did improve on the perimeter and rebounded well all season.
14. Sacramento Kings: C Kyle Filipowski
Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 220 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Duke
Duke ran a lot of offense through Filipowski this season and he played well through double teams and different looks opposing teams would throw at him. His 3-point shot still needs some work, but there's no hesitation in letting it fly. He could be inserted as a pick-and-pop big and see early minutes next season.
Last edited by Mike from back east; 04-27-2024 at 01:49 PM..
Reason: Adding quote marks to the material.
I had been reading reports all year talking about how this was going to be a weak draft year. I thought they were exaggerating but watching the tournament pushed me to their point of view and now quiet life’s post confirmed it. I feel bad for San Antonio and Detroit. The list looks terrible. Unless one of the European guys is the next Giannis over the next few years. But when Clingan is seriously a top 5 pick, that’s a bad sign. Dude is a career backup.
I always wonder how the kids cope with their draft projections. If you're a big deal on a decent college squad, do you understand you're going to be a 60+ pick in the draft? I haven't watched more than 5 minutes of any draft and usually don't pay attention to any results but the top 5-10.
Matas Buzelis to me is the best here. Then I'd go with the centers but not Sarr. I'd choose Filipowski, Clingan, Edey, and Ware before him.
And how about DJ Burns?
Sarr seems like a risky pick at #1. His numbers in the NBL don't have #1 pick written all over them. There are just too many bigs who are drafted #1 based on potential and never live up to it. If Detroit has the #1 they need to hit a home run to start to dig out of their hole. Although there may not be that person in the draft. I think a guy like Ron Holland would be a better gamble.
I had been reading reports all year talking about how this was going to be a weak draft year. I thought they were exaggerating but watching the tournament pushed me to their point of view and now quiet life’s post confirmed it. I feel bad for San Antonio and Detroit. The list looks terrible. Unless one of the European guys is the next Giannis over the next few years. But when Clingan is seriously a top 5 pick, that’s a bad sign. Dude is a career backup.
Agreed! A whole bunch of maybe's. I like Castle, Holland, Sheppard, Dillingham, Williams, Knecht but the NBA is littered with 6'3" points and 6' 6"-6-9" wings. Hard for those potential rookies to make their mark. Don't see any of those I named starting from the jump unless they blow it out the water during summer league and practice. Sarr, as mentioned upthread, his numbers doesn't justify #1 overall. Maybe his skills can translate to NBA level. Big maybe. I think the Knicks could get Kel'el Ware and not have to pay him lottery money. I would take Ware over Sarr but not at #1 overall.
Still no love for Edey at #1? He won me over during the March madness. Massive stats. His FG% is high and yet he does not dunk majority of his shots which meant very nice accuracy around the basket. Impressive poise in the basket with finesse hook shots and floaters. He is also mobile enough (Jokic lowers the standard for speed needed in the NBA though ).
Still no love for Edey at #1? He won me over during the March madness. Massive stats.
Nah, sorry dude. I would have liked him in '97. I watched him wanting to like him during March Madness but his moves are so mechanical and slow. I think Wemba/Chet will cook him, welcome to NBA moment when matched up against Edey. First big man off the bench, for sure. Use up 5-6 fouls a game if needed. Mocks got him going in the 20's in the first round which is pretty good for him. Boban Marjanovic career trajectory at best which is nothing to sneeze at. 9 years in the league so far for Boban.
Edit: Looked at the latest mock I posted and they have him going #31. Seems like 2nd round territory. Long time until the draft. Maybe he will grade better at the combine and workouts.
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