Tag: 2024 NBA Draft

Latest NBA Mock Draft sees Spurs select 6-foot-6 Serbian point guard

In a recent mock draft, the San Antonio Spurs snag Serbian point guard Nikola Topic.

As the San Antonio Spurs look to build out their roster around Victor Wembanyama this summer, the NBA Draft will be crucial. If they want to build long-lasting success around the Frenchman, they’ll need to find more young talent. In Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman’s latest NBA Mock Draft, the Spurs snag Serbian point guard Nikola Topic, who stands at 6-foot-6.

“The San Antonio Spurs seem like a match for Nikola Topić, mostly due to the team’s glaring need for a lead playmaker,” Wasserman wrote. “The question is whether they would consider him if they wind up picking earlier in the top three. They should be more willing to look past his three-point percentages and defensive outlook at No. 5, though, given the wild scoring and passing production he put up this year at 18 years old.

“Topić hasn’t played since January 4, but he’s expected back for the Adriatic League playoffs. There is still scouting left to be done considering how much time he missed, but he’s also delivered a large sample size of convincing pick-and-roll play, rim pressure and finishing. And though his jump shot isn’t a strength yet, he’s demonstrated plenty of shotmaking confidence and backed up flashes with impressive free-throw numbers.”

The Spurs’ need for a true point guard next to Wembanyama makes Topic a near-perfect fit.

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Latest NBA Mock Draft sees Bulls select 6-foot-9 Colorado forward

In a recent NBA Mock Draft, the Chicago Bulls select Colorado forward Cody Williams.

The Chicago Bulls need to switch up their roster this summer. The trade market will be the main place for them to do so, but the NBA Draft will be just as important. If they want to brighten their future, they should be looking to add more young talent. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has them selecting Colorado forward Cody Williams in his latest NBA Mock Draft.

“Cody Williams’ draft range remains wide within the lottery entering the pre-draft process,” Wasserman wrote. “He could go in the top five to a patient team that values the two-way wing archetype and wants to bet on more creation and shooting development. He could also slide into the Nos. 10-14 range if enough teams see too lengthy a project based on low-volume perimeter shotmaking and limited off-the-dribble game.

“He did finish the year on a high note in a loss to Marquette, looking more aggressive with drives, hitting a three and delivering some impressive defensive sequences. Despite lacking the traditional skill set of a go-to scoring wing, he found different ways to pick up buckets from on and off the ball. At 6’9”, he showed he can defend guards. And he should have “knows how to play” written on most scouting reports. He’ll go to a team that chooses not to overthink the tape that shows a raw offensive player.”

Williams, whose brother Jalen is helping lead the one-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, just wrapped up an impressive freshman season with the Buffaloes.

He averaged 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 55.2% from the field and 41.5% from behind the three-point line.

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Yves Missi: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2004 | 7’0 | 7’6 | 235 LBS Team: Baylor Best aggregate mock draft rank: 11 / Worst rank: NR 2023-24 Stats: In 2023-24, Yves Missi averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game. He shot 61.4 percent from the …

2004 | 7’0 | 7’6 | 235 LBS

Team: Baylor

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 11 / Worst rank: NR

2023-24 Stats:

In 2023-24, Yves Missi averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game. He shot 61.4 percent from the field, 0.0 percent from three, and 61.6 percent from the foul line.

Isaiah Collier: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2004 | 6’5 | 210 LBS | 6’4 WS Team: USC Best aggregate mock draft rank: 1 / Worst rank: 19 2023-24 Stats: In 2023-24, Collier averaged 16.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. He shot 49.0 percent from the field, …

2004 | 6’5 | 210 LBS | 6’4 WS

Team: USC

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 1 / Worst rank: 19

2023-24 Stats:

In 2023-24, Collier averaged 16.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. He shot 49.0 percent from the field, 33.8 percent from three, and 67.3 percent from the foul line.

As play-in concludes, Rockets learn 2024 draft lottery odds for own pick

With Chicago and Atlanta eliminated, Houston is now locked into the No. 12 odds slot (for the May 12 draft lottery) with its own 2024 first-round pick.

With the Eastern Conference play-in tournament for the playoffs now complete, the Houston Rockets have clarity on the odds figures for their own first-round pick entering the May 12 draft lottery.

That lottery, which sorts through the selections of the league’s 14 non-playoff teams through weighted odds, determines the first four picks of the 2024 NBA draft. Beyond that, it’s all sorted by record.

Even though Atlanta (36-46) and Chicago (39-43) had worse records than Houston (41-41), they would have fallen behind the Rockets in the draft order, should either have advanced to the playoffs. (Playoff teams are sorted from No. 15 to No. 30 in the overall order.)

However, because both the Hawks and Bulls were eliminated in the East play-in tournament, Houston ultimately sticks with the No. 12 odds slot that it had following the 2023-24 regular season.

Houston’s 2024 first-round pick will head to Oklahoma City (owing to the 2019 Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade) unless it is among those top-four lottery selections. In that scenario, the Rockets would convey a second-round pick to the Thunder, instead.

Based on that No. 12 odds slot, here’s a look at the possibilities:

  • No. 1: 1.5%
  • No. 2: 1.7%
  • No. 3: 1.9%
  • No. 4: 2.1%
  • No. 12 or lower (pick goes to OKC): 92.9%

In short, Houston has only a 7.1% chance of keeping its pick.

One silver lining for the Rockets is that they do own Brooklyn’s 2024 first-round pick (from the 2021 James Harden trade), and that pick has no protections and will convey, no matter what.

Moreover, with Brooklyn owning the No. 9 odds slot, that pick is highly likely to be ahead of the Houston pick in the order. The only way the Rockets could be ahead of the Nets in the order would be if Houston defies the odds to win one of the four lottery picks — and in that scenario, they would own both selections.

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Dan Hurley reacts to Stephon Castle declaring for 2024 NBA draft

Castle was named the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

UConn freshman Stephon Castle told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN on Friday that he will forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2024 NBA draft.

Castle was named the Big East Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 47.2% shooting from the field. He is the sixth player in program history to win the award and the first since Daniel Hamilton in the 2014-15 season.

The 6-foot-6 guard emerged as a key player for the Huskies this year, helping them win their second straight national championship. He totaled 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in two games in the Final Four as UConn knocked off Alabama and Purdue.

His coach, Dan Hurley, praised him after his draft announcement.

Castle is viewed as a potential lottery pick after a strong campaign. He has emerged as a great perimeter defender with his size, versatility and instincts. He was often matched up with the opposing teams’ best players and made life difficult for them.

He will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning in team interviews and workouts over the pre-draft process. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Ja’Kobe Walter: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2004 | 6’5 | 6’10 WS | 195 LBS Team: Baylor Best aggregate mock draft rank: 1 / Worst rank: 16 2023-24 stats: In 2023-24, Walter averaged 14.5 points in 35 games with 32.3 minutes per contest game. He recorded 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.2 blocks, …

2004 | 6’5 | 6’10 WS | 195 LBS

Team: Baylor

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 1 / Worst rank: 16

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, Walter averaged 14.5 points in 35 games with 32.3 minutes per contest game. He recorded 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. His shooting percentages were 37.6 percent from three, 34.1 percent from three, and 79.2 percent from the foul line.

UConn sophomore Alex Karaban to declare for NBA draft, retain eligibility

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight title, averaging 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range.

UConn sophomore Alex Karaban announced Thursday on social media that he will declare for the 2024 NBA draft while retaining his remaining college eligibility.

Karaban helped the Huskies to their second straight championship after averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range. He produced eight 20-point games, including a season-high 26 points and seven rebounds on Dec. 9.

The 21-year-old joins teammate Donovan Clingan in declaring for the draft this year, while Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer are also expected to enter. Clingan and Castle are projected to be lottery picks.

Karaban isn’t projected to be drafted, though he will have the opportunity to improve his stock in team interviews and workouts. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine next month in Chicago, Illinois.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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Report: All-Pac-12 guard Pelle Larsson to forgo eligibility after declaring for NBA draft

Larsson was named to the All-Pac-12 second team after averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Arizona senior Pelle Larsson will reportedly forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2024 NBA draft, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Larsson was named to the All-Pac-12 second team after averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 42.6% shooting from 3-point range in 36 games. He scored in double figures 27 times, including a season-high 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds on Feb. 8.

The 6-foot-6 guard became the 55th player in program history to score 1,000 career points after three years (1,073). He is one of seven players in the country since the 1996-97 season to record at least 1,200 points, 500 rebounds and 100 steals on 49% shooting from the field.

Larsson, who was born in Sweden, began playing professional basketball at 16 years old. He played one season each with RIG Lulea and BC Lulea in the Swedish Basketball League before joining Utah as a freshman for the 2020-21 season.

The 23-year-old has represented Sweden at the junior several times and once at the senior level, most recently in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup European qualifiers. He averaged 6.3 points and two rebounds in four appearances.

Larsson is considered a potential second-round pick in the draft this year, given his ability to affect games in a variety of ways. He can score at each level and is highly touted for his vision, acting as a connector on offense at times.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Donovan Clingan: NBA Draft scouting report and intel

2004 | 7’2 | 7’7 WS | 280 LBS Team: Connecticut Best aggregate mock draft rank: 7 / Worst rank: 19 2023-24 stats: In the 2023-24 season, Clingan played 33 games averaging 22.1 minutes per game. He scored 12.9 points per game, shooting 64.3 percent …

2004 | 7’2 | 7’7 WS | 280 LBS

Team: Connecticut

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 7 / Worst rank: 19

2023-24 stats:

In the 2023-24 season, Clingan played 33 games averaging 22.1 minutes per game. He scored 12.9 points per game, shooting 64.3 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from three, and 57.4 percent from the free-throw line. Additionally, he recorded 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.5 blocks, 0.5 steals, 2.0 personal fouls, and 0.8 turnovers per game.

His late mother, Stacey Clingan, played college basketball for the University of Maine.