NBA Mock Draft – Page 7 – Syndication Server

Three Kentucky basketball players are selected in the new SI NBA mock draft

Three Kentucky basketball players are projected to be picked in the newest Sports Illustrated mock draft.

The NBA draft is getting closer and now the invites for the NBA Draft Combine are set as well. The draft picture should become a little clearer as it continues to approach, and NBA mock drafts should be more accurate.

It seems pretty clear that at least three former Kentucky Wildcats will be drafted. However, there could be more, depending on how the NBA feels about guys like Ugonna Onyenso and Antonio Reeves.

Sports Illustrated’s Draft Digest produced a new mock draft, and they have just three former Cats being picked. Onyenso and Reeves were left out, to the chagrin of Big Blue Nation.

Reed Sheppard – 7th, Memphis Grizzlies

Guard Reed Sheppard is first off the board according to the analysts at SI. Sheppard did a little bit of everything for Kentucky, but his elite shooting is the main draw. His on-ball defense needs work, but he will find ways to contribute in multiple areas.

Rob Dillingham – 8th, Utah Jazz

The electrifying Rob Dillingham is picked directly after his teammate. The Freshman hit big shots all season long, but was also terrific getting into the lane and making tough shots around the rim. Like Sheppard, he needs to work on his defense.

Justin Edwards – 33rd, Milwaukee Bucks

Forward Justin Edwards was the highest-rated recruit Kentucky brought in last year. He is a solid defender, who can shoot the ball and get to the rim as well. His biggest detriment was his inconsistency. He put up big numbers in some games, and disappeared in others.

Warriors land Creighton’s Trey Alexander in second round of new NBA mock draft

In his final season at Creighton, Alexander averaged 17.6 points on 44.6% shooting from the floor to go along with 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

With the Golden State Warriors’ chance of making a run in the postseason ending with a loss in the play-in tournament, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Steve Kerr can shift their attention to the upcoming NBA draft and free agency.

While the Warriors don’t have a first-round selection, they will be on the clock in the second round with the 53rd pick. In the past, the Warriors have had success in the second round with additions such as Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Before the Warriors hit the clock in June, mock drafts serve as a way to see what type of players could be on the board at pick No. 53. In the latest mock from Sports Illustrated’s Draft Digest, the Warriors landed Creighton’s Trey Alexander in the second round.

Read the full mock draft from Draft Digest, including all of the projected picks in the lottery here.

Alexander played three seasons at Creighton, earning second-team All-Big East honors last year and a spot on the Big East’s All-Freshman team in 2022. Last season, Alexander averaged 17.6 points on 44.6% shooting from the field to go along with 33.9% from deep. Alexander added 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists as the Blue Jays punched a ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

In February, Alexander scored a season-high 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the field with four made 3-pointers. Alexander notched 20 or more points in 15 games on the season for Creighton.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X!

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Colorado’s Cody Williams lands with Bulls in recent NBA Mock Draft

Could the Chicago Buls snag Colorado’s Cody Williams in the 2024 NBA Draft?

This summer is an important one for the Chicago Bulls. Obviously, the trade market will headline their plans, as they should be looking to reshape their roster. However, as they look to plan for the future, nailing their pick in the 2024 NBA Draft will also be crucial, as they are slated to have another lottery selection. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report recently mocked Colorado wing Cody Williams to Chicago at pick 11.

“Cody Williams’ off-ball scoring, efficient spot-up shooting and excellent defensive tools suggest he’ll fit easily with an established, veteran core,” Wasserman wrote. “Though not the most skilled offensive weapon or shotmaker, scouts admire his ability to score off teams’ gravity, capitalize on spacing as a driver and play within the flow.

“He could go closer to top-five if teams see longer-term upside tied to his 6’9″ size, ball-screen flashes, three-point range and ability to guard multiple positions.”

Adding Williams would help shore up the Bulls’ frontcourt and could give Coby White a running mate in the future, should Chicago embrace a full-on rebuild.

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Warriors add Clemson’s PJ Hall in latest NBA mock draft from The Ringer

The Clemson forward averaged 18.3 points on 48.8% shooting from the field with 6.4 reboundd and 1.4 assists per game last season.

While the NFL draft is taking over the sports world this week, its a good reminder to look ahead at what the NBA draft could potentially look like with a mock draft.

Although the Golden State Warriors currently don’t have a first-round pick, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Steve Kerr will have the chance to add a player in the second round.

In the latest NBA mock draft from Kevin O’Connor at The Ringer, the Warriors landed first-team All-ACC forward PJ Hall in the second round. According to O’Connor, Hall would be a natural fit with the Warriors.

Via The Ringer:

Hall’s playmaking skill from the frontcourt would be a natural fit for Golden State’s style. It wouldn’t be a shocker if Hall, much like Trayce Jackson-Davis, were to earn minutes right away.

Read O’Connor’s full mock draft via The Ringer here.

In his fourth college season, Hall helped lead the Tigers to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 18.3 points on 48.8% shooting from the field with 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game last season.

Hall tallied a season-high 31 points on 11-of-23 shooting from the field to go along with a season-high 17 rebounds in an explosive performance against Georgia Tech last season. Hall tallied seven double-double performances for the Tigers last season.

The NBA draft starts Wednesday, June 26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X!

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Bulls NBA Draft Prospect Profile: Dalton Knecht

As the Chicago Bulls prepare for the offseason, the 2024 NBA Draft will mark a crucial point for them. After three years of mediocrity with their current core, Arturas Karnisovas finally admitted that the current roster isn’t working. Now, the Bulls should be looking to plan for the future, and that will start with who they are able to select in the upcoming draft.

The emergence of Coby White as a potential star this season was monumental for the Bulls, as they now have a guy they can partially build around moving forward. Ayo Dosunmu falls under that same category, as he also enjoyed a great 2023-24 season. But they cannot do it alone, and the Bulls will need to add some young talent around them if they want to brighten their future.

Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht could be a guy they look to target. Some mock drafts have the 23-year-old being off the board by the time Chicago’s pick comes around, but his shooting and scoring ability make him a very intriguing fit for the Bulls.

The NBA Mock Draft ESPN posted on April 17 has Knecht going to the Houston Rockets at pick nine.

“The Rockets turned the page on their rebuilding process by hiring head coach Ime Udoka and making a splash in free agency last summer, indicating they could look at more ready-made players with this pick considering the plethora of youth already on the roster,” wrote Jonathan Givony. “Shooting will likely be a priority for Houston this summer, and the dynamic perimeter game of the nearly 23-year-old Knecht — who made 40% of his 3s this season — could be attractive with this pick.”

Bleacher Report’s NBA Mock Draft on April 22 has Knecht falling to the Utah Jazz with the eighth pick.

“Despite the loss to Purdue, Dalton Knecht added another special scoring performance to a resume that already shows 30-40-point games against Kentucky, Auburn, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida,” wrote Jonathan Wasserman. “He put up 37 points in the Elite Eight off mostly signature shotmaking that scouts deem translatable, given his size, stroke and general shooting versatility. He seemingly has an ideal skill set for a complementary role at the next level, where he can space the floor, curl off screens and take dribble handoffs into pull-ups or drives.

“Turning 23 years old this month, Knecht will have some skeptics who worry about age for a lottery pick. But most teams won’t be overly picky in 2024. The idea of adding a plug-and-play scorer with a valued core skill and professional approach will look appealing outside the top five.”

In the mock draft posted by No Ceilings on April 9, Knecht goes to the Memphis Grizzlies at seven.

“Despite being burdened with a heavy offensive load and heaps of defensive attention, Knecht managed to knock down 42.4% of his threes during conference play this season,” wrote Maxwell Baumbach. “Chase him off the line, and he may put someone on a poster. Knecht registered 27 dunks this past season. That’s an excellent mark for a wing, but it’s even more impressive when taking into account that he both missed time and played through injury.

“While he may be older, Knecht may also boast more upside than his fellow graduate peers, as he’s a late bloomer who didn’t finish growing until college and just completed his first high-major season. Defensively, Knecht needs to make improvements, but Tennessee wasn’t worse with him on the court on that end.”

This is a weird draft. It’s been heralded as the worst draft in a long time, but Knecht seems like a great player. The question is, should the Bulls want to grab someone a bit younger?

Knecht has a great NBA skill set. With his shooting and ability to score in bunches, he makes a ton of sense for the Bulls in terms of his on-court fit. But if the Bulls want to plan for the future, drafting someone a bit younger could make some sense.

That said, at this point, the Bulls should just want to grab the best player available. If Knecht falls to the Bulls at pick 11, they should definitely seriously consider snagging the Tennessee product.

Warriors land Arizona Wildcats forward in second round of NBA mock draft

Larsson averaged 12.8 points on 51.9% shooting with 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 36 games with the Arizona Wildcats last season.

While the NFL draft is taking center stage in the sports world this week, it’s never too early to look ahead to the NBA draft. With the Golden State Warriors’ 2023-24 season already wrapped up, Steve Kerr and Mike Dunleavy Jr. will have extra time to prepare for June’s draft.

Despite having a head start on draft preparation, the Warriors still have only one second-round pick in the back half of the second round, although that could change when the offseason gets underway.

In the latest NBA mock draft from Sports Illustrated’s Draft Digest, the Warriors added a forward from the Arizona Wildcats in the second round. With the No. 53 pick in the mock draft, Draft Digest sent Arizona’s Pelle Larsson to the Warriors.

Read the full mock draft via Sports Illustrated’s Draft Digest here.

The Swedish 23-year-old played two seasons in the Pac-12, one season with the Utah Utes and one season with the Arizona Wildcats. On the way to earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors, Larsson averaged 12.8 points on 51.9% shooting from the field with 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 36 games.

Larsson notched a season-high 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field to go along with eight assists and seven boards in a win against his former team, Utah. Larsson scored 21 of more points in four different games in his final season in Tuscon.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X!

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NBA Mock Draft has Spurs select 6-foot-5 Pittsburgh guard

In a recent NBA Mock Draft, the San Antonio Spurs select Carlton Carrington out of Pittsburgh.

Obviously, by the time the 2024 NBA Draft rolls around, everyone who follows the San Antonio Spurs will have their eyes on the top five selections. However, the Spurs could also find some value in the second round, as more and more teams are drafting quality players late in the draft. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report recently wrote a mock draft, and in it, he has the Spurs selecting Pittsburgh guard Carlton Carrington with the 35th overall selection.

“Carlton Carrington could generate first-round consideration, but he’s not a lock, which will lead to an interesting decision over whether to scrimmage at the NBA combine,” Wasserman wrote. “It’s easy to see the appeal to a 6’5″, 18-year-old guard who averaged 4.1 assists and 2.0 threes and hit 102 pull-up jumpers. There are just questions about his lack of quickness and burst, which limited his rim pressure and led to a red-flag low steal rate.”

For all the concerns Wasserman detailed there is an equal amount of upside. Carrington’s offensive game could be very useful for the Spurs, who would benefit from more perimeter creation.

In 33 games at Pittsburgh in his freshman season, Carrington averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 41.2% from the field and 32.2% from behind the three-point line.

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NBA Mock Draft sees Bulls select Purdue big man Zach Edey with pick 11

In a recent NBA Mock Draft, the Chicago Bulls pick Purdue’s Zach Edey with the 11th pick.

This offseason is an important one for the Chicago Bulls as they look to shake up their roster and move forward past their current core, which Arturas Karnisovas finally admitted isn’t working. As they plan for the future, the 2024 NBA Mock Draft will provide them a chance to add young talent. In No Ceilings’ latest mock draft, they have the Bulls selecting Purdue center Zach Edey with the 11th pick.

“Edey may not seem like a traditional home run swing, but for a team like Chicago that wants to stay competitive, Edey’s unique talents and tools could fit their play style and give them a weapon X of sorts,” wrote Corey Taluba.

The 7-foot-4 big man lost in the National Championship to UConn this past season. His last two years with the Boilermakers were nothing short of dominant.

Some question whether or not he’ll be effective at the NBA level, but Taluba believes the Bulls can afford to take on his unique style of play.

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The latest NBA mock draft from CBS has Zach Edey going very late in the first round to the Wizards

The Purdue big man may slide down draft boards.

Is Zach Edey a 2024 NBA lottery pick?

Most NBA mock drafts thus far have declared: No, he’s going outside the lottery. In the latest 2024 NBA mock draft from our Bryan Kalbrosky, he’s got the two-time national college player of the year going 19th overall to the Toronto Raptors.

But in the latest 2024 mock from CBS Sports, Kyle Boone has Edey going No. 26 to the Washington Wizards, a move that makes some sense given how late the pick is for the rebuilding squad that lacks a young big man on the roster.

Here’s Boone’s take on why this would work for the Wizards:

In a head-to-head matchup with projected top-10 pick Donovan Clingan in the national championship game, Edey scored 37 points and showed why even the most capable defenders may have trouble slowing him in the NBA. He’s been the best player in college for two straight years and should get looks as early as the teens in this draft.

Interesting! Make sure to check out the latest 2024 NBA mock draft from Bryan Kalbrosky!

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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