We are roughly one month away from the start of college basketball. As NBA teams gear up for a new season, scouting departments are gearing up for another year of prospect evaluation. After a particularly strong 2023 NBA Draft class, the 2024 class feels undeniably weaker by comparison. Still, there are plenty of intriguing prospects worthy of your attention.
It's far too early to project the draft order with any real certainty. Even team needs are subject to extreme changes between now and next June when the draft will commence. Still, it's worth looking at the landscape of the NBA and, more importantly, the early contours of this NBA Draft class.
Some prospects are already rising in the estimation of draft experts around the country. This class is unique in its diversity, both in terms of nationality (a lot of international prospects in the first-round mix) and in terms of situation. The G League Ignite has never boasted more talent. And, with a weaker-than-usual freshman class, more eyes will be on standout returners. This has the chance to be the most chaotic pre-draft process in recent memory.
We truly do not know who will be No. 1 when the 2024 rolls around. We don't have a true top-five lock. We can guess, predict, project, but there's a lot of uncertainty, which is only elevated by the different guiding principles of front offices around the league.
Here's how the latest 2024 NBA mock draft here at FanSided shapes up.
The draft order was determined via Tankathon simulation.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: updated Oct. 10, 2023
The Spurs' prospect pool is deep, with a ton of star upside between Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, and Jeremy Sochan. The only "missing piece" in San Antonio's young core is a more productive point guard. Tre Jones is a reliable playmaker who defends his position well and limits mistakes, but he's a lackluster scorer who feels destined for career backup duties.
It's too early to start pegging prospects with teams on a serious level ... but Isaiah Collier would fit hand-in-glove with what the Spurs need. What he lacks in elite athletic tools at 6-foot-3, Collier makes up for with NBA-ready feel, a tremendous sense of pace, and pull-up shooting to supplement Wembanyama and Vassell atop the Spurs' offensive hierarchy.
Matas Buzelis was pegged as a No. 1 pick candidate ages ago due to his unique blend of size and skill. At 6-foot-9, Buzelis showcases legitimate ball-handling chops, working fluidly out of pick-and-rolls and frequently pushing the tempo in transition, grab-and-go style. He shoots 3s cleanly and projects as a strong defender with the ability to cross positions.
In a draft with so much uncertainty, Buzelis could coast to a high draft pick on physical tools and a high floor. He can lack aggression as a scorer, but there aren't many wings who can create for teammates, shoot on the move, and work lanes as a cutter to the extent Buzelis can. Versatility is key to the modern NBA and Buzelis has No. 1 upside if he gets more confident attacking the basket.
French 7-footer Alex Sarr lit up the G-League Ignite and continues to draw eyeballs with his performance for Perth in the Australian NBL. He is the biggest preseason riser of this draft cycle and he's on path to garner real consideration for the No. 1 spot depending on which team lands there.
In this case, the Spurs probably prioritize a point guard over another long-armed, ultra-skilled big (not to say Sarr and Wembanyama isn't a compelling concept). Houston is more Sarr's speed; his blend of rim protection skills and mobility makes him a perfect complement to Alperen Sengun on defense. On offense, Sarr is comfortable with the screen-and-roll game, but he also flashes legitimate touch from 3-point range and a juicy face-up game.
Ron Holland feels safe compared to his 2024 peers. G League Ignite is loaded with more talent than ever, but Holland could be the team's most-watched prospect. At 6-foot-8, he's a lanky and explosive wing athlete who profiles first and foremost as the best perimeter defender in the draft. Holland is bullish at the point of attack but equally impressive away from the ball, where his instincts and ability to cover ground pop.
The Hornets are a team in desperate need of perimeter defense, so it's a natural fit. Holland is less polished on offense, but he presents upside as a slasher and play finisher due to his elite burst. He fits enough touch shots and spot-up 3s to leave scouts confident about his jumper long term.
Aday Mara left the professional ranks in Europe to join UCLA for what will presumably be his only college basketball season. He will compete for minutes (and share the court) with returner Adem Bona, but Mara figures to separate himself as the Bruins' top prospect. At 7-foot-3, the appeal is relatively straight forward — he's a massive rim deterrent with enough skill and mobility to survive in the modern NBA.
He's not going to switch onto guards, but Mara moves his feet well in space and he should thrive as a drop coverage safety net in the NBA. On offense, he pairs his efficient rim finishing with legitimate passing chops, making him a potential post-up hub as his skill set develops. The Wizards have guards and wings for days; Mara can anchor the defense.
Justin Edwards pops athletically at 6-foot-8. He's going to get a long runway at Kentucky, where John Calipari never hesitates to rely on his five-star freshmen. There are questions about his 3-point consistency and his ability to self-create, but Edwards explodes down the lane and flashes as a pull-up shooter.
Edwards will ultimately rely on other playmakers to optimize his game — cuts, transition runouts, and spot-up jumpers figure to yield his most efficient outcomes — but there's upside on the ball and he should defend multiple positions at a high level. The Blazers love big athletes and could use a wing to round out a guard-heavy rotation.
In a class full of uncertainty, there is an undeniable appeal in a 6-foot-8 wing with Zacchaire Risacher's baseline skill level. He keeps defenders honest with a bankable 3-point shot and shows tremendous touch on in-between shots closer to the rim. He lacks elite explosiveness, but Risacher handles the ball fluidly and shows strong connective instincts as a passer.
He probably doesn't profile as a go-to weapon, but Risacher can operate as glue for a team with several young playmakers like Detroit. He will need to add muscle on the defensive end, but Risacher's instincts and positional versatility should earn him a high spot on draft boards heading into the season.
Stephon Castle will step into a heavy workload for the defending champs following Jordan Hawkins' departure for the NBA. At 6-foot-6, Castle has excellent size for a combo guard combined with a great skill package. He's endlessly crafty off the dribble, using head fakes and hesitation moves to keep his defenders off balance. Castle won't wow with his athleticism, but he will infatuate viewers with his step-back 3s and evasive handles.
The Spurs need guard help, so all the high-level guard prospects should be monitored in connection to a team with two potential lottery picks. Castle blends his ball-handling creativity with passing creativity as well. Factor in his impressive defense, and Castle is one of the stronger lottery bets in his class.
Ja'Kobe Walter will get buckets. At 6-foot-5, he's comfortable uncorking pull-up jumpers with a hand in his face. He doesn't necessarily project as a point guard, but Walter executes comfortably out of pick-and-rolls with a dynamic floater game, shifty side-to-side handles, and extreme self-confidence. He can finish with strength at the rim or keep defenders honest behind the 3-point line.
The primary knock on Walter is shot selection and inconsistency. He can run hot and cold, which NBA teams will want to see him avoid in a more controlled environment at Baylor. Walter displays two-way upside, however, and he's a self-creator in a class full of unknowns, which is a potential separator for NBA scouts. The Magic have too many guards to count, but still somehow need a player with Walter's proclivity for scoring.
There is uncertainty around Bronny James' medical after he suffered a frightening cardiac arrest before the season. NBA teams will have to do their research, but James plans to play his freshman campaign for the Trojans. His stock is all over the place depending on where you look, but James' blend of 3-point shooting, defensive intensity, and high-level instincts should earn him high marks from NBA scouting departments.
The Rockets have several creators on the perimeter, not to mention big man passing whiz Alperen Sengun. The focus should be on peppering the roster with quality 3-and-D role players. James doesn't need the ball to impact winning; his low-maintenance style would be a natural fit in Houston.
There are questions about Elmarko Jackson's ability to play full-time point guard, but the Pacers can skirt around those concerns by pairing him with Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard. The 6-foot-3 Jackson is due for decent minutes as a freshman at Kansas, where his explosive slashing and gritty defense should earn rave reviews.
Jackson has flashed pull-up shooting out to the 3-point line, but he shines most when he's getting downhill. Mixing dynamic handles with a blistering first step, Jackson is difficult to stay in front of and he's a bursty, acrobatic finisher at the rim. If he can learn to leverage his drives to create for teammates more frequently, there is NBA star potential.
Donovan Clingan's quiet freshman season at UConn got quite loud during the Huskies' championship run. He probably could have been a first-round pick in 2023, but Clingan will return to school with expanded duties as a sophomore. He will hope to carve out a place in next year's lottery.
At 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-7 wingspan, Clingan towers over most players in the post. He's not the most "modern" five, but he can move his feet reasonably well in space and he will dominate in drop coverage when the matchups allow it. His shot-blocking instincts are top shelf and he's a mega-efficient play finisher in the paint on offense. The Pelicans could look to replace Jonas Valanciunas with a defensive anchor.
D.J. Wagner will battle concerns about his size at 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, not to mention middling 3-point numbers in high school. He will need to prove to teams that he can operate efficiently and effectively as a lead ball-handler, the role he figures to shoulder at Kentucky.
If he can make strides as a passer and shooter, Wagner will have no problem staking his claim on a lottery spot. He's a deadly driver, blessed with shifty handles, elite change-of-pace ability, and a dizzying array of finishing moves around the rim. The Wolves need a point guard of the future, still.
At 6-foot-8, Melvin Ajinca has the classic 3-and-D appeal that could land him in the lottery. With so much uncertainty at the top of the draft, teams could gravitate toward "safe" picks. Ajinca has a left-handed canon from 3-point range and he can defend a few different positions with his blend of size and strength.
There are flashes of potential beyond spot-up shooting, too. Ajinca has a nifty step-back at his disposal, which could become more dangerous if he refines his ball-handling technique. He shows promising awareness as a cutter. The Knicks have guards galore and a couple bigs to sift through, so a bigger wing who can space the floor is a logical pick.
Mackenzie Mgbako de-committed from Duke in favor of Indiana, where he should have broader responsibilities and a prime opportunity to showcase the full extent of his skill set. At 6-foot-8, Mgbako profiles primarily as a 3-and-D wing at the next level. The Bulls have a ton of guards and a few centers, but precious few wings and forwards in between. The fit here is strong.
Izan Almansa has a lot of tools in the tool kit, which could draw NBA scouts as high as the lottery. He will battle for prominence on a crowded G-League Ignite team, but at 6-foot-9 with an intriguing blend of defensive instincts, interior scoring touch, and passing chops, it's not hard to discern a path to NBA productivity. The Hawks need some frontcourt help following John Collins' departure (with Clint Capela's exodus only a matter of time).
Tyrese Proctor struggled with inconsistency as a freshman, but he's due for a sophomore leap as Duke's lead playmaker. He possesses great positional size at 6-foot-5 and he can make every pass in the book. He will have to boost his numbers at the rim and behind the 3-point line, but he flashes enough shooting touch to maintain optimism.
Cody Williams is the younger brother of Thunder wing Jalen Williams. His stock has been all over the place this summer, but in a draft will so little set in stone, it's hard not to be drawn to Williams' physical tools. He's 6-foot-8 with intriguing flashes as a driver and playmaker that suggest a high ceiling, even if it is accompanied by a brittle floor. OKC has a ton of young depth, so upside swings are the way to go. Why not make it a family affair?
Adem Bona would have been drafted in 2023, but he's angling for a sophomore leap and a first-round guarantee. The arrival of Aday Mara complicates the frontcourt situation at UCLA, but Bona should appeal to NBA scouts with his explosive rim-finishing and shot-blocking instincts. The Pacers could benefit from a lob threat for Tyrese Haliburton.
Tidjane Salaun pops athletically at 6-foot-9, guarding all over the floor and exploding to the rim on impressive drives. His jumper tends to run hot and cold, so there are concerns about offensive consistency at the next level, but the Cavs could put stock in his versatility, defensive activity, and upside as a cutter and play-finisher.
Thierry Darlan will draw eyeballs with his shooting ability. He has flashed expanded versatility off the dribble and his range extends comfortably beyond the NBA 3-point line. He finishes well on drives to the rim and he should defend multiple positions at 6-foot-6. Teams will want to see ancillary growth as a passer and off-ball operator, but the base skill set is appealing.
A five-star recruit who struggled mightily as a freshman at Oregon, Kel'el Ware will spend his sophomore season rehabbing his draft stock at Indiana. He will fill the rather large shoes of Trayce Jackson-Davis, so the opportunity is plentiful. If he can live up to his five-star billing as a lob threat, floor-spacer, and rim protector, he could work his way back into the lottery conversation.
Baba Miller underwhelmed as a freshman, but the Spaniard performed well in the U19 World Cup and he should have ample opportunity to bounce back as a sophomore. Florida State has produced many a versatile wing prospect, so Miller's unique blend of 6-foot-11 size, ball skills, and defensive versatility should keep him on NBA radars.
A disappointing season kept Nikola Durisic out of the 2023 draft, but his flashes of creation and shot-making at 6-foot-8 are enough to keep him in the good graces of NBA scouting departments. The Sixers could bank on the upside of a versatile wing defender who moonlights as a secondary playmaker.
Kyle Filipowski will return to a significant role in his sophomore season at Duke. He offers upside as a multi-level scorer and big man playmaking hub, but inconsistency from 3-point range and concerns about his limited physical tools on the defensive end could hold back his stock. Filipowski was in line for a first-round pick last year. That shouldn't change in 2024.
Bobi Klintman spent his freshman season at Wake Forest. He played sparsely but drew NBA eyeballs with his unique blend of 6-foot-10 size and ball skills. He loves to grab and go in transition and he navigates traffic comfortably off the dribble. He has to prove his mettle as an interior scorer and defender, but he has a chance to show out against professional competition this season in Australia's NBL.
A.J. Johnson is young and in need of physical development (he weighs in at 170 pounds), but his self-creation flashes at 6-foot-5 should keep him glued to NBA draft boards. He operates with extreme confidence and a precise sense of pace, using changes in speed and direction to shake defenders before elevating into a picturesque pull-up jumper. He shows promise working out of pick-and-rolls, both as a scorer and passer.
A talented creator with excellent positional size at 6-foot-6, Nikola Topic has dominated the international stage and he is prominently featured for Mega MIS, a real NBA prospect hub. He's not terribly explosive, but Topic leverages tempo and angles to his advantage, constantly penetrating the defense and creating shots, both for himself and for others. He needs to iron out the 3-point stroke a bit, but the foundation of skill and size is promising.
A foot fracture could impact Aaron Bradshaw's freshman season at Kentucky — and by extension his draft stock — but he's an athletic 7-footer who can protect the rim and hit a wide variety of shots on offense. He doesn't always embrace the most efficient approach, but bigs who can create out of face-up and post-up scenarios like Bradshaw tend to draw the attention of NBA decision-makers.
J.J. Starling transferred from Notre Dame to Syracuse for his sophomore season. He possesses a great capacity for movement shooting, which makes him a natural fit for the Nuggets' offense with Nikola Jokic. He's the type of prospect the Nuggets are prioritizing and he deserves more first-round buzz going into the season.
