NBA mock draft: Projecting the top 14 post-lottery
Sun May 12 4:49pm ET
Field Level Media
The NBA draft lottery is complete, the order of the top 14 picks is cemented and the Atlanta Hawks are on the clock.
With about six weeks left before the draft begins June 27, Field Level Media takes a crack at projecting the lottery picks. There is no can't-miss star like Victor Wembanyama atop this year's draft board, but we may see a French big man go first overall for the second year running.
1. Atlanta Hawks: Alexandre Sarr, F/C, Perth Wildcats
The Hawks, who had just a 3 percent chance to win the No. 1 pick, now have every option in front of them. The answer, though, should be Sarr as a successor to Clint Capela. Tall, lean, mobile and talented as a ball-handler and passer, Sarr's most pressing task will be to bolster one of the league's worst defenses.
2. Washington Wizards: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Clingan isn't just any old college center. He's a 7-foot-2 monster in the interior with a 7-foot-7 wingspan who played a crucial role helping the Huskies win back-to-back national championships. His rim protection will make the Wizards' ghastly defense better and he'll be a persistent dunk threat teamed with Kyle Kuzma in the frontcourt.
3. Houston Rockets: Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg
This Frenchman's most notable trait is his 3-point shot, which he's connected on at ridiculous levels playing in his home nation's top league. Doing the same for Houston is another matter, but Risacher has the right build to fit in on the wing for a Rockets team that can take its time with him as it completes its rebuild.
4. San Antonio Spurs: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
Rob, meet Victor. Gregg Popovich will make sure you get along splendidly. Perhaps the best point guard in a class with several near the top, Dillingham offers the complete package on offense (15.2 points, 3.9 assists per game, 44.4 percent shooting from deep at Kentucky).
5. Detroit Pistons: Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Sheppard went from being the fifth-most hyped freshman in Kentucky's class to the consensus National Freshman of the Year. It helps to make more than half your 3-pointers and grab 2.5 steals a game. The Pistons tied for the fewest made 3-pointers per game and need a catch-and-shoot threat like Sheppard.
6. Charlotte Hornets: Nikola Topic, G, Red Star Belgrade
Topic's size (6-foot-6 or 6-foot-7, depending on your source), scoring and playmaking ability have powered his rise up draft boards this season. After dominating the Adriatic League, the 18-year-old projects as a major backcourt addition for any NBA team, but especially the Hornets, who need more playmaking guards especially considering LaMelo Ball's injury history.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
The 6-foot-11 Lithuanian-American offers a lot to Scoot Henderson and the Blazers. He averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.1 blocks per game in the G League regular season and comes from multiple generations of basketball pros, highlighted by his IQ.
8. San Antonio Spurs: Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee
Knecht took the Southeastern Conference by storm as an offensive machine for the Vols and won league Player of the Year honors. He's already 23 years old, but the Spurs ranked 28th in 3-point percentage last year and Knecht offers a jolt in that department from Day One.
9. Memphis Grizzlies: Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite
Memphis may be getting a steal in Holland, once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick before an up-and-down G League season. At his best, Holland scores at will attacking the basket and is a threat as a passer and defender. The Grizzlies owned the worst scoring offense in the NBA, but they get Ja Morant back and Holland can give him another option.
10. Utah Jazz: Cody Williams, F, Colorado
Williams scored 11.9 points per game in his lone year at Colorado and shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range -- though he attempted fewer than two per game. The brother of Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams will bring great size on the wing (6-foot-8, 7-foot-1 wingspan) to the worst perimeter defending team of 2023-24.
11. Chicago Bulls: Stephon Castle, G, UConn
Part of the reason UConn managed to win another national title was that Castle so ably stepped into the point guard role as a freshman, but he can play either guard role. He facilitates, defends, hustles and drives to the rim, making him a great backcourt complement to Coby White -- especially if the Bulls bid farewell to Zach LaVine.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devin Carter, G, Providence
The Thunder own this pick via the Rockets, yet they have no pressing needs. Why not help themselves to a guard prospect who can do a little of everything? Carter's stock soared as he averaged 19.7 points, 8.7 boards, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals this season.
13. Sacramento Kings: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
He's a controversial prospect for complex reasons, but don't overthink it: Edey is 7-foot-4, scores and rebounds everything he sees and -- most importantly for Sacramento -- protects the rim in a way Domantas Sabonis doesn't. The Kings aren't hard-pressed for an immediate starter, but someone of Edey's caliber spelling Sabonis should get coach Mike Brown's wheels turning.
14. Portland Trail Blazers: Ja'Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
For Portland's second pick in the lottery, Walter can provide something the Blazers desperately need: shot-making. Portland ranked dead-last in 3-point shooting (34.5 percent) and second-to-last in overall field-goal percentage (43.9 percent) last season.
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) will play in Thursday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. He was listed as probable heading into Game 1 of the NBA Finals. However, there wasn't much concern regarding his availability, considering he's battled lingering knee and ankle soreness for weeks. The 25-year-old wasn't himself during the Conference Semifinals. However, Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists while shooting 43.4% from behind the arc in the previous series versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. While he may not be as productive against Boston, he remains a top DFS option for Game 1.
Dallas Mavericks forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) is good to go for Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus the Boston Celtics. The rookie has been sidelined for most of the postseason because of a sprained left ankle. However, with Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Maxi Kleber, and Dereck Lively II available, Prosper isn't anticipated to do much for DFS managers.
According to Evan Sidery of Forbes Sports, impending free agent guard/forward Buddy Hield is expected to draw "strong interest" from teams this offseason, with the Bucks, Magic, Suns, and Timberwolves the favorites to acquire his talents. After inking a four-year, $94 million contract with the Kings in 2020-21, Hield was dealt to Indiana before eventually ending up in Philadelphia for the 2023-24 campaign. While Hield had some solid performances, he struggled overall by averaging 12.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 38.9% from deep. Fortunately, the 2016 No. 6 overall pick could turn things around with a new club, meaning he has a good chance to bounce back for fantasy managers in 2024-25.
According to Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, center Kristaps Porzingis (calf) won't have a minutes restriction on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran has been sidelined for well over a month because of a Soleus strain. With that said, Porzingis could still see less work than usual, meaning Al Horford remains a viable, albeit risky, DFS option for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic had a game-high 30 points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, with Boston taking the win to claim the first contest of the series. Doncic added 10 rebounds and two steals. However, he struggled shooting, going 12-for-26 from the field and 4-for-12 from deep while contributing only one assist. The 25-year-old is still burdened by lingering knee and ankle soreness, and he was observed grimacing in pain throughout the contest. As such, Doncic will likely appear on the injury report heading into Game 2 on Sunday in Boston. But, as usual, he still has a good chance to be the most productive player on the floor.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum had a double-double in Thursday's win over the Dallas Mavericks. He amassed 16 points and 11 rebounds, adding five assists and a block. Unfortunately, the former Duke Blue Devil had issues taking care of the ball in Game 1, committing six turnovers. Tatum was arguably the C's most productive performer throughout the Eastern Conference Finals. But it's not uncommon for him to have an off night on the scoring end. With that in mind, Tatum could turn things around in Game 2, with Boston looking to earn another win before the series heads back to Dallas.
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (calf) was available for the win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. Despite missing over a month with a Soleus strain, the veteran looked great in his 21 minutes off the bench, amassing 20 points off 8-for-13 shooting from the field while adding six boards and three blocks. Head coach Joe Mazzulla indicated before the game that Porzingis wouldn't have a minutes restriction. While that should continue to be the case in Game 2 on Sunday, he may not see the floor much more than in Game 1. However, as long as Porzingis remains as productive, DFS managers won't mind.
Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown had a team-high 22 points in the win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday evening. He added six rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three blocks. While Jayson Tatum is always the focal point for opposing defenses, Brown had another solid showing. There's no reason why that trend shouldn't continue for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, so DFS managers should keep him on the radar.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving struggled in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Boston on Thursday. He scored only 12 points, shooting a rough 6-for-19 from the field while failing to make any of his five attempts from deep. Although he added three boards, two assists, and two steals, it wasn't his best showing. At any rate, head coach Jason Kidd will likely make some adjustments for Game 2 on Sunday night, meaning Irving has a chance to get back on track in an attempt to knot the series ahead of Game 3 in Dallas.
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday contributed in the way he knows best, all-around on offense and a strong showing on defense. In the Game 1 blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks, the veteran combo guard registered 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal while shooting 4-for-9 from the floor and 2-for-5 from deep. He didn't commit a single turnover and was a big part of the defensive masterclass against Kyrie Irving and company. Holiday and Derrick White have been a huge one-two punch in the backcourt and they'll continue to be showcased throughout this Finals matchup.
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington delivered the second-most points on the team behind the 30-point performance from Luka Doncic. The bad thing is that resulted in a blowout loss in Game 1 by the tune of 107-89. Washington posted 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting and chipped in eight rebounds and one assist. He was unable to hit any threes in this contest and the team followed suit as they went 7-for-27 from deep. The former Hornet has been a key piece to the Mavericks' playoff run so far, and he's likely to deliver at least a couple of big offensive performances. His defensive abilities will be tested against the potent Celtics offense.
Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy provided the biggest scoring punch off of the bench while the rest of the bench combined for just seven points. The second-year combo guard finished the game with 13 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one made three. He shot 4-for-8 from the floor and knocked down all four of his free throw attempts as well. Hardy saw fewer minutes per game this season than his rookie year, but he's played in more games and has put together some important performances through the playoffs so far. He's climbed higher in the postseason depth chart than Tim Hardaway Jr. which wasn't something that many people predicted in the preseason.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White didn't need to break out the heroics in Game 1 for the team to notch a blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran guard finished with 15 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal, and two turnovers while shooting 5-for-11 from the floor and 3-for-8 from downtown. The fact that this seemed like a down game for White is a problem for the Mavericks. The offensive firepower ran through Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis in this one, but White has the ability to lead the team in scoring on any given night. His defense has also been a key piece in their success and he'll look to do more of the same in Game 2 on Sunday.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) is probable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Despite having a week off, the 25-year-old is back on the injury report because of knee and ankle soreness, something he's dealt with throughout the postseason. However, DFS managers have nothing to worry about, as Doncic is nearly a lock to be ready for Thursday night. While he struggled during the Conference semifinals, averaging 24.7 points, he turned it around in the Western Conference Finals, averaging 32.4 points. With that in mind, Doncic will make a fine addition to any DFS lineup, assuming he's cleared to play.
Dallas Mavericks forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's playoff meeting against the Boston Celtics. He's been sidelined for most of the postseason because of a sprained left ankle. However, with Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the rookie won't see much action even if he gets the green light to suit up.
Boston Celtics forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (calf) will officially be available for Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals against Dallas on Thursday. The Celtics have removed him from their injury report and list no other injuries. Porzingis last played on April 29 in Game 4 of Boston's first-round matchup against Miami. After missing four weeks of action, he likely won't be at his best on Thursday, but it will be great to see Porzingis back in action. His return means a lesser role for Al Horford, although the veteran should still play an important role in the rotation.
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Malik Monk is poised to land himself a big contract as a free agent this summer, and the Detroit Pistons are seen as a team that will heavily pursue his signature. "Monk feels like someone the Pistons will heavily prioritize due to the team's need for legitimate three-point shooting and off-the-dribble shot creation," writes James L. Edwards III of the Athletic. Monk has been one of the best bench players in the league in recent seasons and averaged career-highs of 15.4 points and 5.1 with Sacramento in 2023-24. Recent reports suggest that Monk could command over $20 million per year as a free agent.
Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and should have plenty of suitors following a strong season. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic has reported that the Detroit Pistons could go "heavily" after Claxton, who averaged 11.8 points, a career-high 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 2023-24. Detroit has the most cap space available this summer, and newly hired president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon will be desperate to improve a team that has finished back-to-back seasons with the worst record in the NBA.
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio is set to get a new deal from the team this summer. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic expects the Pistons to re-sign Fontecchio after the Italian enjoyed a good 16-game stint with the team in 2023-24. After coming over from Utah in February, Fontecchio averaged 15.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in Detroit, with 42.6 percent shooting deep. His campaign was cut short by a toe injury, which needed surgery. Fontecchio appeared to be a good fit for the Pistons. But the team has just parted ways with general manager Troy Weaver, and plenty more changes could be on the horizon, meaning there's quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding the Pistons.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace is eager to improve following his rookie campaign. "Being more decisive when I have the ball in my hands," Wallace said in his exit interview. "Not just being a shooter, being able to play inside the (three-point) line as well." Wallace impressed with his outside shooting in 2023-24, hitting 41.9 percent of his triples. He averaged 6.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 20.6 minutes, earning an NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection. Wallace's role should only continue to grow on the young Thunder team.