The Detroit Pistons found no love in the NBA Draft Lottery for the second year in a row, dropping from the 1st spot to the worst-case scenario, which is the 5th pick, a number fans are very familiar with.
This will be the third straight year the Pistons have the 5th pick, second in a row where they dropped there after having the worst record in the NBA in case you were wondering how things are going in Detroit.
The Pistons don’t even have a decision-maker, so who knows what direction they will go in the draft. I asked the fans about four prospects, and they followed the conventional wisdom that the Pistons will select two-way wing Matas Buzelis, who fills a need and is also a client of Arn Tellem’s son:
Who would you draft of these four players? Who else do you like?
— PistonPowered (@PistonPowered) May 14, 2024
But in this NBA Mock Draft, we are going to go against the grain and choose a player who has not been the consensus choice so far.
2024 NBA Mock Draft
#1: Atlanta Hawks select Alex Sarr
No one knows what the Hawks will do with this pick, and there is a strong possibility that they will trade it to put a more proven player around Trae Young, or whichever of their star backcourt they keep.
Sarr makes sense if they keep the pick, as he has the potential to be a more dynamic big man who can protect the rim and take over for Clint Capela, who I assume the Hawks would try to move in this scenario.
Capela might be an interesting short-term option for the Detroit Pistons if they strike out elsewhere, as he would add some rim protection without any long-term commitment.
#2: Washington Wizards select Zaccharie Risacher
Many mocks have them taking Donovan Clingan, which makes sense given their need at center, but they can find their big man later in the draft and Risacher’s upside is too much to pass up.
Deni Avdija did come on at the end of this season, so it might be redundant, but taking Risacher would allow Washington to shop Kyle Kuzma, which might be the best way for them to kickstart their rebuild for real.
Kuzma is another guy the Pistons might show some interest in if he hits the market and given that there have been reports of the Wizards seeking another pick in the first round, don’t rule out Detroit trading their pick for Kuzma.
#3: Houston Rockets select Nikola Topic
Topic had an injury scare yesterday but it is reportedly not serious though you do have to wonder if it will affect his draft slot ultimately.
If not, he makes sense for a Rockets team that needs a point guard for the day when Fred VanVleet departs, and in the meantime has a big, dynamic guard who can learn the game behind a quality veteran.
My bet would be Houston trading this pick for a player who can help them win now, as they were on the cusp of the play-in and want to make that next leap. I hope the Pistons are watching what can happen when you actually try to put a winning team on the floor.
Did winning some games and having good veterans stunt the growth of the Rockets’ young guys? Nope.
#4: San Antonio Spurs select Rob Dillingham
The Spurs need a lead guard who can spread the floor, run the pick and roll with Victor Wembanyama and get him the ball on lobs.
Dillingham should be able to do that right away, as he is a dynamic scorer who can hit 3-point shots and would be a deadly cover in the PnR with Wemby.
The Spurs get the rare chance to go for both upside and need and get their first piece in the post-Wembanyama era in Dillingham, who fits perfectly with what they are building.
#5: Detroit Pistons select Reed Sheppard
Another guard? Another undersized guard? Unthinkable.
Or is it?
Guard or not, the Pistons need shooting and defense on the perimeter and Sheppard provides both. He hit over half of his 3-point shots on high volume and has Steph Curry like range and perfect form. He’s an elite shooter, something the Pistons need regardless of position:
He’s efficient in front or behind the 3-point line, is a quality passer who could act as a secondary ballhandler and playmaker, and maybe most importantly, the kid gets after it on defense with non-stop motor and active hands.
He’d be joining a crowded backcourt that already has Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser, but he offers something that none of them do, which is elite shooting and solid defense on the ball and within a scheme.
The Pistons are not good enough to draft exclusively for need, so why not take the guy who may have the highest ceiling as a shooter and who can also defend? It also set up a possible trade of Jaden Ivey or at least push him to the bench, as Sheppard is already a better shooter and defender than Ivey and is a better fit with Cade.
A lot of people won’t like this pick, but the Pistons need to draft someone who can shoot, not another project who looks good playing against trainers with padded sticks.
#6: Charlotte Hornets select Donovan Clingan
The Hornets have a young rim protector in Mark Williams, but he is always hurt and Clingan would give them a more dynamic offensive option to go with him.
Clingan is probably the best rim protector in this class, so would be a possibility for the Pistons, who also need a guy who can defend the paint.
Clingan also brings something to the Hornets that they desperately need, which is a guy who has won, as they have a losing culture and need some players who aren’t going to settle for that.
#7: Portland Trail Blazers select Matas Buzelis
The Blazers will need depth and shooting on the wing, especially if they trade some of their veterans this summer and go young.
If they are on the Scoot Henderson timeline, then grabbing other high-ceiling young players makes sense and Buzelis fits that mold as a 6-foot-9 wing who can create, defend and eventually, theoretically shoot the ball.
But he did shoot just 28 percent from long range in his one season in the G-League, a problem the Blazers won’t worry about as they try to amass elite talent.
#8: San Antonio Spurs select Dalton Knecht
The Spurs add another potentially elite shooting option in Knecht, who is also a perfect fit for Wembanyama.
They now have two floor spreaders around their generational center, a lightning quick guard who can get to the rim and run the pick and roll and one of the best pure shooters in the class, who gives them a different look on the wing.
Wembanyama, Dillingham and Knecht are a good start and give the Spurs three things you need to succeed in the NBA.
#9: Memphis Grizzlies select Stephon Castle
Castle is probably the best player left here, and considering the Grizzlies are a good team that was just undone by injuries this season, it makes sense for them to just take the bpa.
Castle is also a fit, as he can slide in between Morant and Bane or play off the bench with either of them.
He is insurance against another Morant injury, as he could play the point in a pinch, but is also a nice fit alongside him as a guy who could be an elite defender on the perimeter and cover some of Morant’s weaknesses there.
He’s ready to play now and just came off winning a national championship. He’s also a tough and gritty player the Memphis fans would love and fits right into their culture.
#10: Utah Jazz select Ron Holland
The Jazz have a bunch of big forwards already but none of them are in the mold of Holland, who could end up being one of the best perimeter defenders in this draft.
He’s a project on offense but can come in and affect games with his defense right away, which is something the Jazz need as one of the league’s worst defenses.
If Holland hits offensively, he’ll be a star, but even if he doesn’t, he can help Utah now and in the future with his defense.
#11: Chicago Bulls select Isaiah Collier
I’m not sure fans of the Bulls would be too happy with this pick, as Collier is off an up and down season at USC and his draft status has dipped a bit since early in the season when he was often mocked in the top five.
But he has that kind of talent as a big guard who can get into the lane and finish. The Bulls need a playmaker, especially if Lonzo Ball isn’t going to play, so Collier makes sense and might end up being the best point guard in this draft.
He gets compared to Jalen Brunson some because of his punishing style, which would endear him to fans of the Windy City, kickstart a rebuild and fill a distinct need for Chicago.
#12: OKC Thunder select Cody Williams
Why not?
The Thunder get the chance to add the brother of current forward Jalen Williams and grab a high upside player at the same time.
He’d be an immediate fit as a guy who would give OKC bench depth at forward, which they need.
And what better environment for him to thrive in than playing with his brother (who has a similar game) and the team that turned him into a star?
If Williams falls this far (he might not make it past the Bulls), he’d be a no-brainer for OKC, who are going to be the team to beat in the NBA for the foreseeable future.
#13: Sacramento Kings select Ja’Kobe Walter
The Kings will need some guard depth if Malik Monk (a possible free agent for the Pistons) decides to leave, which it sounds like he will.
Walter has good size and a smooth shot that should translate to the next level even though he had mediocre shooting splits in his one year at Baylor.
He’d give them a nice tandem with Keon Ellis coming off the bench and could eventually slide into the starting five depending on what they do with Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter.
#14: Portland Trail Blazers select Tidjane Salaun
The Trail Blazers need to collect some young talent, especially if they plan on trading Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon this summer, which is a possibility.
Salaun is raw but would be a nice fit as a big forward who can defend and whose 3-point shot showed big improvement this season.
He’s got huge upside, but will need time, and will get it if the Blazers decide not to trade away any of their veterans.
#15: Miami Heat select Zach Edey
Someone is going to take a chance on Edey, who tried to change the narrative around his game by shooting 3-point shots during the combine, as skill he may eventually have in his bag.
The bigger question is whether he’ll be able to move laterally enough to stay on the floor defensively, but on Miami, he wouldn’t have to as much, as he’d have all-world defender Bam Adebayo helping him protect the rim and switching on the perimeter.
The Heat could use someone who can score around the rim and Edey should certainly be able to do that, and if he keeps improving defensively, would potentially give Miami a smothering interior defense.
#16: Philadelphia 76ers select Devin Carter
Philly will be looking for guys who can play right away with Maxey and Embiid and Carter fits that description as a versatile guard who can do a little of everything.
He’s a very good rebounder for his size, a great defender who averages just under three “stocks” per game and a high-volume 3-point shooter who knocks them down at a high clip.
He’s a selfless player, who should be ready to play right away and will do whatever it takes to win, which is what Philly is after to put around their two stars.
#17: Los Angeles Lakers select Jared McCain
The Lakers may not end up with this pick depending on what New Orleans decides, as they have the right to swap this year or next.
Most believe the Pels will wait until next year to cash in this pick in a better draft and just hope the Lakers are in worse position.
McCain is a quality shooter who can spread the floor and hit catch-and-shoot 3-point shots all day around LeBron and AD. The Lakers won’t care about the long-term here, so if they can move this pick for a role player who can help them now, they might.
#18: Orlando Magic select Tristan da Silva
The Magic don’t have many team weaknesses but one of them is 3-point shooting, something da Silva would help right away, so they’d be happy if he fell here.
Orlando struggled getting looks in the postseason without enough floor spacing, so da Silva would be perfect for them as a big wing who can shoot the lights out.
He’s hit just under 40 percent from long range in the last two seasons. He does come in as an older prospect, but the Magic won’t care, as they are ready to win now, and he fills their biggest need.
#19: Toronto Raptors select Johnny Furphy
The Raptors could need a long-term replacement for Gary Trent Jr if he leaves in free agency (he’s another guy to watch for the Pistons) and Furphy would give them a big wing who can play on the perimeter.
At 6-foot-9, Furphy has great size for the position and even though he didn’t shoot lights out in his first season at Kansas (35 percent from long range) he should be a guy who can spread the floor.
Toronto was one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league, so Furphy would give them some help there as a big wing who can knock them down.
#20: Cleveland Cavaliers select Tyler Smith
The Cavaliers could be a team in flux this offseason and I wouldn’t be shocked to see this trade moved in a big deal around Donovan Mitchell.
But for the sake of argument, Smith looks like a good option for a team that doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses in the front court other than shooting.
Smith projects as a stretch four, and though he is raw, the Cavaliers have time to let him develop around their current young bigs and eventually add a weapon they don’t have, which is a power forward who can shoot.
#21: New Orleans Pelicans select Kyle Filipowski
The Pelicans are likely to take a center here, as Jonas Valanciunas is walking in free agency, and they need a long-term replacement.
Filipowski offers some of the things the Pels need in a center who will be playing with Zion Williamson, in that he can shoot, pass and offer a more dynamic offensive option.
He’s a nice fit with Zion and could eventually develop into an effective stretch five who can run the pick and pop with Williamson and create space with his shooting.
#22: Phoenix Suns select Kel’el Ware
Ware would be a nice fit on the Suns, especially if they keep all three of their Big 3, as they have plenty of scoring and need rim protection.
Ware blocked just under two shots a game in his final year of college and shot over 42 percent from long range, so would be a much different look than Jusuf Nurkic, who had a down year and has fallen out of favor with some of the Suns reportedly.
#23: Milwaukee Bucks select Terrance Shannon Jr.
This is a tough one, as Shannon Jr is preparing to stand trial for rape, a charge he denies, but one that will obviously carry serious consequences. I am loathe to put him anywhere in the first round pending the outcome.
The Bucks would be taking a huge risk in that regard, and we may not see an NBA team take that kind of risk given the negative PR. But after watching the NBA shamelessly ban bettors for life while giving wife beaters a second chance, I am sure Shannon will get his.
If so, he’s a very good two-way player with size who can flat-out get buckets, something the Bucks could use right away off their bench.
#24: New York Knicks take Kevin McCullar
The Knicks have built a playoff team rim protection and perimeter defense around one elite scorer, which is a playoff blueprint the Pistons could follow around Cade Cunningham.
McCullar is another player in that mold, as he is a very good defender who can knock down shots, so he might actually step on the floor for Tom Thibodeau in his first season, which isn’t true of a lot of rookies.
He gets compared to Josh Hart, so why not let him learn behind the real thing?
#25: New York Knicks select Bobi Klintman
Klintman is considered one of the dark horse sleepers in this draft, as he has great size and two-way potential even though he has not been able to harness it yet.
The Knicks don’t have any huge needs, so have time for Klintman to develop. He’s a 6-foot-9 forward who hits 35 percent of his 3-point shots and has good feel for someone his size.
Scouts are worried about his motor and lack of ability to finish inside the arc, but his size and shooting will get him a look from someone.
#26: Washington Wizards select Yves Missi
The Wizards get their big man with the uber athletic Missi, who should eventually be a shot-blocking rim runner in the NBA
He’s an explosive athlete who can finish with power around the rim and block shots, which are things all teams are looking for, especially the defensive-challenged Wizards, who were once again at the bottom of the league in team D.
They’d be happy to get a two-way wing and a rim protector in the same draft, guys who fill needs but also have big-time upside.
#27: Minnesota Timberwolves select DaRon Holmes II
I love what the Timberwolves have built around Anthony Edwards, and they too have given the Pistons a possible model to follow.
Minny has two elite scorers in Ant and KAT and has surrounded them with bigs who can protect the rim and wings who get after it on defense and hit long-range shots.
DaRon Holmes II gives them another Naz Reid type, a big man who can switch everything defensively, block shots and is a beast around the rim who can also step out and hit the occasional long-range shot.
#28: Denver Nuggets select Tyler Kolek
The Nuggets will be looking for someone who can play right away and fill a need and Kolek could do both.
Kolek is a high-level playmaker who averaged just under eight assists per game in his final year of college. He is already 23 years old, so should be ready to step in and play a role as backup point guard.
He can knock down a 3-point shot, isn’t a slouch on defense and will get the scorers the ball where they like it, which would be a nice fit for Denver off the bench.
#29: Utah Jazz select Carlton Carrington
The Jazz have two scoring guards they could trade this summer in Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson and will likely lose Kris Dunn, so could use some depth at guard.
Carrington is a project, but a guy who can get buckets from all over and should eventually extend his game to the 3-point line.
He’s an interesting player who was a high usage guy in college but should be more efficient once he has better players around him.
#30: Boston Celtics select Oso Ighodaro
The Celtics don’t really need anything, but they could develop a young big man behind Al Horford.
Ighodaro is a high IQ big who can pass and shoot a little, so often gets compared to Horford, who only has one year left on his contract.
He could learn behind Horford for a season or two and eventually slide into that role as a versatile big with skill.