The 2024 NBA Draft is tomorrow and there is still absolutely no consensus about what the Detroit Pistons are going to do.
That applies to the entire league in an unheralded draft replete with trade rumors and speculation.
There is usually less action than predicted, but that may not be the case this season, which is why there are myriad scenarios and possibilities for the Pistons.
Detroit has indicated their willingness to take on contracts for assets, so we could see them involved in multiple trades tomorrow with their own pick or someone else's.
But for this final Mock Draft of the offseason (thank god) we’ll just look at the best possible prospect for each team, ignoring the possible trades, aggregate mock drafts and rumors.
2024 NBA Mock Draft: Best prospect for each team
#1: Atlanta Hawks select Zaccharie Risacher
Considering that several of the top prospects, including Alex Sarr, have not even worked out for the Hawks, this one will likely come down to Risacher or a trade.
Atlanta is not likely to find a deal they like for this pick, as teams are comfortable choosing later and paying the smaller guaranteed contract.
Risacher is a big wing who can shoot and defend and would fit on any team. The Hawks probably wish they had the number one in a different draft, but will likely just take Risacher and move on from there.
#2: Washington Wizards select Alex Sarr
Given their lack of talent at center, this is a no-brainer for the Wizards, with both ceiling and need colliding for the perfect pick.
Sarr should at least be a versatile and effective defender at the NBA level and has flashed enough offensive upside to think there could be a lot more.
He’s drawing comps to Evan Mobley, and if he gets there, he’s a worthy player for the Wizards to structure their rebuild around.
#3: Houston Rockets select Donovan Clingan
This is one of the tougher picks to call, as the Rockets have been involved in just about every trade rumor and would clearly like to trade out if this spot for a win-now player.
It may not be Houston making this pick, but I expect Clingan to go here either way, as he is one of the surest things in an unsure draft.
With his size and rim protection, he’ll at least be a good defender at the next level and has enough offensive upside that the Hawks are considering him with the top pick.
Given how many teams are rumored to be after Clingan, it’s hard to see him falling much further regardless of who is choosing.
#4: San Antonio Spurs select Reed Sheppard
The Spurs have made some overtures about wanting to trade and have also expressed interest in Clingan which may just be to heat up the market for said trade.
If Clingan falls to them, he’d be a fascinating pairing with Victor Wembanyama as you wouldn’t be able to enter the paint without a giant shot blocker waiting for you.
But the Spurs also need floor spacing and shot creation from the point guard spot and Sheppard can provide it right away. He’s a good defender and likely the best shooter in this draft, a perfect fit in a duo with Wemby.
#5: Detroit Pistons select Cody Williams
Just about every mock draft has the Pistons taking Buzelis here and maybe they will.
But their interest in him predates Trajan Langdon, so we have no idea how he feels. In the past, Langdon has preferred players who have length and can defend, so either Buzelis or Williams works here.
The biggest difference is that Buzelis is coming off a poor shooting year in the G-League, where shooting numbers are generally inflated, while Williams shot over 41 percent from long range, albeit on a low number of attempts.
Buzelis’ size and athleticism could get him the call here, but Williams also has NBA DNA, which could give him the edge.
I’d be lying if I said I had any clue what the Detroit Pistons are going to do and not much would surprise me here, including trading back.
If they have targeted Williams, then trading back makes sense, though I predict he will not fall as far as he has in most mock drafts, which have him going to OKC at 12.
It’s hard to see a player of his profile (especially in this draft) falling out of the top 10.
The Pistons are likely to trade this pick or take a wing and it could come down to which prospect they like more out of Williams and Buzelis.
#6: Charlotte Hornets select Stephon Castle
This may seem a strange selection for a team that already has their point guard, as Castle would like to be one himself.
But his defense and intangibles play next to LaMelo Ball, who is not a good defender. The Hornets need some toughness and winning pedigree, which Castle also brings.
He gives them a dawg defender to put between Ball and Miller as well as some insurance against injuries.
#7: Portland Trail Blazers select Matas Buzelis
The Trail Blazers would like it if this played out, as they get to take a flyer on a jumbo wing who fits well with their young core.
This is especially true if Portland deals Jerami Grant, which is a distinct possibility given their need to get out of the luxury tax.
I could see them flipping this pick to the Pistons with Grant attached if they are really interested in getting rid of him.
#8: San Antonio Spurs select Nikola Topic
This is a tough one, as Topic may not play next season. But he’s only 18, one of the youngest players in the draft, and the Spurs have the time to be patient.
Getting playmakers around Wembanyama should be the priority and Topic offers a different look than Sheppard as a big point guard who can get into the lane.
Sheppard can play on or off the ball so the two make sense as a backcourt when Topic gets healthy and Sheppard can hold down the point before then.
I wouldn’t be shocked if the Spurs traded this pick or took a big wing here like Tidjane Salaun.
#9: Memphis Grizzlies select Ron Holland
Holland is another guy I don’t see falling out of the top 10, as he has too much upside as a two-way wing.
This would be a coup for Memphis, as Holland’s defense should make an impact right away and they don’t need him to be a dynamic scoring option, so his offense can come around in its own time.
Memphis is reportedly very interested in trading up for Clingan, so don’t be shocked if they make a deal with Houston, San Antonio or Detroit to move up.
#10: Utah Jazz select Dalton Knecht
If both Williams and Holland are chosen in the top 10, then one of Knecht or Dillingham are likely to fall and I don’t think it will be Knecht.
His size and shooting will play on almost any team. The Jazz may be thinking higher ceiling with this pick and it’s easy to see them potentially using their two other picks to trade up.
The Jazz were just 22nd in the league in 3-point percentage last season, so Knecht makes sense for them.
#11: Chicago Bulls select Devin Carter
The Bulls are a hot mess, as they have DeMar DeRozan’s free agency and Zach LaVine’s terrible contract hanging over them, so may look to trade out of this spot to help address the latter.
They waited too long to trade Alex Caruso, so had to take only Josh Giddey and no draft assets for him after reportedly turning down better deals at the deadline. Oops.
If the Bulls don’t trade up or out of this spot, Carter makes sense, as he’d be an immediate 3-and-D replacement for Caruso. Carter has been getting a lot of attention of late and is one of the prospects who could go much higher than predicted.
#12: OKC Thunder select Rob Dillingham
The Thunder don’t really need anything, as they are loaded with young talent and just got Caruso to balance it out in a move we may look back on as the one that pushed OKC to a title.
This would be a nice landing spot for Dillingham, who could come off the bench and give them a dynamic scoring option.
#13: Sacramento Kings select Zach Edey
This is one of the toughest prospects to evaluate, as Edey was a dominant force in college but has limitations that may prevent that from translating to the next level.
That’s why I like him for the Kings, as he could just play 20 minutes a night off the bench behind Sabonis, or with him in short stretches in jumbo lineups.
He can do his thing against backup bigs which would be a nice weapon for the Kings.
#14: Portland Trail Blazers select Tidjane Salaun
The Trail Blazers load up on high-upside wings with size in this draft, getting Salaun to go along with Buzelis, which would be a nice haul for them.
The two can play together and give Portland more size around their guards and would give them two building blocks for the future.
#15: Miami Heat select Jared McCain
McCain is a very good knockdown 3-point shooter and can come off the Miam bench right away or even potentially set up a Tyler Herro trade.
The Heat need players who can play now and McCain should at least be a catch-and-shoot option from long range right away.
#16: Philadelphia 76ers select Ja’Kobe Walter
They can go in any direction here as Philly only has Embiid under contract and will presumably bring back Tyrese Maxey on a max deal.
With those two in place, Walter makes sense as a big shooting guard who can provide scoring right away.
It’s also possible the 76ers will end up moving this pick as part of a package for a player. I wouldn’t be shocked if they moved this pick or a future one for Zach LaVine.
#17: LA Lakers select Tristan da Silva
One of the more NBA-ready prospects in the draft, da Silva is a nice fit as a shooter around LeBron and AD.
You do have to wonder how much say new coach JJ Redick will have in the draft, and whether he will push for best player available given that his tenure could outlast both of his stars.
If not, grabbing a shooter who can play right away makes sense for LA.
#18: Orlando Magic select Kyshawn George
George is a player I wouldn’t be surprised to see go higher than this, as he flashed big-time upside in his one season of college hoops even though he only averaged 7.6 points per game as a freshman.
Teams are going to be intrigued by his combination of size and shooting, as George is a 6-foot-8 guard who shot over 40 percent from long range on over four attempts per game.
Orlando needs shooting, but they also have enough young talent to swing on upside here and George has it.
#19: Toronto Raptors select Kyle Filipowski
I could see the Raptors going in a lot of directions here after inking Scottie Barnes to a massive extension.
But getting a big man who can shoot around him is not the worst idea, as Barnes does his damage in the lane and doesn’t need it crowded.
This pick would also set up a trade of one of their bigs. The Raptors are in between a full-blown rebuild and trying to compete, so may not worry as much about fit.
#20: Cleveland Cavaliers select Carlton Carrington
With Okoro entering free agency and Caris LeVert on the final year of his deal, it makes sense for the Cavs to go after a guy who can get them buckets off the bench.
Carrington has all of the tools to be a dynamic scorer and with a new contract likely coming for Mitchell, Cleveland could then look to deal LeVert to cut some payroll.
#21: New Orleans Pelicans select Kel’el Ware
The Pels are in a tough spot at the center position, as Valanciunas is likely to leave in free agency leaving them dangerously thin.
The problem is that finding a fit with Zion Williamson isn’t easy, but Ware makes sense as a rim protector who can step out and shoot the 3-ball.
#22: Phoenix Suns select Isaiah Collier
The Suns need a distributing point guard and would probably be happy if Collier fell to them here.
His lack of long-range shooting won’t matter on a team that has Booker and Durant, so Collier can focus on making plays, getting into the paint and kicking it out to the shooters.
He may not fall this far, but with few teams needing a point guard of his mold, Collier may land in a perfect spot for him.
#23: Milwaukee Bucks select Terrence Shannon Jr.
The Bucks will want someone who can play right away, and as one of the older prospects in the draft, Shannon Jr. should be able to at least provide instant scoring off the bench.
His off-the-court issues may prevent him from going higher, even though he was found not guilty of the charges. Landing on a veteran team with good leadership in place is the best-case scenario for Shannon Jr. who may end up being one of the steals of this draft.
#24: New York Knicks select Ryan Dunn
I love this fit for both player and team as Dunn is a relentless defender who would immediately be a favorite of Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks blueprint has been to put 3-and-D role players around their star guard and it has worked for them.
Dunn would continue that trend and give them another dawg on the perimeter.
#25: New York Knicks select Yves Missi
The Knicks want to bring back Isaiah Hartenstein which may cost them Mitchell Robison, and if that happens, Missi makes sense.
He’s an athletic rim protector who could slot into their backup big spot and give them the shot blocking they were getting from Robinson.
The Knicks have plenty of options, and wouldn’t need any offense from a guy whose game is raw at this point.
#26: Washington Wizards select Johnny Furphy
Given the state of their rebuild, a big shooter makes sense here now that they have their big man of the future.
Furphy is a bit of a project but has the size and shooting stroke to eventually make it in the league.
The Wizards can go for a high upside project here and he also happens to be a fit as a guy who can spread the floor.
#27: Minnesota Timberwolves select Bobi Klintman
The Timberwolves don’t have any glaring needs, so can swing for big-time upside here with Klintman, who looks the part of a big two-way wing but has yet to put it all together.
At 6-foot-10, Klintman could end up being a steal if his shooting continues to improve and would give the Timberwolves another dynamic weapon who could be a nice fit off the bench with Naz Reid.
#28: Denver Nuggets select Tyler Kolek
I love this pick for Denver, who would get a backup point guard who can help them right away and step in for Jamal Murray in pinch.
He’s a pass-first playmaker who can shoot the 3-ball so should fit right in with Denver’s dynamic.
#29: Utah Jazz select Tyler Smith
Another big project wing, Smith is another guy who could be a steal if his shot is on point.
He’s a jumbo wing who would give Utah a lot of options in the future, though he will need more time to develop.
#30: Boston Celtics select DaRon Holmes II
I really like Holmes as a versatile big who can defend multiple spots, so would hate it if he fell to the Celtics, as he is a perfect fit there.
He can play right away off their bench and give Boston more dynamic defensive options, especially in the playoffs and gets to learn from Al Horford for a season.