2024 NBA Mock Draft: Bronny James Makes the Cut in Our Full 2-Round Predictions

D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell 2024 NBA Mock Draft: Bronny James Makes the Cut in Our Full 2-Round Predictions

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With the NBA draft withdrawal deadline passing, teams now know the official field of NCAA prospects.

The biggest name to stay in was Bronny James, who’s either too committed to go back or confident in where he’ll end up. For the first time this year, James has been added to our second-round projections.

Other big names to stay in include San Francisco’s Jonathan Mogbo, Kansas’ Johnny Furphy, Washington State’s Jaylen Wells and Minnesota’s Cam Christie.

Alex Karaban, Payton Sandfort, Hunter Sallis, Coleman Hawkins and Jaxson Robinson were our highest-ranked players to withdraw. That means more open spots in the second round and new names being added to our projections.

D’Angelo Russell 1. Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 1

Team: JL Bourg-en-Bresse

Position: SG/SF

Size: 6’8″, 204 lbs

Age/Year: 19

Nationality: French

Pro Comparison: Harrison Barnes

Every Zaccharie Risacher playoff possession right now is likely monitored under the microscope of the Atlanta Hawks and other lottery teams. And he just delivered consecutive standout performances with a combined 39 points and five threes against AS Monaco.

He’s still scoring on mostly the same shot diet and effective one-two punch of off-ball shotmaking and athleticism in transition. It hints at a very translatable, plug-and-play game, particularly for a lineup like Atlanta’s that already has two creators in Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.

Alex Sarr may offer more theoretical upside with his defensive versatility and face-up flashes at 7’1″. Donovan Clingan could come off as more of an impact presence with his rim protection.

While scouts continue to debate the height of Risacher’s ceiling, there is also a perceived level of certainty tied to his positional size, shooting and defensive tools/quickness. In a draft where there isn’t an obvious, sure-thing All-Star at the top, Risacher’s floor and valued three-and-D archetype could give him an edge with a team that saw AJ Griffin struggle with injuries and Saddiq Bey go down late to an ACL tear.

D’Angelo Russell 2. Washington Wizards: Alex Sarr

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 2

Team: Perth Wildcats

Position: PF/C

Size: 7’0″, 224 lbs

Age/Year: 19

Nationality: French

Pro Comparison: Evan Mobley

With the Washington Wizards expected to be patient during their rebuild, they should be fitting suitors for Alex Sarr. Some scouts and executives have questioned his offensive polish for a potential No. 1 overall pick, but the Wizards’ timeline and roster needs point to a match.

The rise and success of defensive bigs with perimeter skill sets—Evan Mobley, Jaren Jackson Jr., Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama—also adds to the allure of Sarr.

He measured well in Chicago, coming in at just under 7’0″ in socks, 224 pounds with a 7’4″ wingspan. At that size, the ability to slide his feet, handle in the open floor and shoot off the dribble really separates him from other centers.

The Wizards will eventually need to find a point guard, but at No. 2, Sarr’s physical talent, evolving skill versatility and defense create visions of upside that could be difficult to resist.

D’Angelo Russell 3. Houston Rockets (via Nets): Reed Sheppard

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 6

Team: Kentucky

Position: PG/SG

Size: 6’2″, 182 lbs

Age/Year: 19, Freshman

Nationality: American

Pro Comparison: Donte DiVincenzo

Fit could play a bigger role than usual this year during a draft where it’s difficult to identify surefire stars or the best player available. The Houston Rockets should love what Reed Sheppard brings to their specific rotation—elite shooting, passing and intangibles/character that scouts and executives praised after interviewing him at the NBA combine.

For Sheppard, an undersized 2 who’s more limited off the dribble, Amen Thompson would also be the ideal backcourt partner with his creation/playmaking and ability to defend bigger guards. And Sheppard feels perfect for Thompson with his ability to stretch the floor and create space for a limited shooter and shifty ball-handler.

D’Angelo Russell 4. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Topić

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 4

Team: KK Crvena Zvezda

Position: PG

Size: 6’6″, 198 lbs

Age/Year: 18

Nationality: Serbian

Pro Comparison: Goran Dragić

Another knee injury could complicate evaluations and decisions on Nikola Topić, who’s going to miss the rest of the Adriatic League playoffs. However, there has been no indication of any serious damage, and the San Antonio Spurs have presumably seen enough to have confidence in Topić’s playmaking and rim pressure.

He should also attend the makeup NBA combine held June 4-7 for international prospects who missed the one in Chicago. While his level of participation remains unclear, NBA doctors will surely evaluate his injury.

He should be in the best-player-available conversation around No. 4, while his ball-screen play and passing could give him an extra edge for a team that needs more creation and a guard to make the game easier for Victor Wembanyama.

D’Angelo Russell 5. Detroit Pistons: Cody Williams

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 10

Team: Colorado

Position: SF/PF

Size: 6’7″, 178 lbs

Age/Year: 19, Freshman

Nationality: American

Pro Comparison: Jaden McDaniels

Cody Williams has been trending in NBA conversations after his workouts and pro day. Some believe he’s the most likely to go earlier than expected.

The debate right now revolves around his ceiling, but scouts and execs sound like they won’t be surprised to see a top-five team that values Williams’ archetype and wants to bet on his development.

At baseline, without an advanced handle or perimeter game, he still averaged 11.9 points, shot 58.8 percent inside the arc and 41.5 percent from three. And at 6’6.5″ in socks with a giant 7’1″ wingspan, his defensive tools remain outstanding.

Even a worst-case outcome for Williams can contribute with his efficient off-ball scoring and ability to guard wings and forwards. But given his age and reported character—plus the fact his brother Jalen appears on track toward blossoming into an All-Star—the Detroit Pistons could talk themselves into Williams’ upside.

D’Angelo Russell 6. Charlotte Hornets: Donovan Clingan

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 3

Team: Connecticut

Position: C

Size: 7’2″, 282 lbs

Age/Year: 20, Sophomore

Nationality: American

Pro Comparison: Roy Hibbert

Even with a healthy Mark Williams, Donovan Clingan may look like the best player available who’s tough to pass up for the Charlotte Hornets. He could also look like an enticing trade-up target for other teams that didn’t think he’d make it outside the top five.

With Williams and Clingan, the Hornets could lock themselves into 48 minutes of rim protection to help change the team’s identity. Clingan also gives Charlotte insurance, as Williams has only played 62 games in two seasons.

The hype around Clingan has ultimately grown, even after the NCAA tournament, with how easily he’s shown he can shoot the three during workouts.

D’Angelo Russell 7. Portland Trail Blazers: Dalton Knecht

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 7

Team: Tennessee

Position: SG/SF

Size: 6’5″, 212 lbs

Age/Year: 23, Senior

Nationality: American

Pro Comparison: Wally Szczerbiak

The Portland Trail Blazers seem unlikely to draft another guard like Rob Dillingham. And the timelines of Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis may make them less attractive to a team that will be looking to give Scoot Henderson more help.

At 23 years old with a strong frame, outstanding shotmaking ability and a competitive edge, Dalton Knecht could look like a sure thing worth adding at No. 7. He comes with a level of skill, polish and professionalism that Portland could value over the perceived upside of bigger projects like Cody Williams and the Ignite teenagers.

D’Angelo Russell 8. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors): Stephon Castle

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 5

Team: Connecticut

Position: SG

Size: 6’6″, 210 lbs

Age/Year: 19, Freshman

Nationality: American

Pro Comparison: Anthony Black

Opinions vary on Stephon Castle’s draft stock.

As much as his name was buzzing after the NCAA tournament, scouts still think he’ll be on the board outside the top five.

While the San Antonio Spurs may be drawn to the idea that he can operate as a big playmaker, scouts have been most interested in his versatility, adaptability and tremendous perimeter defense.

Even with minimal shooting improvement, Castle has proved he can impact games with physical rim pressure, passing, offensive rebounding and defensive toughness.

D’Angelo Russell 9. Memphis Grizzlies: Rob Dillingham

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 9

Team: Kentucky

Position: PG/SG

Size: 6’1″, 164 lbs

Age/Year: 19, Freshman

Nationality: American

Pro Comparison: Darius Garland

Not that anyone was expecting Rob Dillingham to surprise with strong measurements, but 164 pounds could be seen as a scary number. His height, length and weight (6’1″, 6’3″ wingspan) are actually identical to Trae Young’s, only Young led the NBA in assists, and Dillingham doesn’t offer that level of playmaking.

Still, the offensive firepower he can generate with creation and shotmaking remains appealing. There isn’t a guard in this class more shifty and effective at getting to spots.

He does have fans, and even teams like the Washington Wizards at No. 2 and San Antonio Spurs will give him a look.

Depending on teams’ level of concern with his shot diet, poor defense and fit (for lineups with established point guards), he could slide into the second tier of the lottery.

D’Angelo Russell 10. Utah Jazz: Ron Holland

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 8

Team: G League Ignite

Position: SF

Size: 6’7″, 197 lbs

Age: 18

Nationality: American

Pro comparison: Cam Whitmore

Ron Holland is a candidate to slide with scouts feeling comfortable about Dalton Knecht’s shooting and potentially more compelled by Cody Williams’ efficiency and Stephon Castle’s versatility.

This still feels late and like good value for an explosive, 18-year-old wing who averaged 19.5 points in the G League.

The losses, poor shooting and suspect decision-making have turned certain scouts off, but even without a reliable jump shot or high-level creation, he still put up big numbers using his speed, improved ball-handling, athleticism around the basket and streak shotmaking.

D’Angelo Russell 11. Chicago Bulls: Matas Buzelis

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May 21 Mock Draft Spot: No. 11

Team: G League Ignite

Position: SF

Size: 6’9″, 197 lbs

Age: 19

Nationality: American/Lithuanian

Pro Comparison: Hedo Türkoğlu

Teams will consider Matas Buzelis earlier than No. 11. At 6’9″ in socks, his scoring versatility and defensive playmaking flashes create a coveted archetype. But at this stage, the idea of Buzelis remains more enticing than the results.

The results and feelings on the 19-year-old wing continue to be mixed.

Workouts will be extra important for Buzelis, who came to Ign
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