2024 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting The NBA Draft Lottery Selections | Deadspin.com (2024)

The common refrain about the 2024 NBA Draft is that there is no surefire, elite talent at the top of the class. I’m a fan and not a front office exec, so I prefer to view that more optimistically: For just the second time in at least the last 10 years, we’ll enter draft week with some intrigue about who will go No. 1 overall. Give me a Paolo Banchero/Chet Holmgren/Jabari Smith debate over a Wemby or Zion lock any day.

With about a month before Adam Silver walks to the microphone in Brooklyn, here’s a projection of the top 14 picks, aka the lottery:

Zaccharie Risacher and a couple of college stars will also be in the mix, but whether Atlanta wants to improve around Trae Young and Dejounte Murray or rebuild entirely, it must fix its defense. Sarr is a high-level defender with the stuff to develop into a great contributor on offense.

If only the Wizards could solve all their problems with this pick. At the very least, they should grab Clingan and enjoy instant improvement at the five, from both his rim protection and his inside scoring and passing. He’s more than a dunker on offense.

Think this is a little high for the freshman sensation? Well, it’s a little high for the Rockets to be drafting, but they got some lottery luck at the end of their rebuild. Sheppard doesn’t have to start in Houston but can have a 3-and-D impact right away.

The consensus is that Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs need a true point guard to start the offense. Unless San Antonio has a splashy trade or free agent signing in mind, Dillingham can join Wemby to build an unstoppable pick-and-roll threat.

Risacher could be an option at No. 1 overall, or he could slip. I can’t imagine him dropping past the Pistons. They need a 3-point threat to help out their playmaking guards, and that’s what Risacher does best.

Why trust LaMelo Ball when he’s never on the floor? The Hornets can’t afford to miss this 18-year-old playmaker who is beating grown men in Europe. Scouts rave about Topic for his innate scoring ability, passing, vision and intangibles.

There’s talk of Portland taking another guard to join Anfernee Simons and former top-10 selections Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson. But the Blazers have two lottery picks and a much bigger need -- shooting. They ranked dead last in 3-point percentage last year and Knecht improves that immediately.

With their point guard in the bag, the Spurs can use their second pick on the best available player. Buzelis is a high-potential guy whom scouts feel can play almost anywhere on the floor.

This isn’t a replacement for Ja Morant, but someone to play alongside him who offers defense, hustle and versatility. Teams like Memphis will be willing to bet Castle’s outside shot improves over time.

Thumb surgery abruptly ended Holland’s high-scoring G League season. Utah wasn’t exactly a defensive stalwart this season, ranking 29th, and D is Holland’s calling card when he’s healthy.

This pick becomes about 8,000 percent more likely if the Bulls move on from Zach LaVine before the draft. Walter is a major shooting threat who would fit nicely with Coby White.

OKC has a terrific young roster with few needs. Williams offers a bit of everything and can sit and learn for a bit while being reunited with his older brother, Jalen.

France is suddenly a hoops factory. Tall, toolsy and raw, Salaun could go to a team like the Kings who don’t need him to play major minutes right away.

Now the Blazers can choose from several viable guard prospects available in the middle of the first round. I was a big fan of Carter in college, and his production and motor are making NBA scouts swoon.