2024 NBA Draft Thread - June 26/27

[Bernman]

McCullar could be my least favorite option bandied about w/ Chomche. Both aren't high upside imo & have plenty of bustability. McCullar's got a suspect jumper & his physical traits aren't very interesting. He's old. 5 yrs in college. And his #'s just went way up in yr 5, possibly a product of the physical maturity. Kansas has a history of disappointing wings. Heard he has attitude issues.

Devin Carter I'd be underwhelmed by, though I can see some fit there next to Dame, & role in the league. He's a bulldog. But his shot form is ugly, slow, & low. He's a mediocre ft shooter. I don't really buy the 3 pt improvement. He's an inefficient passer. Little to no core potential. 22 already. He's a younger Pat Bev, basically. OK value, but I'm looking for more given our future makeup.

[ReasonablySober]

ESPN.

Best motor: Adem Bona, C, UCLA

No player in this draft plays harder than Bona, who flies up and down the court with incredible purpose, hedging screens well beyond the 3-point line and chasing down blocks in transition with track-star-type speed. He and Dunn are the only players in our Top 100 to average over 1.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per 40 minutes, a testament to his ability to flip his hips, cover ground and get off his feet with superb quickness, aided by his 7-4 wingspan and 40-inch vertical leap.

Bona, ranked No. 37 in ESPN's Top 100, has a combination of power, explosiveness and intensity that is difficult to come by. Pairing those skills with his sheer hustle is something he can hang his hat on in the NBA as his offensive skills and feel for the game hopefully improve over time. -- Givony

Best full-court defender: Jamal Shead, PG, Houston

A notorious pest for ball handlers to deal with, Shead is fearless and disruptive picking up the ball and applying pressure up and down the floor. A huge part of Houston's success, Shead's ability to slow down guards, shave time off the clock and disrupt the flow of opposing offenses proved special by the end of his college career.

Physical and highly active in spite of his smaller stature, Shead can even give taller guards problems by taking away angles, deflecting passes and covering ground with sheer effort and anticipation. It's difficult to bully him or move him due to his low center of gravity and his toughness in embracing that role while applying pressure. Shead, ranked No. 51 in ESPN's Top 100, will be challenged by bigger NBA players, but his combination of motor and defensive chops will help him carve a niche. -- Woo

Best defensive playmaker: Ryan Dunn, SF/PF, Virginia

Dunn's strongest selling point is his phenomenal block and steal rates, using his 7-1 wingspan, quick hands and instincts to shrink the floor as a disruptive perimeter presence. Averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game on the wing last season, despite Virginia's low-possession style, was quite an achievement, giving him a pathway to an NBA niche as a defensive specialist.

It's the type of outlier production that makes you consider best-case scenarios for the No. 34 prospect in ESPN's Top 100, even though there's a good amount of risk if he doesn't develop as a shooter. His offensive game remains a major work in progress, but Dunn's knack for blowing up plays and winning the ball back sets him apart from his peers and makes him a real consideration as a development pick. -- Woo

Best pull-up shooter: Cam Spencer, SG, UConn

Spencer is one of the overall best shooters among prospects in the draft, hitting 44% of his 3-point attempts (43% the season before) and 91% of his free throws, but the fact that he's so dynamic in getting his jumper off is worth noting. Spencer, ranked No. 59 in ESPN's Top 100, hit a scorching 47% of his pull-up 3s this season, while also converting more 3s running off screens than anyone in the class. He aggressively hunts pull-up 3s dribbling up the floor in transition, loves pulling up off escape dribbles after sidestepping hard closeouts with his pump fake and regularly punishes defenses for going under ball screens.

Also, Kentucky's Reed Sheppard deserves mention in this category. He hit 51% of his pull-up 3s, but did so on nearly half the sample size of Spencer's, being more judicious with his attempts. -- Givony

Sure to all of these guys.

[Bernman]

I was curious how Spencer's athleticism would match-up in the scrimmages, & it didn't. He got exposed. He's undraftable.

Sure to all the rest of the guys, w/ the 2nd rd pick, if we stay put and others go first.

[stillgotgame]

ESPN.

Best motor: Adem Bona, C, UCLA

No player in this draft plays harder than Bona, who flies up and down the court with incredible purpose, hedging screens well beyond the 3-point line and chasing down blocks in transition with track-star-type speed. He and Dunn are the only players in our Top 100 to average over 1.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per 40 minutes, a testament to his ability to flip his hips, cover ground and get off his feet with superb quickness, aided by his 7-4 wingspan and 40-inch vertical leap.

Bona, ranked No. 37 in ESPN's Top 100, has a combination of power, explosiveness and intensity that is difficult to come by. Pairing those skills with his sheer hustle is something he can hang his hat on in the NBA as his offensive skills and feel for the game hopefully improve over time. -- Givony

Best full-court defender: Jamal Shead, PG, Houston

A notorious pest for ball handlers to deal with, Shead is fearless and disruptive picking up the ball and applying pressure up and down the floor. A huge part of Houston's success, Shead's ability to slow down guards, shave time off the clock and disrupt the flow of opposing offenses proved special by the end of his college career.

Physical and highly active in spite of his smaller stature, Shead can even give taller guards problems by taking away angles, deflecting passes and covering ground with sheer effort and anticipation. It's difficult to bully him or move him due to his low center of gravity and his toughness in embracing that role while applying pressure. Shead, ranked No. 51 in ESPN's Top 100, will be challenged by bigger NBA players, but his combination of motor and defensive chops will help him carve a niche. -- Woo

Best defensive playmaker: Ryan Dunn, SF/PF, Virginia

Dunn's strongest selling point is his phenomenal block and steal rates, using his 7-1 wingspan, quick hands and instincts to shrink the floor as a disruptive perimeter presence. Averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game on the wing last season, despite Virginia's low-possession style, was quite an achievement, giving him a pathway to an NBA niche as a defensive specialist.

It's the type of outlier production that makes you consider best-case scenarios for the No. 34 prospect in ESPN's Top 100, even though there's a good amount of risk if he doesn't develop as a shooter. His offensive game remains a major work in progress, but Dunn's knack for blowing up plays and winning the ball back sets him apart from his peers and makes him a real consideration as a development pick. -- Woo

Best pull-up shooter: Cam Spencer, SG, UConn

Spencer is one of the overall best shooters among prospects in the draft, hitting 44% of his 3-point attempts (43% the season before) and 91% of his free throws, but the fact that he's so dynamic in getting his jumper off is worth noting. Spencer, ranked No. 59 in ESPN's Top 100, hit a scorching 47% of his pull-up 3s this season, while also converting more 3s running off screens than anyone in the class. He aggressively hunts pull-up 3s dribbling up the floor in transition, loves pulling up off escape dribbles after sidestepping hard closeouts with his pump fake and regularly punishes defenses for going under ball screens.

Also, Kentucky's Reed Sheppard deserves mention in this category. He hit 51% of his pull-up 3s, but did so on nearly half the sample size of Spencer's, being more judicious with his attempts. -- Givony

Sure to all of these guys.

Hell yeah, a second round smorgasbord. Trading #23 for a couple 2nd's gets us under the 2nd apron too.

[Beorn]

Kevin Porter Jr played in Greece for Paok

He can stay there.

Yeah, I don't want him, but he did absolutely dominate there. Fast and away the best player over there. Even the stuff he didn't normally do, he did: 8.3 rpg, 3 spg, and even 1.8 bpg.

Too bad he's just crazy

Hard pass, he was a piece of **** by all accounts during his 40-day stay in Greece. In an "i throw punches to my teammates" way.

[Frank Nova]

ESPN.

Best motor: Adem Bona, C, UCLA

No player in this draft plays harder than Bona, who flies up and down the court with incredible purpose, hedging screens well beyond the 3-point line and chasing down blocks in transition with track-star-type speed. He and Dunn are the only players in our Top 100 to average over 1.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per 40 minutes, a testament to his ability to flip his hips, cover ground and get off his feet with superb quickness, aided by his 7-4 wingspan and 40-inch vertical leap.

Bona, ranked No. 37 in ESPN's Top 100, has a combination of power, explosiveness and intensity that is difficult to come by. Pairing those skills with his sheer hustle is something he can hang his hat on in the NBA as his offensive skills and feel for the game hopefully improve over time. -- Givony

Best full-court defender: Jamal Shead, PG, Houston

A notorious pest for ball handlers to deal with, Shead is fearless and disruptive picking up the ball and applying pressure up and down the floor. A huge part of Houston's success, Shead's ability to slow down guards, shave time off the clock and disrupt the flow of opposing offenses proved special by the end of his college career.

Physical and highly active in spite of his smaller stature, Shead can even give taller guards problems by taking away angles, deflecting passes and covering ground with sheer effort and anticipation. It's difficult to bully him or move him due to his low center of gravity and his toughness in embracing that role while applying pressure. Shead, ranked No. 51 in ESPN's Top 100, will be challenged by bigger NBA players, but his combination of motor and defensive chops will help him carve a niche. -- Woo

Best defensive playmaker: Ryan Dunn, SF/PF, Virginia

Dunn's strongest selling point is his phenomenal block and steal rates, using his 7-1 wingspan, quick hands and instincts to shrink the floor as a disruptive perimeter presence. Averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game on the wing last season, despite Virginia's low-possession style, was quite an achievement, giving him a pathway to an NBA niche as a defensive specialist.

It's the type of outlier production that makes you consider best-case scenarios for the No. 34 prospect in ESPN's Top 100, even though there's a good amount of risk if he doesn't develop as a shooter. His offensive game remains a major work in progress, but Dunn's knack for blowing up plays and winning the ball back sets him apart from his peers and makes him a real consideration as a development pick. -- Woo

Best pull-up shooter: Cam Spencer, SG, UConn

Spencer is one of the overall best shooters among prospects in the draft, hitting 44% of his 3-point attempts (43% the season before) and 91% of his free throws, but the fact that he's so dynamic in getting his jumper off is worth noting. Spencer, ranked No. 59 in ESPN's Top 100, hit a scorching 47% of his pull-up 3s this season, while also converting more 3s running off screens than anyone in the class. He aggressively hunts pull-up 3s dribbling up the floor in transition, loves pulling up off escape dribbles after sidestepping hard closeouts with his pump fake and regularly punishes defenses for going under ball screens.

Also, Kentucky's Reed Sheppard deserves mention in this category. He hit 51% of his pull-up 3s, but did so on nearly half the sample size of Spencer's, being more judicious with his attempts. -- Givony

Sure to all of these guys.

Hell yeah, a second round smorgasbord. Trading #23 for a couple 2nd's gets us under the 2nd apron too.

Dunn is gonna end up in the 1st round.

[Matches Malone]

Interesting that the Bucks brought in McCain for a workout. What ya got cookin' Horst?

[ReasonablySober]

Interesting that the Bucks brought in McCain for a workout. What ya got cookin' Horst?

Looks like a McConnell clone.

[Fotis St]

McCain has a super high Bust probability.

YouTube dudes made a Mock Draft 2 days ago which was pretty legit ... My God .... till #23, Kel'el, Missi,Edey,Holmes were ALL GONE ... they even picked Filipowski #18 ... and the only one left and the podcaster picked #23 for us correctly was Tyler Smith ... If Tyler Smith is picked #18 instead of Filipowski we are screwd. I hate Filipowski, we are already a slow team, don't want to add another slow 7fter. They even picked #30 Oso Ighodaro...

All of a sudden we could end up having to pick either Oso early at #23 if we want a Big ... or draft a non big player, and #34 if Oso is already picked there only Bonga left... or draft another non Big.
Wow.... I hope at least one of Kelel Edey Holmes Missi, Smith is available at 23. In their mock draft #23 Carrighton was available, Tyler Kolek, Ryan Dunn. I think our backup plan can actually be my Marquette Duo idea #23 Kolek #34 Oso Ighodaro. (hoping Oso is available at #34) or Bonga which though a reach is actually the only big left.

I will edit post the 1-30 of their mock draft later.
Hint : Kelel went #11 and Holmes #20

[ShootingtheJ]

McCain has a super high Bust probability.

YouTube dudes made a Mock Draft 2 days ago which was pretty legit ... My God .... till #23, Kel'el, Missi,Edey,Holmes were ALL GONE ... they even picked Filipowski #18 ... and the only one left and the podcaster picked #23 for us correctly was Tyler Smith ... If Tyler Smith is picked #18 instead of Filipowski we are screwd. I hate Filipowski, we are already a slow team, don't want to add another slow 7fter. They even picked #30 Oso Ighodaro...

All of a sudden we could end up having to pick either Oso early at #23 if we want a Big ... or draft a non big player, and #34 if Oso is already picked there only Bonga left... or draft another non Big.
Wow.... I hope at least one of Kelel Edey Holmes Missi, Smith is available at 23. In their mock draft #23 Carrighton was available, Tyler Kolek, Ryan Dunn. I think our backup plan can actually be my Marquette Duo idea #23 Kolek #34 Oso Ighodaro. (hoping Oso is available at #34) or Bonga which though a reach is actually the only big left.

I will edit post the 1-30 of their mock draft later.
Hint : Kelel went #11 and Holmes #20

Tyler Smith isn't a big, neither is Oso. Kolek is a terrible fit for us, he can't defend an NBA player.

[German Athens]

Horst loves guys who show up in the tourney, and McCain sure as hell did.

[machu46]

McCain would at least give us another shooter/potential POA defender. Small if you consider him a SG though and hasn't shown a ton in terms of PG skills.

[Fotis St]

If we draft McCain I will throw up

[SirChurros]

McCain is fine if you’re trying to recreate a Dame/McCollum backcourt. I think he actually projects as a pretty decent defender even with his physical limitations.

[Ron Swanson]

Probably Horst just doing his due diligence, but I don't see any way McCain would last past the mid-teens. Would love to see us make that type of aggressive move (think Utah trading Lyles and their 1st to move up and draft Donovan Mitchell), but I doubt that's in the cards. If McCain falls to the late lottery though, Bobby and 23 for Davion Mitchell and 13 would be sweet.

[machu46]

I'd rather go for Devin Carter or a bigger wing like Holland if we're moving up that high (unless we think McCain will actually slide close to our pick, but I know he's generally projected much higher than that) but I can sort of see the vision with McCain. In the discussion for best shooters in the draft, good getting around screens defensively/pretty good at the POA, can create his own shot off the dribble at least a bit.

He might only be able to guard PGs and some SGs though and hasn't shown very much in terms of creating for others (though he does at least have an okay A:T ratio for a mainly off-ball guy.

[ReasonablySober]

ESPN's dual mock.

23. Milwaukee Bucks (via Pelicans)
Givony's pick that fills the biggest need: Ware

The Bucks will likely want to improve their frontcourt depth this offseason, with 36-year-old Brook Lopez entering the final season of his contract, and Bobby Portis able to opt out next summer. There aren't many 7-footers who can cover ground, score with explosiveness and touch around the basket, space the floor and protect the rim like Ware. The 20-year-old can carve out a coveted stretch-5 niche and has the upside to grow into it long-term.

Woo's pick that gets the best value: Yves Missi | Baylor | C | Age: 20.0

Missi might get drafted ahead of Edey and Ware, and his physical strength and stature make him a different type of center. Missi, ranked No. 23 in ESPN's Top 100, is also probably the furthest off from contributing useful minutes. But he's the last top 20-ish caliber player on the board for me at this point, and would slide into a comfortable spot with the Bucks, who are expected to be in the market for a big here.

[emunney]

McCain is such a solid player. You could envision him being along the lines of Herro offensively but not a total pushover on the other end. It's hard to know how to dock someone that skilled for their lack of size and burst, and he does move well laterally.

[German Athens]

I could see Horst not being as hell bent on getting an elite perimeter defender as i have been in trade proposals and instead trying to just find an incremental improvement to Beasley on the perimeter.

Enter McCain. He could very possibly prove to be a better shooter than Beasley right away, has better handles, better feel and passing ability, while likely able to move his feet much better than Beasley did here.

Mke: Vanderbilt, 17 (draft McCain if he’s there)
Lakers: Bobby
Third team: Lakers shed a little more salary

Maybe we have to kick in 33 to get it to work. Then you could still move pat, marjon, or 23 in a subsequent deal.

[SirChurros]

I would be happy with Ware or McCain. Missi would be fine, I guess, but I’d rather Ware if we’re going big.

Then Brook to get some wing help.