2024 NBA Draft Thread - the hawks might be on the clock



2024 NBA draft rankings: Jonathan Givony's top 100 prospects

1. Zaccharie Risacher | SF | Bourg (France)
6-foot-10 | Age: 19.1 | Previously ranked: 1
Risacher's Bourg team advanced to the French playoff semifinals, where they'll face No. 1 seed Monaco, a top-level Euroleague team that should provide a staunch challenge. Risacher had a career-best 28-point outing in Game 2 of the quarterfinals, putting his talent as a dynamic 6-10 shot-maker and versatile defender with an elite feel for the game on full display.
Risacher is in a group of prospects firmly in the mix for the Atlanta Hawks at No. 1, sources say, and likely won't have to wait long to hear his name called as he's in consideration for every team picking in the top 5. Risacher is slated to attend the NBA Global Camp in Treviso, Italy starting June 4 where he'll go through combine-style testing, drills, interviews and medical examinations; though that might not materialize if Bourg advances to the finals. Risacher is expected to be selective with his pre-draft visits among NBA suitors once he finally does make his way to the States. -- Givony

2. Alex Sarr | PF/C | Perth (Australia)
7-1 | Age: 19.0 | Previously ranked: 2
Sarr was ESPN's top-ranked prospect to appear at the combine, and is on the shortlist of options for the Hawks at No. 1 overall. He opted not to do a pro day in Los Angeles, typical for a top-pick candidate, but it remains to be seen at this time which teams he will work out for going into draft night. His upside is arguably the highest of any of the draft's prospects because of his considerable physical profile (measuring just under 7-foot barefoot at the combine with a 7-4.25 wingspan and 9-foot-2 standing reach). He has unusual mobility for his size.
In addition to considerable defensive potential, Sarr has the makings of a versatile offensive skill set, capable of running the floor and finishing plays, occasionally putting the ball on the floor, and with some shooting touch out to the arc. He still has development ahead of him in order to harness his abilities -- leaving some room for potential downside if he doesn't progress as expected for a high pick -- but the blueprint for an impactful starting-caliber player is there. -- Woo

3. Donovan Clingan | C | UConn
7-2 | Age: 20.2 | Previously ranked: 3
Clingan has momentum going into June, as he made a strong impression in the drills portion of the combine, private interviews and his pro day, where he dropped intriguing glimpses of perimeter shooting that many scouts feel will be part of his game in the not-too-distant future. His measurements -- 7-3 in shoes, 282 pounds with a 7-7 wingspan and outrageous 9-7 standing reach are elite (as we already knew).
The draft lottery did not do him too many favors, though, slating teams with entrenched starters at the center position at Nos. 3, 4 and 5, which might drop him a little further than his big-board ranking indicates. It would not be surprising to see teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers or the Memphis Grizzlies try to move up on draft night to snag their starting center of the future. There is some chatter, however, that Clingan has fans among the Hawks' constituency at No. 1, meaning there's a lot left to be played out between now and June 26. -- Givony

4. Reed Sheppard | PG/SG | Kentucky
6-3 | Age: 19.9 | Previously ranked: 7
Sheppard measured a little bigger than expected at 6-3 in shoes while testing a 42-inch vertical leap in Chicago. He also looked like the clear-cut best shooter in the draft every time he had a ball in his hands -- both at the combine and his pro day in Los Angeles this week. Several teams have said that Sheppard's statistical profile -- with his incredible scoring efficiency (56% FG%, 52% 3P%, 83% FT%) combined with his excellent steal, block and passing metrics -- have him ranked as the No. 1 prospect in their draft models, something that surely has caught the attention of analytically inclined front offices, such as the Houston Rockets.
With the premium that NBA teams are increasingly placing on perimeter shooting, it's hard to see Sheppard dropping below the top 5, with his fit in San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama looking especially strong at the Spurs' No. 4 pick. -- Givony

5. Matas Buzelis | SF | G League Ignite
6-10 | Age: 19.6 | Previously ranked: 6
Buzelis didn't participate in an agency pro day in Chicago, but based on what we saw from him in private workout settings, he should have opportunities to help his standing in the coming weeks. He offers some of the prototypical qualities teams are looking for at forward, with solid positional size, vertical bounce, developing offensive versatility and better defensive acumen than scouts were expecting entering this season.
His production at the G League level portends room for growth; he settled in as the season went on, flashed shot-making ability and contributed in a range of areas. It's going to take Buzelis some time, and he'll need to continue packing strength onto his frame to handle both forward positions long-term, but there's a baseline here for a very useful NBA player, and upside for more than that if a team can be patient with him. -- Woo

6. Stephon Castle | PG/SG | UConn
6-7 | Age: 19.5 | Previously ranked: 9
Castle measured out better than expected in Chicago at a hair under 6-7 in shoes, and shot surprisingly well in drills, hitting 18-for-25 3-pointers in the star shooting drill, tied for third best at the combine. NBA teams were hoping to see him replicate that performance at his pro day, but he elected to sit it out. After playing mostly as a complementary wing option for national champions UConn, Castle has told teams in private interviews he views himself as a point guard in the NBA.
He also appears to be avoiding private workouts with teams that already have starting point guards in place, a strategy that might not be as effective as in the past since every team in the top-15 has his medicals because of rule changes implemented this year. -- Givony

7. Rob Dillingham | PG | Kentucky
6-2 | Age: 19.3 | Previously ranked: 4
Dillingham is nearing a return to team workouts in mid-June as he recovers from an ankle injury that held him out of testing at the combine. There's considerable upside and downside to selecting Dillingham early in the draft. He's one of the best available shot-creators, with shiftiness and plus-shooting capability off the bounce. But his physical traits (he stands just over 6-2 in shoes, 164 pounds, with a 6'3 wingspan) traditionally haven't fared well for NBA success, and render him a negative defender.
His offensive gifts give him a chance to pan out as a full-time starter, but the drawbacks could make him better suited for a sparkplug role off the bench, which isn't what teams are hoping for in a top-10 pick. The nature of the 2024 draft class has made Dillingham a consideration for teams at the top of the draft, but he remains a polarizing player among scouts. -- Woo

8. Dalton Knecht | SG/SF | Tennessee
6-6 | Age: 23.0 | Previously ranked: 8
Knecht is set to complete his unlikely climb from an older, off-the-radar prospect to a top-10 pick, with teams viewing him as a bankable wing scorer who is ready to contribute minutes in the NBA right away. He brings legit positional size at 6-6 in shoes with a 6-9 wingspan, three-level scoring ability and the skill set to be a shooting threat playing off the ball.
Knecht isn't going to be a very good defender, at least not immediately. But his lack of high-level experience prior to landing at Tennessee, as well as his impressive production there, creates a degree of intriguing upside, even for a prospect who's already 23 years old. Teams expect him to come off the board in the lottery. -- Woo

9. Nikola Topic | PG | Red Star (Adriatic League)
6-7 | Age: 18.7 | Previously ranked: 5
Topic's season ended with a knee injury suffered in the Adriatic League Finals, his second in this calendar year, a development that will be studied closely by teams once NBA doctors are able to conduct a thorough physical examination. Several teams have pointed out that European doctors often have different philosophies from their American counterparts regarding ligament injury treatment as well as their likelihood for recommending surgery. So it's all but a certainty that his MRIs will be scrutinized closely and might have an impact on his draft stock if his availability for next season comes into question.
Topic's playmaking prowess -- as a 6-7 pick-and-roll maestro with possibly the fastest processing speed of any prospect in this draft -- should help overcome those question marks, as he was gaining momentum for consideration as one of the draft's top prospects before his season was derailed. -- Givony

10. Tidjane Salaun | PF | Cholet
6-10 | Age: 18.7 | Previously ranked: 15
Following a strong stretch of play to end his season in France, Salaun has created real lottery momentum going into June. A 19-point, eight-rebound showing against a quality Paris team in the playoffs helped highlight his considerable potential. He showcased his physicality, 3-point shooting and competitive motor, which all bode well for his chances of eventually filling a valuable role at the next level.
Salaun, who turns 19 on Aug. 10, offers untapped ability and a strong baseline for a combo forward at the NBA level, though it might take another year or two for him to emerge as a consistent contributor. It's hard to find players in any draft with his combination of qualities, which should help to stabilize him as an early selection in this class. With his season over, he will measure and participate in drills and interviews in the NBA Global Camp in Treviso, Italy next week before making his way to the U.S. for team workouts. -- Woo

11. Ron Holland | SF | G League Ignite
6-8 | Age: 18.8 | Previously ranked: 13
Holland measured bigger than expected at the combine -- nearly 6-8 in shoes with a 6-11 wingspan and 38-inch vertical leap, comparable to NBA players such as Andrew Wiggins, Jayson Tatum and Herbert Jones. Teams were hoping to see Holland show a little more progress with his perimeter shooting than what they saw at the combine or his pro day, making him somewhat of a situational fit for certain lottery teams that are grappling with surrounding their existing players with ample spacing.
The fact Holland is young -- he turns 19 on July 7 -- productive and boasts dynamic two-way versatility bolsters his cause, giving him much to gain over the next month as the heart of pre-draft workouts start. -- Givony

12. Cody Williams | SG/SF | Colorado
6-8 | Age: 19.5 | Previously ranked: 10
Williams, at this stage, will need strong showings on the workout circuit to solidify himself as a lottery pick because a month out, he might be more ticketed for the Nos. 10-to-20 range. His difficult finish to the season hurt his momentum as a top-10 prospect. He did have strong flashes of scoring, playmaking and perimeter defense. He fits the bill physically for an NBA wing, standing nearly 6-8 with a 7-1 wingspan.
Williams has to get stronger and develop all areas of his offensive game, particularly his outside shooting. He is still quite young and offers more physical potential than some of the other project-type players in the draft. The potential mix of his size and two-way versatility still makes him a worthwhile swing, albeit he has become a more polarizing player than expected early in the season. -- Woo

13. Devin Carter | PG/SG | Providence
6-4 | Age: 22.1 | Previously ranked: 17
Carter has significant momentum as he's in the midst of an outstanding month that has him knocking on the door of the draft lottery. He measured well and tested as arguably the best athlete in this draft at the combine, posting historic figures that included a 42-inch vertical leap and shuttle and sprint times that put him in elite company. Carter also had one of the best pro day showings we saw in either Chicago or Los Angeles, putting his Olympic-level athletic ability on full display and knocking down 30-foot pull-up jumpers with ease, as he did all season at Providence.
Teams looking for immediate backcourt help, starting with the San Antonio Spurs at No. 8 and the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 9 have significant interest in Carter, as his draft stock may continue to climb in the next month as he gets into private workouts. -- Givony

14. Ja'Kobe Walter | SG/SF | Baylor
6-5 | Age: 19.7 | Previously ranked: 12
Walter was projected early in the season as a lottery pick, but appears to have settled more in the Nos. 10-to-20 range as the draft draws closer. His combination of shooting ability and plus length (6-10 wingspan) for a two-guard give him a reasonable chance to become a useful 3-and-D contributor at the NBA level.
He struggles at times to create his own shot off the bounce, which might limit him somewhat considering he is not extraordinarily quick or tall for his position. His freshman year numbers weren't overwhelming, but Walter's skill set and intangibles make sense for a useful off-ball role long-term -- and there's security in what he brings to the table. -- Woo

15. Jared McCain | PG/SG | Duke
6-3 | Age: 20.2 | Previously ranked: 19
McCain gradually crept up draft boards this season, emerging as Duke's best backcourt player and flashing his ability as a shot-making guard who can play with or without the ball comfortably. Teams view McCain as the type of player who should be able to compensate for his average size and athleticism with skill and versatility in the long run.
It remains to be seen whether he can grow into point guard-level usage at the NBA level or winds up as more of a complementary off-guard. There are feasible pathways for him to become a contributor either way, thanks to his shooting ability, feel and considerable work ethic and intangibles. -- Woo

16. Zach Edey | C | Purdue
7-5 | Age: 22.0 | Previously ranked: 14
Edey replicated his absurd measurements from last year's combine -- standing 7-5 in shoes with a 7-11 wingspan and 9-7 standing reach. He also showed off the progress he has made in several facets in drills, athletic testing and his pro day, where NBA teams were pleasantly surprised to see him take part in significant competitive action. Edey has trimmed down seven pounds from last year and tested out better in every athletic testing drill, showing the gains he has made with his mobility and explosiveness. He also shot the ball well from beyond the arc, an area Edey insists will be part of his offensive arsenal in the future.
Several NBA teams mentioned being impressed with his serious-minded approach in interviews, where he discussed the joy he takes in punishing opponents with his physicality, a trait that was readily apparent on film. Edey has fans in the top 10, but also plenty of detractors, creating a somewhat wide range that extends into the 20s, depending on how the draft shakes out. -- Givony

17. Tristan Da Silva | SF/PF | Colorado
6-9 | Age: 23.0 | Previously ranked: 18
The level of versatility Da Silva provides at his size should make him a useful and appealing option for teams with immediate needs, which helps to firm up his range, likely in the top 20. He can play both forward spots as a floor-spacer and ball-moving option on the perimeter, standing over 6-foot-9 in shoes.
He began to really tap into that ability this past season at Colorado, helping answer prior questions about his consistency and toughness. He has put himself on an attractive trajectory where he should be able to provide minutes early in his pro career, and continue to better utilize his size to his own benefit. -- Woo

18. Johnny Furphy | SG/SF | Kansas
6-9 | Age: 19.4 | Previously ranked: 28

As the NCAA's withdrawal deadline approaches, teams have indicated Furphy has only worked out for spots in the lottery. His decision whether to return to Kansas will likely go down to the wire, depending on how the coming days go and whether he likes his options. Scouts have been intrigued by Furphy's mix of size, skill and smooth athleticism, particularly at his age and early stage of physical development.
He looked good in workout settings at the combine and shoots it well already, with the main questions being how much better he can get defensively (an area where he struggles) and how much his body might progress. He should be an attractive upside swing for a team, whether it's this year or next year's draft. -- Woo

19. Kyshawn George | SG/SF | Miami
6-8 | Age: 20.4 | Previously ranked: 24
George measured well at the combine, with similar dimensions to NBA small forwards such as Joe Ingles and DeMarre Carroll. Although his late-blooming pathway as a prospect likely means he is another season or two away from seeing significant NBA minutes, George has the skill level to deploy his size at multiple positions. Teams are always attracted to big wings who can handle, pass and shoot and slot in all over the floor, and while it requires some projection, George has solidified first-round appeal.
The biggest questions stem from his struggles attacking the paint and handling physicality at this stage -- a deficiency that might stem from his lack of high-level experience prior to college. George will likely be asked to work some of that out in the G League next season, but he fits a valuable mold, and should make for an intriguing upside swing. -- Woo

20. Kyle Filipowski | PF/C | Duke
7-0 | Age: 20.5 | Previously ranked: 16
Filipowski has work to do over the next month in solidifying his draft standing, as some teams have expressed skepticism after uneven showings in combine drills and private interviews. On one hand, every NBA team is looking for a 7-footer who can handle, pass and space the floor while displaying defensive versatility, something that was on display all season at Duke and also at his pro day where he had some strong moments.
On the other, Filipowski's nerves got the best of him in Chicago, especially in shooting drills where he struggled at times, leaving him plenty of work to do to regain momentum in private workouts. -- Givony

21. Isaiah Collier | PG | USC
6-4 | Age: 19.6 | Previously ranked: 11
Listed at 6-5 by USC, Collier measured smaller than expected at the combine, at a hair under 6-4 with a 6-5 wingspan. He did not alleviate concerns around his lack of perimeter shooting in drills. He then also sat out his pro day, which was an opportunity to showcase himself in a different light with decision-makers on hand from every NBA team.
Teams say it's unclear how much competitive action they'll be able to see from Collier in pre-draft workouts, which might create a somewhat wide range on draft night. Few prospects share the shot-creation prowess, scoring instincts and star power Collier boasts, but he'll have to find the right team willing to live through the growing pains that come with empowering him with significant ballhandling responsibility after his uneven freshman campaign. -- Givony

22. Carlton Carrington | PG | Pittsburgh
6-5 | Age: 18.8 | Previously ranked: 25
Carrington measured well in Chicago -- 6-foot-5 in shoes, 195 pounds and a 6-8 wingspan -- impressive numbers considering he won't turn 19 until July 21. He shot the ball well in drills, but left something to be desired at his slow-paced pro day. Carrington has NBA fans already late in the lottery thanks to his combination of size, shot-making prowess and passing creativity.
He has much to gain in competitive action in private workouts over the next few weeks, where he can try to show NBA teams he's more prepared to contribute than he's currently being given credit for. -- Givony

23. Yves Missi | C | Baylor
7-0 | Age: 20.0 | Previously ranked: 20
Standing nearly 7-feet in shoes with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and 9-1.5 standing reach, Missi has legit tools for a center, although he'll likely need some time to fully tap into them. He should be able to fill a useful rim-running mold as a rebounder, low-usage scorer, screener and paint protector, but will need further seasoning to get up to NBA-level processing speed.
Lingering questions about his feel and skill level give him a somewhat narrow pathway to an eventual role. Still, his physical profile will always have appeal, which has put him in the first-round conversation as a development project. -- Woo

24. Bobi Klintman | SF/PF | Cairns
6-10 | Age: 21.2 | Previously ranked: 23
Klintman helped himself at the combine by measuring just under 6-foot-10 in shoes and showing off his gregarious personality in interviews, which several teams cited as being among their favorite interactions in Chicago. Every NBA team is looking for oversized wings with athleticism, perimeter shooting ability, transition scoring prowess and defensive versatility.
Klintman can further solidify his draft stock over the next month by showing how his talent translates to productivity in competitive workouts, where scouts still have some questions about his consistency on both ends of the floor. -- Givony

23. Kel'el Ware | C | Indiana
7-0 | Age: 20.0 | Previously ranked: 27
With a dearth of big-men prospects, teams drafting in the bottom half of the second round are closely studying the candidacy of Ware, who has plenty of things going for him with his tremendous size (7-1 in shoes), length (7-4.5 wingspan), reach (9-4.5), mobility and productivity on both ends of the floor.
Ware has done a good job of addressing some of the red flags in his profile from his time at Oregon with stronger than expected interviews and background intel, helping to solidify his standing in the first round. Like most players in this range, Ware's workouts will be key. -- Givony

Nos. 26-100
26. Baylor Scheierman, SG,/SF, Creighton
27. Tyler Smith, SF/PF, G League Ignite
28. Justin Edwards, SG,/SF, Kentucky
29. Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette
30. Kevin McCullar Jr., SF Kansas
31. Terrence Shannon Jr., SG,/SF, Illinois
32. Ryan Dunn, SF/PF, Virginia
33. Jaylon Tyson, SG,/SF, California
34. Cameron Christie, SG, Minnesota
35. AJ Johnson, SG, Illawarra
36. Alex Karaban, PF Connecticut
37. Juan Nunez, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm
38. Pacome Dadiet, SG,/SF, Ratiopharm Ulm
39. Nikola Djurisic, SG,/SF, Mega MIS
40. Adem Bona, C, UCLA
41. Ulrich Chomche, PF/C, NBA Academy Africa
42. Jonathan Mogbo, PF/C, San Francisco
43. Harrison Ingram, SF/PF, North Carolina
44. Ajay Mitchell, PG, UC Santa Barbara
45. Pelle Larsson, SG, Arizona
46. Payton Sandfort, SF Iowa
47. Dillon Jones, SF/PF, Weber State
48. Izan Almansa,PF/C, G League Ignite
49. Melvin Ajinca, SG,/SF, Saint Quentin
50. Keshad Johnson, PF Arizona
51. KJ Simpson, PG, Colorado
52. DaRon Holmes II, PF/C, Dayton
53. Jamal Shead, PG, Houston
54. Bronny James, PG,/SG, USC
55. Hunter Sallis, SG, Wake Forest
56. Jalen Bridges, SF Baylor
57. Oso Ighodaro, PF/C, Marquette
58. Ariel Hukporti, C Ludwigsburg
59. Isaac Jones, PF/C, Washington St
60. Jaylen Wells, SG,/SF, Washington St
61. Enrique Freeman, PF/C, Akron
62. Cam Spencer, SG, Connecticut
63. Antonio Reeves, SG,/SF, Kentucky
64. Trentyn Flowers, SG,/SF, Adelaide
65. Mantas Rubstavicius, SF NZ Breakers
66. Jaxson Robinson, SG,/SF, BYU
67. Trevon Brazile, PF/C, Arkansas
68. Ugonna Onyenso, C Kentucky
69. PJ Hall, PF/C, Clemson
70. Trey Alexander, PG,/SG, Creighton
71. Quinten Post, C Boston College
72. Armel Traore, PF Blois
73. Zacharie Perrin, PF/C, Antibes
74. Jamir Watkins, SG,/SF, Florida St
75. Michael Ajayi, SF/PF, Pepperdine
76. Baba Miller, SF/PF, Florida St
77. Matthew Murrell, SG, Mississippi
78. Tristen Newton, PG,/SG, Connecticut
79. Coleman Hawkins, PF Illinois
80. Mark Sears, PG, Alabama
81. Isaiah Crawford, SF/PF, Louisiana Tech
82. Riley Minix, SF/PF, Morehead St
83. Tyon Grant-Foster, SG,/SF, Grand Canyon
84. JT Toppin, PF New Mexico
85. Anton Watson, PF Gonzaga
86. Jarin Stevenson, PF Alabama
87. Nae'Qwan Tomlin, PF/C, Memphis
88. Jesse Edwards, C West Virginia
89. Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado St
90. Reece Beekman, PG, Virginia
91. N'Faly Dante, C Oregon
92. Malique Lewis, SF/PF, Mexico City
93. Andrija Jelavic, PF/C, Mega MIS
94. Judah Mintz, PG,/SG, Syracuse
95. Yannick Kraag, SG,/SF, Joventut
96. Ilias Kamardine, PG,/SG, Vichy-Clermont
97. Walter Clayton, PG, Florida
98. Dylan Disu, PF Texas
99. Tre Mitchell, PF/C, Kentucky
100. Boogie Ellis, PG,/SG, USC
 
Rich Paul won't allow Bronny to sign a two-way. contract. Pretty crazy, but I'm sure Rich will find a team that will sign Bronny to a standard roster spot.

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"Not a fan of the news that has been surrounding this gubernatorial candidate about him avoiding states that aren't having elections for governor"

:lol:

Like why am I wasting my time showing skills for a position you already have filled, instead of focusing on the places where there are job openings? :emoji_laughing:
 
i wouldn't be upset if we decide to go with risacher over sarr.
 


Why Bronny James stayed in the NBA draft, and now, what's next?

Bronny James entered the NBA draft combine this month in Chicago ranked 98th in ESPN's Top 100 draft prospects. After a strong few weeks of measurements, drills and scrimmages, James climbed 44 spots to No. 54 in the Top 100. He likely will rise more, as several players ranked ahead of him are expected to withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft at the NCAA (11:59 p.m. ET) and international (June 16) early-entry deadlines.

Thus, it might not come as much of a surprise to learn James has elected to keep his name in the June 26-27 draft in New York, his agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN.

James has helped his draft stock considerably since announcing he'd enter the draft, first by quickly getting cleared by the NBA's fitness-to-play panel for full activity, an important step that allowed him to be a full participant in on-court activities during the combine.

Enrolling in college as a McDonald's All American, the 19-year-old's freshman campaign as a guard on the USC team did not go as planned.

In a summer workout before his freshman year even began, James went into cardiac arrest and had a procedure to repair a congenital heart defect. He missed more than four months of on-court action.

After James was medically cleared late last November, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19 minutes per game on pedestrian efficiency numbers, leaving him on the outside looking in on draft projections.

But James has done well to remind NBA scouts of what made him such a highly regarded prospect entering college, making clear strides with his frame and conditioning and showing improvement as a perimeter shooter.

James had an excellent first day at the draft combine, testing as one of the fastest and most explosive athletes in the draft with his 40½-inch vertical leap and 3.09 three-quarter-court sprint time. He also shot the ball with impressive precision, converting 78% of his attempts in the side-midside 3-point shooting drill (which ranked second best among 71 combine prospects), and he shot 19-for-25 in the 3-point star drill, also ranking second best.

The 5-on-5 scrimmaging at the combine showed the areas James needs to continue to improve, and the role that best suits him at this stage of his development as a 3-and-D off-guard. James -- whose height was measured at 6-foot-1 ½ barefoot -- struggled in his first game in an on-ball role where he was asked to create offense for himself and others. He lacked assertiveness and looked uncomfortable as an initiator, picking up his dribble, being late with his reads, and making poor decisions both in transition and the half-court.

In the second game, he looked more comfortable operating off the ball alongside a bigger guard in A.J. Johnson, hitting a pair of open 3s, getting out in the open court and showing some secondary playmaking ability to go along with his usual intense one-on-one defense.

James had a significant platform the following week at the NBA's California pro day (May 21-22), hosted at the Los Angeles Lakers' practice facility. High-level decision-makers from all 30 NBA teams were in attendance to watch James and 56 other prospects work out over the course of two days.
James conducted a 40-minute one-on-zero workout where he again displayed his physical ability with explosive dunks and improved perimeter shooting -- making a barrage of 3-pointers from all over the court. NBA executives expressed varying views to ESPN as to the importance of such showcases as an evaluation tool, but James certainly did not hurt his standing among team officials, who have warmed up to view him as a legit NBA prospect over the past few weeks, especially seeing how he performed compared to his peers.

With James' decision to keep his name in the 58-pick draft, it's likely he will be in the NBA next season in some capacity, either on a two-way contract or on the end of some team's roster.

Dozens of NBA executives have expressed to ESPN a wide array of views on how they see James in the short and long-term. James is a polarizing prospect, like many are in this draft from the lottery portion to the end of the second round, but he has done well to position himself and show what makes him interesting.

James is a Gabe Vincent or De'Anthony Melton type role-player who makes open 3s, gets out in the open court, defends either guard position, rebounds, keeps mistakes to a minimum and generates turnovers with his intensity and strong instincts. At the combine, James compared his game to players such as the Boston Celtics' Jrue Holiday and Derrick White or the Sacramento Kings' Davion Mitchell for the way they influence winning.

Continuing to improve his ballhandling ability, assertiveness and shooting consistency will be keys for carving out a long-term niche, likely via the G League to start, as it's clear James could have used another year or two of college seasoning to enter the NBA more readily available to contribute.

Regardless, there's certainly the outline of a valuable role player here for a team willing to be patient enough to develop him.

Paul told ESPN his client is still in the process of scheduling workouts and determining how many teams to audition for over the next month.

"Many teams have called," Paul said. "It's a matter of hashing out workouts. I need to figure out who is real and who is not. How many workouts will we do? As many as necessary through serious conversation that gives me insight into that team's thinking. It could be 1, 2, 3, 10 -- I doubt it's 10. We're still determining that."

Paul says James' draft range is wide with room for growth, and he's not too concerned with where he gets drafted but more focused on fit and long-term outlook.

"It only takes one team. I don't care about where that team is in the process of the draft. It can be No. 1 or No. 58. [But] I do care about the plan. The development. The team's strategy, the opportunity and the financial commitment," Paul said. "That's why I'm not doing a two-way deal. Every team understands that. There are only two-to-three teams that might take him. That's how I am going to approach that."

What if James, despite his move up draft boards, doesn't get picked?

Paul is quick to say: "I don't see him going undrafted. But if it got to a point where the situations didn't make sense, and we needed to go undrafted, that's fine. I've been through this process enough to tell who is serious. If teams say they don't know him well enough yet to tell me how they view him, when they get better insight, we'll circle back.

"I'm not putting unrealistic expectations on Bronny. He's far from a finished product. But he has a hell of a start. He's positioned well."
 


Rockets 2024 NBA Draft Big Board: Who could Houston draft at No. 3?

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the draft is a crapshoot. All of it.

Evaluating young players is an arduous task requiring dozens of educated, unbiased opinions — and it still might not matter in five years. The more people around the league you speak to about the 2024 class, the more difficult it becomes to separate players into talent groups, or tiers. And that’s just analyzing the group as a whole; it’s an entirely different ballgame when it pertains to a specific team.

Different aspects must be taken into account — a franchise’s timeline, where they finished the prior season, philosophy on roster building, etc. The conversation about what the Houston Rockets should do was confusing before the draft lottery, where they were projected to end up with the ninth pick. Now that they have jumped into the top three, opinions are all over the place.

There are some, such as this party of one, who think the best option is to trade the pick for a veteran contributor. This is a Rockets team that had 41 wins in the regular season, 19 more than the previous season. That degree of improvement warrants a continued upward trajectory that I don’t think adding another young talent to the roster will. But again, that is my thinking. There are plenty of others who see no harm in drafting high again.

In the end, it’s a fun exercise. And until a deal gets done, we’ll operate as if Houston is keeping their pick and drafting at No. 3. Here is version 1.0 of my Rockets big board, based on individual research and conversations with people within the organization and around the league. Several deciding factors go into this ranking — talent, team fit, style of play and head coach Ime Udoka’s influence.

1. Nikola Topić | 6-6 lead guard | 18 years old | Crvena zvezda
You won’t see either of Perth’s Alex Sarr or JL Bourg’s Zaccharie Risacher on this list, because I’m projecting them to be the first two names off the board on June 26 and I don’t foresee the Rockets moving up. I’m not saying it’s impossible, I just don’t think that’s going to happen.

Topić ticks several boxes for Houston. From a roster standpoint, there’s a need for another point guard. Aaron Holiday’s role as backup to Fred VanVleet last season felt more circumstantial than long-term. Holiday had a solid campaign showing he can contribute to winning basketball and if there was a better situation in free agency, he would take it. Taking Topić also requires a certain line of thinking, understanding last year’s No. 4 pick Amen Thompson is a dynamic playmaker and talent, but is more of a secondary wing half-court creator than a traditional point guard. In this sense, the two could play off each other.

One of the concerns for Topić is his outside shooting and I get it. He shot a shade under 31 percent from 3 this past year, in line with Josh Giddey’s career output. But watching Topić shoot, it doesn’t look like a deal breaker to me. The form looks good, it’s the mechanics that could be smoothed out and sped up, similar to Jalen Green’s rookie season. The fact that Topić is proficient from the free-throw line with the same form leads me to believe improving his floor spacing is doable. I also think it would be an easier task working with lead assistant Ben Sullivan on tweaking a jumper as opposed to Thompson’s, which needed to be fundamentally reworked.

Topić is a bit of an upright ball handler, similar to Goran Dragić or Andre Miller (without the athleticism) in his heyday, but he’s shown an ability to get to spots on the floor, attack downhill and is creative around the basket. He’s a quality playmaker, knows how to make the right reads in pick-and-rolls and can keep an offense humming. Last season, Houston’s offensive efficiency dropped in the non-VanVleet minutes, scoring about 111.9 points per 100 possessions per PBPStats. That’s borderline bottom-five production. Pairing Topić with Thompson would give the Rockets’ second unit a quality playmaking one-two punch. Defensively, there’s a lot to be desired but Topić has shown he’s capable of using his length to break up plays, navigate screens and be somewhat of a disruptor. At that size, you’d hope to extract more consistency but he’s an 18-year-old kid playing professionally overseas. He’s not a finished product yet, and he doesn’t have to be.

2. Matas Buzelis | 6-9 wing/forward | 19 years old | G League Ignite
I’m not sure if Udoka ever caught wind of Buzelis publicly calling out Risacher and challenging him to a game, but that level of self-confidence and desire to compete should resonate with the Rockets head coach. Buzelis’ interview with Houston during the combine was noteworthy, to the point where one staffer recently reminded me of James Harden’s pre-draft process, when then-guard Tyrese Evans demanded Harden play him in one-on-one. Harden would end up being drafted third overall and Evans would go fourth to Sacramento but that mentality carried Evans to the Rookie of the Year award.

There’s a lot to like about Buzelis, particularly with a Rockets roster that lacks this combination of size, versatility and upside outside of the starting lineup. The Rockets caught several teams by surprise in March after Alperen Şengün went down with an ankle injury, Jabari Smith Jr. was moved to center and Udoka opted to close the year with small ball. The frontcourt pairing of Smith and Buzelis, especially with the latter’s decent ballhandling and three-level potential, intrigues me.

Similar to Topić, Buzelis’ shooting is a big question after converting less than 30 percent of his 3s, but I like the mechanics of his shot. There’s a fluidity from the point of the catch to the release, ironically similar to Smith. I wouldn’t use the G League as a basis for shot creation or overall efficiency, considering the elite passing abilities of VanVleet, Şengün and Thompson. Buzelis also showed that he can function as a solid team defender, even though he needs to add some bulk to his frame. He moves side to side decently for his size, can block shots and could help in the rebounding department.

3. Stephon Castle | 19 years old | 6-6 wing | Connecticut
It’s hard not to fall in love with Castle’s intangibles.

He’s a winner who performed at the highest level of Division 1, showcasing a mature reading of the game on both ends of the floor. He’s a tenacious, gritty, versatile defender who isn’t afraid to mix things up, all while being able to run an offense at times. If there was a player in this draft class that aligned with the brand of basketball embedded in Udoka’s DNA, it’s Castle. He says all the right things, is unselfish and competes. Seeing him toggle half-court matchups with Tari Eason would give opposing teams fits.

For teams that are geared toward winning, there is value to be had in players who can come in and be glue guys, connecting the pieces that are already in place. Like his colleagues above him on this list, Castle’s shooting will be the swing skill for him, after hitting just 27 percent of his outside looks (Can anyone shoot anymore?). If he can get to a place in his development where he can consistently knock down shots (outside of the impressive 18-of-25 combine showing), he’ll have a long, successful career.

Castle has maintained his preference of playing point guard, another reason why a marriage with Houston makes sense, but he’s less of a primary creator than Topić and might not mesh as seamlessly with Thompson or others in the second unit. Still, Castle’s upside should leave teams intrigued and it wouldn’t shock me if his name is called. He’s a winner in a league predicated on winning. Sometimes, it’s as simple as that.

4. Donovan Clingan | 20 years old | 7-foot-2 center | Connecticut
Drafting Clingan at No. 3 means two things to me. One, the Rockets either see Steven Adams as a stopgap (or potential trade chip) and two, Udoka really wants a young rim protector.

I was impressed watching Clingan’s movement, especially at that size and weight. Drop defensive schemes can often be a death knell, but Clingan’s ability to show and recover, all while shutting down the interior, is a great skill at that age.

I also like that he made it a point to display his shooting in Chicago during the combine, showing he’s not just an immobile shot-blocking center. In today’s NBA, the center position is such a diverse playing field but shooting is the one skill that ties everything together. Are there lineups where Clingan and Şengün could play together? I asked the 20-year-old that question a few weeks ago and liked his honest take about spacing. He doesn’t have to be Brook Lopez, a common comparison given the size, but Clingan can occasionally step out and make a 3. He’ll only get better with age and reps.

Clingan is a simplified, efficient big — capable playmaker around the elbows, solid screen setter, decent rebounder and a quality shot blocker. Houston, despite a vastly improved defensive jump, lacked a true rim protector. That missing piece alone might have cost them four or five games in the Western Conference, the difference between the Play-In and staying home. That alone should make Clingan’s name worth mentioning, even with Adams (and Jock Landale) on the books for next season.

5. Reed Sheppard | 20 years old | 6-2 guard | Kentucky
I understand the appeal. Sheppard is one of the best shooters in this draft class and on a Rockets team that is crying out for snipers, this should be an obvious fit, right?

Not that simple.

For one, I’m not in love with the measurements. Sheppard is 6-foot-2, taller than Holiday, but the latter’s near-6-8 wingspan lends him to solid team defense. Sheppard’s wingspan is 6-2.5, which can get you into trouble, especially if your defensive gambles are unsuccessful.

Don’t get me wrong, Sheppard is a smart player with the ball in his hands. He would fit in well in Houston’s second unit, pushing the pace himself or getting the ball ahead to the likes of Cam Whitmore, Thompson and Eason. Sheppard can make the right reads consistently, knows how to relocate off the ball and is a decent enough creator. As said earlier, he would walk in as the best shooter on the roster. There’s a lot to like. I just tend to shy away from undersized guards, especially ones who gamble. There are numerous possessions of Sheppard getting blown by that don’t look great, with his upright posture and poor positioning. I don’t think Sheppard is getting that similar rate of success on steals and blocks in college as he would at the next level, and the minuses in his game might play him off the floor.
 


NBA draft withdrawal deadline questions: Bama, UConn, Bronny James, more

With the 2024 NBA draft less than a month away (June 26-27), the draft pool solidified more Wednesday with the passing of the NCAA's deadline for men's college basketball players to decide whether to forgo their college eligibility by staying in the draft or return to school.

NBA teams and college programs were given reasons to celebrate as notable players such as Bronny James, Alex Karaban, David Jones, Caleb Love and Mark Sears made decisions about their basketball futures. The feedback players received from the NBA draft combine and pro day workouts, as well as the effect of NIL deals from various programs, played major roles in whether prospects decided to go pro or return to schools that are primed for championship runs.

Also of note, the NBA's final deadline for early entrants to withdraw their names from the draft pool is June 16, a date that most impacts international players, who aren't under the same restrictions as college players.

So which schools benefited the most from players returning to their programs? Who is most likely to rise up the NBA draft board in 2025? Are the UConn Huskies in position to go for a three-peat? ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello and ESPN draft insiders Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo share their answers to these lingering questions.

Which school is the biggest winner after the withdrawal deadline?
Borzello: It has to be Alabama. The Crimson Tide received two pieces of good news on deadline day, with All-American guard Mark Sears and promising forward Jarin Stevenson both announcing they were returning to Tuscaloosa. Sears will enter the season as the favorite to win SEC Player of the Year, and Stevenson showed flashes of his potential late in the season. Alabama is now clearly in the conversation for preseason No. 1. UConn (Alex Karaban, a 6-foot-9 forward who is returning) and Arizona (Caleb Love, a 6-4 guard who is returning) were two other big winners of deadline day.

Which school was most hurt by prospects who stayed in the draft?
Borzello: Of the 20 or so players worth monitoring on deadline day, only a handful stayed in the draft -- and the only one who could remotely be classified as a surprise was David Jones opting to forgo his final year at Memphis and stay in the draft. After an NBA combine showing that didn't improve his draft stock, things seemed to be trending in the direction of Jones going back to play for coach Penny Hardaway. And with him in the fold, the Tigers could have made an argument to be ranked in the preseason top 25. But without Jones, Hardaway will have to rely almost entirely on transfers -- and has no focal point on the offensive end.

Which prospect who returned to school has the best chance to rise in the 2025 NBA draft?
Givony: Michael Ajayi was somewhat of a surprise invite to the combine after being tucked away at Pepperdine this season. But the 6-7 wing quickly showed he more than belonged in Chicago and gained quite a few fans among NBA teams the more he was seen in different stops throughout the pre-draft process with his 7-1 wingspan and the flashes he showed of passing, rebounding, shot-making and defensive versatility. Now that he has transferred to a much more visible platform at Gonzaga, Ajayi has a chance to help himself considerably in his final year of NCAA eligibility, especially if he can make strides with his skill level, feel for the game and perimeter shooting consistency -- which is not a stretch considering how much of a late bloomer he is.

Woo: Alabama's Stevenson has built up some fans around the league in the pre-draft process and played his entire freshman season as an 18-year-old after reclassifying to enter college early. He stands 6-10 in shoes with a 7-foot wingspan, and another year of college -- and more time to get up to speed -- might help him realize his potential as a two-way stretch forward. He still has a long way to go, but he'll be on the short list of returners teams are keeping an eye on in the fall.

Who's an under-the-radar prospect you like who went back to school and could be a first-round draft pick in 2025?
Givony: Arizona's Motiejus Krivas never seriously looked at entering the 2024 draft after a freshman season in which he played 12 minutes per game. But there is certainly a reason the Arizona coaching staff nudged starting center and first-team All-Pac-12 player Oumar Ballo into the transfer portal to give Krivas the space he needs to explode next season. Krivas was still growing even after enrolling at the Tucson school; now pushing 7-3, he had some outstanding moments suggesting he could develop into one of the best big men in college basketball with a Donovan Clingan-type rise as a sophomore. He has outstanding hands, long arms, a high skill level, and impressive instincts on both ends of the floor. He's all but guaranteed to be productive as a rebounder and interior scorer at Arizona next season, but we'll see what type of strides he is able to make defensively and with his overall athleticism to get a better feel for where he fits into the draft equation in 2025.

Woo: Kentucky forward Adou Thiero (6-8, 222 pounds) opted to stay in school and will follow coach John Calipari to Arkansas, a program where he should have an opportunity to vault up next year's draft board. Thiero's defensive prowess as a shot-blocker and bouncy rebounder caught attention from NBA scouts last season, but it manifested mostly in flashes. If he can find some consistency and carve out a bigger role, Thiero (who just turned 20 on May 8) could be ticketed for an NBA-friendly campaign.

How can Karaban benefit from another year in Storrs, and what does it mean for the Huskies' chances of a three-peat?
Borzello: Karaban now becomes the go-to guy on what will likely be a preseason top-five team going for its third straight national championship. He'll be able to showcase his all-around game more than he did the past two seasons. With his starting forward back in the fold, coach Dan Hurley now will have the players to make a realistic run at another title; Karaban and top-10 recruit Liam McNeeley should form one of the most potent shooting duos in the country.

Woo: NBA teams are familiar with what Karaban provides on a nightly basis, but with UConn losing several key players, there's an opportunity for him to demonstrate he can handle a greater offensive role for the Huskies. While most of his value will always be as a floor spacer and cutter, it will be up to UConn to figure out how to use him even more creatively as the program turns over most of its key rotation players. Three consecutive titles is a tall task, but the Huskies will certainly be quite solid with Karaban back in the fold.

In what ways are NIL deals most impacting the draft landscape?
Borzello: Before NIL, players essentially had to choose between making money and trying to improve their draft stock with another year in college. That's no longer the case, and as a result we're seeing far more borderline draft picks -- or players who simply aren't happy with their projected draft range -- return to college. Great college players who don't necessarily have an immediate role in the NBA (Hunter Dickinson, RJ Davis, Sears, Love all come to mind) also have monetary incentive to stick around until the end of their careers.

Givony: We're seeing many of the top international prospects -- for example, Khaman Maluach (Duke), Egor Demin (BYU), Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois), Ismaila Diagne (Gonzaga) -- come to college now, which was rarely the case in the past, thanks to significant NIL packages schools are putting together that allow some players to pay off huge buyouts to European clubs. That will allow NBA scouts to evaluate the top Americans and the best international players in head-to-head matchups. NIL might even allow for 21- and 22-year old European professionals to join in on the fun this summer if college coaches can get creative enough brainstorming waiver requests that exhausted NCAA enforcement officials might just rubber-stamp to avoid additional litigation.

Woo: College programs ultimately have more sway right now in bringing players back using their NIL allotment -- in some instances, encouraging players to return to school and stay out of the pre-draft process entirely. Some NBA teams I spoke with felt this year's combine and G League Elite Camp were somewhat watered down as a result. That dynamic has served to thin out the middle of the pool a bit, which affects the market for two-way contracts and undrafted free agents, although not as much as in the draft's first round.

What do you make of Bronny James' decision to turn pro?
Woo: There was an opportunity to better showcase himself by going back to college, but I also think there's impetus to turn pro now, since James has been medically cleared from a health standpoint. Expectations for his pro career seem to be pretty realistic all around, and I thought Bronny did enough at the combine to at least enhance his case.

Borzello: His decision made sense for a few reasons. One, as Jeremy mentioned, being cleared from a health standpoint was important. And, while James' freshman season was underwhelming because of the aforementioned health issues as well as USC's on-court struggles, his performance at the combine along with what scouts saw from him at the high school level just over a year ago makes leaving college a viable option.
 
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