NBA mock draft: Projecting the top 14 post-lottery
Sun May 12 4:49pm ET
Field Level Media
The NBA draft lottery is complete, the order of the top 14 picks is cemented and the Atlanta Hawks are on the clock.
With about six weeks left before the draft begins June 27, Field Level Media takes a crack at projecting the lottery picks. There is no can't-miss star like Victor Wembanyama atop this year's draft board, but we may see a French big man go first overall for the second year running.
1. Atlanta Hawks: Alexandre Sarr, F/C, Perth Wildcats
The Hawks, who had just a 3 percent chance to win the No. 1 pick, now have every option in front of them. The answer, though, should be Sarr as a successor to Clint Capela. Tall, lean, mobile and talented as a ball-handler and passer, Sarr's most pressing task will be to bolster one of the league's worst defenses.
2. Washington Wizards: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Clingan isn't just any old college center. He's a 7-foot-2 monster in the interior with a 7-foot-7 wingspan who played a crucial role helping the Huskies win back-to-back national championships. His rim protection will make the Wizards' ghastly defense better and he'll be a persistent dunk threat teamed with Kyle Kuzma in the frontcourt.
3. Houston Rockets: Zaccharie Risacher, F, JL Bourg
This Frenchman's most notable trait is his 3-point shot, which he's connected on at ridiculous levels playing in his home nation's top league. Doing the same for Houston is another matter, but Risacher has the right build to fit in on the wing for a Rockets team that can take its time with him as it completes its rebuild.
4. San Antonio Spurs: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
Rob, meet Victor. Gregg Popovich will make sure you get along splendidly. Perhaps the best point guard in a class with several near the top, Dillingham offers the complete package on offense (15.2 points, 3.9 assists per game, 44.4 percent shooting from deep at Kentucky).
5. Detroit Pistons: Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Sheppard went from being the fifth-most hyped freshman in Kentucky's class to the consensus National Freshman of the Year. It helps to make more than half your 3-pointers and grab 2.5 steals a game. The Pistons tied for the fewest made 3-pointers per game and need a catch-and-shoot threat like Sheppard.
6. Charlotte Hornets: Nikola Topic, G, Red Star Belgrade
Topic's size (6-foot-6 or 6-foot-7, depending on your source), scoring and playmaking ability have powered his rise up draft boards this season. After dominating the Adriatic League, the 18-year-old projects as a major backcourt addition for any NBA team, but especially the Hornets, who need more playmaking guards especially considering LaMelo Ball's injury history.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
The 6-foot-11 Lithuanian-American offers a lot to Scoot Henderson and the Blazers. He averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.1 blocks per game in the G League regular season and comes from multiple generations of basketball pros, highlighted by his IQ.
8. San Antonio Spurs: Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee
Knecht took the Southeastern Conference by storm as an offensive machine for the Vols and won league Player of the Year honors. He's already 23 years old, but the Spurs ranked 28th in 3-point percentage last year and Knecht offers a jolt in that department from Day One.
9. Memphis Grizzlies: Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite
Memphis may be getting a steal in Holland, once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick before an up-and-down G League season. At his best, Holland scores at will attacking the basket and is a threat as a passer and defender. The Grizzlies owned the worst scoring offense in the NBA, but they get Ja Morant back and Holland can give him another option.
10. Utah Jazz: Cody Williams, F, Colorado
Williams scored 11.9 points per game in his lone year at Colorado and shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range -- though he attempted fewer than two per game. The brother of Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams will bring great size on the wing (6-foot-8, 7-foot-1 wingspan) to the worst perimeter defending team of 2023-24.
11. Chicago Bulls: Stephon Castle, G, UConn
Part of the reason UConn managed to win another national title was that Castle so ably stepped into the point guard role as a freshman, but he can play either guard role. He facilitates, defends, hustles and drives to the rim, making him a great backcourt complement to Coby White -- especially if the Bulls bid farewell to Zach LaVine.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devin Carter, G, Providence
The Thunder own this pick via the Rockets, yet they have no pressing needs. Why not help themselves to a guard prospect who can do a little of everything? Carter's stock soared as he averaged 19.7 points, 8.7 boards, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals this season.
13. Sacramento Kings: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
He's a controversial prospect for complex reasons, but don't overthink it: Edey is 7-foot-4, scores and rebounds everything he sees and -- most importantly for Sacramento -- protects the rim in a way Domantas Sabonis doesn't. The Kings aren't hard-pressed for an immediate starter, but someone of Edey's caliber spelling Sabonis should get coach Mike Brown's wheels turning.
14. Portland Trail Blazers: Ja'Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
For Portland's second pick in the lottery, Walter can provide something the Blazers desperately need: shot-making. Portland ranked dead-last in 3-point shooting (34.5 percent) and second-to-last in overall field-goal percentage (43.9 percent) last season.
- NBA roundup: Pascal Siakam's 3 pushes Pacers past Celtics in OT
- Lakers' LeBron James (illness) probable in return to Cleveland
- Raptors' Scottie Barnes has orbital bone fracture, out 3 weeks
- Bulls G Lonzo Ball (wrist) sidelined at least 10 days
- NBA roundup: Nuggets outlast Nets for 2nd straight OT win
- Jazz F Lauri Markkanen (back) listed as day-to-day
- Bulls G Lonzo Ball (wrist) out at least four games
- Hawks G Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) out at least a month
- Warriors F Andrew Wiggins (back) out vs. Pelicans
- 76ers fined $100k for misleading statements on Joel Embiid status
- Raptors exercise options for Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick
- Lakers C Christian Koloko cleared to return
- Rudy Gay retires after 17 seasons with five NBA teams
- NBA roundup: Magic's Paolo Banchero pours in 50 vs. Pacers
- Jazz F Taylor Hendricks fractures fibula, dislocates ankle
- 76ers' Joel Embiid hit with postgame tech for free throw distraction
- Warriors G Stephen Curry (ankle) out at least 2 games
- Warriors G Stephen Curry (ankle) could miss several games
- NBA roundup: 76ers knock off Pacers in OT for first win of season
- Heat honor Dwyane Wade by unveiling statue outside arena
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama and small forward Jaylen Wells will join the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Milwaukee. The duo replaces Marcus Smart (ankle) and Desmond Bane (oblique), who were injured in Wednesday's 119-106 loss to Brooklyn. Aldama will make his fourth start of the campaign, while Wells joins the first unit for the first time in his young career. In his previous three starts, Aldama has averaged 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks. The injuries to Smart and Bane will likely also result in increased usage for Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (knee, calf) will be in the lineup on Thursday versus Dallas. He has shaken off a questionable designation ahead of the game. Adams made his Houston debut earlier in the week with a six-point, three-rebound effort across 14 minutes against San Antonio. He will struggle to put up meaningful fantasy production as Alperen Sengun's backup. As a result of Adams' return, Jock Landale is in danger of dropping out of the rotation.
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward John Konchar (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against Milwaukee. He was back from a two-game absence on Wednesday versus Brooklyn, but Kochar is battling a quadriceps contusion and will step aside once again. The 28-year-old has averaged 5.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19.0 minutes this season. His absence is another blow for the team after Marcus Smart (ankle) and Desmond Bane (oblique) were already ruled out earlier. Memphis' bench mob appears set to play a large role in Thursday's contest, with so many regulars out.
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Desmond Bane (oblique) will sit out Thursday's action against Milwaukee. Bane has landed on the shelf after suffering an oblique strain against Brooklyn on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has shot an impressive 40.6 percent from deep through the first few games of the season to average 18.8 points with 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Memphis also lost Marcus Smart (ankle) on Wednesday, meaning it's again time for fantasy managers to put their trust in Jake LaRavia and Scotty Pippen Jr. The two performed well last season when the Grizzlies were troubled by injuries. Rookie Jaylen Wells is also a player to keep an eye on.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's tilt against San Antonio. Back spasms limited Markkanen to only 17 minutes last time out against Sacramento, and the team will keep him out of action on Thursday after initially listing him as questionable for the game. Utah's frontcourt has also lost Taylor Hendricks (lower leg) this week, leaving Kyle Filipowski and John Collins in a position to benefit. Filipowski flirted with a double-double on Tuesday versus the Kings when he finally received a good chunk of minutes. Collins has been limited to a bench role this season but has been productive with 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 21.0 minutes.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (ankle) will not play against Milwaukee on Thursday. Smart injured his right ankle on Wednesday versus Brooklyn, exiting the contest after logging only six minutes. The team is awaiting imaging results to determine the severity of Smart's injury. The veteran guard has had an awful time on the offensive end early in the season, shooting only 23.5 percent from the field, but his defensive ability will be a massive miss for the team. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells are in line to see additional playing time on Thursday, with the Grizzlies lineup thin because of injuries.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) will play against Memphis on Thursday. The former MVP has been a regular on the injury report with right patella tendinitis, but the team has upgraded him from probable to available. The injury hasn't really limited Antetokounmpo, who has kicked off the 2024-25 campaign with four consecutive double-doubles. He has averaged 28.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. With Khris Middleton (ankle) out of the lineup, Antetokounmpo is expected to have another big night, as he needs to do extra to help the team get back on track following a 1-3 start.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is set to have "periodic" spells on the sidelines this season. Speaking during an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Philadelphia plans to keep Embiid healthy for the playoffs by giving him "periodic time off at different points during the season." The former MVP is set to have routine check-ups on his knee, and this is going to be the "new normal" for Embiid. The 76ers superstar has yet to play this season but has completed multiple five-on-five scrimmages during a ramp-up process and could be available as soon as this weekend.
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (elbow) has landed back on the injury report ahead of Thursday's clash with the Clippers. After missing one game with a sore elbow, the veteran star returned to action against the Lakers on Monday. But he could be back on the shelf again on Thursday with the elbow issue, with the team tagging him as questionable for the game. Ryan Dunn was filling in for Beal in the starting unit and produced a 13-point effort on Saturday versus Dallas. Royce O'Neale and Damion Lee are also in a position to benefit if Beal is out on Thursday.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (ankle) saw only six minutes of action in Wednesday's loss to Brooklyn. Smart rolled his right ankle and exited the contest without scoring any points. Memphis also lost Desmond Bane (oblique) in the contest, which opened up tons of minutes for the reserves. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jake LaRavia have led the second unit for Memphis this season. There could also be additional minutes available for Jaylen Wells and John Konchar if Smart and Bane sit out Thursday's matchup against Milwaukee.
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Zach LaVine injured his left shoulder in Wednesday's 102-99 victory over Orlando. Speaking after the game, LaVine told reporters that he suffered a "subluxation" in his shoulder. He added that he had X-rays done, and everything was "OK." LaVine played through the injury on Wednesday but finished with only 11 points in 36 minutes. He shot 2-for-9 from the field. On the positive side, LaVine was able to tally his first double-double of the season by grabbing 10 rebounds. The Bulls star also recorded three assists. LaVine didn't seem too concerned about his shoulder injury on Wednesday, but the games are coming thick and fast, and it remains to be seen if he's available for Friday's contest against Brooklyn. Ayo Dosunmu and Dalen Terry should see additional playing time if LaVine lands on the shelf.
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Desmond Bane sustained an oblique injury in Wednesday's 119-106 loss to Brooklyn. The 26-year-old played only 17 minutes, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds. Memphis is scheduled to finish off a back-to-back against Milwaukee on Thursday, and fantasy managers will need to monitor Bane's status closely. Scotty Pippen Jr., John Konchar, and Jaylen Wells could see more action without Bane. Pippen Jr. has proven himself as the best fantasy option of the three.
New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis suffered an ankle injury in Wednesday's game against Golden State. He had soaked in just five minutes of action before hurting his right ankle. The German big man finished the contest scoreless while recording three rebounds. Theis has kicked off the year as New Orleans' starting center, averaging 4.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 16.0 minutes. Yves Missi will be in line for more playing time if Theis has to miss additional time, although the rookie himself battled a hip problem on Wednesday. With two bigs limited by health issues, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl logged a season-high 23 minutes. He had nine points with five rebounds and three assists. Robinson-Earl could be a speculative add for fantasy managers if Missi joins Theis on the sidelines.
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner left a second consecutive game early due to an illness on Wednesday. He logged 23 minutes in a 102-99 loss to Chicago, scoring seven points while registering three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. The German star was limited to 11 minutes on Monday versus Indiana. Fantasy managers are currently in a tough spot regarding Wagner, but hopefully, he can fully shake off the illness before the next game. Orlando returns to the court on Friday against Cleveland.
New York's C Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double, scoring 44 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a 116-107 win over Miami on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Toronto Raptors' G Gradey Dick scored 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting in a 133-138 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Dick is owned in only 15.4% leagues.
According to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area, Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (back) is unavailable for Wednesday's contest with the New Orleans Pelicans. Wiggins is dealing with a lower back strain that will keep him out of the lineup for the second consecutive contest. With the 29-year-old missing in action, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Jonathan Kuminga will take on extra minutes for the second straight game.
According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, Utah Jazz power forward Lauri Markkanen is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. On Tuesday versus Sacramento, Markkanen left the game with back spasms. Despite the setback, he's averaged 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in the season's first four games. Fantasy managers, if the 27-year-old cannot suit up, forwards John Collins and Kyle Filipowski will likely see more minutes on the court than usual.
Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Memphis Grizzlies guardJohn Konchar (foot) will suit up against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. Konchar has missed two consecutive contests due to right foot soreness. The Grizzlies are in the front half of aback-to-back set, so his workload will likely be limited. Ja Morant (thigh) was also cleared to play and will join Konchar in the team's backcourt.
Memphis Grizzlies guardJa Morant(thigh) is available to suit up against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, per Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. He was listed as questionable earlier today and will return from a one-game absence due to right thigh soreness. The 25-year-old has posted two double-doubles through his first three games, averaging 20.7 points, 7.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per contest.