The 2024 NBA Draft is nearly here and the Chicago Bulls could be at the center of the action.
There has been speculation that the Bulls will try to move up to land a higher-upside prospect, though in this draft, deciding how much is too much to give up to do so will be key.
Chicago is also desperate to get off Zach LaVine’s contract but have yet to have any luck moving it. It looks as though they may have to attach another asset if they want to end the LaVine era, which is exactly what happens in this NBA Mock Draft in which the Bulls land two high-end prospects to jumpstart their rebuild.
#1: Atlanta Hawks select Zaccharie Risacher
The Hawks will probably be trying to trade this pick right up to the last second, but so far have not found a package that has enticed them.
And they may not, as the guaranteed rookie salary for the #1 pick is steep in a draft without a perceived generational prospect.
If the Hawks can’t find a trade they like, then Risacher makes sense for them as a big two-way wing who can fit into any direction they take.
#2: Washington Wizards select Alex Sarr
The Wizards need talent at nearly every position so will just take the best player available and most think that could be Sarr.
He’s still raw, but at 7-foot-1 with a massive wingspan, his athleticism and offensive flashes are enough to have teams dreaming about what he could be.
At the very least, Sarr helps the Wizards’ awful defense and gives rim protection to a team that has none.
#3: Houston Rockets select Donovan Clingan
This is a pick I expect to be traded and don’t be surprised if Memphis is the team that eventually swoops in here to make it, as they are reportedly high on Clingan.
But if the Rockets make the pick, adding a smothering paint presence to the young talent they already have makes sense.
Clingan and Alperen Sengun would be a lethal offensive/defensive duo who could be deployed in a lot of ways around their collection of jumbo wings.
#4: San Antonio Spurs select Matas Buzelis
The Bulls wouldn’t be happy about this (more on that in a second), as Buzelis is a player they are reportedly fond of.
Buzelis is a huge wing at 6-foot-10, has good handles and is already a very good team defender.
If his shot comes around, he has star potential, as he has all of the other tools to thrive in the modern NBA.
He slides right in next to Victor Wembanyama in the front court and gives them a massive lineup that will be hard to match up with.
#5: Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso to the Detroit Pistons for the 5th pick
Chicago Bulls select Reed Sheppard
This trade was suggested by Bulls writer Sam Smith, who thinks Detroit is the best trade option for the Bulls.
In this trade, the Bulls send LaVine’s contract to the Pistons for the 5th pick but have to sacrifice Alex Caruso to do it. If the Bulls didn’t want to go this young, they could keep Caruso and swap picks instead, but this trade would give the Bulls a chance to add young impact talent and still compete next season around DeMar DeRozan and Coby White.
Caruso is an expiring contract and may not come back to Chicago anyway, so if they have to sacrifice him to get rid of LaVine’s three years, so be it.
The Bulls draft Caruso’s replacement in Reed Sheppard, who fills two needs for the Bulls as the best shooter in the draft who is also a very good defender.
He can play on or off the ball, acting as the secondary playmaker and can take on the tougher guard assignments on defense.
The Bulls clear over $50 million in cap space and still retain their 11th pick to add more young talent.
#6: Charlotte Hornets select Stephon Castle
I’m not a big fan of Castle’s attitude coming into the draft, as he claimed he wouldn’t even work out for teams that had a point guard even though he himself has never proven he can be one.
Most of the teams in the top 10 have a point guard in place, so Castle may be disappointed, but this one makes sense, as he can be the secondary playmaker and perimeter defender next to LaMelo Ball.
Charlotte needs defense and toughness, not to mention some insurance for Ball, who has been injury prone just like his brother. You have to wonder about those shoes...
#7: Portland Trail Blazers select Tidjane Salaun
Saluan is a popular name to make a big leap right now even though he is considered a fairly raw prospect.
Portland will likely be terrible next season as they lean into their rebuild (ensuring the Bulls never get the pick they are owed) and trade away some of their veteran talent.
Portland is close to being a second apron team and also terrible, so expect them to make some big moves.
Given where they are, taking a swing on a high-upside developmental project makes sense and Salaun has the size and athleticism to eventually be a dynamic two-way wing.
#8: San Antonio Spurs select Nikola Topic
Topic is hurt right now but is too good to fall too far in the draft despite those concerns.
He would give the Spurs the chance to run HUGE lineups out there with everyone on the floor at least 6-foot-6, including their point guard.
Getting a guy who can break down a defense and get into the lane makes sense for a team with one of the best lob threats in the league.
The Spurs build around size and skill and have a nice trio to kick off Wembanyama’s second season in the league.
#9: Memphis Grizzlies select Ron Holland
If the Grizzlies don’t trade up for Clingan, Holland is a good fit for them as a defensive wing with upside.
His offense is raw but that wouldn’t matter right away, as the Grizzlies wouldn’t need him to score and could use him as a defensive weapon as his offense develops.
This would be a nice get for Memphis, who get a player who can help them now but has as much two-way upside as any player in the draft.
#10: Utah Jazz select Rob Dillingham
There has been some speculation that Dillingham will fall out of the top-10, if so, he is a buy-low option for the Bulls, as many believe this kid has elite talent.
The Jazz don’t really need another scoring guard, but drafting Dillingham would put myriad trade options on the table with Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, allowing Utah to make a splashy trade for a star or address other needs.
The Jazz are a weird team, as they don’t have any glaring weaknesses but need an overall injection of talent which Dillingham would give them.
#11: Chicago Bulls select Cody Williams
Williams is my “sleeper” for this draft even though I think he’ll end up getting picked a lot higher than this. There is a chance he won’t make it out of the top five, as scouts are drooling over the possibilities with his size and athleticism.
At 6-foot-8, Williams is already a crafty scorer around the rim who shot over 41 percent from long range in his one season in college.
The belief in Williams is boosted by the success of his brother Jalen, who is a rising star for OKC.
This would be a coup for the Bulls, who may have the best player in the draft fall into their laps while also addressing other needs. With Sheppard and Williams on board, the Bulls get a nice haul of young talent plus a wad of cap space to use in free agency.
I think most Bulls fans would sign up for this outcome.
#12: OKC Thunder select Dalton Knecht
The Thunder are already very good and chock full of young talent, so grabbing a player with an NBA-ready skill makes sense.
Having an elite shooter around SGA just opens up more space for the superstar to work in and Knecht could also be a weapon in a two-man game with Chet Holmgren.
The Thunder could reach for upside here, but with five more picks coming next year, they may as well get a player who can help them now and Knecht could. The Thunder led the NBA in 3-point percentage this season and add to a strength.
#13: Sacramento Kings select Devin Carter
The Kings are likely to lose free-agent Malik Monk, who already has one foot out the door.
Carter is expected to be one of the more NBA-ready prospects in the draft, as he is a very good defender and 3-point shooter who could slot into just about any rotation in the NBA.
He’d be a nice get for the Kings, who would replace some of Monk’s production while adding another defensive dawg to their bench with Keon Ellis.
#14: Portland Trail Blazers select Ja’Kobe Walter
The Trail Blazers could trade both Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon this summer, so grabbing two high-end wing prospects to replace them makes sense.
Walter is a smooth scorer who should be able to contribute offensively right away and would give them a possible replacement for Brogdon.
He’s reportedly been impressive in workouts, so Walter may not fall this far.
#15: Miami Heat select Jared McCain
The Heat could look to move this pick in a win-now trade, but if not, they will look for someone who has the skillset to help them right away.
McCain is one of the best 3-point shooters in the draft and would thrive in the gravity created by Miami’s stars as a catch-and-shoot guy off their bench.
He’d be a nice weapon who would allow Miami to explore trades for Tyler Herro.
#16: Philadelphia 76ers select Tristan da Silva
Philly only has two players signed for next season, and that’s assuming they are able to retain Tyrese Maxey.
They have cap space to sign other stars, so will look to draft a player who can fit into any rotation and help them now.
Da Silva fits the mold as an older prospect who is already a very good shooter.
He’d thrive around Embiid and Maxey, so this pick makes perfect sense for Philadelphia.
#17: Los Angeles Lakers select Isaiah Collier
The Lakers are in a tough spot here.
They will be under some pressure to draft Bronny James to appease his dad, but they are also under pressure to win now, so can’t afford to waste a pick.
Instead, they take Isaiah Collier and hope that a big bruiser point guard would be a nice addition to a team that needs a table setter other than LeBron.
#18: Orlando Magic select Johnny Furphy
The Magic are desperate for 3-point shooting, but with most of the best shooting prospects off the board, they reach a little for Furphy, who is not a great shooter yet but could get there.
Expect Orlando to be active trying to trade up, as they are already good and have a clear need.
Furphy adds to their collection of big wings, and they have the time to let his offensive game develop.
#19: Toronto Raptors select Kyle Filipowski
The Raptors could go in a lot of directions here as they start to rebuild around Scottie Barnes.
Filipowski is the type of big man who should be useful to any team, as he can shoot the 3-ball and is a good playmaker out of dribble handoffs and the pick and roll.
A big who can shoot is a nice fit with Barnes, so Filipowski makes sense as a stretch five.
#20: Cleveland Cavaliers select Tyler Smith
With plenty of talent already on the roster (especially if they retain Mitchell), the Cavaliers can afford to play the long game and take a high-end developmental project.
And if the Cavs end up trading Jarrett Allen, Smith could see action sooner rather than later, as he would slide in nicely as a 3-and-D option eventually with Evan Mobley.
#21: New Orleans Pelicans select Kel’el Ware
This would be the ideal pick for New Orleans, who need a center with Jonas Valanciunas likely to leave in free agency.
Ware is a nice fit with Zion Williamson as a rim protector who can also step out and shoot the 3-ball.
Zion needs space and Ware should be able to provide it while cleaning up the rim on the other end.
#22: Phoenix Suns select Zach Edey
Putting a massive post threat in the middle of all of their shooters makes sense for the Suns, who could also reach for a point guard here.
I love Edey for them, as he gives them an offensive weapon to take some pressure off their older scorers and if Edey’s passing improves, he could end up being a great playmaker in the middle who draws defenders and kicks it out to deadly shooters.
Even if Edey came off the bench, he could carry them offensively in stretches and carry some of the offensive burden.
#23: Milwaukee Bucks select Terrance Shannon Jr.
Shannon Jr was recently acquitted of rape charges against him with the jury deliberating for less than an hour.
It will be interesting to see how that affects his draft status, as many believe Shannon Jr to be a lottery talent.
The Bucks need some scoring pop off their bench and Shannon Jr could provide it right away.
#24: New York Knicks select Carlton Carrington
The Knicks can afford to take some swings here and Carrington is raw but has huge upside as a scorer.
It’s easy to envision him coming off the bench and electrifying Madison Square Garden right away, as he already has a silky-smooth mid-range game and bad around the rim.
Given that they don’t have many needs, a high-upside flyer makes sense here.
#25: New York Knicks select Ryan Dunn
This is very much a Tom Thibodeau type player, as Dunn is a defensive dawg on the perimeter with a huge wingspan.
He can be a disruptive defender right away and many consider him the top perimeter defensive prospect in this draft.
The Knicks grabbed one scorer and this time get a potentially elite defender who their coach will love.
#26: Washington Wizards select Bobi Klintman
The Wizards just swing for upside here with Klintman, who has the tools to eventually be an impact two-way wing.
He’s shown signs of shooting, defense and playmaking, but hasn’t been able to deliver them consistently.
The Wizards stink, so have time to develop a wing like Klintman, who could eventually be a replacement for Kuzma.
#27: Minnesota Timberwolves select DaRon Holmes II
The Timberwolves seem to have a plan when it comes to roster construction, which is to put as many big, 3-and-D defenders around their two scorers as possible.
Holmes is a tweener big who can play either spot, block shots and shoot a little, so he’ll fit right in and give the Timberwolves another player in the mold they like.
#28: Denver Nuggets select Tyler Kolek
This pick makes perfect sense.
The Nuggets are firmly in their championship window and will take a prospect who fills an immediate role.
Kolek would give them a quality backup point guard who can play right away and take some of the pressure off Jamal Murray.
Kolek can also shoot the 3-ball, so can be a weapon off the catch-and-shoot as well as a guy who sets up teammates.
#29: Utah Jazz select Justin Edwards
Even though the Jazz already have plenty of forwards, that could change depending on the moves they make this summer.
Edwards is a big wing who has flashed signs of shooting, though he is still relatively raw after only one season at Kentucky.
Kentucky players tend to thrive in the NBA, so Edwards could eventually be viewed as a steal if he falls this far.
#30: Boston Celtics select Yves Missi
The Celtics are set up to win multiple titles assuming they can finish off the Mavericks this season.
They will eventually need a big man, and grabbing a rim protector who just dunks and doesn’t need the ball makes sense, as they already have plenty of scoring.
Missi could play off the bench right away and provide Boston with shot blocking and high-efficiency scoring around the rim.