All the sudden there are tweets about Johnny Furphy. Seems awful young and huge long shot? Another Kansas kid?
If healthy, Issac is an extremely rangy lock-down defender who shot .375 from '3' last season and .400 the year before. He just hasn't been able to stay on the court.
Looks like Dante's waiver to return to the Ducks was denied. If we don't grab Ware at 14, maybe Dante with the 40th pick if his knees check out. He does have a have a 7'6 wing and 9'3 standing reach.
Issac 3pt % is misleading as he can't get many shots off in a game - he made 6 threes in 2023 and 42 last season. The 21 win Blazers had 10 players that made more 3's last year. That was probably Issac best offensive season last year although he made 86 threes in 2019 on 32%. Issac even when available to play with great defense is a major offensive liability - just as Sarr projects.
Shoots 0.2 threes per game at 25% and is only at 58.3% from FT. The can in your "can shoot" is doing a lot of work here.
I’m sure he will be fine, but he’s not a star. Similar to Knecht. I see a very clear role for both of them but they’re not stars. They’re role players and I imagine they play in the league for a long time. Maybe on playoff teams. I just wouldn’t use high lottery picks on them. I think 9-11 makes sense for both of them.
Updated Woo/Givony mock draft: Clingan @ 7 and Cody Williams @ 14. Apparently us (and other teams) are trying to move up for Clingan… seems a little smokey to me ROUND 1 1. Atlanta Hawks Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Bourg (France) | Age: 19.1 The intel out of the Hawks continues to indicate that their front office is at an early stage in its decision-making process and there likely won't be clarity on which way the team is leaning with this pick until closer to draft night. It's unclear how much of an appetite ownership has for entering a rebuilding mode, and that might be difficult to avoid depending on what the team does in regard to the futures of stars Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, Trading this pick for more immediate contributors or moving down to take multiple swings in this relatively flat lottery class are options. Take for example a scenario in which San Antonio would trade the No. 4 and No. 8 selections for the right to move up and draft Risacher. Should Atlanta stand pat at No. 1, Risacher is looking like an increasingly attractive option. His season came to a close with Bourg's semifinal loss to No. 1 seed Monaco, capping off a playoff run in which he averaged 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 67% from the field and 38% on 3-pointers; all outstanding numbers for a 19-year-old at this level of competition. His next stop is the NBA Global Camp in Treviso, Italy, where he'll have a medical examination and undergo draft combine activity including interviews with interested teams. Every team in the top five has significant interest in Risacher, and it is looking highly unlikely, barring a major surprise, that he'll drop out of the top two. -- Givony 2. Washington Wizards Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth (Australia) | Age: 19.0 Which direction Washington goes here appears to hang on where Atlanta ultimately lands at No. 1, with rival teams connecting the Wizards to Risacher and Sarr. The long-term upside Sarr presents makes for a strong fit with Washington's situational timeline, with the front office beginning the very early stages of its rebuilding process. Expect the Wizards to look at all options on the trade front -- much of the league is open to moving back for additional value given the difficult nature of this draft -- with players such as Donovan Clingan and Matas Buzelis viewed as options further down their board. Sarr's high ceiling as a defender and potentially versatile offensive big makes him a worthwhile swing for the Wizards at the top of this draft. -- Woo play 0:46 Alex Sarr makes his case to be No. 1 pick Alex Sarr answers why he should be the first pick in the 2024 NBA draft and what he likes best about the Hawks guard tandem of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. 3. Houston Rockets (via Nets) Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky | Age: 19.9 Most teams expect the Rockets to heavily pursue trade opportunities, either to move down the board (with teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies or Chicago Bulls) or to get out altogether if a major building block -- such as Mikal Bridges -- becomes unexpectedly available. Should Houston stand pat at No. 3, continuing to add shooting will likely be a priority after it finished toward the bottom of the league last season. With that in mind, adding a sharpshooter such as Sheppard, who converted over half of his 3-point attempts and proved capable of playing on or off the ball, could be attractive. Sheppard's unselfishness, feel for the game and sharp defensive instincts could make him a strong fit alongside the Rockets' core. -- Givony 4. San Antonio Spurs Stephon Castle, PG/SG, UConn | Age: 19.5 The Spurs have been exploring all options with their two top-10 picks as they enter a critical offseason. With Victor Wembanyama on a superstar-level trajectory, San Antonio has an opportunity to accelerate its path toward the playoffs, whether that's via the draft, trades or other means. The biggest roster need is at point guard, and rival teams have connected the Spurs to the Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland as they work to revamp the team. Keeping both these picks and taking multiple swings in the draft is also an attractive path, with the challenge being nailing the right pairing of players who will fit together with Wembanyama. San Antonio has demonstrated strong interest in Castle, who might well land here if the Spurs stay put. Castle's two-way versatility, playmaking potential and size give him attractive upside, and also make him an easy player to pair with whomever the Spurs draft at No. 8. -- Woo 5. Detroit Pistons Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, G League Ignite | Age: 19.6 NBA draft withdrawal deadline: Bama stars, UConn strength, NIL impact and Bronny's choice 1dJeff Borzello, +2 More Why Bronny James stayed in the NBA draft, and now, what's next? 2dJonathan Givony 2024 NBA draft: Latest news, mocks and player rankings 1hESPN staff The Pistons recently hired New Orleans Pelicansgeneral manager Trajan Langdon to oversee their front office, which creates a new dynamic for both how management views the existing roster as well as the fit of prospects in this range that corresponds with the team's timeline. It will probably take time for Langdon and any new executives he brings in to flesh out the fit of the Pistons' backcourt (Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey) and frontcourt (Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren) before making drastic moves. With that in mind, it might make sense to look at small forward options who can connect the roster and bring defensive versatility, perimeter shooting and playmaking. Buzelis has terrific size at 6-foot-10 and explosive ability, and he has shown promising signs of perimeter shooting and rim-protection prowess over the past few years. The fact he doesn't need the ball in his hands to be successful but has significant upside to grow into with his developing frame could be attractive with this pick. -- Givony 6. Charlotte Hornets Rob Dillingham, PG, Kentucky | Age: 19.4 The Hornets are sitting in a tricky spot at No. 6, with some prospects thus far unwilling to work out in Charlotte. With a new front office in place and the team's new ownership also known to be heavily involved in decision-making, it remains to be seen what direction the franchise will take. And, there is much curiosity around the league surrounding LaMelo Ball's long-term fit. With less than a month to the draft, Charlotte has been connected to perimeter players, with the team said to be high on the long-term future of Mark Williams -- which might preclude drafting Donovan Clingan as an option here. Other names to watch for the Hornets include Cody Williams and Ron Holland. But Dillingham's shooting ability and playmaking make him an attractive fit as someone who can play alongside Ball and Brandon Miller in the short term, and also offer long-term cover at point guard (depending what happens with Ball). -- Woo 7. Portland Trail Blazers Donovan Clingan, C, UConn | Age: 20.2 It's hard to see a scenario in which Clingan -- the No. 3 player on ESPN's Big Board -- falls to No. 7, but the Trail Blazers would surely be ecstatic with this outcome, driven by the fact Houston, San Antonio, Detroit and Charlotte all have centers in place in whom their front offices are already invested. There's chatter around the league that teams such as Portland, Memphis and Chicago might look to move up to draft Clingan earlier than this, but in this mock scenario, he falls right into the Trail Blazers' lap. Clingan brings size, length, defensive prowess, nonstop intensity and passing ability along with a back-to-back national championship pedigree. He has plenty of room for growth alongside the Blazers' core at just 20 years old. -- Givony 8. San Antonio Spurs Tidjane Salaun, PF, Cholet (France) | Age: 18.8 Mock draft: Projecting all 58 picks post-combine • How Bronny James improved his draft stock • Top takeaways from the draft combine • Inside the secret room where picks are decided • Givony's big board: Top 25 prospects • Case for No. 1: Dillingham | Risacher | Sarr | Williams Salaun has arrived in the U.S. for workouts, but will head back overseas next week to the NBA's pre-draft camp in Treviso, Italy, to complete his required medicals and testing. He has gained steam as a lottery candidate after finishing his season in strong form, showcasing his physical tools and potential versatility at either forward spot. Salaun, yet to turn 19, is still a ways away from contributing at a high level, but the room for long-term growth makes him an appealing development pick in the mid-to-late lottery. His familiarity with Victor Wembanyama likely doesn't hurt his case as an option for San Antonio, but the Spurs are considering a handful of prospects at this spot, including Dillingham, Nikola Topic, Cody Williams and Dalton Knecht. -- Woo More: Victor Wembanyama breaks down France's 2024 draft prospects 9. Memphis Grizzlies Dalton Knecht, SF, Tennessee | Age: 23.1 An injury-plagued 2023-24 season gives the Grizzlies a chance to add more talent to a roster already featuring three significant building blocks of stars in Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. Considering the team's timetable, and the urgency surely in place to make a run back to the NBA playoffs next season, finding plug-and-play options who can contribute immediately without too long of a development runway will be important. At 23 years old and coming off an All-America season, Knecht looks like an attractive option. He's one of the best shooters in this class, putting the ball in the basket in a variety of ways, and has the frame and length to play either wing position. -- Givony 10. Utah Jazz Nikola Topic, PG, Mega MIS (Adriatic League) | Age: 18.8 Teams are awaiting Topic's forthcoming medical information, and he will participate in his required portion of the pre-draft process next week in Treviso, Italy. He sustained multiple knee injuries this season, returning in April before injuring himself again a few weeks later, and his health status looks likely to impact his place in the lottery hierarchy. Teams drafting in the top 15 will receive his medicals, in accordance with the NBA's new collective bargaining rules. Utah is among the interested parties in Topic, with Dalton Knecht, Ron Holland and Ja'Kobe Walteramong other prospects who are getting looks from the Jazz at No. 10. Topic's size, basketball IQ and playmaking skills make him an intriguing long-term player and a potential value pick should he end up in the back part of the lottery. -- Woo 11. Chicago Bulls Ron Holland, SF, G League Ignite | Age: 18.8 Holland, who is ranked No. 11 in ESPN's Top 100, is in the conversation for teams that are drafting higher than this, including Detroit at No. 5. Scouts were hoping to see Holland show more progress with his perimeter shooting than what they saw at the draft combine or at 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 Bulls have been treading water for several seasons now and are staring at an aging roster with few prospects for improvement internally. Rolling the dice on an 18-year-old such as Holland, who at one point was ranked the No. 1 player in his high school class and a strong prospect at the top of this draft, could make sense at No. 11. Holland's competitiveness, aggressiveness and scoring instincts give him a chance to emerge as a productive NBA player as his perimeter shooting and decision-making evolve. -- Givony play 8:41 Ron Holland G League Ignite diary: 'I'm just gonna let my work do the talking' The projected 2024 NBA draft top-5 pick talks about mental health, draft rankings and more. 12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Rockets) Devin Carter, PG/SG, Providence | Age: 22.2 Carter has earned himself looks in the top 10 from teams, including San Antonio and Memphis, who value his reliability, toughness and all-around readiness to step in and contribute immediately. He brings quite a bit to the table defensively, has made strides as a shooter and plays with a nonstop motor, making him a particularly appealing choice for teams angling to compete sooner than later. The Thunder have quite a bit of depth in the backcourt already, with two excellent defensive guards in Lu Dortand Cason Wallace, but could opt to stack the deck further at this spot and let Carter challenge for minutes right away. Oklahoma City will eventually have to consolidate some of its talent, potentially making roster fit less important at No. 12. -- Woo 13. Sacramento Kings Ja'Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Baylor | Age: 19.7 There's quite a bit of trade talk around this No. 13 pick, which makes sense considering the Kings' timeline and urgency for returning to the playoffs coming off their 2022-23 season. Should they stand pat, picking a movement shooter such as Walter, who can run off screens and bring high-level intensity defensively, makes sense. He also has plenty of upside to grow into at 19 years old. Other perimeter shooters, such as local product Jared McCain and sharpshooting wings Johnny Furphy and Kyshawn George, will also likely be in play here for Sacramento. -- Givony 14. Portland Trail Blazers (via Warriors) Cody Williams, SG/SF, Colorado | Age: 19.5 Williams has drawn strong interest from teams in the top 10, including Charlotte, San Antonio and Utah. Another viable landing spot would be Portland, where his size and defensive upside make for an appealing fit alongside the Trail Blazers' guards. His draft stock hit a bit of flux as he struggled toward the back end of Colorado's season, but lottery teams with an eye toward long-term development view him as a viable player. The direction Portland ultimately decides to go with here might hinge on what it decides to do with the No. 7 pick. But Williams -- who once was viewed as a possible top-five selection and is now ranked No. 14 in ESPN's Top 100 -- would be a good value pick should he fall here. -- Woo 15. Miami Heat Zach Edey, C, Purdue | Age: 22.0 Edey's positional fit alongside Bam Adebayo would be a topic of discussion in Miami, but his productivity, physicality and intensity would surely be welcomed by the Heat, who have valued experience more than other teams at times. Edey slowly incorporated a 3-point shot into his offensive arsenal this past season, and he has the type of defensive versatility that could be useful alongside another big man in small doses. Edey's offensive rebounding and interior scoring are skills the Heat don't have much of, potentially making him an attractive pick at No. 15. -- Givony 16. Philadelphia 76ers Jared McCain, PG, Duke | Age: 20.2 What every eliminated team should do • Herring: 10 blockbuster deals that need to happen • Bontemps: Tracking NBA coaching carousel • Youngmisuk: Clippers undone by familiar issue • Lowe: Warriors, despite early exit, have hope • Collier: Why changes didn't work for Bucks • Offseason calendar | All free agents McCain has been receiving interest as high as the late lottery, with teams drawn to his shooting ability, intangibles and work ethic. He might be more prepared than most freshmen to step into a role and help an NBA team. He figures to not last long into the teens, with the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers all in need of what McCain brings to the court. Depending on who falls, Philadelphia is in position to draft the best available prospect at No. 16 but should be angling to grab a cost-controlled role player to contribute during this window as Joel Embiid enters his 30s and rising star Tyrese Maxey is ticketed for a big contract. The level of spacing and versatility McCain provides on offense should be attractive to the Sixers. Expect this pick to surface in trade conversations, as has been team president Daryl Morey's M.O. for quite some time. -- Woo 17. Los Angeles Lakers* Tristan Da Silva, SF/PF, Colorado | Age: 23.0 The New Orleans Pelicans have until 11:59 p.m. ET on June 1 to inform the Lakers of their decision to either claim this pick or defer it until 2025. Barring a trade, the Pelicans are likely to defer the pick, sources tell ESPN. The Lakers will likely be in the market for proven players who can play an immediate role on an experienced roster centered around LeBron James, who turns 40 on Dec. 30. Da Silva, 23, is a plug-and-play option who brings coveted defensive versatility, feel for the game and perimeter shooting, making 40% of his 3-point attempts this past season for Colorado. Expect this pick to be in trade talks as well, as the Lakers weigh the possibility of adding a third star to their roster, which would better fit their timetable if that's available to them. -- Givony 18. Orlando Magic Johnny Furphy, SG/SF, Kansas | Age: 19.4 Furphy's decision to turn pro went down to the wire on Wednesday, as he weighed a return to Kansas but ultimately felt comfortable enough with his prospect status to remain in the 2024 draft. Furphy has been a bit divisive from team to team, with some scouts highly intrigued by his shooting, size and physical skills at his age, and others concerned with his defense and the fact it might take him some time to contribute. This is a situation that should bear out in the coming weeks, as Furphy schedules additional workouts with teams drafting in the first round. The Orlando Magichave generally favored tall, skilled prospects in his mold, and could take a shot on him long-term here. -- Woo 19. Toronto Raptors (via Pacers) Kyshawn George, SG/SF, Miami | Age: 20.4 The Raptors were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA last season, both in terms of 3-point makes and accuracy, and will need to continue to surround Scottie Barnes with enough floor spacing to keep opposing defenses honest. George (6-8 and 205 pounds) is the type of oversized, long-armed wing this Raptors front office often covets, making 41% of his attempts at Miami. Ranked No. 19 in ESPN's Top 100, George still has plenty of upside to grow into thanks to his feel for the game, playmaking and the unique developmental trajectory he's on, having grown 9 inches in the past five years. -- Givony 20. Cleveland Cavaliers Carlton Carrington, PG/SG, Pittsburgh | Age: 18.8 After a good showing shooting the ball at the draft combine in Chicago, Carrington has been selective with where and for which teams he chooses to work out. His range is still a bit wide, but teams view him as a strong first-round upside pick because of his size (6-5, 190 pounds), youth and developing point guard play on a successful Pitt team last season. The Cavaliers might have an active offseason ahead, with the fate of the Donovan Mitchell-Darius Garlandpairing uncertain. That might put Cleveland in position to deepen its backcourt at this spot, with Carrington a good candidate if he falls here. -- Woo
For those thinking Holland/Ware would be a good result, it seems tough to fault a Clingan/Williams draft, unless one simply thinks the first pair has higher upside.
