Teams picking at the top of a draft aren’t typically very good, which is why the players they ultimately select are more often than not the best players available rather than players who fill a need. It’s not usually wise for bad teams to pass on top talent.
That said, this might also be why some players flame out quicker than others despite the talent everyone knew they had. They just end up in places they never really stood a chance, whether it’s due to poor development or poor roster fit.
Related: FTW’s 2024 NBA Mock Draft 9.0
Today, I’m going to try to reverse that trend by picking the best landing spots for each of the 14 players in the 2024 NBA Draft lottery. Of course, I don’t know who those players will end up being Wednesday, so I used the top of HoopsHype’s aggregate mock draft to project those prospects. Then, I picked the best landing spot for each player among the 12 teams who currently have lottery picks, which includes two picks each for the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers.
What we came up with below is somewhat of a reverse mock draft, where the prospects got to choose their landing spots based on the 12 teams available. Here’s what we came up with.
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The Hawks are rumored to be considering Risacher with the top pick anyway, and I understand why. Especially if they plan on trading Dejounte Murray. Risacher would slot in as a big wing who can score a myriad of ways without needing to take the ball out of Trae Young’s hands. He’d also also provide the defensive versatility they so desperately lacked as the NBA’s 27th-ranked defense.
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(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
The Wizards need talent more than anything, and Sarr is probably the most talented player in this draft — albeit a raw talent. He’ll fill the hole left by Daniel Gafford as a rim-running, shot-blocking center, while also providing a much higher ceiling on offense.
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Houston’s 3-point shooting wasn’t nearly good enough to justify how many they attempted per game last season. But that style of offense is perfectly suited for Sheppard, who’s easily the best shooting prospect in this draft. The gravity created by Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green should create plenty opportunities for him to knock down shots.
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When it comes to the Spurs, everything should be viewed through the perspective of how it aligns with Victor Wembanyama, and Castle’s instincts as a connecting piece on the offensive wing would be a perfect pairing. But not only would he help San Antonio create easier offense and finish plays created by the attention on Wembanyama, he’d also help improve their awful team defense.
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Whether or not the Bulls decide to blow up the roster this offseason, Buzelis will be a nice building block to have for the future. His size and rim protection would immediately help the Bulls, and the newly acquired Josh Giddey is a slashing guard who can get Buzelis the ball in areas he can succeed.
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Clingan is a winner, and OKC is ready to win now. It’s been said over and over how much the Thunder could use some size in their rotation, and it doesn’t get much bigger than this. Clingan would slot in as a backup center to Chet Holmgren who could also play next to Holmgren in certain lineups. And those two would stop everything at the rim.
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I’m of the belief the Portland Trail Blazers should trade Anfernee Simons because their backcourt is too small with him next to Scoot Henderson. With that in mind, Williams would immediately add length on the wings, while also potentially helping to improve Portland’s 23rd-ranked defense.
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Detroit has some things to sort out with its young guards, but one thing that could help them reach their potential is a floor-spacing big. That’s what Salaun has the potential to be for the Pistons, while also benefitting as a cutter on the wings for those developing guards to dish the ball too.
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I mentioned how the Blazers should sacrifice Anfernee Simons to get bigger on the wings right? Well, they’d still need to replace his team-leading 3-point shooting. Knecht would fill that role right away as a lights out shooter on every level of the floor.
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(ALTAN GOCHER/Middle East Images/AFP)
A torn ACL may keep Topic out all of next season, but that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for a team still rebuilding like the Spurs. And by the time they’re ready to seriously push for the playoffs in 2025-26, he’d hopefully be healthy and ready to contribute as a point who can get downhill and put the ball in spots Victor Wembanyama likes it.
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Charlotte is a good spot for Carter for two reasons. First, his smaller stature as an off-ball guard wouldn’t be a massive issue next to a big guard like LaMelo Ball and another long wing like Brandon Miller. But also, if Carter develops a little more as a point, he’d be able to potentially replace Ball if Charlotte ever decides to go in a different direction.
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Dillingham can score, and there will certainly be an opportunity for him to do that in Utah. But he’d also have a chance to develop into an all-around point guard while allowing Keyonte George to slot back into his more natural off-ball role. At the same time, George’s experience running the show would give Dillingham a chance to play off the ball at times too.
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Ethan Miller/Getty Images
We all know how much Memphis loves high-energy players with a nose for defense, and Holland fits that description. Additionally, the Grizzlies have a need for more length and depth on the wings next to Ja Morant, behind guys like Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. Holland would slot in nicely.
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Edey will thrive on an established playoff team with a need for someone who can alter shots at the rim. That’s why the Kings are the spot for him. He’ll help improve their blocks total, which ranked 28th in the NBA.