2024 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Full two-round projections, French prospect soars
By Austin McGee
Picks 11-14
11. Chicago Bulls - Ron Holland, G-League Ignite
The Chicago Bulls are a team stuck in mediocrity and in this year's draft, no one prospect will elevate a squad from the depths of complacency. If there were to be such a prospect at this juncture in the draft, it'd be the G-League Ignite's Ron Holland.
The athletic forward is all over different media outlet's draft boards. He's a phenomenal athlete plagued by inefficiency as a part of the now-defunct Ignite. Was it the G-League that bred Holland's inefficiency? A reasonable question to ask, but regardless, the 6-foot-6 forward is explosive, versatile, and has age on his side at only 18 years old.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder - Tyler Smith, G-League Ignite
Over the years, the Oklahoma City Thunder have shown a willingness to draft for potential over NBA readiness. This time around, now with ample time on their side, the Thunder are positioned to select another G-League Ignite prospect—Tyler Smith.
Smith is the definition of a tweener—which used to be derogatory, but now it's a positive in today's switch-heavy league. At 6-foot-9, the lefty is a sweet-shooting wing in a power forward's body. Only 19 years old, Smith still has plenty of room to grow both offensively and defensively.
13. Sacramento Kings - Nikola Topic, KK Crvena Zvezda
The Serbian guard's draft stock took a hit after his ACL tear was announced at Europe's NBA Combine in Italy. Despite the significant injury, the 18-year-old wunderkind is a special prospect. Nikola Topic is the size of a two-guard with preternatural passing instincts.
Topic's playmaking acumen will certainly translate in the NBA. The Sacramento Kings will certainly be ecstatic to add another phenomenal playmaker to their robust offense. Without a true tertiary, perimeter-oriented initiator, Topic makes sense piloting the Kings' second unit or reliving De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis' extended playmaking duties.
14. Portland Trail Blazers - Devin Carter, Providence
Providence's Devin Carter is one of the better all-around prospects in the draft. The only knock on Carter is he'll be 22 years old when the NBA season starts. The junior floor general averaged nearly 20 points, grabbed 8.7 boards per game, and recorded an ungodly amount of blocks for a player who stands 6-foot-2.
The Trail Blazers don't need a floor general, after drafting Scoot Henderson third overall a season ago, but that's not what Carter is. The Providence guard is a tenacious defender, active rebounder, and all-around scorer who can play both on and off-ball.