The first Dunking With Wolves 2024 NBA Mock Draft was released nearly three weeks ago. This time around, instead of a deep dive into each prospect, a full, two-round mock draft will be employed before the final iteration leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft on June 26.
This version will not include any trades, but several teams will surely make a move. It's easy to envision a late-lottery squad moving up to pick UConn Husky big man Donovan Clingan. The 20-year-old big is a top-notch prospect, yet many top squads are already set at the pivot spot.
As for the Minnesota Timberwolves, a trade may also come to fruition. It's entirely possible the Wolves package both their picks to move up into the first round. Or, to secure additional depth, Minnesota may want to use both selections with a precarious cap situation looming.
Without further ado, the 2024 NBA Mock Draft 2.0.
Picks 1-5
1. Atlanta Hawks - Alexandre Sarr, Perth Wildcats
Despite the Zaccharie Risacher hype chatter consuming numerous mock drafts, this one will remain with France's Alexandre Sarr at number one. The 7-footer is too intriguing of a talent to pass up. His rare blend of size, mobility, and potential shooting touch makes Sarr the best prospect in the draft.
The Atlanta Hawks are set at center, with Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu, but they're also set at the forward and guard spots. It's all about upside here and Sarr's skillset packs the most punch. Envisioning Trae Young tossing lobs or kicking out to the 19-year-old big man should make the Hawks' front office eager to select Sarr.
2. Washington Wizards - Zaccharie Risacher, JL Bourg
Another Frenchman, Risacher is all over the board. He's generally considered a top prospect, but several outlets have Risacher over Sarr. While the 6-foot-9 forward has shades of a potential All-Star, he's more of a higher-floor player as opposed to a high-upside guy.
Sarr actually fits better on the Washington Wizard's roster, but Risacher is a safe bet who's just 19 years old. Risacher can play up to three positions and profiles as a second, or even a top option as he progresses.
3. Houston Rockets - Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
Like Atlanta, the Houston Rockets are a solid all-around squad. Houston didn't even have to start awesome rookies, Amen Thompson or Cam Whitmore a season ago. The Rockets have the luxury of selection an impressive prospect and that's Reed Sheppard.
After coming off the board 12th in our last mock draft, Sheppard rises to three. His elite athletic testing at the NBA Combine helps his case. Aside from starting point guard Fred Vanvleet, the Rockets are long and athletic. Sheppard's shooting and defensive tenacity fit quite well on the up-and-coming Texan squad.
4. San Antonio Spurs - Stephon Castle, UConn
UConn's Stephon Castle may be the best player in the draft. He's a 6-foot-6 lead playmaker who brings the energy on defense. Castle, quite frankly, will be able to defend three positions in the NBA. He's strong, athletic, and slides effortlessly in a defensive stance.
What Castle lacks is a consistent shot. The 19-year-old guard shot 26.7 percent from deep a season ago on a stacked Huskies team. Nonetheless, his 75.5 percent clip from the charity stripe instills confidence. What makes a non-efficient shooter enticing for the San Antonio Spurs is Victor Wembanyama's outside shooting ability.
5. Detroit Pistons - Donovan Clingan, UConn
But the Detroit Pistons are set with Jalen Duren at center! Yes, the 20-year-old center is a good player, but he feels a bit Andre Drummond-esque. Duren is a superb athlete and a great rebounder, but his athleticism doesn't translate to defense.
Clingan is this draft's Rudy Gobert. He's an all-encompassing force on the interior. No matter who Detroit employs on the perimeter, with Clingan at the pivot spot, he'll deter all shots around the rim. Detroit may opt for a forward, such as Cody Williams or Tidjane Salaun, but Clingan won't drop stick around much longer.
Picks 6-10
6. Charlotte Hornets - Matas Buzelis, G-League Ignite
6-foot-10 Matas Buzelis is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. The lanky forward projects as a jumbo-sized playmaker in the NBA. However, he's also a good athlete and high-volume scorer—he averaged 14.3 points on 12.2 field goals per game in the G-League.
Buzelis makes sense in Charlotte because of the Hornets' lack of wing depth. Despite possessing a jumbo-sized playmaker in LaMelo Ball, Charlotte is devoid of talent, and taking a high-upside prospect will be at the top of the agenda.
7. Portland Trail Blazers - Tidjane Salaun, Cholet Basket
The highest riser throughout the predraft process is France's Tidjane Salaun. The 6-foot-9 forward is one of the youngest players in the draft, still just 18 years old. In France's LNB Playoffs, the young wing demonstrated his shotmaking ability. Salaun averaged 13.3 points and canned five triples in a tad over 25 minutes per game.
The French forward makes perfect sense for the Portland Trail Blazers. He'd fit right in between Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons (or Shaedon Sharpe) at the small forward spot. His perimeter shotmaking combined with defensive versatility oozes elite 3-and-D potential.
8. San Antonio Spurs - Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Kentucky's Rob Dillingham is the most electric player in the draft. He's a firecracker on offense who can create off the dribble and knock down spot-up threes. Although he's undersized (6-foot-1 and 164 pounds), his hard-nosed style of play makes up for a lack of physicality.
A Dillingham-to-San Antonio fit feels too good to be true—I mean, theoretically, pairing Wembanyama with any downhill playmaker feels too good to be true. Doubling up on lead guards may be redundant, but Castle and Dillingham's skillsets are wildly different.
9. Memphis Grizzlies - Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Although the Memphis Grizzlies are drafting in the top 10, they're a win-now squad. Prior to an injury-riddled 2023-24, the Grizzlies won 50-plus games in consecutive seasons. Upon analyzing the roster, there's a glaring need at the center spot (which may lead Memphis to trade up to snag Clingan or even Sarr).
For now, we have Memphis drafting the ultimate win-now prospect. Tennessee's Dalton Knecht is a pure scorer. The 23-year-old would fill Luke Kennard's 3-point shooting void if Memphis decides to decline his team option. If the Grizzlies keep Kennard around, more shooting to go around!
10. Utah Jazz - Cody Williams, Colorado
The Utah Jazz are an oddly configured team. Nevertheless, after tearing down a perennial contender just a few seasons ago, the Jazz are ahead of schedule. Utah boasts a deep collection of guards and a go-to scorer in Lauri Markkanen.
What the Jazz lack is a 3-and-D wing. Colorado freshman Cody Williams isn't quite there yet, but his physical profile and impressive 3-point shooting percentage make it easy to envision. Plus, the 6-foot-7 wing displayed point-forward playmaking chops in his lone collegiate season in Boulder.
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.
Picks 15-20
15. Miami Heat - Isaiah Collier, USC
The first post-lottery selection, Isaiah Collier, is a divisive prospect. Collier came to USC as ESPN's top-ranked prospect. However, his lone season in Southern California didn't go as planned. On an individual level, however, Collier performed quite well. The 6-foot-3 floor general averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 dimes per game.
Collier's downhill attacking style of play will fit well with the Miami Heat. The Heat lack a dynamic perimeter athlete such as Collier whose strong frame and dynamic handle make attacking the rim easy.
16. Philadelphia 76ers - Ja'Kobe Walter, Baylor
Baylor's Ja'Kobe Walter passes the eye test, but his efficiency left much to be desired in his lone season in Waco. Walter measured 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan at the NBA Combine. Despite the elite physical profile, Walter's best attribute—scoring—was done so with great inefficiency.
Walter shot only 37.6 from the floor and 34.1 percent from deep. Although his percentages weren't up to par, he's a confident shooter with great mechanics thus eliminating future doubts. The Philadelphia 76ers draft strategy is likely the best player available, and that's what they'll get with Walter at 16.
17. Los Angeles Lakers - Zach Edey, Purdue
Finally, the most accomplished collegian in recent memory hears his name called. Hulking Purdue big man Zach Edey is a two-time AP Player of the Year who most recently dropped 37 points on a projected top-5 pick.
Does this pick feel a bit gimmicky because it's the Los Angeles Lakers? Yes. But Edey is a good player, he's just unique. At 7-foot-4 and 300 pounds, the old-school big man is best flanked by perimeter shooting and agile defenders. The Lakers have several capable reserve forwards who'd make up for Edey's lack of footspeed on the perimeter.
18. Orlando Magic - Jared McCain, Duke
If the playoffs were any indication, the Orlando Magic need shooting. In seven games this postseason, the Magic held the Cleveland Cavaliers to a remarkable 95.9 points per game. On the flip side, Orlando averaged just 100.3 points and knocked down a measly 30.9 percent of their 3-pointers.
Duke's Jared McCain isn't a number-one scoring threat, as he's more of a spot-up shooter. But that's what Orlando needs to surround up-and-coming stars, Paolo Banchero and Frantz Wagner. Banchero was the only consistent contributor to shoot above 40.0 percent from three in the postseason.
19. Toronto Raptors - Kel'el Ware, Indiana
Indiana sophomore Kel'el Ware is another prospect whose name is scattered across the board—he comes in a bit lower than he'd fall on my hypothetical big board in this mock draft. The 7-foot center possesses a modern big man's game. He averaged 1.9 blocks and shot 42.5 percent from beyond the arc.
While Ware is a new-school center, he's also an adept scorer in the post. The Raptors could use an offensive big man like Ware. Already set with a rim-protecting big, Jakob Poeltl, Ware could jumpstart the second unit and take the former Utes' place down the road.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyshawn George, Miami
Miami's Kyshawn George was absent in the first mock draft. However, in this iteration, George falls to Cleveland at 20. The 6-foot-7 wing is an intriguing talent. Although he averaged a mere 7.6 points per game, he displayed a keen passing acumen and knocked down his triples at a 40.8 percent mark.
Picks 21-30
21. New Orleans Pelicans - Yves Missi, Baylor
The New Orleans Pelicans need either a shot-blocking five next to Zion Williamson, or a floor-spacer. Baylor's Yves Missi is the former. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, the athletic five is an ideal rim-runner who later projects as a defensive anchor.
22. Phoenix Suns - Tyler Kolek, Marquette
Before the season began, the Phoenix Suns were expected to compete for a championship. However, a quick-out in the first round of the playoffs led to widespread discouragement. Marquette's Tyler Kolek isn't a franchise-altering talent, but he provides Phoenix with a major need as a floor general
23. Milwaukee Bucks - Carlton Carrington, Pitt
Carlton Carrington has youth and statistical backing on his side. Carrington averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in his lone season at Pittsburg. At 18 years old, the oldest team in the league—the Milwaukee Bucks—could use an infusion of youth and on-ball scoring.
24. New York Knicks - Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Sophomore Kyle Filipowski's NBA role is relatively easy to project. He's a stretch-five who can make plays from the high and low post. Filipowski's offense will immediately translate, but his defense will take some time to figure out. Getting drafted by the New York Knicks will allow the Duke product to play in his home state and suit up alongside a wanted crew of defenders.
25. New York Knicks - Ryan Dunn, Virginia
Virginia forward Ryan Dunn is one of the most unique prospects in the draft. He measured 6-foot-6 at the combine but projects more as a power forward due to his lack of shooting ability. Dunn averaged just 8.1 points per game and made seven 3-pointers a season ago.
What makes the 21-year-old wing so special is his elite defense. Dunn isn't your ordinary defensive menace, he's much more—the Virginia forward used his 7-foot-1 wingspan to compile 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game as a sophomore. Dunn is Tom Thibodeau's dream.
26. Washington Wizards - KJ Simpson, Colorado
This selection feels reminiscent of what the Pistons did a year ago. In the 2023 NBA Draft, Detroit selected a raw prospect fifth (Ausar Thompson) before choosing a steady floor general 25th (Marcus Sasser).
This time around, Washington adds Colorado's KJ Simpson after landing Risacher with their first selection. Simpson is a do-it-all point guard who starred in Boulder. Despite underwhelming combine measurements, the 21-year-old guard tested well and aced the scrimmages.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves - Johnny Furphy, Kansas
Minnesota, meet your Kyle Anderson replacement. Although Kansas' Johnny Furphy would be replacing the veteran forward, it's by no means a comparison to the two, wing player's playstyles.
The 6-foot-9 Aussie is a skilled shooter who's lethal in transition. Furphy will likely play both forward spots in the NBA. Although he has tremendous size and athleticism, the 19-year-old isn't the best defender. He's one-dimensional on the less glamorous end of the floor.
28. Denver Nuggets - Tristan Da Silva, Colorado
Probably much further down than he'll go, Colorado's Tristan Da Silva is an extremely versatile prospect. A three-year starter for the Buffaloes, Da Silva demonstrated a well-rounded offensive game. He'd fit right in on the Denver Nuggets—a team hard-pressed to find contributors through the draft.
29. Utah Jazz - Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
After more of an upside selection in the lottery, the Jazz are poised to select a win-now player near the end of the first round. Terrence Shannon Jr. is an uber-athletic guard who can score from all over the court. The Illinois guard's only drawback is his advanced age—24 years old on opening night.
30. Boston Celtics - Daron Holmes II, Dayton
Dayton's Daron Holmes II is a plug-and-play prospect who oozes potential. At almost 22 years old, he's displayed a well-rounded game for years, but there's still more to come. After making a combined seven 3-pointers in his first two collegiate seasons, the 6-foot-9 big man connected on 32 triples at a 38.6 percent clip in his junior season.
Picks 31-40
31. Toronto Raptors - Jaylon Tyson, California
Jaylon Tyson made the most of the transfer portal. This past season, suiting up for the California Golden Bears, Tyson averaged 19.6 points, hauled in 6.8 boards, and dished out 3.5 assists per game. Despite the impressive numbers, there's cause for concern because of Tyson's sky-high usage rate.
32. Utah Jazz - AJ Johnson, Illawarra Hawks
Here's the typical "he's going way higher than he should" pick. AJ Johnson averaged just 2.9 points and 1.3 rebounds per game as a 19-year-old in Australia's NBL. Johnson spurned the University of Texas for a chance to play in the NBL's Next Stars program. At this stage in his career, he's an underdeveloped 6-foot-6 lead guard with boundless potential.
33. Milwaukee Bucks - Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas
Opposite of Johnson, Kevin McCullar Jr. is the classic experienced prospect. At 23-years-old, McCullar Jr.'s NBA role is easy to project. He's a do-it-all player with an inconsistent jumper. But if his jumper falls more consistently, like it did a season ago, he's well worth a high second-round selection.
34. Portland Trail Blazers - Nikola Durisic, Mega Mozzart
Yet another Serbian Nikola, Durisic is a 20-year-old wing who impressed NBA teams at the combine. Durisic is a more-than-capable shooter and a skilled passer. The Serbian wing certainly has the size to become a versatile defender, but he lacks the awareness and foot speed to make an immediate impact.
35. San Antonio Spurs - Bobi Klintman, Cairns Taipans
After appearing in the first round of our previous mock draft, Bobi Klintman falls to round two. At 6-foot-9, the Swedish forward is a jack-of-all-trades talent. Klintman is switchable on defense, an adept defensive playmaker, a good passer, and a decent shooter. Where Klintman needs to improve is his strength (212 pounds), and his consistency from beyond the arc.
36. Indiana Pacers - Pacome Dadiet, Ratiopharm
Don't be surprised if France's Pacome Dadiet is drafted much earlier. At 18-years-old, the French wing is a raw talent. However, he's 6-foot-8 and already 217 pounds. Dadiet isn't refined as an on-ball creator, but he's a promising scorer who can knock down threes and get to the rim.
37. Minnesota Timberwolves - Ajay Mitchell, UC Santa Barbara
The Timberwolves recently worked out UC Santa Barbara's Ajay Mitchell over a week ago. The 6-foot-3 guard is a versatile scorer who's comfortable on and off the ball. Without a succession plan for 36-year-old Mike Conley, selecting a point guard will be of the essence.
38. New York Knicks - Juan Nunez, Ratiopharm Ulm
Spanish guard Juan Nunez has been around for quite some time—he first suited up for Real Madrid at age 17. Despite the passing whiz's longevity, his standing in the draft isn't solidified. At 6-foot-4, Nunez is a genius playmaker and an active defender. However, Nunez turns the ball over at a high frequency and doesn't possess a reliable jumper.
39. Memphis Grizzlies - Adem Bona, UCLA
Montrezl Harrell. That's who Adem Bona will attempt to replicate in today's NBA. The UCLA big man is a tireless scorer on the inside and a skilled shot blocker on defense. Where the Harrell comparison comes in is Bona's lack of ideal height (6-foot-8) and absence of a perimeter game (one attempted 3-pointer at UCLA).
40. Portland Trail Blazers - Ulrich Chomche, Cameroon
Upside! That's all Ulrich Chomche is at the point. He's an 18-year-old, 6-foot-10 big man who possesses a strong frame and 7-foot-4 wingspan. Chomche is extremely raw, but with three selections prior, why not take a swing on a high-upside, mobile big man?
Picks 41-50
41. Philadelphia 76ers - Oso Ighodaro, Marquette
In the first round, the 76ers snatched a perimeter-oriented player. Here, Philadelphia grabs a do-it-all big man in Marquette's Oso Ighodaro. At almost 6-foot-10 and 222 pounds, Ighodaro isn't your typical interior-oriented player. The senior center is an agile defender and an above-average playmaker. Ighodaro would compliment Joel Embiid and effectively fill in for the star center off the pine.
42. Charlotte Hornets - Cam Christie, Minnesota
At 18 years old, Minnesota's Cam Christie was widely expected to run it back for the Golden Gophers. Instead of returning to the collegiate ranks, Christie has taken his talents to the big leagues. The young guard is a great shooter who canned 39.1 percent of his 5.4 3-pointer attempts per game.
43. Miami Heat - Jalen Bridges, Baylor
One of my favorite, NBA-ready players in the draft, Baylor's Jalen Bridges is the ideal 3-and-D prospect. The 6-foot-7 wing is strong, agile, and long enough to cover up to four different positions. On offense, he's an effective catch-and-shoot sniper who drained 41.2 percent of his triples a season ago.
44. Houston Rockets - Jonathan Mogbo, San Francisco
Like Bona, Jonathan Mogbo is an undersized big. Unlike Bona, the San Fransisco forward is a downhill scorer and nifty passer. As a senior, Mogbo averaged 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game—demonstrating his guard-like features. Adding another player of Mogbo's build to an already-versatile Houston team will lead to infinite lineup flexibility.
45. Sacramento Kings - Justin Edwards, Kentucky
Good size? Check. Efficient shooting numbers? Check. Youth? Check. Kentucky's Justin Edwards appears to be the total package, but limited contributions as a highly-touted freshman have led to discouragement amongst draftniks.
46. LA Clippers - Trentyn Flowers, Adelaide 36ers
High-flying forward Trentyn Flowers spent last season playing in Australia's NBL after originally committing to the University of Louisville. In the NBL, Flowers' contributions were limited. However, he displayed elite athleticism, a high motor, and shooting potential in just 12.7 minutes per game.
47. Orlando Magic - Harrison Ingram, North Carolina
North Carolina transfer Harrison Ingram is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. The former Stanford Cardinal is extremely versatile at 6-foot-5, 233 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan. He averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while drilling 38.5 percent of his threes a season ago. Perhaps Ingram can be what the Magic envisioned now-free agent Chuma Okeke would have been.
48. San Antonio Spurs - Melvin Ajinca, Saint-Quentin
Yet another Frenchman, Melvin Ajinca is a prototypical 3-and-D prospect. After adding several on-ball guards and a power forward earlier, Ajinca fits in as the low-usage role player. At 20 years of age, Ajinca will have time to develop a broad offensive arsenal in San Antonio.
49. Indiana Pacers - Baylor Scheierman, Creighton
He's *possibly* the best shooter in the draft, but Baylor Scheierman is also much more. The Creighton Bluejay averaged 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists to go along with 18.5 points per game as a graduate senior. With three second-rounders, adding a mix of high-floor prospects with high-ceiling prospects makes for a stellar recipe in Indiana.
50. Indiana Pacers - Tristen Newton, UConn
It's time to select pro-ready or high-risk, high-reward prospects at this juncture in the draft. UConn's Tristen Newton exemplifies the latter. Although the Pacers are flush with guards, adding Newton is a great hedge if one of TJ McConnell or Andrew Nembhard walks in next offseason's free agency.
Picks 51-58
51. Washington Wizards - Keshad Johnson, Arizona
Keshad Johnson is similar to Ingram in playstyle and size. The Arizona product is 6-foot-6, yet plays much bigger than he is with his 6-foot-10 wingspan. Despite his lack of height, he can defend centers (although he's not much of a shot blocker). Shooting will be Johnson's biggest swing skill. Is he the 38.7 percent shooter at Arizona? Or, is he the 24.6 percent 3-point shooter at San Diego State?
52. Golden State Warriors - Jaylen Wells, Washington State
After playing two seasons of Division II basketball, Jaylen Wells made the jump to Division I and fit in quite well. Shooting transcends any level—and that's exactly what Wells brings to the table. The Washington State wing cashed in on 41.7 percent of his 4.9 3-point attempts per game. Plus, the Golden State Warriors and shooting just go hand-in-hand.
53. Detroit Pistons - Antonio Reeves, Kentucky
Back-to-back shooters. However, Kentucky's Antonio Reeves is more than just a shooter. The fifth-year senior averaged 20.2 points per game on just 13.9 attempts. Reeves is an experienced scorer who's worth a late second-round pick despite his age (24 next season).
54. Boston Celtics - Izan Almansa, G-League Ignite
The fourth Ignite player to hear his name called in this hypothetical draft—Izan Almansa. The Spanish big man is a hard worker on the interior who looks to dunk everything. Almansa isn't just a dunker though, he possesses a nice back-to-basket game. He's not much of a shooter or big-time shot blocker, but there's still a place in the league for athletic bigs like Almansa.
55. Los Angeles Lakers - Bronny James, USC
Even if it's not spoken aloud, the Lakers will do whatever to keep LeBron James happy. Even though he's nearing 40 years old, he's not slowing down. James' eldest son, Bronny James, is a toolsy prospect without the statistical output to back up a true second-round grade. However, there's always a role for a high-energy point-of-attack defender.
56. Denver Nuggets - Jamal Shead, Houston
With one of the most precarious salary cap situations in the NBA, it'll be up to the Nuggets to add talent in the draft. In recent seasons, Denver has selected more experienced players. This time around it'll be no different. Houston's Jamal Shead is a three-year starter who averaged 12.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game a season ago.
57. Memphis Grizzlies - Judah Mintz, Syracuse
Syracuse's Judah Mintz is a high-volume scorer coming off a season where he averaged the second-most points in the ACC. Mintz is a slithery driver and a well-versed scorer. The 6-foot-3 guard's drawback is his below-average 3-point shooting clip (29.1 percent) and limited athleticism.
58. Dallas Mavericks - Pelle Larsson, Arizona
The Dallas Mavericks' biggest need is another shot creator. While that's unlikely to happen at the end of the draft, Arizona's Pelle Larsson is as close as it gets at this point. The senior guard is a good catch-and-shoot player, a crafty playmaker, and an above-average athlete.