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Brian Bayless 2024 NBA Mock Draft: Debut
Round 1 Picks 1-15
My first 2024 NBA Mock Draft is up. Find out who goes where in my very first 2024 NBA Mock Draft.
Brian Bayless Last Updated: November 10, 2023.
Memphis Grizzlies: Matas Buzelis, SF, Ignite (NBA G-League) 
- Memphis only has three assets in Ja Morant at point guard, Desmond Bane at shooting guard, and Jaren Jackson Jr. at power forward. Ziare Williams may have done well in college, but he's barely making ends meet as a full time starter in his third NBA Season. If Memphis gets the top pick they can take the consensus number one player in most NBA Mock Drafts in Matas Buzelis.
Washington Wizards: Ron Holland, SF, Ignite (NBA G-League)
- Washington goes for value here. Ron Holland might end up supplanting Matas Buzelis. A center like Sarr could also be a viable replacement to Porizingis. Buzelis is a 6-11 195 lb small forwards while Holland is a 6-8 200 lb combo forward with more muscle. Many argue Holland is the better three point shooter too and his resume as a High School player too.
- Buzelis could end up being the better defender down the road if he adds more muscle and fills out his frame which is why I went with Buzelis to Memphis at 1. Washington should be happy with either of the Ignite players in the NBA G-League at 2 with this pick.
Charlotte Hornets: Alexandre Sarr, C, Perth Wildcats 
- The Charlotte Hornets have a great starting five. Alexandre Sarr is the next big at center from France. He's more complete offensively than Charlotte's current starting center Mark Williams. Adding Sarr to join LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Brandon Miller, P.J. Washington,and Mark Williams in 2024 gives you the flexibility to play the 7-1 205 lb big man at either the 4 at power forward or the 5 at center. There's no need to overthink this. Go grab Sarr and get your BPA.
Houston Rockets: Justin Edwards, SF, Kentucky 
- Houston has a good starting five, but small forward Dillon Brooks is the only player under contract for the next four years even though this starting five is locked up for two more seasons. Houston drafted Amen Thompson, a point guard out of Overtime Elite fourth overall, but he's only averaging 6.7 points per game so far. Houston clearly needs more forward depth with both Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. averaging 4 fouls per game so far. Amen Thompson is your backup point guard while the current backup small forward is Cam Whitmore.
- Justin Edwards might be the best defensive forward in the 2023 NBA Draft. If he can fix his three point shot under John Calipari at Kentucky, he's got a shot to be Kentucky's first number one pick under Calipari since Karl Anthony-Towns went first overall back in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Detroit Pistons: Zaccharie Risacher, SF, JL Bourg 
- Detroit has their starting five. While I think both point guards in this draft heading into college warrant top five selections, I highly doubt the Pistons would take either Isaiah Collier or Stephon Castle with a top 5 pick. I went iwth Zaccharie Risacher one of top International players from France who defends well while also showcasing flashes of being a three point dynamo.
Chicago Bulls: Isaiah Collier, PG, USC 
- Lonzo Ball hasn't played a full season in quite a while and it is at the point where Chicago may decide to move on as an organization. Isaiah Collier passes well and defends well. He's considered the top recruit in terms of the guards in the recruiting class of 2023 making him an ideal fit for.
New York Knicks: Stephon Castle, SG, Connecticut 
- New York gets a shooting guard upgrade. Stephon Castle is one of the best combo guards in the country who can play both point guard or shooting guard. He should have a huge impact with Connecticut as their catalyst scorer this Fall during his freshman season with Connecticut.
San Antonio Spurs: D.J. Wagner, PG, Kentucky
- Getting the top point to pair with this young energetic San Antonio Spurs offense with this first round pick from my Toronto Raptors is really the last thing the Spurs need to do before they become contenders for years to come. D.J. Wagner was the MVP of the 2023 McDonalds All American game.
Utah Jazz: Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke 
- Utah loses Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker who the Jazz moved to point guard at the end of the year. Utah can draft a point guard and he can compete with Collin Sexton for the starting point guard job in 2024. Tyrese Proctor is Duke's best player as well as the best point guard on the board in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Bronny James, SG, USC
- It's time for a shock value pick. Bronny James goes to Cleveland the same team that drafted his father. LeBron comes back to Cleveland and retires a Cavalier after playing with his son for a year.
Phoenix Suns: Kyle Filipkowski, C, Duke
- Phoenix gets a big man at center. Kyle Filipkowski on Duke could be a lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft with a big sophmore season at Duke.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kwame Evans, PF, Oregon 
- Oklahoma City gets Kwame Evans. He has a good short range and medium range shot. He could develop into a starting power forward down the road because he does have tools to be an NBA starting power forward despite being somewhat raw. The size and length is there, but sometimes he hunched over on defense at Monverde Academy despite dunking over Bronny James, who I mocked at 10.
Sacramento Kings: Ja'Kobe Walter, SG, Baylor 
- The Sacramento Kings get another guard from Baylor. Ja'Kobe Walter absolutely dominated in his opener against Auburn.
Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Williams, SF, Colorado 
- Portland could use another small forward that can take over a game and score at will. Cody Williams the incoming freshman heading on Colorado fits this profile quite well.
Miami Heat: Elmarko Jackson, PG, Kansas 
- Miami gets a point guard upgrade to compliment their core at shooting guard with Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler at small forward, and Bam Adeboyo at center. Kansas point guard Elmarko Jackson is one freshman on Kansas who could sneak his way into the top half of the 2024 NBA Draft.
