No matter who you think is going where during the NBA Draft, you will always be wrong because trades always cause a domino effect. In a weaker draft compared to previous years, one would think teams wouldn't be as inclined to move up and down the draft board on June 26. However, that won't be the case in this year's draft, as league executives and scouts are expecting a lot of movement and trades throughout the first round.
On Monday, I released my 2024 NBA Mock Draft 3.0 with several updates across the first round of the upcoming draft. This featured Donovan Clingam going third overall to the Houston Rockets, Devin Carter jumping into the top 10, and intel about several teams looking to move their draft picks. Now, after discussing which teams could potentially move their picks, it is time to play the role of general manager for teams across the NBA and put together hypothetical trades we could see during the draft.
Just to be clear, this is NOT an official mock draft. Instead, it is a semi-copy of Mock Draft 3.0 with some slight modifications and changes based on hypothetical trade scenarios that could play out in a matter of weeks.
Will the Atlanta Hawks trade the first overall pick? Is there a team that will trade their way up inside the top five? Could All-Star players be dealt to new teams during the NBA Draft?
All of these questions and more have been answered in ClutchPoints' NBA Mock Draft 3.5, also known as the trade edition of mock drafts. There is no new intel or rumors here, just straight-forward suggestions as to what trades could be made.
1. Atlanta Hawks – PF/C Alex Sarr – France (Perth Wildcats – NBL)
The Hawks have a huge decision to make with the top overall pick in this year's draft, as Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and Donovan Clingan are all in play right now. Sarr presents the most upside for Atlanta, especially if they are to move on from Clint Capela, due to his potential to grow into a two-way weapon at the power forward and center positions. He would be a really strong fit next to Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu.
2. Washington Wizards – SF Zaccharie Risacher – France (JL Bourg – LNB)
If Sarr is on the board here, he will be the Washington Wizards' pick. Should Sarr go first to the Hawks, the Wizards will have a decision to make between Risacher and Clingan. After taking Bilal Coulibaly last year, Risacher could join the Wizards and instantly be a young 3-and-D type of player to complement Coulibaly, especially in transition. It is hard to imagine Washington looking to move out of this spot.
3. Houston Rockets – C Donovan Clingan – UConn
What will the Houston Rockets do with the third overall pick? It is possible that they could trade this pick to a team willing to give up a lot of assets to select Clingan, should he be available. Then again, the Rockets may not make a decision here until they are on the clock, as Risacher falling their way would be the best-case scenario. Still, Clingan's upside and ability to impact the game right away are too much to pass up in this spot.
4. Chicago Bulls – SF Matas Buzelis – G League Ignite*
- TRADE: Bulls trade G Dalen Terry, pick No. 11, CHI 2027 first-round pick (top-5 protected), and CHI 2029 second-round pick to Spurs for pick No. 4.
And here we are, arriving at our first trade to discuss. The Chicago Bulls are one of the handful of teams looking to move up in this year's draft, with many around the league speculating that they have Matas Buzelis ranked at the top of their draft board. At the expense of Dalen Terry, who hasn't developed the way the team hoped for, and a future first-round pick, the San Antonio Spurs may very well be willing to trade down a few spots with some guards falling in this draft.
It is important to note that the Bulls can't trade a first-round pick until two years after their current obligation to the Portland Trail Blazers is fulfilled. This is just the first trade that Chicago made in this mock draft.
5. Detroit Pistons – PG/SG Reed Sheppard – Kentucky
With Reed Sheppard falling to fifth and Buzelis off the board, this seems like the best scenario for the Detroit Pistons. Trajan Langdon is going to be looking to bring winning talent to Detroit this offseason. Sheppard is the best perimeter shooting threat in this draft class and would immediately provide a spark of scoring to a team that ranked 26th in three-point shooting this past season.
6. Charlotte Hornets – PG/SG Stephon Castle – UConn
The Charlotte Hornets are eyeing backcourt help in this draft, assuming a player like Risacher or Clingan doesn't fall to them in this spot. Stephon Castle is a two-way guard who would provide immediate upside next to LaMelo Ball in the backcourt. More importantly, he would provide stability and another playmaker for new head coach Charles Lee to develop further.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – SF Ron Holland – G League Ignite
Although there are rumors that Ron Holland could fall out of the top 10, he still finds himself as one of the most dynamic NBA prospects with a ton of two-way potential. Holland fits the description of an athletic wing teams are looking for nowadays, which is why the Blazers would immediately value his production next to Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson. Portland finds themselves are one of a few teams eyeing Holland in this draft.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers – SF Cody Williams – Colorado*
- TRADE: Spurs trade pick Nos. 8 and 35, F Keldon Johnson, and G Tre Jones to Cavaliers for G Darius Garland and pick No. 20 | Spurs also trade G Devonte' Graham to Raptors for F/C Chris Boucher. | Cavaliers trade a 2025 second-round pick to Raptors.
The first massive trade to take place in this NBA mock draft involves three teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Toronto Raptors. While the Cavs are signaling they won't trade Darius Garland, in this scenario Garland finds himself joining Victor Wembanyama at the cost of the Nos. 8 and 35 picks in this year's draft, as well as Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, and Devonte' Graham, who is re-routed to Toronto.
As a result of landing the eighth overall pick, the Cavs end up taking Cody Williams, whom they have had their eyes on during the pre-draft process. Williams brings toughness and adds depth on the wing in Cleveland. However, he is still a very raw player that will need to develop further, likely in the G League, in order to potentially unlock his two-way potential.
9. Memphis Grizzlies – PG/SG Devin Carter – Providence
At this point, it would be shocking if Devin Carter heard his name called outside of the top 10 on draft night. The Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, and Utah Jazz are all potential landing spots in this range of the draft. Carter can impact the game in multiple ways as a combo guard, and his father is currently an assistant on Taylor Jenkins' staff in Memphis. He would supply immediate depth behind Ja Morant and Marcus Smart for what was an injury-riddled Grizzlies team this past season.
10. San Antonio Spurs – PG Nikola Topic – Serbia (Crvena zvezda – Serbia)*
- TRADE: Spurs trade G Dalen Terry, pick Nos. 11 and 48 to the Jazz for pick No. 10.
The Spurs like Nikola Topic. Even though he has a partially torn ACL, Topic is still just 18 years old and could end up being the best guard in this draft class. After acquiring Dalen Terry from the Bulls earlier, the Spurs now package the former first-round pick with the Nos. 11 and 48 picks in order to move up one spot and select Topic. Seeing as the Jazz could potentially take the Serbian guard, this move ensures San Antonio gets their guy.
11. Utah Jazz – PG Rob Dillingham – Kentucky*
- TRADE: Pick acquired by Jazz from Spurs/Bulls [See pick No. 4]
Utah moved down one spot in the trade they just made with the Spurs. Now, they have a few different options, with Rob Dillingham, Dalton Knecht, and Tidjane Salaun falling outside of the top 10. Dillingham could make a lot of sense for Utah given that his natural scoring abilities would create a strong one-two punch with Keyonte George. While it may appear as if drafting Dillingham would create a logjam of talent in their backcourt, the Jazz still have another blockbuster trade to make later in this NBA mock draft that instantly frees up a role for the Kentucky product.
12. Portland Trail Blazers – SG/SF Dalton Knecht – Tennessee*
- TRADE: Thunder trade pick No. 12 to Blazers in exchange for pick Nos. 14 and 40.
Along with Holland, the Blazers have been eyeing Knecht with one of their two lottery picks. Having some concern over the Oklahoma City Thunder possibly taking the 23-year-old shooter, Portland moves up two spots at the expense of the Nos. 14 and 40 picks in this draft. Knecht is ready to contribute right away and would be a solid secondary scorer for the Blazers to add to their bench.
13. Sacramento Kings – PG Jared McCain – Duke
Malik Monk is a free agent this offseason the Sacramento Kings run the risk of losing. Jared McCain is not only one of the best perimeter scorers in this draft class next to Sheppard, who went fifth to the Pistons, but the freshman from Duke is a crafty playmaker. The best part is he can play off of De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, making McCain of value to the Kings on offense. With this said, don't be shocked if the Kings instead target a defensive-minded wing to aid their 14th-rated defense.
14. San Antonio Spurs – SF/PF Tidjane Salaun – France (Cholet Basket – LNB)*
- TRADE: Thunder trade pick No. 14 to Spurs in exchange for pick No. 20, ATL 2025 first-round pick (unprotected), UTA 2026 second-round pick, and SAS 2026 second-round pick.
It would make sense that if the Spurs were to have two lottery picks, they would target a guard at some point, hence picking Topic pick and then Tidjane Salaun. Earlier, San Antonio moved down to 20th overall when they pulled off a massive move for Garland. Now, they are able to utilize that No. 20 pick, along with future draft compensation, to move up six spots and grab Salaun. With a 7'2″ wingspan and a 9'2″ standing reach, Salaun is yet another lengthy Frenchman who would create a formidable defensive tandem alongside Wembanyama. Not to mention, these two have known one another for years and already have a positive relationship.
15. Miami Heat – C Kel'el Ware – Indiana
There is a possibility that the Miami Heat could look to move their first-round pick, depending on how they view their current cap situation. Should they keep this pick, finding some frontcourt depth behind Bam Adebayo makes a lot of sense after hitting gold with Jaime Jaquez Jr. last June. Kel'el Ware is only 20 years old, and he is ready to utilize his 7'4″ wingspan as a rim protector right away.
16. Philadelphia 76ers – PG Isaiah Collier – USC
Like the Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers may trade this No. 16 pick in order to acquire an established win-now talent. Then again, Isaiah Collier was a possible No. 1 pick when he initially decided to attend USC. Although he has fallen in this mock draft, Collier still has the potential to be a lead guard in the NBA because of his athleticism and scoring abilities when driving to the rim. A backcourt pairing of Tyrese Maxey and Collier could be tough to stop down the line.
17. Chicago Bulls – C Zach Edey – Purdue*
- TRADE: Lakers trade pick No. 17 and a 2026 first-round pick (top-5 protected) to Bulls for G Alex Caruso. | Bulls also receive pick No. 52 from the Wizards, who receive G Gabe Vincent from the Lakers.
Zach Edey is one of the biggest question marks in this draft in terms of where he will end up. There are some teams picking in the lottery that are interested in Edey's talents, but there is a concern about drafting the Purdue big man so high, seeing as he doesn't have much room for growth. The Lakers, who are looking for win-now talents, seize their opportunity during the draft with this pick to bring back Alex Caruso from the Bulls. In doing so, Chicago gets the No. 17 pick and ends up with Edey, who can immediately become a factor for them in the paint, either behind or in place of Nikola Vucevic. At this point, given the trajectory of their team, it just makes sense for Chicago to part ways with Caruso.
18. Orlando Magic – SG Ja'Kobe Walter – Baylor
Ja'Kobe Walter is another player who could go anywhere from the lottery to the early 20s in this year's draft. With a 6'10” wingspan and solid lateral quickness, Walter could easily fit in with a defensive-minded Magic team that is looking to upgrade their perimeter shooting this summer.
19. Toronto Raptors – SG/SF Johnny Furphy – Kansas
Pairing Gradey Dick and Johnny Furphy with one another gives the Toronto Raptors two solid athletes on the perimeter who can both become three-point shooting threats on a nightly basis. However, the Raptors may take this opportunity to target depth for their frontcourt next to Kelly Olynyk and Jakob Poeltl. There is still no telling what Masai Ujiri and the Raptors' front office have planned this offseason.
20. Oklahoma City Thunder – SF/PF Tristan da Silva – Colorado*
- TRADE: Pick acquired by Thunder from Spurs [See pick No. 14]
With the Thunder moving back twice now after making deals with the Blazers and Spurs, Sam Presti and Co. can now target an experienced wing they have liked throughout the pre-draft process. Tristan da Silva can bring immediate value to any playoff-contending team due to his versatile nature of play. Da Silva can shoot, he can facilitate, and he is a better defender than many tend to give him credit for. This would be a solid pickup for the Thunder in this spot.
21. Utah Jazz – SF/PF Bobi Klintman – Sweden (Cairns Taipans – NBL)*
- TRADE: Pelicans trade F Brandon Ingram, G Dyson Daniels, and pick No. 21 to the Jazz in exchange for F John Collins, G Collin Sexton, picks No. 29 and 32, MIN 2025 first-round pick, and LAL 2027 first-round pick.
Remember earlier when the Jazz took Dillingham and I said there was another trade to be made? Well, here we are, as Brandon Ingram is on the move to the Jazz with Dyson Daniels and the 21st overall pick. In this mock trade, the Jazz surrender John Collins, Collin Sexton, the 29th and 32nd picks in the draft, and two future first-round picks. If anything has become apparent, it is that the Jazz want to win and bring in another established star. Pairing Ingram with Lauri Markkanen and a young backcourt duo of George and Dillingham certainly creates a dynamic offensive team.
With the Pelicans trading out of the first round to save money, the Jazz can take advantage here to bring in a lengthy forward in Bobi Klintman. Despite still needing time to develop his three-point shot, Klintman is going to be a factor defensively and running in transition. This would be yet another high-value pick by the Jazz to go along with Dillingham.
22. Phoenix Suns – C Yves Missi – Baylor
This is another spot in the NBA Draft where we could see a team trade out of the first round to save money. The Phoenix Suns have an insanely high payroll right now, and they are looking to compete for a championship, which is why trading this pick and a player like Nassir Little for an established secondary talent makes the most sense. But the Suns also need to add some depth to their frontcourt, which is why Yves Missi falling to them would be the best scenario.
23. Milwaukee Bucks – SG Kyshawn George – Miami (FL)
The Milwaukee Bucks need to add secondary players to their roster who can shoot and defend. That is exactly what they would be getting with Kyshawn George, who could develop into an everyday starter at the shooting guard position for them down the line. George shot 40.8 percent from three-point range this season and possesses a 6'10” wingspan.
24. New York Knicks – PG Tyler Kolek – Marquette
Although teams will try to pry at least one first-round pick away from the Knicks, don't be surprised if they keep both to take two established college players. Tyler Kolek is their first pick in this spot, as he would provide immediate depth and stability behind Jalen Brunson in the backcourt.
25. New York Knicks – SF Ryan Dunn – Virginia
Ryan Dunn makes the most sense for the Knicks with their second pick. Not only has the team brought him in for a workout, but Dunn's defensive abilities are exactly what Tom Thibodeau wants in youthful talents. If his three-point shot can come around, Dunn will be one of the best players in this draft.
26. Washington Wizards – G Carlton Carrington – Pittsburgh
Although he will receive interest in the late teens and early 20s, Carlton Carrington finds himself heading to the Wizards with the No. 26 pick in this NBA mock draft. Carrington is a versatile guard who can be a primary ball handler or play off the ball as a scorer. The Wizards need a talent like this that they can depend on since Tyus Jones is a pending free agent.
27. Oklahoma City Thunder – F/C DaRon Holmes II – Dayton*
- TRADE: Timberwolves trade pick No. 27 to the Thunder in exchange for pick No. 40, a 2025 second-round pick via BOS/MEM, and MIN 2027 second-round pick
There have been whispers about the Thunder possibly targeting DaRon Holmes II in this draft. While they could have interest in taking him early on in the draft, Oklahoma City can trade down, gather future assets, and still land Holmes like they did in this scenario after using acquired assets to move back up. The Minnesota Timberwolves don't necessarily have a need for a new first-round pick given their current cap situation. From the Thunder's perspective, they wouldn't have to sacrifice any valuable assets to make this deal happen, and they would jump one spot in front of a team that could be targeting Holmes.
28. Denver Nuggets – SG/SF Jaylon Tyson – California
Jaylon Tyson is the picture-perfect Denver Nuggets draft target. Tyson has a similar mold to Bruce Brown, a player the Nuggets utilized in many different ways due to his defensive versatility and secondary playmaking abilities. In Denver, Tyson would be utilized as a hybrid wing who can create space on offense by cutting and slashing to the rim.
29. New Orleans Pelicans – PF/C Kyle Filipowski – Duke*
- TRADE: Pick acquired by Pelicans from Jazz [See pick No. 21]
When the Pelicans made their massive Ingram trade earlier in the draft, they acquired this 29th overall pick from the Jazz. New Orleans could move this pick again, but with Kyle Filipowski on the board, they might as well take him to help replace Jonas Valanciunas in the frontcourt. Filipowski can help initiate the offense, and his pick-and-roll game will be valuable next to Zion Williamson and CJ McCollin.
30. Boston Celtics – SG Baylor Scheierman – Creighton
If the Boston Celtics keep this pick and can get Baylor Scheierman, they would end up with one of the best picks in the NBA Draft. Scheierman is a very underrated talent because many people only see him as a shooter. This assessment is true, but Scheierman is more than just a shooter, as he can defend multiple positions and rebound at a very high rate. There is no doubt that the Creighton product can be a key player off the bench in this league right away.
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