As the Charlotte Hornets prepare to enter the offseason, the 2024 NBA Draft may be the most important event for them to focus on in order to maximize their future.
In order for the Hornets to significantly improve next season, LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams need to stay healthy, but Charlotte also needs to nail their plans in the NBA Draft.
If they decide to make a pick (they have the sixth pick), they need to ensure that they take the right guy, and if they trade the selection, they need to get something of value.
With all that in mind, here is Swarm & Sting’s first 2024 NBA Mock Draft.
1. Alex Sarr, France | Atlanta Hawks
This is the obvious selection. Alex Sarr is the most promising player in the draft. His defensive potential is through the roof, and whether the Atlanta Hawks want to hit the reset button or rebuild around Trae Young, that’s a great place to start.
2. Zacharie Risacher, France | Washington Wizards
One of the best shooters in the class, Zacharie Risacher could end up being a focal point of the Washington Wizards’ rebuild. Add in his quality defense, and Risacher’s overall upside is worthy of the second-overall pick.
3. TRADE | Grizzlies get No. 3 pick, Jae’Sean Tate; Rockets get Collin Sexton, Santi Aldama, Future second-round pick (via MEM); Jazz get No. 9 pick, Luke Kennard, Jock Landale, Future second-round pick (via MEM)
Grizzlies select Donovan Clingan, UConn
The Memphis Grizzlies have been reportedly trying to trade up in the NBA Draft to take UConn Huskies big man Donovan Clingan. He would fit nicely next to Jaren Jackson Jr. in their frontcourt.
By flipping Santi Aldama, they avoid having to pay him, and the rest of the deal would simply be Luke Kennard and the ninth pick, which they would be trading him from.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets land two players who can help them contend in this trade. Collin Sexton is a hard-nosed guard who would give them more of a scoring punch, and Aldama is a versatile forward they could continue to develop.
Lastly, the Jazz would be adding a second top-10 pick in this deal, giving them another avenue to add young talent to their roster.
4. Reed Sheppard, Kentucky | San Antonio Spurs
With this pick, the San Antonio Spurs would get Reed Sheppard, who could end up being the best player in this draft. His blend of shooting, shot creation, and defense make him one of the most NBA-ready players available.
5. Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite | Detroit Pistons
Matas Buzelis to the Detroit Pistons is a pick that lots of people have mocked in the past, and that’s because it makes a ton of sense. His all-around skill set and size on the wing would help him fit perfectly alongside Cade Cunningham and the rest of Detroit’s core.
6. TRADE | Pelicans get No. 6 pick, Grant Williams, Nick Richards, Davis Bertans, Two future second-round picks; Hornets get Brandon Ingram
Pelicans select Stephon Castle, UConn
It seems as though Brandon Ingram’s time with the New Orleans Pelicans is coming to a close, and the Charlotte Hornets could use another offensive engine.
Adding Ingram to a core that already includes LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Mark Williams would immediately propel the Hornets into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans would break up Ingram’s salary into smaller deals, landing two rotation pieces—Grant Williams and Nick Richards—in the process.
Plus, New Orleans would get the chance to add UConn’s Stephon Castle, who would improve their perimeter defense and potentially help them find a long-term point guard solution next to Zion Williamson.
7. Tidjane Salaun, France | Portland Trail Blazers
Like Bilal Coulibaly last year, Tidjane Salaun has rapidly risen up draft boards throughout the past few weeks. His raw talent makes him a solid choice for the Portland Trail Blazers, who will have ample time to develop him.
8. Rob Dillingham, Kentucky | San Antonio Spurs
Why not run it back with the Wildcats backcourt? After landing Reed Sheppard with the fourth pick in the draft, Rob Dillingham would solidify the Spurs’ one-two punch at the guard spots for years to come.
9. Nikola Topic, Serbia | Utah Jazz
An ACL injury could see Nikola Topic rapidly slide down draft boards, but the Utah Jazz aren’t looking to compete for the postseason anytime soon. Taking a chance on Topic at pick nine makes sense.
10. Cody Williams, Colorado | Utah Jazz
With their second pick in a row, the Jazz would be grabbing Cody Williams. After a rocky season with the Buffaloes, he’ll be looking to find his footing in the NBA. He has the raw skill set to be a high-quality, all-around, two-way wing.
11. Dalton Knecht, Tennessee | Chicago Bulls
Dalton Knecht falling to the Chicago Bulls at pick 11 should be their dream. His offensive skill set is exactly what the Bulls should want to put around Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, as he already has the tools to be a great shot-creator and shooter at the NBA level.
12. Devin Carter, Providence | Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder need to add wing depth, but passing on a two-way guard like Devin Carter isn’t something they would do. He fits into the Thunder’s culture perfectly and would give them another Cason Wallace-esque punch off the pine.
13. Ron Holland, G League Ignite | Sacramento Kings
Bringing in Ron Holland would mean another project for the Sacramento Kings, who want to push forward, but his athleticism would give them a nice lob threat, and his defense could help them out as well.
14. Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor | Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers should be trying to find as much dynamic talent as possible, and Ja’Kobe Walter could give them that. His scoring ability would help them out at the guard/wing spot on both sides of the ball.
15. Jared McMain, Duke | Miami Heat
This pick makes way too much sense not to happen. Jared McCain is an NBA-ready shooter, and the Miami Heat need help at the guard position. And with Miami’s recent developmental success stories, who knows what McCain could become?
16. Tristan Da Silva, Colorado | Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers only have Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid to build around, so bringing in a forward like Tristan Da Silva who can shoot and make plays away from the ball would be smart.
17. Isaiah Collier, USC | Los Angeles Lakers
Perhaps this isn’t the USC guard most fans want to see the Los Angeles Lakers select, but Isaiah Collier’s strength at the guard spot would give them a different look. He’s a solid playmaker and can defend well, too, which would be very useful in LA’s rotation.
18. TRADE | Nets get No. 18 pick, Joe Ingles; Magic get Dennis Schroder
Nets select Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh
The Orlando Magic need a guy who can get them organized on the offensive end, and bringing Dennis Schroder for a year (at least) would give them someone who can do that.
Schroder has proven capable of leading offenses at the NBA level and on the world stage, and giving up the 18th pick in a weak draft for him makes sense.
Meanwhile, this would be a way for the Brooklyn Nets to get in this draft, as they currently don’t have a selection. And they should be looking to add young talent.
Carlton Carrington has been gaining a ton of buzz heading up to the draft. He’s one of the youngest prospects available, and the Nets could try to develop him into a quality playmaker. (Though his skill set may be too similar to Cam Thomas.)
19. Bobi Klintman, NBL | Toronto Raptors
As the Toronto Raptors look to move forward into a new era, adding a relatively raw prospect like Bobi Klintman could be intriguing. Klintman is already 21 years old, but he still needs to be developed. That said, if the Raptors can do that, he could be a quality defender and ball handler for them with a ton of size at nearly 6-foot-9.
20. Zach Edey, Purdue | Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been thrown in a ton of trade rumors, and Jarrett Allen’s name has popped up. Regardless of if they trade him, bringing in Zach Ededy as a backup center makes sense, as they were rolling out Tristan Thompson in the postseason last year. Not ideal.
21. Kel’el Ware, Indiana | New Orleans Pelicans
After snagging Stephon Castle earlier in the draft, adding Kel’el Ware here could help the New Orleans Pelicans reshape their big man position around Zion Williamson. Ware’s athleticism and shooting potential could make him an ideal fit.
22. Tyler Kolek, Marquette | Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns should be looking to add players who can help them win right now, and Tyler Kolek would do just that. He’s an experience college player who can shoot, playmake, and defend well for his size (6-foot-1).
23. DaRon Holmes II, Dayton | Milwaukee Bucks
As the Milwaukee Bucks attempt to give their roster an infusion of young talent, Daron Holmes II’s interior presence would be very useful. Plus, if his three-point shot continues to improve, he’ll make an even better fit.
24. Kyshawn George, Miami | New York Knicks
Fresh off a solid playoff run, the New York Knicks could get a nice fit in Kyshawn George here. He’s a solid three-point shooter and hustles well on the defensive end. That said, George may be better off going somewhere he can play real minutes.
25. TRADE | Wizards get No. 25 pick; Knicks get two future second-round picks
Wizards select Yves Missi, Baylor
The Washington Wizards don’t have a solution at the center spot right now, so taking a chance on Yves Missi here makes sense. He’s young, athletic, and could develop into a springy five man at the NBA level.
Meanwhile, the Knicks don’t need to add two rookies in this year’s draft class. Trading for two future seconds would help push their selections down the line.
26. Pacome Dadiet, France | Washington Wizards
With their now-second pick in a row, the Wizards would go back to the same French well that landed them Bilal Coulibaly last year, this time, taking a chance on Pacome Dadiet. He’s a decent shooter with a long frame who could help them out on the wing as a developmental process.
27. Johnny Furphy, Kansas | Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are set on the defensive end, so adding some offensive help makes sense. Johnny Furphy would provide them with some three-point shooting to help space the floor for Anthony Edwards.
28. Kyle Filipowski, Duke | Denver Nuggets
It would be smart of the Denver Nuggets to figure out their center position behind Nikola Jokic. Perhaps Kyle Filipowski could help in that spot. He’s a nice connector on the offensive end and could be a decent three-point shooter in theory.
29. Terrence Shannon Jr., Tennessee | Utah Jazz
An impressive scorer during his time with the Volunteers, Terrence Shannon Jr. could be a nice upside pick for the Utah Jazz. He’s already almost 24 years old, but at his best, he projects to be a quality wing at the NBA level. The Jazz just need talent.
30. Baylor Scheierman, Creighton | Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics don’t really need anything right now, but bringing in Baylor Scheierman would give them yet another great three-point shooter to have in their back pocket. Plus, if Sam Hauser leaves in free agency next summer, they could have his replacement.
Notable players left out
Tyler Smith of the G League Ignite could be a solid floor-spacing big man at the NBA level if he pans out.
Nikola Djurisic out of Serbia is a quality playmaker and an impressive shot-creator, but he’s not a consistent shooter or defender.
Trentyn Flowers from the NBL should be a solid driver in the NBA but hasn’t shown too much as a shooter.