My first iteration of the 2024 draft: I tried to capture how I think the draft may play out given what we know today. I give a pretty in depth description of why each guy goes in each slot and tried to balance what I think will happen with what I think should happen. Hope you enjoy!…

Denver has been searching for a viable option at the backup 5 behind Jokic since Mason Plumlee left town. Nnaji hasn't quite found his rhythm in Denver and it is probably time to try something new. Tillman may be undersized but he has shown capable of playing some valuable minutes at the 5. Denver won't have a ton of options in the trade market because of their cap restrictions and the fact that they don't have a single tradeable FRP. Memphis gets a chance to see if they can spark something out of the once promising Nnaji but the primary return value they get here is in a couple second round picks that can be packaged in other deals or used how they see fit….

Denver will be looking to boost their bench production yet again. They are limited in terms of draft capital and cap flexibility. In order to do anything of note, it is likely going to require giving up an asset or two that they aren't particularly keen on moving. For an opportunity to add Caruso, Christian Braun and Reggie Jackson are worth the price. Drummond also gives the Nuggets, at least another opportunity, of finally finding a little more stability out of the backup 5. If nothing else Drummond is an elite rebounder, something the Nuggets bench really struggles with most nights. As for Chicago, this very likely may not be enough to be willing to move on from Caruso. Jackson is a nice reliable guard who is having one of, if not, his most efficient seasons of his entire career. The "prize" to them would be Braun who emerged as a key role player in Denver's title run last year. He is young on a controllable rookie contract and has the makings of a Caruso-esque type of player. Zeke …

I am getting this mock out at about 3 pm on Wednesday. Just over 24 hours until the draft happens and we see how everything unfolds. I factored in a couple trades that I either predict happening or did in fact happen live as I was making the mock. This has been one of my favorite classes to cover, as it could go so many ways and I think there is very high value players to be grabbed well into the second round. Let me know what you think and who you hope your favorite team(s) end up walking away with tomorrow night!…

Well we know the order of the NBA draft now. I will be shocked if we don't see at least two trades happen before draft night that shakes things up again, and of course there will likely be 3 to 4 on draft night as well. I think this is a very fun draft class this year, obviously highlighted by Wemby. The depth of the class is going very underrated in my opinion. I think there are numerous high level contributors that will be picked well into the second round. Let me know what you think, and who you hope your favorite team does or does not pick!!…

The second iteration of my mock draft comes about 10 games before the NBA playoffs begin and right before the sweet 16 tips off. A lot of time for player movement and draft order changes to take place still obviously. As always I try to find the right combination of what I think a team should do and what they would do. Always appreciate the feedback and would love to hear who you hope your favorite team will pick!…

I think we are all in agreement that Toronto is going to be the team to fire sale this year. Whether most of that comes at the deadline or some waits until the offseason remains to be seen, but I think they will at least move a couple of their guys by Thursday if possible. So lets look at what a deal could possibly look like for OG and why each team might do it:

Toronto: The Raptors would almost certainly prefer to move OG before the deadline when they can get something for him in return as it seems they do not want to pay him in the future. Trent Jr. is another name they are looking to move as well to add additional assets in the form of young players or picks. In return they are getting multiple young players under contract control. PJ Washington who they could resign and Rozier to make the contract situations work. The biggest prize of the trade will of course be the plethora of first round picks that they are seeking in return for OG in particular.

Charlotte: The Hornets get two …

Of all the Bones trade ideas, I think this one might be my favorite so far for a few different reason. First of all, from the Nuggets perspective I think this gets you exactly what you were looking for. A defensive minded bench piece with impressive versatility and a late first round pick as a sweetener. I also love the idea of the "reunion" that would be bringing Kenyon Martin Jr. to the team his dad played most of his career for. I also like this move both from a Bones and a Rockets perspective as well. Bones clearly wants a bigger, or at very least, more free role on a different team and where better than the rebuilding Rockets. He will get a ton of freedom to play his game and develop while taking on a big role offensively. As for Houston, I think it is becoming more and more evident that KPJ is not the solution at PG and Jalen Green isn't providing anything as a lead guard himself. Bones isn't an elite playmaker or table setter by any means but he has certainly showed glimpses of …

It seems more and more likely that Bones is going to be moved. I am still not entirely sold on the idea but am warming to the possibility, depending heavily on the return we would get. I don't particularly like the move if it is for a FRP and no player that can help now but certain names floating around do seem enticing. I am curious to see what everyone else's thoughts are and who might be the fans favorite target….

I am still not certain of a trade like this but with all the reports out I don't think it is impossible. Everything points to the Nuggets shopping Bones and looking for a defensive minded big man or wing and/or a first round pick. These reports have garnished enough steam that it looks like Bones is one of the most likely players to get dealt in the entire league, meaning that at least some teams view this price as doable. As for the Jazz, they have apparently made both Vandy and Beasley available for "the equivalent of a first round pick." It doesn't take a ton of mental gymnastics to see that if the Jazz do value Bones as a FRP equivalent talent, than a deal like this makes a lot of sense. The Jazz get a high potential ball handling guard on a rookie contract to prepare for Conley's departure and the Nuggets get exactly what they need in return. If other picks have to be involved I think this deal quickly becomes a non starter as neither team wants to give up any draft capital at thi…

Take a look at my first mock draft of the year. I plan on doing another one post trade deadline as the playoffs approach, one right after the playoffs and then a final one right before the draft. Still very early so I expect a ton of movement in the coming months. This is all based on what I've watched from these prospects thus far. I try to find a reasonable balance between what I would guess the teams would do as well as what I think they should do. Let me know what you think and who you hope your favorite team picks!…

Rumors just came out that the Knicks would move Reddish for two 2nd round picks. Nuggets are apparently going to be in the market for additional wing depth and prefer someone with length and athleticism, which Reddish has both of. I have been extremely high on Reddish going back to his highschool days and I think this would be a steal for the Nuggets looking to make a title run. He may not be the star I once thought he could be, but he has all the skills that would allow him to flourish around a player like Nikola Jokic. He would add a dynamic wing skillset to this Denver bench. I think this would rejuvenate his career, and although he may never be the star I once thought him to be, he would almost certainly reach a much higher potential than he currently is….

I have included some pretty extensive draft analysis on each pick. I tried to factor in everything from team needs, player fit, potential offseason moves, and team draft tendencies to create what I think is a how this years draft should/will turn out. I would love to hear any feedback or discuss who your favorite team might be taking!…

Bulls and Nuggets make a relatively even swap here. Nuggets are desperately looking add some POA defenders and Caruso is one of the leagues best that are in their price range. Monte brings back playmaking and shot creation abilities that Chicago could be needing if the Lonzo injury(s) prove to be lingering. Nuggets move up a tad bit in the draft, ahead of Minnesota in particular, who armed with newly hired president of basketball ops Tim Connely have significant inside knowledge on who the Nuggets may be targeting or love in the draft. It wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that Connleys target in Minnesota now may be the very same one he had in Denver and if the Nuggets do love that player they may be looking to move up to ensure they get him. Also keep in mind the Nuggets have the 30th pick of the first round now too via the Thunder trade earlier this week, meaning they could absolutely throw that into this deal to get it done if the Bulls ask….

This deal involves 3 teams who are each in need of a bit of a shake up and will be looking to revamp their roster's this offseason around the respective cores going forward.

Denver: The emergence of Bones Hyland allows Denver to move on from Monte Morris, the Will Barton time has reached its natural end, and there is a complete log jam at the PF position giving the Nuggets reason to move each of these 4 players. In return they are addressing some key needs around Joker, Murray and MPJ. Thybulle brings desperately needed perimeter defense that we have seen exposed multiple years in a row now in the playoffs. Bogdanovic brings shooting and shot creation to replace Barton and Morris as well as some fantastic chemistry with fellow countryman Nikola Jokic. Jalen Johnson would be a young talent to add with hopes of development into a player who can contribute down the road.

Philly: The Sixers have been looking for a way out of the Tobias Harris contract for a couple years now and the recen…

Nothing "blockbuster" about this one. This is a simple, small trade that addresses needs for both sides. The Knicks are in what feels like year 40 of their search for some real stability and productivity out of the point guard position. The Kemba Walker- Derrick Rose experiment didn't work last year and they will almost certainly be looking for some new options this summer. Morris isn't a flashy addition but he is very reliable and trustworthy and he is coming off a career year in which he was the starting PG for a playoff team due to the Jamal Murray injury. He is a playmaker who rarely turns over the ball and hits open shots at an efficient rate. With all the splashy moves the Knicks have tried at PG maybe a consistent reliable option like Morris is actually the answer next to Barrett, Randle and company. For the Nuggets, the emergence of Bones Hyland makes Morris moveable and allows them to add a player like Burks who fits what they need right now: size and defensive prowess at the …

We have all seen the reports, Ayton is all but gone from Phoenix. If they are smart they find a way to negotiate a sign-and-trade so they are able to get something in return for him given that they don't seem likely to match a max offer sheet. Hornets have been searching desperately for a long term and talented option at the center to pair with LaMelo. They finally get it here in Ayton. The Mavericks also get involved in the deal to get some help for Luka by going after Hayward who has been rumored to want out as well. His value isn't as high as it once was but the Mavs still get a player that adds playmaking and shot creation as well as some other role players in the deal. The Hornets get sharpshooter Tim Hardaway back as well as shooting off the bench. Phoenix will be looking to maximize what they can out of Ayton leaving. Young talent in PJ Washington and Bouknight as well as former Sun wing Kelly Oubre come back. Dwight Powell also comes over to give them a nice rim rolling lob thr…