James' Mock Draft Reaction: Part 1

Rich and James break down the first half of the lottery mock draft that James recently dropped, with some surprising picks in the top 7, including Stephon Castle second overall.
NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies and current author of the NBA Big Board newsletter is joined by Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft), Sam Ferris (NBA Draft Dummies), and Leif Thulin to breakdown the NBA Draft. Rafael & Team gives passionate NBA Draft fans a deep look into the NBA Draft with great guests, Mock Draft, player rankings, and of course BIG BOARDs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.
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[@grantrobinson8179]

It would be astounding to see Risacher go past the Spurs after they spent so much time scouting him and the fact that he fits their needs so well.

[@ccdccd8615]

​@jkreimborgGiven all the pieces that SA needs and how stacked the Western Conference is, SA would do well to be a play-in team next season.

[@ccdccd8615]

@jkreimborg I would love to be wrong, but realistically I see play-in next season, playoff the following season and potential contender the following season. If you look at the composition of the Mavs, Nuggets, Timberwolves and Oklahoma, you can see what SA needs and how far they are from it.

[@ccdccd8615]

@jkreimborg We will, but take the Mavs as an example. They have a superstar in Luca, but that isn’t enough. They have a secondary star (Kyrie) and a bunch of quality role players, both rookie and veteran. And that is how all the contenders seem to be built. SA has Wemby, but who is the other star who can complement him, punish teams who double team him or stay on the floor when he comes off for a rest??? SA doesn’t have that other star nor do they have the necessary role players. And you can’t get all these pieces at once without blowing through your cap, mortgaging your future or both. Building a contender is going to take time, no matter how good Wemby is. My 3-year time frame is a best case scenario where everything goes to plan.

[@ccdccd8615]

@jkreimborg As you said, we will see.

[@rileymcphee9429]

Especially with Topic just confirmed to have a partial ACL tear.

[@GodPoohdini]

With the first pick of the 2024 NBA Draft the Atlanta Hawks select PrizePicks

[@mikejones9906]

Lmao

[@goodhair420]

Hoping the spurs can get Stephon castle

[@sarahmccoy1941]

If Risacher is unavailable, the Spurs should take Castle at 4 and Holland at 8

[@sarahmccoy1941]

With the injury to Topic, erase him from #4 for the Spurs. The Spurs like Risacher (French connection) more anyway, so pencil in Zacharrie at #4. Add Salaun at 8. Three Frenchmen in the lineup!

[@mikejones9906]

Spurs need to trade the picks for Young and look for players in free agency. Everyone wants to play with Wemby.

[@TheSadistNat1on]

Nooononono. U don't grab smith at 7..he will be available at 14, so u don't grab him at 7. Noooo

[@rosecityusa6120]

Yeah he's tripping hard if he thinks the Blazers will select T. Smith @ the 7th pick. Where's Ralphy?

[@rileymcphee9429]

They got Salaun, Clingan, Holland, Buzelis, and Knecht on the board at 7, and they chose Tyler Smith? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@usernumbereighteen]

​@@rosecityusa6120 yeah missing his mocks

[@rosecityusa6120]

@@rileymcphee9429 😱MGOODNESS he must hate Portland or something. Worst mock for the Blazers I've seen this far. Crazy too BC I absolutely love this channel.. with Ralphy tho. 😬

[@scottmuir6127]

Tyler Smith is a nice prospect but Portland should be able to get him at 14. I can’t see him going higher than that. He his 14 to 20 range most likely.

[@Big_nike]

This is the first mock draft that I exactly said finally somebody gets it! As a wizards fan Stephon castle is the guy.

[@valis14]

If Risacher is available at 4 there is ZERO universe, even in the multi-verse, where the Spurs FO brass don't take him there. It's just too clean of a fit with their current roster, where Risacher comes in and to take over Julian Champagnie's starting slot (Julian's much better suited for a bench role) and where Risacher's flaws and shortcomings won't nearly be as exposed. He can stand in the corner and hit open 3s and play within the concept on defense. He won't have to create for himself. Not only that, Riisacher's flaws are much easier to take on at the 4th pick then in the top 3. James is missing the big picture w/their roster and why Stayman is skeptical.If the Spurs really want the balky-kneed Topic, they gamble on him at 8. Personally, I'd hate even wasting the 8th pick on Topic with a reminder that a) The Spurs currently have 3 firsts in next year's draft, already a much deeper draft or b) Even if the Spurs move those picks it likely means they're dealing for say, a big time PG and say, in the case of Darius Garland, then essentially, there's no future for a player like Topic on the roster when they've already got an awesome backup in Tre Jones, and guys like Malaki and Wesley who spent ALL last season playing backup PG minutes.

[@mikejones9906]

Spurs are going to trade away the picks for Young.

[@rileymcphee9429]

NGL, Jody and Cronin will be run out of Portland if they choose Smith over Salaun, Clingan, Holland, Buzelis, and Knecht at 7.

[@Chus7ai3]

I think Spurs can get Topic at #8 and I would select Risacher at #4 . Topic-Risacher-Wembanyama can be a great core.

[@marsheomcgriff3607]

Nooooo to Reed Shepard for Hornets .. We just traded this same small combo guard to the Heat …

[@mikejones9906]

SHOTOUT TO RICH STAYMAN FOR KEEPING A STRAIGHT FACE THROUGHOUT..

[@norrinradd542]

Haven't seen you around as much... How's it going? Interested in checking out your mock draft.

[@mikejones9906]

@@norrinradd542 1.Hawks- Buzelis(6'10 with all the physical tools and high IQ) 2.Washington- Sarr(Need a big man} 3.Houston- Holland(Need a small forward that can shoot} 4.San Antonio- Reed Sheppard(Need a point guard that can shoot and play defense} 5.Detroit- Clingan{Need a shot blocking center} 6.Charlotte- Zaccherie{Need an extra small forward that can shoot) 7. Portland-Filipowski{Need a versatile big that can shoot) 8.San Antonio-Knect(Need a versatile wing that is good on spot ups when wemby gets doubled) 9.Memphis- Jakobe{Need another shooter on the wing] 10.Utah-Rob Dillingham(Need a point guard, Keyonte is more of a combo guard) 11.Chicago- Terrance Shannon Jr{Need a versatile wing that can catch and shoot) 12.OKC- Cody Williams{Instant chemistry because his brother is there) 13.Sacramento- Yves Missi(Need an athletic big that can block shots) 14.Portland- Topic(Need a true point guard) 15.Miami-Bud Carrington(Need a true point guard) 16.Philadelphia- Zach Edey(System is already designed for a big man) 17.Los Angeles Lakers-- Collier(Will have time to develop jumper) 18.Orlando Magic- Jared Mccain(Need another guard with size that can shoot) 19.Toronto-Kel'el Ware(Need a shot blocking big that can shoot} 20.Cleveland- Bobi Klintman(Need a versatile small forward that can defend and shoot)

[@norrinradd542]

@@mikejones9906 whoa! no Salaun huh? That's my biggest omit of the list.

[@mikejones9906]

@@norrinradd542 I forgot about him

[@norrinradd542]

@@mikejones9906 oh, that makes sense... where would you have him?

[@jrh63200]

Fwiw, just don't see Hornets going with Shepherd after the Rozier experiment. Small shooting guards with Lamelo are a bad fit.

[@Htiy]

I liked that little tyler smith debate

[@LockedOnNBABigBoard]

more tomorrow for Portland's other pick 👀

[@luisnunez9309]

I really liked the Castle, Risacher and Sheppard landing spots. I absolutely hated the Tyler Smith pick to Portland at 7. Especially since Portland's defense has been atrocious for years now.

[@norrinradd542]

I'd like Castle that high... but maybe in a trade. Wizards are a bad fit and don't develop like say the Spurs...

[@MPratt-zq4ek]

1stplayer and bast player in draft for our Pistons. Is Zach Edey. Trying to keep fitting wings and we have wings. We need Zach Edey. Take the load off Cade. Zach elevates our team. Add a couple vets. We are a winning team. Don’t get Zach and lock a wing before that. Let another team get him. We can start another rebuild. We don’t play small ball Cade isn’t small and as you see he has no one to defer to to get a basket. Let’s pick and play right. It’s a game of mismatches. We rarely have a mismatch. Get him pair him with Cade and company trade Duren. As Zach can start right now. Victory!!!! Detroit Basketball!!!!!

[@MPratt-zq4ek]

With the 5th pick the Detroit Pistons pick Zack Edey!!! Let’s go Detroit Basketball. We’ve experimented with non traditional basketball bigs since Cade was drafted. We are young so why not get a low post present so everyone can grow into their games. Instead of forcing pieces of chicken wings when we needs low post center with Cade and co. Who’s coming out tipping the scales for our team. It ain’t no chicken wing. It’s the Big dog Zach Edey. Him and Cade and the others would gel and play right. Got them playing all wrong. Horrible to watch. 3 and 4 minutes without scoring. Ugly basketball. Wanna see our big fella turn a dunk on somebody. Or jump hook left or Rt draw a foul. Take the load off the team and put it on his back Zach. We gonna be sorry if we don’t get him. Him him him Zach . Period. Best player by far and still learning. We get him and he just turns out to be the beast I know he is and better. Dynasty.

[@michaelfredgren3910]

Kings are going with Devin Carter if he is still available at #13

[@iamzadok7470]

I really enjoy this channel, I just want to see/hear about sports, not politics and social issues

[@DM-bn6bf]

I've been saying Castle to Wizards. Fits what Dawkins looks for

[@cheeto8960]

Wizards taking Risacher seems more likely

[@Shpankyy]

I just dont get it with Castle

[@NOJSIP]

I don't either

[@grimlockthethrasher1]

Somehow idt there was a worse pick than a guard at 7 for portland but I was wrong. Im surprised I’ve seen no one say it, but how can you remotely justify saying that Rissacher doesn’t have the offensive upside to be a top 3 pick because he doesn’t have playmaking abilities, and then reasonably argue Tyler Smith over Matas Buzelis, Ron Holland, Dalton Knecht, Tidjane Salaun, and Clingan. Tyler smith has no creation or passing ability whatsoever there is no way he gets taken that high

[@mikejones9906]

CASTLE NUMBER 2? LMAOOOOOOOOOOO

[@bkelly625]

This dude is so out on Cody Williams that it makes me more in. Last summer this channel did a Redraft of 2022 draft and had his brother JDub fall all the way to 8th when it was obvious asf already he was top 3 so I’m not trusting any of the takes here on Williams bros. Still appreciate the channel but yea

[@cheeto8960]

Cody is so lazy, not the same as Jalen

[@bkelly625]

@@cheeto8960 No he’s not the same but Jalen has top a 75 all-time ceiling. Cody is still a very good player and prospect in his own right and ahead of where his bro was at the same age? Lazy?

[@mikejones9906]

Jalen is just stronger, more polished, better handle etc

[@bkelly625]

@@mikejones9906 Yes I know this but Cody was very efficient and was talked about as potential number 1 pick before injuries slowed him down and he’s ahead of where his brother was at the same age on the court and physically… JDub is an outlier development he could be one of the best players ever I know Cody doesn’t have that upside but I think he’s a near lock to be a good role player and has some star upside if things go right. To have him drop out of the lottery or to the 20s like some ppl are projecting is going to age poorly I’m confident in that even if it really happens (unlikely since somewhat credible ppl like Jonathan Wasserman have him going 5th)

[@mikejones9906]

@@bkelly625 I think he needs another year to get stronger but I like him going top 20.

[@alexchrist7790]

Last year you hyped geegee Jackson, and he ain’t even in the league anymore..or was that your brother that said that

[@mikejones9906]

Lmaooo bro GG Jackson was one of the best rookies and a future star

[@LockedOnNBABigBoard]

He made the All Rookie team over Scoot Henderson who was supposed to be generational

[@alexchrist7790]

@@LockedOnNBABigBoard my fault, looks like he got some playing time between February and April. February was around together time I stopped watching because blazers sucked.

[@davidmaib677]

Sorry, I like you all and your takes, but Pop is not going to take a chance here. Never going to happen...As someone who has watch POP and the team for 30 years, they will never do this. Waste a whole year fro Wemby? Really? WOW....Are you all saying the DNA of POP and the front office just do not matter. Have you listened to POP for years....Just do not understand, how folks can just ignore all of this. It likes folks are just thinking this is the first year of the NBA....Geez Might make a good show, but not realistic in any way.

[@stewartoflaherty5985]

Castle can't shoot

[@scarboroboy]

Why is no one talking about Castle at no. 1? He fills the Hawks biggest need. Perimeter defense. Plus he's not years away from contributing like Sarr. He can contribute to winning right now as a big defensive guard next to Trae Young. The fit is there lol

[@lilolittle3131]

You would have to trade Murray. He wants to play point guard and you already have two ball dominant guards there’s no way he’s gonna even work out for them. I know we hate when players voice an opinion, for whatever reason, but we have to trust he knows what’s best for his career.

[@nazcraz11]

I haven't heard the take that Sarr is years away from contributing.

[@_Waingro]

This brotha always with trash picks along with equally trash brother

[@jackieellis8267]

It has been reported that NBA physicians traveled to the combine overseas on Wednesday to assess the medical conditions on Nokola Topic and his agent confirmed that he has a partial torn ACL of the left knee and will be out for the year. NBA physicians are confident that the surgery will have a positive outcome especially with his young age. As expected, concern has arisen that his stock will fall and push him down the draft and most likely out of the draft unfortunately. Best wishes for the young man

[@nazcraz11]

Wait, who says it will "most likely" push him out of the draft?

[@MC-qf8op]

Cannot see him falling out of top 15, let alone the entire draft

[@jackieellis8267]

My apologies. I meant to say that I saw where some analysts are predicting that Topic may fall out of the LOTTERY and not out of the DRAFT