NBA mock draft 6.0: Milwaukee jumps into the lottery to acquire a defensive stopper!

While NBA teams are busy evaluating young talent ahead of the draft, they’re also looking at ways to use their picks as a means to re-shape their roster. The Portland Trail Blazers have two selections in the lottery this year, and the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season. They might make a notable trade for the second straight year ahead of the NBA Draft.

With an eye towards improving their team defensively, Milwaukee would acquire Jerami Grant, Robert Williams and the 14^th pick from Portland, in exchange for Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton and A.J. Green. The two front offices are very much familiar with one another after having negotiated extensively on the Damian Lillard trade last fall.

Portland has a slew of guards they are looking to develop, and are essentially stuck with Deandre Ayton at center. Middleton gives them a professional swingman who can fit in with their lineup. The Trail Blazers would also move off of Grant’s long-term deal, which in turn gives the Bucks a perimeter defensive presence. Williams has also been a great defender when healthy.

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In the proposed trade, Milwaukee would part ways with a lot of perimeter shooting in exchange for enhanced defense. The Bucks could replace that long-range marksmanship by drafting Knecht. ESPN projects him to be like a Bojan Bogdanovic or Max Strus-type, who can fill it up from three point land.

Many mock drafts now believe that the Kings might be looking more closely at a perimeter player like Duke’s Jared McCain or Colorado’s Tristan Da Silva. However, it still makes sense for Sacramento to strongly consider a center who can play 10–15 minutes a night and provide a defensive presence. Missi figures to fit that mold.

The Thunder arguably were the NBA’s most surprising team this season, advancing into the second round of the playoffs with a young cast of characters. Adding Castle, who has made a name for himself as a hounding perimeter defender, would only help Oklahoma City’s chances to contend again next year.

Carter has shot up draft boards recently thanks to a strong performance at the NBA Draft combine in May. According to CBS Sports, he was at the top of vertical leap drills, and excelled in the three-quarter sprint. Physical attributes aside, Carter also showed he was an efficient shooter at the college level.

Sheppard’s final game in college was a bit of a dud in the NCAA Tournament, but that shouldn’t take away from the promise NBA scouts believe he has. He has the ability to play on the ball or away from it, which is something the Jazz would value if they want to keep feeding Keyonte George touches in his second season.

It’s hard to predict exactly what Memphis will do heading into the NBA Draft, as their 2023-2024 season was torpedoed by injuries and a suspension to Ja Morant. They could do a lot worse than adding Walter into the fold, who is one of the best shooters in the draft. The New York Post called him “dangerous” coming off of screens.

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Topic feels like he could fit in with virtually any NBA team. At 6’6” with elite passing skills, the Serbian prospect could find himself in a perfect situation to thrive in San Antonio. He could play point forward, as ESPN compares his game to Josh Giddey’s with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Blazers would keep the higher of their two lottery picks in the proposed trade with Milwaukee. Although the Ayton contract makes any center selection in the NBA Draft unlikely, Clingan could spell the veteran as a defensive change of pace. CBS Sports believes he could help a team with rim protection right away.

Many of our previous mock drafts have pegged Charlotte as a team who might draft a guard as LaMelo Ball insurance, but they could very well draft a forward at the sixth spot. Holland’s strengths involve getting to the basket with great athleticism, which should compliment Ball’s skill set.

There’s a world in which Detroit would rather not make this selection, and perhaps use the pick to try and acquire a more established player. There’s also the possibility that the Pistons continue to draft high upside players in hopes one of them blossoms into a star. Williams is a very raw prospect offensively, but comes with intriguing defensive upside.

While concerns about Dillingham’s size have been bantered about, there’s no doubt that he can score in bunches. NBA Draft Room also feels like he’s come a long way as a passer, which would be an important detail in Gregg Popovich’s scheme in San Antonio. Having Victor Wembanyama on the back end may mitigate Dillingham’s stature concerns on the perimeter.

Houston made a late season charge for a play-in spot this season, and is likely looking to take that next step during the 2024-2025 campaign. It’s unlikely that anyone they select at this spot will be a major part of their rotation next year, but Buzelis’ upside could be too tantalizing for them to pass up on. He would have the benefit of learning on an improving team.

The Wizards can go in a few different directions with the second selection, but securing a potential defensive anchor in the paint is an attractive option. ESPN believes Sarr has the potential to be as good as Jaren Jackson Jr., but thinks his floor resembles more of Nic Claxton’s game. Either way, Washington would have a solid player to build around if they took Sarr.

If the Hawks stay at number one, they seem all but guaranteed to pick one of the two top prospects out of France. Risacher may be the more versatile of the pair, as CBS Sports calls out the size and length he brings to the wing. He may need a little time to get accustomed to the physicality of the NBA, but Risacher’s profile portends good things for any team that takes him.

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