Zach Edey, Kel'el Ware, Pacers in 2024 NBA mock draft projections
The top of the 2024 NBA Draft is drawing a collective yawn. There's no player perceived to have the instant impact that Victor Wembanyama had for the San Antonio Spurs.
However, two-time national player of the year Zach Edey of Purdue has seen his stock rise from midseason on. The 7-4 Boilermakers career scoring leader, who made one career 3-pointer, has even shown some outside shooting ability at the NBA Scouting Combine.
Edey is getting solid, though not unanimous, first-round projections for the June 26-27 draft. Former Indiana basketball big man Kel'el Ware is getting similar projections.
The Indiana Pacers hold the Nos. 36, 49 and 50 picks. As you could imagine, projections place an array of obscure players in Indianapolis.
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Zach Edey NBA mock draft prospects
CBS Sports, 24th to Knicks: As incredible as Edey was at Purdue over the past two years, he remains a divisive NBA prospect with what appears to be a pretty big range. He could go in the lottery or slip into the 20s. Either way, Edey would be a sensible option for the Knicks if he's still available at this point in the draft considering they could be on the verge of losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency.
Bleacher Report, 23rd to Bucks: As we saw against Connecticut's Donovan Clingan, he could still be predictable playing with his back to the basket. And NBA offenses will have an obvious game plan to put him in ball-screen situations and pull him away from the basket. Connecticut picked up two big second-half baskets against him as he failed to retreat back to the rim to contest the roll man. Still, Edey should still be able to justify consideration in the teens or 20s for a team that could use more easy baskets, physicality inside and shot-blocking.
Kevin O'Conner, The Ringer, 25th to Knicks: Assuming the Knicks re-sign Isaiah Hartenstein, they’d still have Mitchell Robinson on the roster and wouldn’t really need a big. But Edey would provide immense size and interior scoring that would give them another style of big in the rotation.
NBA Draft Room, 13th to Kings: The Kings could use a difference maker in the paint. Edey has some question marks about how his game will translate to the NBA; can he defend at the NBA level and keep up with the speed of the game? But he’s also an impactful presence in the paint and could bring big production in short spurts.
Kel'el Ware NBA mock draft prospects
Bleacher Report, 16th to 76ers: Narratives that point out empty stats or low-impact production have lost steam. He delivered more consistently in one-on-one situations around the basket while also flashing bonus shotmaking touch and range that create more offensive upside.
Yahoo, 18th to Magic: Ware was significantly better during his sophomore season at Indiana. He was stronger with the ball and a great defensive anchor for the Hoosiers. The Magic invested heavily in guards last year and could be looking to add some size and length in the frontcourt.
The Ringer, 17th to Pelicans: Consider how critical Dereck Lively has been to the Mavericks, even as a rookie. Could Ware have a similar influence in New Orleans? He is a vertical threat and has flashed an ability to shoot 3s. If the Pelicans opt to keep the pick, they’d have their choice of a number of different types of bigs to support their core players and another first to select an additional contributor.
NBA Draft Room, 27th to Timberwolves: Ware had a big sophomore season, his first at Indiana, improving in all aspects of the game and showing a better competitive fire. His upside could be too much to pass on at this point in the draft.
Pacers NBA mock draft prospects
Bleacher Report
No. 36, Alex Karaban, UConn: Alex Karaban's shot didn't fall during the championship game, but he impacted it with some impressive defensive displays of foot speed and instincts. Still, shotmaking and cutting will be behind the NBA interest in the 21-year-old, who has a fitting off-ball skill set and mentality for a supporting role.
No. 49, Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest: A breakout season with Wake Forest reignited interest around his three-level scoring. He's viewed more safely as a second-rounder right now due to limited playmaking for a 185-pound guard.
No. 50, Adem Bona, UCLA: He can bring instant defensive activity/switchability and athletic finishing. And he'll remain a threat in the post with his drop steps into hooks.
Yahoo
No. 36, A.J. Johnson, 6-6, Illawarra (Australia)
No. 49, Nikola Djurisic, 6-8, KK Mega Bemax (Serbia)
No. 50, Ulrich Chomche, 6-11, Cameroon
The Ringer
No. 36, Ajay Mitchell, 6-5, UC-Santa Barbara: Mitchell’s high-IQ style with and without the ball would fit alongside their existing backcourt pieces.
No. 49, Payton Sandfort, 6-7, Iowa: The Pacers are loaded with offense, but there’s no shame in adding more firepower, which a shooter like Sandfort would provide.
No. 50, Keshad Johnson, 6-7, Arizona: Drafting Johnson — a big, bruising forward — would follow the same logic Indiana used to select Jarace Walker in the lottery last year.
NBA Draft Room
No. 36, P.J. Hall, 6-9, Clemson: A bouncy, high energy forward who can stroke the 3. A very NBA-ready player who should be able to provide value from day 1 but probably isn’t going to be a star.
No. 49, Adama Bal, 6-7, Santa Clara: A big guard with creative scoring ability. Had a breakout season after transferring from Arizona.
No. 50, Jalen Bridges, 6-7, Baylor: A rock solid 3&D wing who projects as a solid role player at the next level. Does a bit of everything and can quietly impact the game.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Zach Edey, Kel'el Ware, Pacers in NBA mock draft projections
