2024 NBA Mock Draft: Prospects Facing Major Fall Down Draft Boards

Looking at the 2024 NBA draft class, it might be easier to pick out which of the standout prospects haven't seen their stock dip to some degree.

The top of boards have evolved quite a bit since the evaluation process got fully underway. In his most recent mock draft, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman wrote how there's "no consensus top prospect, rankings or tiers."

Because of that, some players who months ago thought they were destined for the top five could be disappointed when the draft finally rolls around on June 26. Going off Wasserman's mock, these three in particular have lost some serious ground.

B/R Mock Draft

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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 06: Alex Sarr of the Wildcats celebrates a basket during the round two NBL match between Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena, on October 06, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

1. Detroit Pistons: Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth Wildcats

2. Washington Wizards: Rob Dillingham, PG/SG, Kentucky

3. Portland Trail Blazers: Zaccharie Risacher, SG/SF, JL Bourg-en-Bresse

4. Charlotte Hornets: Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky

5. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Topić, PG, KK Crvena Zvezda

6. Toronto Raptors: Stephon Castle, SG, UConn

7. Memphis Grizzlies: Ron Holland, SF, G League Ignite

8. Utah Jazz: Dalton Knecht, SG/SF, Tennessee

9. Houston Rockets (via Nets): Donovan Clingan, C, UConn

10. Atlanta Hawks: Matas Buzelis, SF, G League Ignite

11. Chicago Bulls: Cody Williams, SF/PF, Colorado

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Rockets): Devin Carter, PG/SG, Providence

13. Sacramento Kings: Jared McCain, PG/SG, Duke

14. Portland Trail Blazers (via Warriors): Kyle Filipowski, PF/C, Duke

15. Miami Heat: Isaiah Collier, PG, USC

16. Orlando Magic: Tristan da Silva, SF/PF, Colorado

17. Toronto Raptors (via Pacers): Terrence Shannon Jr., SG/SF, Illinois

18. New Orleans Pelicans (via Lakers): Kel'el Ware, C, Indiana

19. Philadelphia 76ers: Ja'Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Baylor

20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Tyler Smith, PF, G League Ignite

21. New Orleans Pelicans (via Bucks): Yves Missi, C, Baylor

22. Milwaukee Bucks (via Pelicans): Tidjane Salaun, PF, Cholet

23. Phoenix Suns: Zach Edey, C, Purdue

24. New York Knicks (via Mavericks): Johnny Furphy, SF, Kansas

25. New York Knicks: Kevin McCullar Jr., SG/SF, Kansas

26. Washington Wizards (via Clippers): Kyshawn George, SG/SF, Miami

27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Harrison Ingram, SF/PF, North Carolina

28. Denver Nuggets: Bobi Klintman, SF/PF, Cairns Taipans

29. Utah Jazz (via Thunder): Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette

30. Boston Celtics: DaRon Holmes II, C, Dayton

Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland

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LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 15: Ron Holland #0 of G League Ignite looks on during the game against the Mexico City Capitanes on January 15, 2024 at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)

The NBA announced in March it's winding down its G League Ignite project, citing the "changing basketball landscape" in terms of NIL rules and the transfer portal. One could argue the Ignite weren't fully serving their intended purpose as a finishing school for the pros, either, and the pair of Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis are cases in point.

Prior to the 2023-24 college season tipping off, Wasserman projected Holland to go first overall with Buzelis clocking in at No. 3. Now, they're seventh and 10th respectively in Wasserman's mock.

When constructing the Ignite roster for the 2023-24 season, the focus appears to have been on talent acquisition rather than how all of the pieces fit together. The results were a 2-32 record and an inability to set players like Holland and Buzelis up to showcase their skills.

Holland averaged 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, but he shot just 24.0 percent from beyond the arc. Buzelis put up 14.3 points and 6.9 boards per game and struggled just as much as a shooter (27.3 percent on threes).

The absence of a true facilitator for the Ignite was glaring. They tied for the fewest assists (22.9 per game) in the league and were last in assist ratio (16.7). Holland's and Buzelis' lackluster shooting numbers were partially a result of that.

While both are still on track to land on the lottery, neither is in a stronger position now than when the G League campaign got underway.

Isaiah Collier

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 24: USC Trojans guard Isaiah Collier (1) during a college basketball game against the UCLA Bruins on February 24, 2024 at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

No college team underwhelmed more than USC. The Trojans were a Top-25 squad in the preseason but finished just 15-18 overall and sported an 8-12 mark in Pac-12 play.

The team's steady slide dovetailed with that of freshman guard Isaiah Collier.

Collier was limited to 27 games thanks to a midseason hand injury and what he put on tape left a lot to be desired considering he was one of the most heralded recruits in the 2023 class.

"After first impressions, Isaiah Collier looked like one of the favorites to go first in the 2024 NBA draft. He popped with his standout physical traits and on-ball excitement," Wasserman wrote in his scouting report.

"Questions eventually emerged over his efficiency and USC losses before a hand injury sent him to the sidelines. But Collier started to turn things around upon his return, showing improvement in key areas while remaining productive."

Collier shot 33.8 percent from the perimeter and averaged 4.3 assists to 3.3 turnovers. Those aren't the kind of numbers you want to see from a ball-dominant guard.

One wonders whether Collier, who declared for the 2024 draft earlier this month, might actually be better off staying in the college ranks for another year.