Prospects with Most at Stake In 2024 NBA Draft Combine
There will be a number of prospects at the NBA combine who'll have more to gain or lose than others.
These are players who scouts are still unsure about. Some had disappointing seasons for various reasons, whether it was due to injuries or questionable fits. Some surprised with how well they played during the season and now have to validate their numbers. Some dominated mid-major conferences but need to show scouts they can continue executing against NBA prospects.
And two specific players chose to skip college to collect paychecks overseas, only to spend most of the year on the bench.
For many participants, results from the combine won't impact their stock. But the following eight names should be highlighted on boards as players who have a better chance of rising or falling based on their performances during drills, games and interviews.
Trevon Brazile (Arkansas, PF, Junior)
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Trevon Brazile's name has moved up, down and out during the last two seasons on our mock drafts.
Explosiveness and shooting had pushed him toward the lottery range, but a torn ACL and more knee soreness upon his return led to reduced minutes, production, flashes and possibly explosion. He wound up taking just 6.2 shots per game this season.
At his best, Brazile was routinely throwing down highlight dunks, and he was looking more and more comfortable from three.
He did have some strong games in March against Alabama and Vanderbilt, but we're still talking about a third-year forward who who scored in single digits during 15 of 26 games.
Along with seeing how comfortable and impactful he looks during combine scrimmaging, scouts will likely pay attention to his vertical jumps during athletic testing, given last year's ACL tear and how much Brazile relies on leaping.
Cam Christie (Minnesota, SG, Freshman)
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Cam Christie could have a lot to gain in Chicago, with scouts sounding both interested and hesitant.
We've heard two conflicting viewpoints during the season: He's a first-round talent, and he hasn't proved enough to go first round.
While most projected first-rounders choose to skip scrimmaging, Christie should participate, given his uncertain stock and the fact that he could return to college (if he underwhelms in Chicago) and still be one of 2025's youngest sophomores.
At 6'6", he shot 39.1 percent from three, delivering shotmaking from on and off the ball with 53 made pull-ups (39.6 percent) and 45 catch-and-shoot jumpers (40.5 percent). He was also an effective pick-and-roll ball-handler with his passing and ability to shoot off the dribble.
But he provided little rim pressure without much burst or explosion at the basket. Aside from rarely getting to the paint or free-throw line, he also shot an ugly 34.0 percent on layups, the worst mark among any prospect in our mock drafts or top-50 board.
Teams should have a better sense of how far away Christie appears after watching him against older pro prospects in Chicago.
Looking like a surefire NBA shotmaking wing could sway front offices to reach and stay patient with his physical and creation development. Looking outmatched could lead to feedback that advises Christie to return and build his stock for 2025.
Justin Edwards (Kentucky, SF, Freshman)
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There could always be a front office that's willing to put more stock into Justin Edwards' high school scouting than his Kentucky tape.
We've seen teams do this before with prospects such as Ziaire Williams and Peyton Watson. Still, there is plenty of convincing left to do for Edwards to attract more first-round suitors.
Ideally, he participates in scrimmages and shows more than he was given the freedom to at Kentucky. Chances are he'll be advised to sit out those games, though, due to the idea that he'll have more to lose than gain and he won't have control of his teammates or role.
Regardless, Edwards will be mandated this year to take part in shooting and half-court drills. Scouts still sound unsure about what his one bankable skill will be. He showed little creation or functional ball-handling to get his own shot or shots for others, and the lack of three-point volume raises some question about his range.
He did convert spot-up drives efficiently, and he finished at a respectable 36.5 percent from deep. Throw in some athletic pop for offensive rebounding and solid defensive tools, and it would be understandable if a team saw a wing worth developing and waiting on.
However, he put up too many duds and no-shows this year. His 8.8 points per game weren't produced with many memorable flashes. Scouts will be looking into Edwards closely in Chicago, and some will undoubtedly be turned off if he chooses to sit out scrimmages.
Trentyn Flowers (Adelaide, SF, 2005)
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After averaging just 14.4 minutes in the NBL and playing his last game in January, Trentyn Flowers should be atop scouts' priority lists in Chicago.
There is a lower level of familiarity with the 19-year-old who skipped college and wasn't at highly scouted events such as the McDonald's All-American Game, Nike Hoop Summit or Jordan Brand Classic.
Despite his modest 5.5 points per game in Australia, 6'8" size, shotmaking skill and athletic finishing have lifted intrigue high enough for Flowers to earn an NBA combine invite.
Aside from scrimmaging, he should draw a crowd during half-court and shooting drills, decent opportunities to evaluate his reads and stroke. He didn't have much of an opportunity to make plays with Adelaide (21 pick-and-roll possessions).
Flowers' draft stock will ultimately be very dependent on how he performs and interviews in Chicago.
Bronny James (USC, SG, Freshman)
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Opinions on Bronny James are all over the place.
Right now, there are skeptics who don't think he's worth drafting. Optimists believe USC misused him in a spot-up heavy role that limited his creation chances and ability to generate rhythm. Some think the Los Angeles Lakers will use a second-round pick on him to appease LeBron.
There should be a more consensus feeling after getting to watch him drill and scrimmage at the NBA combine.
Measurements will be important, considering USC listed him at 6'4", 210 pounds, bigger than previous listings. Teams will want an up-close look at his shooting stroke, which was expected to be a signature strength and produce better results than a 26.7 three-point percentage and 67.6 free-throw percentage.
No combine event will be more important than five-on-fives, which goes for all participants, but especially James after he averaged just 4.8 points and 2.1 assists. Evaluators will want to see him on the ball more, and while that will still be up to the coaches running the team, the 19-year-old—always known for his unselfishness—needs to show some extra aggression in his two games.
It's possible some front offices may be looking for an excuse to add James, with the hope it could lure LeBron at some point in the future. That mindset could help lower the bar for Bronny in Chicago.
To maximize his chances of getting picked, though, he'll need to have more than just high IQ and tough defense to sell teams with. Reestablishing his shooting credibility should be priority No. 1, though showing teams there is combo-guard ability with ball-handling, playmaking and rim pressure should remain a goal in Chicago.
AJ Johnson (Illawara Hawks, SG, 2005)
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Scouts' takes on AJ Johnson don't sound confident after he averaged just 8.3 minutes per game in the NBL.
An invitation to the combine was clearly based on high school accolades. He's always popped for athleticism, creation and shotmaking that points to NBA 2-guard scoring potential. But he couldn't earn a regular role overseas at 19 years old, and scouts have little feel for his shooting consistency, playmaking ability or decision-making.
A good amount of domestic-based scouts also haven't made the trip out to Australia.
Few players have as much riding on NBA combine scrimmages and workouts than Johnson. A strong showing could move the needle considerably, particularly in a draft that's missing prospects with perceived upside. He could be the type of young scorer certain front offices want to gamble on and stay patient with.
Ajay Mitchell (Santa Barbara, PG, Junior)
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Mid-major scorers always have something extra to prove during NBA combine scrimmages. They will represent an opportunity for Ajay Mitchell to show he can continue creating, separating and making contested shots against a different level of opponent compared to the ones he faced in the Big West.
Last year, we saw Santa Clara's Brandin Podziemski and Belmont's Ben Sheppard validate their in-season success by standing out in Chicago among NBA prospects.
Scouts remain on the fence about Mitchell right now, despite his 20.0 points and 4.0 assists on 61.2 percent true shooting. He was incredibly efficient in ball-screen (1.01 PPP) and isolation (1.11 PPP) possessions. He even made 44.3 percent of his catch-and-shoot chances when playing off the ball.
Scouts still need to be convinced that his athletic limitations won't be more restrictive at higher levels. And there is also some skepticism around his 39.3 three-point percentage, given the low volume of attempts (2.9 per game).
The growing success of less athletic ball-handlers (Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) could sway teams to put more stock into skill and IQ when scouting this particular position.
Continuing to get to his spots, finish with craft and make tough shots in Chicago can help Mitchell move the needle for hesitant scouts.
Jonathan Mogbo (San Francisco, PF, Junior)
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Between Jonathan Mogbo's unique junior college background, late-blooming development, unconventional skill set and poor strength of schedule, he should be one of the main attractions for scouts in Chicago.
He's the only NCAA player on record to rack up at least 80 dunks with an assist percentage over 20.0. The only other two players who passed that much and even got to 55 dunks were Ben Simmons and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
But there are still questions about NBA fit with essentially a 6'8" center who doesn't shoot or block shots at a good rate. At that size, he was able to own West Coast Conference opponents around the basket with his powerful finishes and quick reactions under the boards. His ability to play-make from the post represents a differentiator skill that allows him to impact games in ways most bigs can't.
Scouts will now have a key opportunity to evaluate Mogbo against NBA prospects and determine whether they believe he can continue earning easy baskets and creating advantages from inside.
Stats courtesy of Synergy Sports
