Where Indiana’s Kel’el Ware stands in mock drafts after 2024 NBA draft lottery

  • 05/13/2024 8:06 am in

Indiana sophomore Kel’el Ware is a projected first-round pick by most in June’s 2024 NBA draft.

On Sunday afternoon, the NBA draft lottery took place, with the Atlanta Hawks winning the No. 1 pick. The 2024 NBA draft will take place over two days – June 26 and 27 — at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

With the complete draft order now known, a flurry of updated mock drafts were released. Here’s an updated look at the projections for Ware following the lottery and ahead of this week’s combine in Chicago:

• ESPN.com, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo: No. 27 to Minnesota

Minnesota has found considerable success in the playoffs with its superior size advantage and might want to continue to lean into that strategy by stockpiling frontcourt talent. Ware has tremendous physical ability with his size, length and mobility as well as his ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim in small doses. There could be some parallels drawn between his pathway and the one Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid is on. — Givony

• Bleacher Report, Jonathan Wasserman: No. 16 to Philadelphia

It seems like Kel’el Ware can only rise during a pre-draft process that will highlight his outstanding measurements, athleticism and comfort level shooting threes.

Though he struggled during Indiana’s finale and loss to Nebraska, he mostly had a strong last two months in terms of scoring and impact.

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.

• The Ringer: Kevin O’Connor: No. 17 to New Orleans

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.

• The Athletic, Sam Vecenie: No. 33 to Milwaukee

• NBAdraft.net: No. 22 to Phoenix

• SBNation, Ricky O’Connell: No. 17 to New Orleans

Ware is oozing with talent as an athletic 7-footer with a projectable jump shot, nice scoring touch inside the paint, and the ability to finish plays above the rim on both ends of the floor. After a woeful freshman year with Oregon, Ware transferred to Indiana and looked like the McDonald’s All-American scouts saw him as out of high school. His shooting potential — 42.5 percent from three-point range on 40 attempts — is enticing for teams looking for a five-out look even if his volume wasn’t all that high. Ware is so talented that he often leaves you wanting more: he doesn’t play with much force around the rim, and his motor has long been questioned. At this point in the draft, it’s worth taking a chance on Ware’s tools if he can put it all together.

• CBSSports.com, Kyle Boone: Not among top 30 picks

• The Sporting News, Kyle Irving: No. 26 to Washington

The Wizards need frontcourt depth after trading Daniel Gafford to the Mavericks at the deadline. Ware is a rim-protecting center with a high ceiling who came on strong late in the season for Indiana. He is a long, athletic and mobile lob-catcher who has a developing offensive game as a scorer.

• USA Today, Bryan Kalbrosky: No. 27 to Minnesota

The Timberwolves may not be able to afford backup big man Naz Reid for much longer and will want to at least take a look at Indiana sophomore big man Kel’el Ware, who had a very nice season (despite missing the tournament) after transferring from Oregon.

Ware is a 7-footer who shot 57.1 percent on all catch-and-shoot jumpers, via Stats Perform, which was the best of any player included on the latest consensus big board.

• Yahoo Sports, Krysten Peek: No. 18 to Orlando

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.

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