ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo project that the Phoenix Suns will select Duke center Kyle Filipowski with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Suns, who are aggressively spending and have traded future draft control through 2030, need to balance their roster with talent on rookie contracts. Filipowski’s size and skill could provide valuable depth to their frontcourt. Phoenix also needs a true point guard, a role they might consider filling with this pick.
Filipowski, a 7-footer, averaged 15.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game over two years at Duke. He and Zion Williamson are the only Duke players to earn ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Tournament MVP in the same season. Filipowski is one of seven Blue Devils in the past 50 years to surpass 1,000 points in two years and the 69th all-time to achieve this milestone.
Given the Suns’ current “win-now” mode, they might trade this pick to strengthen their roster around their star trio. However, any potential trade likely won’t happen until draft day on June 26. Filipowski could serve as a backup center to Jusuf Nurkic, addressing the Suns’ depth issues from last season.
In ESPN’s mock draft, Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson and forward Keshad Johnson are predicted to go in the second round. Larsson, who transferred from Utah to Arizona, is projected to go 42nd overall to the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 9.9 points, 2.8 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 49.4% from the field and 38.5% from three over three seasons as a Wildcat. Johnson, who transferred from San Diego State to Arizona, is projected to go 47th overall to the Orlando Magic. He averaged 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in his single season at Arizona, starting all 36 games and maintaining a streak of 107 consecutive starts from his time at SDSU.
Other local prospects include Colorado wing Cody Williams and Dayton center DaRon Holmes II. Williams, projected to go 12th overall to the Thunder, grew up in Gilbert and played at Perry High School. He committed to Colorado as the No. 7 recruit in ESPN’s 2023 class and averaged 11.6 points per game in his lone season with the Buffaloes. Holmes, projected to go 50th overall to the Pacers, grew up in Goodyear and attended Millennium High School. Over three years at Dayton, he averaged 17.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
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