2024 NBA Mock Draft: Pistons face difficult decision in No. 1 spot

Rob Dillingham is one of the most polarizing prospects on the board. The diminutive guard has been Kentucky's most reliable source of playmaking. He's a speedy, endlessly creative ball-handler with extreme confidence and proficiency as a pull-up shooter. Dillingham has oscillated between on and off-ball duties for Kentucky. He's equally comfortable stepping into movement 3s and attacking a rotating defense off the catch.

Once dinged at lower levels for erratic decision-making, Dillingham has proven that he can translate his imagination and self-assurance to higher levels of competition while also tightening the screws elsewhere. He doesn't turn the ball over much. He's also a real playmaking force on the defensive end, but there are unavoidable concerns about his slender 6-foot-2 frame translating to the NBA. He will be a frequent target of smart pro offenses.

The Spurs have the defensive backbone to cover for Dillingham. Meanwhile, his craft working out of pick-and-rolls would perfectly complement Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio desperately needs a point guard.

Reed Sheppard has impacted winning more than almost any freshman of the last decade. There are natural concerns tied to his slight 6-foot-3 frame and limited athleticism, but the dude knows how to play the game. He's one of the best 3-point shooters in college basketball and he's primed to connect dots for an offense at the next level. Sheppard processes the game like a high-powered computer and he doesn't often stumble into mistakes.

While it's fair to express skepticism about the defensive ceiling of a guard in Sheppard's mold, he displays air-tight fundamentals at the point of attack and his instincts are off the charts. Sheppard is a polished pickpocket and a frequent purveyor of transition offense. If NBA teams want surefire effort and reliability in a class short on anything surefire, Sheppard is the pick.

For Washington, Sheppard is the perfect addition. He's a teenager with the poise of a college senior. He can hit 3s, make the right plays on offense, and provide defensive stability to a team in desperate need of winners. Sheppard is a winner.