The first round of the 2024 NBA draft is underway.
Follow us throughout the evening for real-time reactions and live analysis of the 30 selections.
Who is right ? Who is completely wrong? Who is either a sneaky genius or overthinks it? We’ll have all of these answers and more in the latest iteration of the NBA Draft.
While the consensus opinion felt there was no consensus top prospect in this class, the majority of mock drafters called for the Hawks to add Zaccharie Risacher at this spot. That doesn’t necessarily make it a good choice, but on a night that could be full of surprises, Atlanta kept things uneventful.
Risacher has one of the best blends of finish and potential in the draft. It’s easy to imagine him thriving in a three-and-D role early in his NBA career, but his flashes of handling and vision leave it to the imagination to think he would work a day as a high-end designer.
If he doesn’t play up his potential to the fullest, he’ll be a useful supporting player and likely a rock-solid starter who defends multiple positions, launches open shots, and makes smart, simple reads on offense. If he nears his ultimate ceiling, he could one day emerge as a big, do-it-all wing, which is hard to find for teams outside of the draft.
Star potential isn’t what you normally expect from a No. 1 overall pick, but that would have been true regardless of who Atlanta selected here.
Grade: B
The Wizards waited so long to move on from the Bradley Beal era, and they are sorely lacking in foundation. They needed to take a big step forward, and that’s exactly what they did with Alex Sarr, who might just have the most potential in this class.
Sarr might be the last nimble, athletic 7-footer who succeeds in the modern NBA with a do-it-all defense and an offensive arsenal that is only beginning to take shape. Comparisons to Evan Mobley and Jaren Jackson Jr. highlight Sarr’s defensive impact as both a paint protector and a capable switcher on the perimeter, while also leaving the door ajar for offensive growth perhaps significant.
He will function primarily as a finisher early in his career, although he should also orchestrate snap attacks on the defensive glass that showcase his ease handling the ball. Sarr’s jumper needs a lot of work, but if he ever finds a perimeter touch, it could open everything up. He could prove impossible for opponents to handle if they have to respect his jumper.
Sarr’s offensive development will determine the return on that investment, but it was the right decision for Washington.
Grade: A
Guards who played under former head coach John Calipari at Kentucky often revealed new layers to their game upon arriving in the NBA. Reed Sheppard could be the next to achieve it. He didn’t get many opportunities to create with the Wildcats, but when he did, he showed hints of bursting off the dribble and plenty of creativity.
He is first and foremost an all-caps SHOOTER, having scored an absurd 75 out of 144 (52.1%) in college. But he is too good to be called a specialist. Beyond those three-point lasers, he’ll provide a secondary (or, if all goes well, primary) game, high IQ, and soft touch around the basket.
His lack of size (6’2″, 182 lbs) is a defensive concern, but at least he won’t lose defensive battles due to lack of effort or poor instincts.
The Rockets were the leading trade candidates at this spot, but there’s a lot to like about Sheppard’s place in Space City. His shot should be a great long-term match for Amen Thompson, whose defensive versatility and creation can help cover some of Sheppard’s limitations.
Grade:B+
The Spurs needed to come out of this draft with a point guard, and in Stephon Castle, they just found someone who makes high-level plays on both ends of the floor.
If Castle had a reliable jumper, he could have finished first overall in this draft. That’s how powerful the rest of his arsenal is.
Castle is capable of handling and creating play at 2.08m and 95kg, and he is an absolute threat on defense. If his chance comes, he has legitimate All-Star potential. The same cannot be said for many prospects in this draft.
The rider is a concern though. In fact, it’s one of the greatest swing skills in this entire draft. If he can’t shoot better than he did at UConn (26.7% at low volume), he could be tough to play in major playoff moments.
These could soon be coming to the Alamo City with the Victor Wembanyama era in full swing.
Grade: A-
Someone hears the “Whoa!” from old Bill Simmons. sound clip. This might be the closest this ride gets to a true stunner.
Granted, Holland was once at the top of this draft class, so he could prove to be a bargain at this spot. The Ignite didn’t give him much support and may have put him at a disadvantage due to his oversized responsibilities, but he also didn’t help himself with turnover issues and back-to-back shooting.
That being said, the potential that put him so high in the early prospect rankings hasn’t disappeared. He is an athletic, offensive winger who plays hard, offers defensive versatility and demonstrates interesting attributes off the dribble.
Holland needs polishing, but he’s also 18 and very talented, so high-end results remain on the table.
The Pistons need to expand their talent base, and this new front office just took one of the most intriguing drivers in this class. That said, one wonders if Detroit could have gone down and still landed in Holland. You also wonder if he’ll do anything to solve the Pistons’ overwhelming spacing issues on offense.
It’s an interesting choice, but there are plenty of ways it could go wrong.
Grade: VS
The upward train is moving, friends. That seems higher than what Tidjane Salaun has shown on virtually any mock draft, but Charlotte’s new brass clearly sees something in the French swingman.
Salaun could be the biggest wild card in this draft. In the same vein, he still has more than a month left to enjoy his 18th birthday.
Time is on Salaun’s side. While it doesn’t guarantee anything, it does give him a long runway from which he could eventually take off as a shooter, finisher and open-court creator. And the Hornets have no obvious reason to feel rushed.
Salaun’s game could also benefit from a nice boost and several coats of polish. But you understand what the Hornets are thinking. The draft is largely about taking risks, and Salaun’s best scenarios are among the best in the class.
It seems early, but he has a chance to improve over time.
Grade:VS
The Blazers must be thrilled to have Donovan Clingan here. For much of the mock draft season, they felt like the only way to get him would be to trade him, but the defensive anchor fell in their lap.
If Clingan impacts the NBA game like he did at UConn, he could be a top-10 defender on his own. And Portland could use some paint protection behind young guards Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe.
Clingan is massive (7’2″, 282 pounds) and incredibly long (7’7″ wingspan), and he uses his physical tools to control the interior and the glass. Changing the perimeter poses a challenge for him, but he could be mobile enough to not get played down the field.
Clingan’s offensive range doesn’t extend beyond the restricted area — he shot 55.8 percent on free throws in two seasons with the Huskies — but that’s not necessary when he controls the paint and cleans the glass at both ends.
Portland will have some moves to make with two starting-caliber centers already on its roster (Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III). But if the Blazers are convinced of Clingan’s talent, they were smart to add him at No. 7 and worry about the rest later.
Grade:B