2024 NBA Draft 1st Round BreakDown
The NBA draft brought a crop of French and European players that could make an immediate impact on NBA teams, and also brought out some of the greatest college players in their respective program histories (Terrance Shannon, Zach Edey). There are interior players, and there are elite 3 point shooters, and almost every team in the NBA is looking to add some youth to their rosters. Let’s break down the first round of the 2024 NBA draft.
Atlanta Hawks: SF Zaccharie Risacher (France) 6’9” 195 LBS
I thought there might be a chance that the Hawks drafted Alex Sarr here because of their need for a rim protector. Risacher is a good defender at the wing that can help the Hawks on defense. He’s going to have to develop strength and ball handling skills. He’s likely going to be a d-and-3 style player while he develops. But his instincts make him one of the most NBA ready prospects. You get Risacher here because of his ceiling, and if Trae Young leaves you have an elite prospect developing as your foundation. The Hawks are hoping that Risacher could have a Victor Wembanyama style of impact on their team in 2025-2026.
Pick Grade: B+
Washington Wizards: C Alex Sarr (France) 7’0” 224 LBS
Per ESPN, Sarr has a “9-foot-2 standing reach.” He’s extremely mobile for his size and can cover ground quickly. His defensive ability and rim protection with the ability to knock down 3’s makes him an interesting prospect for Washington. There is no hurry, and early comparisons label him a similar player as Kristaps Porzingis. Sarr can make an impact right away, and he isn’t close to his ceiling. He joins fellow Frenchman Bilal Coulibaly with a team who had their eyes on him in the entire build up to the draft.
Pick Grade: A+
Houston Rockets: SG Reed Sheppard (Kentucky) 6’2” 182 LBS
Houston is in win now and they got a player who has good instincts and is an elite shooter who when hot can take control of a game. ESPN deemed him a “3-point sniper.” He’s efficient offensively and an underrated athlete. He’s an explosive defender who can cause turnovers and disrupt a team on an odd man rush or catching you in transition. It feels like every good team in the NBA has a guy they can rely on from behind the arch, and Sheppard makes Houston a much more dangerous 3-point shooting team without playing a game.
Pick Grade: A-
San Antonio Spurs: PG Stephon Castle (UCONN) 6’6” 210 LBS
The Spurs took a player with a winning pedigree and a bigger point guard. He’s a good defender, and can be an elite defender with San Antonio. Potential “defensive player of the year” candidate style ceiling. He’s not a very good 3-point shooter, and he needs a lot of development on the offensive side of the ball. But this isn’t the first raw offensive point guard that Greg Popovich developed. Tony Parker was a very inconsistent shooter that improved over time. Castle can lock up a top scorer on the opposing team and has good vision in ball distribution. He’s not a score-first type of guard. With Castle and Wembanyama on the same team, the Spurs are going to be a problem on defense. Now if they can get a 3-point shooter with the 8th pick, this team could be a play-in team next season.
Pick Grade: A-
Detroit Pistons: SF Ron Holland II (G League Ignite) 6’7” 197 LBS
A bit of a reach here for Detroit, but Holland is a fine player. He’s a wing who can slash to the rim and a good driving player on offense. He’s physical and can set a strong tone on defense. Playing in the G League, his level of competition was no problem for his intensity. He’s a bit of a poor decision maker, but the ball will be in Cade Cunningham’s hands and he won’t be asked to create. He’s only 18-years old so he’s still a raw talent. He’s an unselfish player and has been known to be a good teammate. A young team with not coach or identity could use this style of player
Pick Grade: B+
Charlotte Hornets: PF Tidjane Salaün (FRANCE) 6’9” 217 LBS
Very physical and energetic young player. He’s got really good size and an underrated shot maker. He’s not a very good ball handler but he’s still a very raw prospect. He can find ways to make an impact on the court without the ball in his hands. His shooting ability and size make him worth a draft for the Hornets. Being that he has LaMelo Ball at the point, we probably won’t see him have to run the ball up very much. He will set the tone for the Hornets on defense.
Pick Grade: B
Portland Trail Blazers: C Donovan Clingan (UCONN) 7’2” 282 LBS
The Trail Blazers ranked last in rim protection last season so they went and got a monster that also is a 2-time reigning champion. He’s the main factor of UCONN’s dominance. You now have Deandre Ayton and Clingan next to each other in the interior. Clingan excels where Ayton has struggled. Ayton has been deemed soft in the league, and nobody is saying that about Clingan. He can stuff your offense in a hurry and is probably the best defender on Portland right away. HUGE pick.
Pick Grade: A+
San Antonio Spurs: PG Rob Dillingham (Kentucky) 6’1” 164 LBS (TRADED TO MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES)
Dillingham is an explosive offensive juggernaut. Not a great defender, and he’s small, but he’s a creative scorer that can get hot and stay hot. He can dunk, and can hit shots from anywhere on the floor. He’s an underrated passer, but an elite 3-point shooter. He’s an excellent fit for a 6-man on a winning team like Minnesota who have a strong defensive identity. Dillingham reminds me a lot of JR Smith. The Timberwolves are going to be special next season, and with Dillingham, they can make it to the NBA finals.
Grade: A-
Memphis Grizzlies: C Zach Edey (Purdue) 7’4” 299 LBS
The size and footwork of Edey, and the physicality make him an excellent fit for Memphis. People look small around Zach Edey. He’s a monster. He’s got a 9-foot-7 reach. He’s a confident player and one of the most successful college players ever. He’s got a mean streak that fits the gritty Memphis Grizzlies. And with an athletic guard in Ja Morant, this team could be home to the greatest pick-and-roll in basketball.
Grade: B+
Utah Jazz: SG Cody Williams (Colorado) 6’7” 178 LBS
Williams is a talented player who’s big and can shoot well. His wingspan and defensive ability makes him fit a need for Utah. He’s not physical on the glass, but he can bring elements and upside to Utah who feel like they’re not far from competing for a play-in spot. Some think he’s a better prospect than his older brother because of that natural scoring ability.
Grade: B
Chicago Bulls: SF Matas Buzelis (G-League Ignite) 6’9” 197 LBS
Buzelis is still growing into his body, but has a high ceiling. He’s a great slashing wing with explosive leaping ability. He’s a strong rim protector. He’s got a thin frame but a massive wingspan. He’s a Chicago-area native. He was projected to go at number 5, so the Bulls might have gotten a steal at 11 here. Buzelis is a solid shooter, but not elite. But he fits well with the creative young players they have in Coby White, Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, and Patrick Williams. Buzelis undoubtedly the best dunker in the draft and has the ability to play physically on offense.
Grade: A-
Oklahoma City Thunder: G Nikola Topic (SEBIA) 6’6” 203 LBS
At 18 years old, Topic is a good shot creator and good at distributing the basketball. He’s solid on the pick-and-roll. He had knee injuries last season, and had a partially torn ACL in April. But the Thunder sat Chet Holmgren his entire rookie season, and they likely will do that with Topic and be in no hurry to call him up. He has a good feel for the game but some developing to do. This is a young player with play making ability who can replace Josh Giddey.
Grade: A
Sacramento Kings: PG Devin Carter (Providence) 6’2” 193 LBS
The Kings are trying to add to this roster to make them contenders. Carter is a good physical guard who plays good defense. He developed as an offensive player at the college games, but doesn’t possess any trait or skill that will jump out at the next level. He’s got poor ball handling and doesn’t create shots for himself and teammates. He relies on his explosive drive to the rim to provide his scoring. He will need to develop some aspects of his game to be a contributor on the big stage.
Grade: C+
Portland Trail Blazers: G Bub Carrington (Pittsburgh) 6’4” 195 LBS (TRADED TO WASHINGTON WIZARDS)
It’s pretty obvious why the Wizards jumped to get Bub. A team trying to stack their roster with young talent, Bub is an extremely big guard who can knock down the 3 point shot. He can be a bit inconsistent at times, but when he’s hot he took games over in college. He’s a mature player and is intelligent with the ball in his hands. He’s got a solid midrange and a strong passer. A very young prospect, with no rush, he will have a chance to develop into his frame that is still relatively new to him after a recent growth spurt.
Grade: B+
Miami Heat: C Kel’el Ware (Indiana) 6’11” 210 LBS
Being that Bam Adebayo just got a massive deal, and Ware has a lot of raw ability that needs to be developed, the Heat might be taking a fun project prospect. I’ve learned not to question the Heat on their draft and development. There is obviously a plan and vision for a 3-shooting big man. If they could get him to buy into the Heat way, then he could be a scary addition behind Bam and another well-rounded big man that can score.
Grade: C
Philadelphia 76ers: PG Jared McCain (Duke) 6’2” 2023 LBS
Jared is an elite 3-point shooting guard that has good court vision and can come on as a ball distributor and good 6-man and backup to Tyrese Maxey. The 76ers fans are going to love this kid. Good energy, and a clutch shot maker. Him and Joel could be fun to watch on the pick and roll. He could be a potential rookie of the year candidate with a lot of the holes on the 76ers roster. Grade value pick for the 76ers here.
Grade: A+
Los Angeles Lakers: SF Dalton Knecht (Tennessee) 6’6” 212 LBS
Dalton Knech fell down the draft order and he landed right in the Lakers lap. A good win who can score at a high clip. An elite shooter who isn’t a good defender or rebounder, but can help the offense when it goes cold. Knecht is an excellent value pick for the Lakers, and will be an immediate role player.
Grade: A+
Orlando Magic: SF Tristan da Silva (Colorado) 6’8” 217 LBS
Tristan da Silva came out of nowhere last season. He’s a good player that does a little bit of everything to make up for his lack of physicality. He’s a really good 3 point shooter and has the ability to step up and knock down big shots. His speed and intelligence allows him to be versatile on defense, and there's room to grow on his frame. This is a solid pick for the Magic.
Grade: B+
Toronto Raptors: SG Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor) 6’4” 198 LBS
Walker has a long wingspan who’s aggressive and competitive which could turn him into a plus defender in the NBA. But he’s a good shooter, and can be a 3-and-D wing for the Raptors. He’s only fast when crashing the board, and can produce offensive rebounds. He has one of the highest ceilings in the draft, and can be a really nice role player immediately for the Raptors who have a ton of open opportunities on their roster.
Grade: A+
Cleveland Cavaliers: SG Jaylon Tyson (California) 6’6” 218 LBS
Jalon Tyson is an interesting prospect, as he didn’t jump up the boards, but he’s a rare talent that can adapt to any scenario or setting you put him in. He’s NBA ready. He’s a big guard who can score at will. He can hit pull up 3’s, but on the same team as Donovan Mitchell, will have to learn how to pass. You’re not at Cal anymore. But he’s likely going to be a fun role player for the Cavaliers who look to be a playoff team again.
Grade: B+
New Orleans Pelicans: C Yves Missi (Baylor) 6’11’ 229 LBS
A very athletic center who can get down the court in a hurry. He’s a physical player and can develop into a good defender. He needs to improve on the interior protecting the rim as he sometimes gets posted up and moved out of position. He’s not being drafted because he’s a well-polished basketball player, but because he has natural ability that is god given and the Pelicans can mold him into the style of player they need him to be. He’ll probably struggle scoring in the NBA for the first 2-3 seasons, but year 4 and 5 will hopefully be his breakout years. The Pelicans really liked him in the build up of the draft which means they see something they like in the big man.
Grade: A
Phoenix Suns: PF DaRon Holmes II (Dayton) 6’9” 236 LBS (TRADED TO DENVER NUGGETS)
Holmes was a great scorer for Dayton last season. He got much stronger and was a good post player. He’s not a good defender for his size, as most of his physical play comes on the offensive side of the ball. He developed a 3-point aspect to his game, and will be a nice role player for Denver. But in order to take the next step to improving his game, he will have to be much better defensively or he’s going to get bullied by other power forwards and centers in the NBA.
Grade: A-
Milwaukee Bucks: SG AJ Johnson (USA) 6’4” 167 LBS
This is a developmental project pick for the Bucks. He probably will play in the G-League since he’s so young. He’s nowhere near strong enough to make an NBA roster right now. He’s an electric offensive player at times. He could make for a fun visit out to G-League games as he has the ability to be a star in the developmental league. In 3-4 years, Milwaukee could have a really good player in their hands that they can mold him into what they want him to be. He had a good combine which is why he jumped so high on the board.
Grade: C+
Washington Wizards: SG Kyshawn George, (Miami (FL)) 6’7” 209 LBS
Big player with a large wingspan,. He can play the outside wing and knock down three point shots. He’s a smart basketball player who can read defenses and has great vision. His size could help him turn into a good defender and shot blocker. The Wizards are committing to youth, and George has a similar story to Bub Carrington. He’s got a lot of work to do to develop and fill out his frame, but he’s got a high ceiling.
Grade: A-
New York Knicks: SG Pacôme Dadiet (France) 6’8” 217 LBS
This entire sequence of picks was messy between the Wizards, Knicks, and Thunder. A very raw and young prospect for a team in win now mode. He doesn’t do anything exceptionally well so he has a lot of developing to do. He’s an intelligent and a solid basketball player, but will have to become a much better shooter to get onto the main roster and contribute. Dadiet could just be benefiting from the French panic in this year's draft.
Grade: D
Oklahoma City Thunder: SF Dillon Jones (Weber State) 6’4” 237 LBS
I think the Thunder are reaching here. I didn’t see much out of Jones, and I thought his speed, size, and inconsistent shooting was going to keep him from the NBA. He made most of his production from slashing to the rim. Solid defensive instincts, this is obviously a project pick for the Thunder. He will likely be moved to guard, and spend a year or two developing in the G-League before getting the call to the main roster.
Grade: D
Minnesota Timberwolves: SG Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois) 6’6” 219 LBS
Shannon is explosive offensively and was potentially the best player and pure scorer at the college level. He was a 5-year senior who matured into a competent defender, but his shooting ability makes him dangerous, especially if he’s paired with Rob Dillingham off the bench. Shannon was exonerated of rape and sexual assault in Kansas, something he battled al last season. With the legal troubles behind him, it will be interesting to see if he can transition into a good role player at the next level.
Grade: A+
Phoenix Suns: SF Ryan Dunn (Virginia) 6’6” Virginia
An elite defender, the Suns will have some depth off the bench who can compliment the scoring ability of their starpower. He’s an explosive wing and can guard smaller players and larger players. There is no mismatch for him. He’s got a lot to develop on offense, similar to Collier, but the Suns can be patient since they have Booker, Beal, and Durant. He’s a great shot blocker and will fit nicely as a role player in a year or two.
Grade: B+
Utah Jazz: G Isaiah Collier (USC) 6’3” 205 LBS USC
Collier’s size and strength gives him the ability to be a defender off the bench for the Jazz. He can be careless with the ball at times and will have to develop his shot as most of his offense came off the dribble. He drives hard to the basket and is a physical player. At the very least he’s a great passer and his athletic ability gives him tremendous upside and great value at 29 for the Jazz.
Grade: A+
Boston Celtics: SG Baylor Scheierman (Creighton) 6’6” 202 LBS
Boston adds another perimeter shooter to their ranks. He has the ability to play as a wing, but will make his mark off the bench to spark an offensive run. He’s a bit smaller, and he’s not the most athletic player in the draft. He’ll also be 24 next season. He’s a good rebounder given his size and ability, and a strong passer having played some point guard. It’s unlikely that he will be a contributor right away, but his ability to shoot the 3 point shot might get him some sporadic playing time. With Kyle Filipowski on the board, I think Baylor is a bit of a reach here.
Grade: C+
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