2024 NBA Draft: Grading picks, trades during first round
The 2024 NBA Draft has arrived, and the picks have now been announced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Meanwhile, multiple trades which will be finalized at a latest date shape the way each pick is valued.
Follow along live throughout the first round, as each pick and trade is graded with analysis.
1. Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher, France
Grade: B+
The Atlanta Hawks add On3’s No. 3 ranked prospected with the top pick, something that is not overly concerning given the flat nature of this draft class. The addition of Zaccharie Risacher allows the front office to dive head first into the reconstruction of the roster by moving veterans.
Risacher gained momentum when he went on a tear behind the 3-point line. The number has since come down — to a still impressive 42.6% — while still showcasing what NBA teams want to see from a 3-and-D prospect. The 6-foot-8 forward has great length and promises to fill out his frame. He works off screens and cuts to the basket well, which should provide him an immediate role as the shooting percentage evens out.
2. Washington Wizards: Alex Sarr, France
Grade: A-
The Washington Wizards select On3’s No. 2 ranked prospect second overall, kickstarting the rebuild which got underway last year when the franchise moved on from Brad Beal. Betting on upside in a draft with very few sure things makes sense for a team looking for its unicorn to build around.
Ale Sarr has shown himself to be one of the prospects with the highest upside while playing in the NBL. Playing in a league with established professionals, his tools on both ends of the floor suggest he is ready to play in the NBA and could quickly develop into the next versatile big man. The 7-foot-1 center offers many of the things NBA teams are looking for at this position. He shot 52% from the field and 29.8% from 3, but shows good form on his jumper.
3. Houston Rockets: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
Grade: B+
The Houston Rockets stay put after widespread trade rumors surrounding the No. 3 pick and select Reed Sheppard. Despite their interest in adding veteran talent, the selection on On3’s No. 4 ranked prospect makes sense to fill out the backcourt and give the team flexibility in pursuing a later move.
Sheppard is likely the best shooter in the NBA Draft this year, knocking down 52.1% on 4.4 attempts per game. The ability to also contribute as a playmaker and rebounder gives him one of the highest floors. In addition to the 6-foot-3 guard’s established offensive impact, he is an intriguing defensive prospect. He boasts great numbers while often gambling for steals. This approach could look drastically different based on the defenders he plays with in the NBA.
4. San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle, UConn
Grade: A
The San Antonio Spurs kickstart the process of building a winning roster around Victor Wembanyama by selecting Stephon Castle to lead the backcourt. Getting a proven winner and perimeter defender ready to fit into the system, along with offensive upside makes this a great fit.
Stephon Castle showed off the mentality NBA teams will covet, coming in to help UConn defend its championship as a complementary piece. Within that role, he demonstrated an ability to play either guard spot. The biggest question surrounding the 6-foot-6 playmaker is how well his shooting will translate to the next level. He shot just 26.7% from 3, not well enough to garner respect from professional defenders.
5. Detroit Pistons: Ron Holland, G-League
Grade: C+
The Detroit Pistons choose to keep the No. 5 pick despite discussions about a potential trade which would allow teams to move up the board while stockpiling assets for the future. While he was a top-ranked high school prospect, he fell to No. 9 in On3’s prospect rankings after a season in the G-League.
Holland was also part of the disastrous Ignite season which saw every player’s stock fall. Poor efficiency numbers on both ends of the floor hurt Holland, who was on the floor as much as any of the young prospects involved. The 6-foot-8 forward held an offensive rating of just 93, and a defensive rating of 115. How much of his struggle can be undone while playing within an NBA rotation remains the question, and some team is going to gamble on his upside.
6. Charlotte Hornets: Tidjane Salaun, France
Grade: C+
The Charlotte Hornets also opt to keep their pick rather than move down the board, selecting On3’s No. 10 prospect Tidjane Salaun with a major swing at his upside. While he garnered plenty of interest from lottery teams, the decision to pass on more sure things and additional assets plays into the grade as well.
Salaun is among the most difficult prospects to pin down based on his low usage this season. The potential to get an athletic, long forward with shooting touch will draw in many. Questions remain how large of a role the 6-foot-9 forward can take on offensively, and what he will look likely matched up with NBA-caliber offensive players in space. At the end of the day, someone will bet on upside.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan, UConn
Grade: A
Despite this pick not fitting the current roster, the Portland Trail Blazers are in the middle of a rebuild and can use Donovan Clingan to bolster the interior defense. Ranked the No. 1 player by On3, his value here far outweighs the lack of immediate fit on a team still in flux.
Clingan saw his stock skyrocket during the NCAA Tournament as he increased his minutes and provided UConn a dominant interior presence. However, the journey to becoming one of the top prospects in this class started well before March. The 7-foot-2 center has great size and impacts how opponents approach the rim when he is able to camp near the basket. During the national championship run, the biggest improvements were his conditioning and movement.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves: Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
Grade: A+
The San Antonio Spurs select On3’s No. 13 ranked prospect Rob Dillingham, who could be part of a trade package to be announced later with the Minnesota Timberwolves, per reports. The value of selling off future picks, years away from materializing, for a position of need makes this a great move.
Rob Dillingham is an electric scorer and probably the most NBA-ready offensive weapon in the draft class. However, he is also among the least prepared for the nightly challenge of guarding professional guards. The 6-foot-2 guard came off the bench for Kentucky, shooting 44.4% from 3 and 47.5% overall. Whether he remains in a 6th-man role or emerges into a starting lineup, he looks primed to become the next Wildcat in this mold to star as a professional.
9. Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Edey, Purdue
Grade: C-
The Memphis Grizzlies publicly swung and missed at a Donovan Clingan trade, ending up with the consolation prize at No. 9. While he still fits a definite position of need, the value as On3’s No. 23 prospect does not match the Top 10 selection.
The back-to-back college player of the year is among the most accomplished amateurs to enter the NBA in years. However, the way Zach Edey translates to the professional ranks remains a question. The defensive three seconds rule and pace of play make his role on both ends less than a sure thing. However, success by players like Rudy Gobert and Walker Kessler in recent seasons suggests a definite path to production.
10. Utah Jazz: Cody Williams, Colorado
Grade: B+
The Utah Jazz end up the beneficiary of some players going above their projected slot. They land On3’s No. 15 player Cody Williams, who has plenty of room for growth and was a target of the organization throughout the process.
Williams, brother of Oklahoma City Thunder standout Jalen Williams, came into the season as the No. 1 ranked freshman in the On3 recruiting rankings. Injuries slowed down his season, which lacked the consistency many hoped to see. The 6-foot-8 wing shot 55.2% from the field and 41.5% from 3, but ended the season coming off the bench for Colorado as veterans took on the bulk of the important minutes.
11. Chicago Bulls: Matas Buzelis, G-League
Grade: B+
The Chicago Bulls also benefit from a draft day slide as No. 8 prospect Matas Buzelis, a local talent, lands further down the board than originally anticipated. For a team looking to rebuild, this is an upside swing which makes perfect sense.
Buzelis entered the season as one of the top prospects, but injuries and a general struggle which plagued the entire G-League Ignite team dropped his stock significantly. The 6-foot-10 forward has skills which promise to translate well to the NBA, but he is likely not ready to make an immediate impact. Shooting just 22.2% from 3 also leaves question marks he must answer.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nikola Topic, Serbia
Grade: C+
The Oklahoma City Thunder go like-for-like, immediately replacing outgoing player Josh Giddey with a big guard who lacks the shooting neccisary to fit with the starting five. While the talk of that trade was a desire to create a bench role, there is an obvious cap on the ceiling.
Nikola Topic started the year strong as a balanced playmaker who showed upside as a shooter based on his 87.1% from the free throw line. However, an injury derailed his season as he reached a higher level of competition. The 6-foot-6 guard fits the mold of a playmaker with size which has become coveted around the NBA. He must take the next step as a scorer to reach his potential, but could immediately help initiate offense.
13. Sacramento Kings: Devin Carter, Providence
Grade: A
The Sacramento Kings stay put, getting a defensive-minded guard to add into the rotation after retaining offensive standout Malik Monk earlier in the offseason. Adding insurance behind the starting backcourt in the form of the No. 7 ranked player who has stood out throughout the draft process will help in the playoff race.
Carter took over full responsibility for Providence this season when his teammate went down with injury. The emerged into the Big East Player of the Year and boosted his draft stock more than any other prospect. The 6-foot-3 guard contributed 8.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, making an all-around impact which extended to the defensive end as well. All this, paired with the fact he comes from an NBA family — son of Anthony Carter — will make him a front office favorite.
14. Washington Wizards: Carlton Carrington, Pitt
Grade: A-
Trading back into the lottery by sending Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers, in a deal which also brings Malcolm Brogdon to Washington, allows the Wizards to fill the other major need on the roster. After getting Alex Sarr in the paint, they add Carlton Carrington to the backcourt with plenty upside.
‘Bub’ Carrington is a lead guard with good size who produced well in his freshman season at Pitt, raising his stock as a potential NBA Draft pick. His combination of scoring and facilitating upside, along with length and explosiveness make him a key name to remember.
15. Miami Heat: Kel’el Ware, Indiana
Grade: B+
The Miami Heat land the No. 17 ranked player in the On3 rankings, with a massive upside chance to unlock a player who was knocked down the board by motor concerns. However, with Heat Culture, that should not be an issue many people worry about for now.
Ware is a 7-foot center who had a breakout season at Indiana after starting at Oregon as a five-star prospect. A 25 PER ranks him among the best in college basketball. Averaging 15.9 and 9.9 with Big Ten All-Defense honors will draw plenty interest. He also shot 42.5 percent from the 3-point line, which he will need to repeat in workouts after shooting just 27.3 percent in 2022-23.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared McCain, Duke
Grade: A
The Philadelphia 76ers land Jared McCain, On3’s No. 14 prospect, who is an immediate fit for a team looking to build a championship roster this offseason. He brings versatility to the backcourt and kickstarts the process which will last well into free agency.
McCain emerged in the Duke backcourt this season among several players looking to build their NBA Draft stock. His balance of offensive production and defensive stability helped an NCAA Tournament run. The 6-foot-3 guard shot 41.4% from 3 and 88.5% on free throws, all while demonstrating his ability to play both spots. His five rebounds per game also boost his stock as an all-around player.
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
Grade: A+
The No. 6 ranked prospect falls all the way to the Los Angeles Lakers, with his age reportedly a concern. That is no issue for this franchise, which gets a best-case scenario by landing the most NBA-ready offensive weapon to space the floor around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Dalton Knecht left no doubt that he can score the basketball at any level. Upping his production while moving from Northern Colorado to Tennessee makes him one of the highest floor players on offense. The 6-foot-6 wing will now go head-to-head with athletic defenders more often in the NBA, giving him another area to grow. He improved defensively, but still has questions to answer on that end as well.
18. Orlando Magic: Tristan Da Silva, Colorado
Grade: B+
The Orlando Magic add a floor-spacing wing who promises to make an early contribution for a team looking to take the next step toward playoff success. On3’s No. 19 ranked prospect also allows the team flexibility when using cap space during free agency.
Tristan Da Silva is another college veteran with year-over-year improvement. As a forward shooting 39.5 percent from 3, he fits in well with what many teams want from a role players. Playing in a system which featured multiple NBA prospects last season, the 6-foot-8 German playmaker kept his production steady from the previous year.
19. Toronto Raptors: Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor
Grade: B+
The Toronto Raptors have entered a rebuild, and start by restocking their supply of talented wing players by adding On3’s No. 16 prospect Ja’Kobe Walter. The move also holds plenty upside if he can reach the peak of what he has shown before.
Walter demonstrated a different mentality in the NCAA Tournament, despite ultimately falling in the Second Round. His ability to use athleticism on the wing helps him make plays offensively and defensively. However, the 6-foot-5 wing struggled for most of the season to find efficiency. He shot just 37.6% from the field, although playing within an offense where he is not the go-to scorer could help.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jaylon Tyson, Cal
Grade: C+
The Cleveland Cavaliers select On3’s No. 27 ranked prospect as they continue to search for a long-term answer on the wing between the cornerstones of the franchise. Despite being one of the older players selected, he is still viewed as a player with upside to reach in the right situation.
Tyson raised his stock by transferring to California from Texas Tech this season. He has nearly doubled his production in every college season, showcasing constant growth. In a league which is always looking for more production on the wing, the 6-foot-7 player will have a chance to become more consistent in a role.
21. New Orleans Pelicans: Yves Missi, Baylor
Grade: B-
The New Orleans Pelicans fill their need for a center by selected Yves Missi, ranked No. 22 by On3. The positional fit is a hit, however, questions remain about his readiness to contribute immediately as well as his potential fit with Zion Williamson as a non-shooter.
Yves Missi fits the mold of a modern center with his length and athleticism, helping him make an impact of the defensive end beyond rim protection. However, there is still room for him to fill out if he must guards the NBA’s strongest players. He shot 61.4 percent from the field, averaging better than five rebounds per game in his one season at Baylor. Finding the right pick-and-roll partner could be the biggest key to unlocking him offensively.
22. Denver Nuggets: DaRon Holmes, Dayton
Grade: A
The Phoenix Suns accomplish their goal of trading down in the draft, allowing the Denver Nuggets to move up the board and secure the No. 20 ranked player they have long been linked to before another team is able to step in. The team secures its depth at center, with a versatile option behind Nikola Jokic.
DaRon Holmes continued to add elements to his game every season at Dayton, leaving as one of the most balanced center prospects in the class. The development of a 3-point shot, which he knocked down at 38.6 percent in 2023-24, has paired well with his 3 stocks (steals + blocks) per game. The result was a 123 offensive rating and 94 career defensive rating.
23. Milwaukee Bucks: AJ Johnson, USA
Grade: C-
The Milwaukee Bucks go with On3’s No. 46 ranked prospect AJ Johnson, an aggressive move to secure a player not widely expected to land inside the first round. As a young prospect who is just starting to unlock his game, he might not make an immediate impact.
Johnson opted to play professionally in Australia rather than make a college commitment, taking him out of the public eye for many fans. He played limited minutes and was not able to fully showcase his ability on either end of the floor. At 6-foot-5, he performed well at the NBA Combine, showing his talent level on both ends in that environment.
24. Washington Wizards: Kyshawn George, Miami
Grade: C
The New York Knicks trade the pick to the Washington Wizards, who continue to fill out their roster with young prospect after moving up the board. They use the selection on On3’s No. 34 player Kyshawn George, who is a fascinating prospect with plenty upside.
George burst onto the scene in his one year at Miami after coming over from Switzerland. While his game remains raw, the potential places him in the conversation to go inside the first round. The 6-foot-8 wing averaged just 7.6 points on a team which failed to meet expectations, but his 40.8 percent shooting from 3 and physical tools were on display.
25. New York Knicks: Pacome Dadiet, France
Grade: C-
The New York Knicks take a look toward the future after addressing their present needs ahead of draft night, selecting On3’s No. 40 ranked prospect Pacome Dadiet. He shows good traits, but could also be a candidate to stash in Europe given the strength of the current wing depth.
Dadiet is a good shooter, better than his 31.1 percent mark, and has intriguing offensive upside which has been put on display this season. The 6-foot-8 wing player also has the tools to improve on the defensive end although an adjustment must be made in the NBA.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder: Dillon Jones, Weber State
Grade: B
The Oklahoma City Thunder trade back into the first round to select an intriguing prospect who promises to fit well as a depth piece on a contending team. On3’s No. 32 player has been widely underrated throughout the process.
Dillon Jones put up big-time production at Weber State, averaging 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists after withdrawing at the deadline last season. The 6-foot-6 forward is a hard-nosed player who will not be on the ball nearly as much as he was during college, but could easily fit the Bruce Brown mold which has proven valuable.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon, Illinois
Grade: B
Terrence Shannon becomes the second member of The Minnesota Timberwolves’ draft class, filling out a depth space on the wing for a team looking to contend now. After being taken off many draft boards, he is now a first round pick.
Shannon proved to be one of the best offensive players in college basketball, improving his efficiency numbers across the board from his career totals. The ability to create for others also elevated the Illinois offense. For the 6-foot-6 guard, resolving his off-court legal issues was the biggest help for his draft stock.
28. Phoenix Suns: Ryan Dunn, Virginia
Grade: C+
The Phoenix Suns make their first selection after trading down with the Denver Nuggets earlier in the night. They go with the No. 37 player who promises to make an immediate impact on defense, while the stars carry the load on offense.
Ryan Dunn is the best perimeter defender in the 2024 NBA Draft class, no question about it. Unfortunately, he possesses very few offensive traits which promise to translate immediately or in the near future. The 6-foot-8 forward will be used in situational matchups to maximize his talent.
29. Utah Jazz: Isaiah Collier, USC
Grade: A+
The Utah Jazz get one of the steals of the first round, selecting On3’s No. 12 ranked prospect this late in the first round. Isaiah Collier also fills an area of need, providing the team with a traditional point guard who can help initiate offense.
Collier struggled early in the college basketball season, but quietly turned things around and finished well after an injury. He dropped down draft boards and has not been able to fully recover, perhaps influenced by the disappointment surrounding his team. The 6-foot-5 guard is capable of initiating the offense, and could continue building on his improved efficiency numbers. The No. 1 player in the On3 Industry rankings has plenty left to unlock.
30. Boston Celtics: Baylor Scheierman, Creighton
Grade: B+
The Boston Celtics bolster their bench unit by adding Baylor Scheierman, who ranks No. 24 in On3’s prospect rankings, to the roster. He provides help in a number of areas, making him the perfect add for a team looking to repeat as champions.
Scheierman proved himself to be one of college basketball’s most productive players over five seasons. He is a well-balanced contributor on both ends who has accepted his role within the team. He averaged 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 38.9 percent from 3 and 87.6 on free throws this season. In addition, his 118 offensive rating and 100 defensive rating showcase his all-around game.
This story will be updated after each pick…