Day 1 of the 2024 NBA Draft came and went on Wednesday evening. Here is the rundown of picks:
ATL - Zaccharie Risacher, SF, France
WAS - Alex Sarr, PF, France
HOU - Reed Sheppard, SG, Kentucky
SA - Stephon Castle, PG, Connecticut
DET - Ron Holland II, SF, G League Ignite
CHA - Tidjane Salaun, PF, France
POR - Donovan Clingan, C, Connecticut
SA - Rob Dillingham, PG, Kentucky (traded to MIN)
MEM- Zach Edey, C, Purdue
UTA - Cody Williams, SG, Colorado
CHI - Matas Buzelis, PF, G League Ignite
OKC - Nikola Topic, PG, Serbia
SAC - Devin Carter, PG, Providence
POR - Bub Carrington, PG, Pittsburgh (traded to WAS)
MIA - Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
PHI - Jared McCain, PG, Duke
LAL - Dalton Knecht, SG, Tennessee
ORL - Tristan da Silva, SF, Colorado
TOR - Ja’Kobe Walter, SG, Baylor
CLE - Jaylon Tyson, SG, California
NOP - Yves Missi, C, Baylor
PHX - DaRon Holmes II, PF, Dayton (traded to DEN)
MIL - A.J. Johnson, SG, USA (last played for NBL’s Illawarra Hawks)
NYK - Kyshawn George, SG, Miami (traded to WAS)
NYK - Pacome Dadiet, SG, France
WAS - Dillon Jones, SF, Weber State (traded to OKC)
MIN - Terrence Shannon Jr., SG, Illinois
DEN - Ryan Dunn, SG, Virginia (traded to PHX)
UTA - Isaiah Collier, PG, USC
BOS - Baylor Scheierman, SG, Creighton
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Risacher is a 19-year old, 6 foot 9, 195-pound forward, a project with great potential. He has a particular ability to shoot and defend, and would compliment the Hawks’ backcourt well (if both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray return) as someone who does not need many shots. He is the building block for the Hawks’ future. One of the things that the pick does do though is put De’Andre Hunter in limbo. Hunter has started 156 out of 177 games in the past three seasons, and averaged 15.6 points per game with the Hawks last season. He could be moved now with the drafting of Risacher.
Sarr has the most potential in this draft along with Risacher. The 7-footer is raw but is a great athlete who can protect the rim, shoot it a bit from the outside, and put the ball on the floor. He is by no means a polished product yet, but potential is what is alluring about him. For a team like the Wizards, he will usher in their new era and has the makings of a franchise cornerstone.
Castle provides the Spurs with a guard running mate for Victor Wembanyama. He can play make and also defend at a high level, which will complement Wembanyama well while not taking shots away from swingman Devin Vassell, who has blossomed as another piece of the Spurs’ bright future.
Clingan is an interesting pick for the Trail Blazers, who already have Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams on the roster. Presumably, Williams will be dealt. Clingan in Portland adds to a young nucleus of Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons. The Blazers are one of the most talented young teams in the league.
The Timberwolves’ acquisition of Dillingham gives them a future point guard when Mike Conley retires. The explosiveness of Dillingham and Anthony Edwards will be difficult for opposing teams to handle.
The Grizzlies taking Edey at number nine comes off as a surprise, as he was drafted earlier than expected. Still, it is a solid choice for a Grizzlies team that needs size and rebounding. Jaren Jackson Jr. is more of a natural power forward than center and has struggled to rebound throughout his career thus far.
Cody Williams, the brother of the Thunder’s Jalen, is a great get for a Jazz team that can use his scoring. If Collin Sexton was to be moved, the 6 foot 7, 190 pound Williams can become one of the focal points to their offense.
Buzelis is an ideal fit for the Bulls, not only because Chicago is his hometown but because the Bulls were in need of a forward. Buzelis can score, has some explosiveness, and is a great piece to their future that includes Coby White and the recently acquired Josh Giddey.
Ware is a solid choice for the Heat, a team that adds much needed interior size with his selection. He will provide a presence next to Bam Adebayo that the Heat have not had for some time.
Knecht, a presumed lottery pick, fell into the laps of the Lakers at number 17. A sharp shooter with athleticism, Knecht not only is a major piece to their future but is the ideal player to play with LeBron James, and has the ideal coach for him in JJ Redick, himself a sniper during his playing days who will know how to get Knecht great looks.
Shannon Jr. was a solid choice by the Timberwolves at number 27. Listed at 6 foot 6, 219 pounds, he has prototype size for a shooting guard and can defend and shoot. He adds to a Minnesota group of wings that has no problem getting after opposing offenses and defending.
Kyle Filipowski, the 7-foot center from Duke, was in attendance on day one but was not selected. He will be a nice get for a team on day two that needs interior size.
Obviously, a lot of talk has revolved around Bronny James. If not taken before the Lakers pick at number 55, he will almost surely be taken at that spot to join his father in Los Angeles. At 6 foot, 1 inch, he is caught in between both guard positions but it is a pretty good athlete. He’ll need time to develop especially because he only played 25 games while at USC, but he does have a lot of potential.
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