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The 2024 NBA Draft was full of unexpected picks, as we all expected would happen. We’ll be grading each pick made in the first round. Grades will be based on my personal evaluation of the prospects and moves involved.
1. Atlanta Hawks - Zaccharie Risacher, F, Bourg
The Hawks landed on Risacher as their choice atop the draft, which feels slightly underwhelming. Atlanta presumably valued Risacher’s NBA-ready, low-maintenance game, projecting as a clean tall three-and-D wing. The ceiling is incredibly limited compared to most top picks given Risacher’s limited creation. Drafting for safety in a weaker draft makes sense, but Atlanta is still far enough away that I would have preferred swinging for more upside.
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Grade: C-
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2. Washington Wizards - Alex Sarr, C, Perth
Alex Sarr fell into Washington’s lap, marking a happy pairing for the Wizards and their new elite center prospect. Sarr’s special mobility, ground coverage and rim protection potential make him worth a top pick in this class. Washington won’t need to contend any time soon, giving Sarr time to work on his offensive game. He’s one of a few prospects in this class with a true star ceiling.
Grade: A
3. Houston Rockets - Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Sheppard’s elite shooting, off-ball passing and defensive playmaking slot in nicely in Houston. His off-ball play can connect Houston’s other dynamic athletes and scoring and those players can insulate him on the defensive end. The Rockets possibly transitioning away from Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in the following weeks makes the Sheppard pick understandable.
Grade: B+
4. San Antonio Spurs - Stephon Castle, G/F, UConn
As per his wish, Stephon Castle landed on a team without a clear starting point guard. Though Castle may be best off of the ball given his shaky shooting and scoring. He’s a stellar off-ball passer, cutter and play finisher and that paired with his defense should lead to solid value even if he can’t hit a creation ceiling.
Grade: C+
5. Detroit Pistons - Ron Holland, F, Ignite
Detroit didn’t draft a shooter. I’m aware. They did, however, draft the best player in the class in my eyes. Holland’s elite athleticism on the wing paired with a strong passing feel and elite defensive upside mitigate the developing jumper. This Pistons team won’t look as it does now after this offseason, so a bet on elite talent, especially given his cutting synergy with Cade Cunningham, is the correct approach even if the fit feels clunky.
Grade: A-
6. Charlotte Hornets - Tidjane Salaun, F, Cholet
Charlotte takes a high upside gamble in Salaun, which feels like a slight reach this high in the draft. Salaun is raw on offense with a shaky jumper, though he does have excellent defensive tools and a solid feel for the game on offense, even if the skill is limited. A more reliable shooter might make more sense here.
Grade: D+
7. Portland Trailblazers - Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Some mocks projected Clingan to go as high as one, making this an excellent value pick for Portland. The fit is ideal as well, as Clingan’s elite paint defense could make him the defensive anchor Portland lacks in DeAndre Ayton and the rest of the roster. Sometimes, sticking and picking the obvious faller is the right move and this is the case.
Grade: A
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (via SAS) - Rob Dillingham, G
The Wolves moved aggressively into the top 10, mortgaging some far-future picks to secure Rob Dillingham. Fortunately, Minnesota may be his best fit of any NBA team given their elite defense to insulate Dillingham. They must find more perimeter creation outside of Anthony Edwards and Dillingham is an electric player with the ball in his hands. Dillingham is the kind of talent who can move your needle closer to a title.
Grade: A
9. Memphis Grizzlies - Zach Edey, C, Purdue
Memphis was the team to bite on Edey in the top 10, betting on his dominant scoring down low and overwhelming physical presence translating to the NBA. I have concerns about how he scales down in usage and holds up on defense in space, though Edey did improve in that area. Memphis makes sense as a fit, as Jaren Jackson Jr. is the ideal partner to cover Edey’s blind spots.
Grade: C-
10. Utah Jazz - Cody Williams, F, Colorado
Danny Ainge continued to stack high-upside talent, drafting a toolsy wing in Cody Williams. He’s an elite mover with a solid feel for the game and special finishing tough, suggesting a potentially interesting offensive ceiling. His jumper, creation and defensive consistency are cause for concern and he’s far away physically. Though I’m not super high on Williams, Utah is one of the better possible landing spots.
Grade: C+
11. Chicago Bulls - Matas Buzelis, F, Ignite
In a poetic turn of events, the Chicago kid fell all the way to his hometown Bulls outside of the top 10. That’s quite the slide for Buzelis, who many (myself included) view as a mid-lottery or better-level talent in this draft due to his slashing and rim protection upside. His questionable jumper looms large on a shooting-challenged Bulls team, but this pick is a step in the correct direction.
Grade: A
12. Oklahoma City Thunder - Nikola Topic, PG, Red Star
The fit here doesn’t make sense at first thought, as the ball-dominant Topic likely won’t see many touches early in his career on a stacked OKC offense. This is a long-term bet on upside, which is always strong process. Topic has true star upside given his elite driving and passing skills and could fit into an unforeseen gap in the roster in a few seasons. I see the vision.
Grade: A
13. Sacramento Kings - Devin Carter, G, Providence
Carter skyrocketed up boards late in the draft process as teams learned of his elite defensive tools and explosive three-point shooting from well beyond NBA range. Sacramento’s defense needs help and Carter will be an impact defender the instant he steps into the NBA. I’m a bit surprised they took Carter over a forward or big after paying Malik Monk, though.
Grade: B+
14. Washington Wizards (via POR) - Bub Carrington, G, Pittsburgh
With the pick acquired for Deni Avdija, the Wizards chose a high-upside, physically raw guard in Carrington. The 18-year-old starred offensively in the ACC, scoring with an advanced pull-up game and passing out of the pick-and-roll. His ceiling might be limited by his lack of size, strength and explosion, making me a bit lower on this selection.
Grade: C-
15. Miami Heat - Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
I adore this pick. Miami taking high upside prospects tends to produce results given their excellent development infrastructure, and Ware fits that bill. Though there are valid questions about his motor and consistency, he’s a potential three and-D center with elite rim protection upside. If there’s any place Ware can reach his ceiling, it’s South Beach.
Grade: A+
16. Philadelphia 76ers - Jared McCain, G, Duke
McCain’s lethal range shooting, sturdy driving and passing game and defensive aptitude provide a solid floor in the NBA. He pairs well with Tyrese Maxey, whose elite driving and creation will open opportunities for McCain. It may be risky to pair two small guards with some defensive limitations, though McCain would thrive even in a sixth-man role.
Grade: B+
17. Los Angeles Lakers - Dalton Knecht, G, Tennessee
I ended lower on Knecht than most draft analysts given his age and defensive limitations, but then this is an excellent slot and value for him. Knecht will add instant offensive potency to the Lakers and his life will get easier as an off-ball scorer and creator. Though the ceiling may be limited, Knecht will contribute in year one for a title-hungry Lakers team.
Grade: A-
18. Orlando Magic - Tristan Da Silva, F, Colorado
Orlando addressed shooting as expected, as Da Silva provides a versatile outside shot paired with good ball skills, passing and team defense for his height. Da Silva’s age and lack of strength/physicality are cause for concern on both ends for his ceiling. Though Orlando did take a shooter, I don’t love Da Silva as the option, especially with prospects like Walter and JaKobe Tyler Smith on the board.
Grade: C-
19. Toronto Raptors - JaKobe Walter, G, Baylor
Toronto will bet on Walter’s elite shooting projection on and off of the ball, as well as his wingspan and size on the defense end. He’s a bit far away from contributing and might have a limited ceiling, especially given Toronto selected a movement shooter in Gradey Dick last year. You can’t have too much shooting though, giving Walter a certain floor.
Grade: C+
20. Cleveland Cavaliers - Jaylon Tyson, F, California
Tyson to the Cavaliers was a harmonious marriage; Cleveland gets their wing creator and Tyson lands on a strong playoff team. The Cavs lacked offensive talent on the wing in the playoffs this year and Tyson’s dribble/pass/shoot skillset adds a new dynamic to their offense. Cleveland’s elite defense will insulate Tyson as he adjusts to NBA defenses.
Grade: B+
21. New Orleans Pelicans - Yves Missi, C, Baylor
Yves Missi might be the player I’m higher on than most in this class, as his elite movement skills, vertical athleticism and rim protection project significant upside. New Orleans lacks rim protection and struggles against teams who touch the paint frequently, making Missi a logical add. I love this as an upside play with a potentially ideal fit to round out New Orleans’ excellent defense.
Grade: A
22. Denver Nuggets (via PHX) - DaRon Holmes II, C, Dayton
Despite giving up a second to move up, this is one of the draft’s best moves. Denver has so desperately needed a real second big to Nikola Jokic and it’s hard to imagine a better option than Holmes. His ballhandling is special at his size and that plus his interior skills give him the ceiling to pair with Jokic at times while holding down the paint as a backup.
Grade: A
23. Milwaukee Bucks - AJ Johnson, PG, Illawarra
In what may be the surprise of the draft, the Bucks shocked many by drafting AJ Johnson, who played in the NBL this season. Most scouts perceived Johnson as raw and fairly far from contributing to winning basketball given his frame and feel limitations. As a second-round swing, betting on his movement skills and handle would be worthwhile. The first round feels rich given who else was on the board.
Grade: F
24. Washington Wizards - Kyshawn George, G, Miami
Washington traded up for George for their third pick of the night, rounding out their trio of high-ceiling younger players. Though I’m personally lower on George due to his physical and athletic limitations manifesting on drives and defense, the process here was sound. The Wizards won’t be contending for quite a while and it makes sense to target players who need those critical development years to succeed.
Grade: D+
25. New York Knicks - Pacome Dadiet, F, Ulm
For an expensive Knicks team that just swung on Mikal Bridges and paid OG Anunoby, drafting a potential stash in Dadiet feels logical. Dadiet youth leads to rawness and inconsistency but the 6’8 wing is a smooth off-ball shooter with real creation juice. Extra points for trading out of 24 and 26 as well.
Grade: B+
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (via NYK) - Dillon Jones, G, Weber State
Oklahoma City traded five of their billion second-round picks to target Jones, who I viewed as a lottery talent. He’s a singular player, beating defenses with elite playmaking, dribbling, and strength creation in the paint and mid-range. If he proves a consistent shooter, Jones could prove a useful piece for OKC, adding more scoring juice and critical playmaking diversity and skill.
Grade: A
27. Minnesota Timberwolves - Terrence Shannon Jr.. F, Illinois
After their big splash trading into the top 10, the Wolves’ second-round pick is markedly more milquetoast. Still, adding Shannon to their vault of swarming defensive wings makes sense. Shannon spaces the floor and attacks on offense and his lateral quickness and explosion help him defend the ball at a high level. Snagging a solid rotation piece in the late first always will be a win.
Grade: B
28. Phoenix Suns (via DEN) - Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia
Phoenix desperately needed defense and athleticism in the frontcourt and Dunn might be the best defender in the whole class, dominating with his elite rim protection, playmaking and movement skills. Extra points for trading down with Denver and picking up some extra capital for the future.
Grade: B+
29. Utah Jazz - Isaiah Collier, PG, USC
This is flat-out the best pick of the draft. Collier was a top-five talent in the class for me given his elite initiator upside. Despite his obvious flaws; the burst, passing and driving talent were too obvious to ignore. Ainge took a sliding prospect for the second year in a row in the 20s (Brice Sensabaugh), continuing to build his storehouse of young talent.
Grade: A+
30. Baylor Scheierman, F, Creighton
Baylor Scheierman’s shooting, passing and height will all help him contribute on an NBA floor from day one if need be. Boston’s roster is loaded but it still makes sense to draft a pro-ready prospect in case of any unforeseen injuries, trades or other circumstances. Scheierman acts as a huge luxury for Boston off of the bench.
Grade: B
Final grades for the 2024 NBA Draft
