The 2024 NBA Draft is here and while there isn’t a jaw-dropping prospect like Victor Wembanyama in this year’s class, that doesn’t mean it won’t be intriguing.
In fact, there is an argument that the first round in particular could be must-watch television given the fact there is so much uncertainty surrounding how teams value certain players.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons said in his draft preview podcast that he feels like “teams are going to draft by need and all hell is going to break loose”.
“Nobody really knows what is going to happen, even one day out,” replied Kevin O’Connor, who produces The Ringer’s annual mock draft and big board.
Follow along below for key developments from today’s draft, with a live blog at the bottom of the page with every pick as they come!
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HUGE Furphy dunk gets scouts salivating | 00:26
FIRST FEW PICKS ARE IN… BUT WILL THE REST GO TO PLAN?
The lack of top-end talent in this year’s draft class meant there was plenty of uncertainty as to who goes where, although the first two picks weren’t much of a surprise.
The Atlanta Hawks were first on the board and selected Zaccharie Risacher, a 3-and-D wing out of JL Bourg in the Betclic Elite League in France.
Fellow Frenchman and NBL Next Star Alex Sarr, who played for the Perth Wildcats, was then taken second by the Washington Wizards having declined a pre-draft workout with the Hawks.
The Rockets had the third overall pick and while there was talk they could trade back, instead they took Kentucky guard Reed Shepphard, who is the best shooter in this year’s class.
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San Antonio was next up and took UConn guard Stephon Castle, who will be able to immediately produce in the NBA due to his defensive ability but also has upside as a playmaker, having declared at the combine that he views himself as a point guard.
Detroit then took G League Ignite’s Ron Holland, who was once in the conversation for the No.1 pick but slipped down mock drafts and was routinely expected to go at the end of the lottery.
Instead, the Pistons took a swing on the 6-foot-7 wing, who offers plenty of upside and is only 18 years old.
Elsewhere, the Grizzlies, who are picking at ninth overall, shaped as the most likely trade-up candidate given they have a glaring need at centre after trading away Steven Adams to Houston last season and Donovan Clingan, the top big man, is not expected to be on the board.
Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported Memphis was in talks with Charlotte as the Grizzlies looked to move up, but in the end the Hornets stayed put and selected Frenchman Tidjane Salaun.
It marked the first time in modern draft history that three players from a country outside of the United States had been taken in the top-10, per ESPN.
FIRST BIG TRADE OF THE DAY
Earlier, the first big trade of draft day dropped, with the Washington Wizards sending ascending forward Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers.
That is according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported that the Wizards are receiving Malcolm Brogdon, the No.14 pick in this year’s draft, the most favourable of Portland’s 2029 first-round picks and two second-round picks in the deal.
For the Blazers, they get a rising star in Avdija who put himself in Most Improved Player conversations last season after averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Avdija, who can play at small and power forward, also shot a career-high 37.4 per cent from deep and is on a very team-friendly contract, set to earn $15 million, $14 million, $13 million and $11 million over the next four seasons.
Washington, meanwhile, clearly has a target in mind with the 14th pick and could still move Brogdon on for more draft capital given he doesn’t fit the team’s current timeline.
Alternatively, the Wizards could look to package the 14th and 26th pick to move up inside the top-10.
Washington also had the second overall pick, where it selected Sarr.
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AUSTRALIAN PROSPECT TO WATCH
For Australian NBA fans there will be added motivation to tune into the first round, with it likely that Victorian Johnny Furphy will have his name called at some point.
According to ESPN, Furphy has been generating interest as high as ninth overall but has been routinely mocked to Orlando at No.18, where he could team up with fellow Australian Joe Ingles.
Broadcaster John Casey shared an image of Furphy’s suit which he will be wearing on Thursday, which includes a map of Australia and names of the country’s basketball talent.
“I can definitely feel like it’s going to elevate… I think from around 15, that’s when I’ll start getting a bit more tense and pay more attention,” Furphy told ESPN’s Kane Pitman on the red carpet.
BRONNY UNLIKELY TO GO IN THE FIRST ROUND
Elsewhere, there is also plenty of intrigue surrounding where LeBron James’ son Bronny could land.
He worked out with Phoenix, who is picking at No.22, before the draft but is expected to go in the second round given he is a few years away from being ready to produce at the NBA level.
NBA DRAFT FIRST ROUND ORDER
1. Atlanta – Zaccharie Risacher, wing/forward, JL Bourg
2. Washington – Alex Sarr, center, Perth Wildcats
3. Houston (from Brooklyn) – Reed Sheppard, guard, Kentucky
4. San Antonio – Stephon Castle, guard, Connecticut
5. Detroit – Ron Holland, wing, G League Ignite
6. Charlotte – Tidjane Salaun, wing/forward, Cholet
7. Portland
8. San Antonio (from Toronto)
9. Memphis
10. Utah
11. Chicago
12. Oklahoma City (from Houston)
13. Sacramento
14. Washington (from Portland via Golden State, Boston and Memphis)
15. Miami
16. Philadelphia
17. Los Angeles Lakers
18. Orlando
19. Toronto (from Indiana)
20. Cleveland
21. New Orleans (from Milwaukee)
22. Phoenix
23. Milwaukee (from New Orleans)
24. New York (from Dallas)
25. New York
26. Washington (from LA Clippers via Dallas and Oklahoma City)
27. Minnesota
28. Denver
29. Utah (from Oklahoma City via Toronto and Indiana)
30. Boston
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