As the 2024 NBA Season is coming to a close, we’re nearing the NBA Draft, where some of the best talents from all across the world will look to be selected in the 58 possible spots on June 26 and 27. Of course, everything will depend on the Draft Lottery on May 12. For these first ten picks, I’ll use this order provided by The Ringer.
This draft comes to NBA fans with far more uncertainty than last year’s draft, as this one doesn’t have a generational talent like Victor Wembanyama. The second and third picks, as well as most of the rest of the lottery, aren’t set in stone either. Almost everyone has a different view on this, and here are my selections for the first round:
#1: Detroit Pistons - Alexander Sarr (NBL, France): The Detroit Pistons are primed to be one of the scariest teams in the league in a few years, as they’re teeming with young talent at almost every position. They already have Jalen Duren, a traditional big man focused on rebounds, but adding Alexander Sarr gives them a whole starting lineup younger than 22. Sarr’s calling card is his defense, as he’s a threat to block any shot, and on offense, he provides a dominating presence around the hoop.
#2: Washington Wizards - Zaccharie Risacher (LNB Pro A, France): The Wizards are in a difficult position here, as every spot on their roster is a weakness. They could use a good big man in this spot, but with Sarr being taken already, the next one up would be Donovan Clingan, but that’s too far of a reach. Risacher is a tall, international wing whose strength is shooting. Unfortunately, he reminds me too much of Deni Avdija, who the Wizards drafted a few years ago and never reached his potential.
#3: San Antonio Spurs - Nikola Topic (Serbian KLS, Serbia): If Topic is available at 3 for the Spurs, they’ll be set for an insane season. With Victor Wembanyama needing a solid point guard, this alleviates the need to trade for one and allows the Spurs to use that trade capital elsewhere. Topic, truly the embodiment of a modern point guard, stands at 6’6” with elite passing and scoring skills. The shooting will need to be coached, but soon he’ll be leading a scary Spurs team to the top of the West.
#4: Charlotte Hornets - Ron Holland (G League Ignite): The Hornets have an exceedingly young, explosive, and entertaining roster, and drafting Holland here truly rounds out that aura. This roster needs a guard to play next to a healthy LaMelo Ball, and the 6’8” defensive specialist will fit in between Ball and Brandon Miller perfectly. It remains to be seen how he’ll fit without Ball passing to him, but Holland will complete a very tall backcourt.
#5: Portland Trail Blazers - Matas Buzelis (G League Ignite): With many trade rumors surrounding Jerami Grant’s limited time left with the Blazers, Buzelis fits in well with this young core. He seems to be a continuation of this generation of tall, lanky forwards. He is a spectacular shooter whose versatility will be a benefit for any team. The Blazers, right now, are very “attack the basket” prone instead of shooting from the outside - and Buzelis will provide a needed upgrade.
#6: Toronto Raptors - Cody Williams (Colorado): Williams has been plummeting down draft boards over the past two months. His last two dozen college games do not scream “top-ten pick” to anyone. Williams is a fluid player on both ends of the floor and will provide any offense with a boost. Like his brother, Jalen Williams on the Oklahoma City Thunder, his three-point shot will take time to develop, but the Raptors will be willing to do so with his potential.
#7: Memphis Grizzlies - Donovan Clingan (Connecticut): There’s a lot to like on this Memphis Grizzlies roster. Whether it’s franchise cornerstone Ja Morant, certified number two option Desmond Bane, defensive legend Jaren Jackson Jr., or youngest player in the NBA/budding star, GG Jackson, there’s talent everywhere. Their bench is filled with talent, and Donovan Clingan will be a perfect fit for them. Jackson Jr. is a power forward by trade, so with 7’2” Clingan sliding in at the 5 for them, they look to be a defensive powerhouse.
#8: Houston Rockets - Stephon Castle (Connecticut): Unfortunately, the Rockets gave 30-year-old Fred VanVleet, a decent point guard, $120 million ($80 million guaranteed) this offseason, which forces that position to be clogged up for the next two (maybe three) years. Rob Dillingham, a freshman guard from Kentucky would be a perfect fit on this team, both matching their vibes and playstyle. However, Castle, a do-it-all guard and a more realistic pick, is the best non-big-man defender in this class who can blossom into one of the best players to come out of this draft.
#9: Utah Jazz - Dalton Knecht (Tennessee): Probably the hardest decision I had to make so far because the Jazz are in a truly difficult position. It seems futile to take a decently-sized guard and slap him at the 3 because that makes their starting five undersized. This region of the draft class is an onslaught of point guards and centers, and taking a forward feels like a reach, but here it is. Knecht is an elite scorer standing at 6’6” whose playmaking and defending skills are above average. He led Tennessee to the Elite Eight, going toe to toe with NCAA monster Zach Edey before being eliminated, but nonetheless, Tennessee had a great season with Knecht.
#10: Atlanta Hawks - Reed Shepphard (Kentucky): There are no gaping holes on Atlanta’s roster, so Reed Shepphard is the best player available at this pick. However, this depends on whether or not the Hawks choose to trade Trae Young this offseason. Even if they do, Sheppard has good enough primary guard skills to where the Hawks’ offense can still play well, with a few small adjustments. Sheppard didn’t play well in Kentucky’s game against Oakland in the Round of 64, but during the regular season, Sheppard was a great passer and shooter to lead Kentucky to a 3 seed.
#11: Chicago Bulls - Tidjane Salaun (LNB Pro A, France): Even though drafting a guard would be more fitting for the Bulls, I think a young backcourt of Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu can hold them for one more year. DeMar DeRozan isn’t getting any younger, and it’s tough for anyone to discern whether Patrick Williams will ever blossom into being that guy for the Bulls. Salaun provides a tall frame and an improving three-point shot. Also, as the Bulls are figuring out their roster, his versatility will benefit them.
#12: Oklahoma City Thunder - Zach Edey (Purdue): Imagine the vibes if OKC drafts Jared McCain. Endless TikToks. But, in my opinion, the Thunder need to clear up their guard spot as it is, so, adding another flamethrowing guard into the mix complicates rather than helps. Sliding Edey next to Holmgren in the paint would allow Holmgren to play outside more than he does already. And on defense, not a single shot would go up without a contest. The only problem with Edey is his mobility and stamina, which may cause the Thunder to take Indiana’s Kel’el Ware or Duke’s Kyle Filipowski instead.
#13: Portland Trail Blazers - Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor): There’s a very good chance that Portland trades this pick, as their whole team is full of promising young talent (reminder: the Blazers drafted Buzelis fifth overall). Unfortunately, this leaves the Blazers with only one true point guard in Scoot Henderson, and the rest being off-guards, although that can be developed. His offense, and more specifically, his three-point shot, is what will get him drafted here.
#14: New Orleans Pelicans - Kyle Filipowski (Duke): I was debating between Filipowski, and his Duke teammate, Jared McCain for this, but McCain slips yet another pick. Jonas Valanciunas is not under contract next season, and he’s getting old, so the Pelicans would need to take a big man here. Many are saying that the Pelicans’ main priority should be a true point guard, as CJ McCollum is playing slightly out of position and getting older, but with Dyson Daniels not far behind and free agency still being an option, I think they should focus on the front court.
Potential selections to finish the first round.
#15: Philadelphia 76ers - Jared McCain (Duke)
#16: Miami Heat - Rob Dillingham (Kentucky)
#17: Toronto Raptors - Tristan Da Silva (Colorado)
#18: Phoenix Suns - Isaiah Collier (USC)
#19: Orlando Magic - Devin Carter (Providence)
#20: Atlanta Hawks - Ryan Dunn (Virginia)
#21: New York Knicks - Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas)
#22: New York Knicks - Johnny Furphy (Kansas)
#23: Cleveland Cavaliers - Kel’el Ware (Indiana)
#24: Washington Wizards - Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois)
#25: New Orleans Pelicans - Tyler Smith (G League Ignite)
#26: Milwaukee Bucks - Oso Ighodaro (Marquette)
#27: Minnesota Timberwolves - Carlton Carrington
(Pittsburgh)
#28: Utah Jazz - Yves Missi (Baylor)
#29: Denver Nuggets - Jalen Bridges (Baylor)
#30: Boston Celtics - Bobi Klintman (NBL)
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