EAST LANSING- After the Atlanta Hawks defied the odds and won the NBA Draft Lottery two weeks ago, an already unpredictable draft cycle seemed to only attract more madness. With the Draft Combine in the books, this draft class certainly has more long-term potential than people think. With many polarizing prospects and very little consensus, let’s get right into it.
1: Atlanta Hawks: Alexandre Sarr, C, Perth Wildcats
The Hawks nab the clear-cut best talent in this draft, who should fit seamlessly next to Trae Young (if he isn’t traded) and Dejounte Murray.
2: Washington Wizards: Zaccharie Risacher, SF, JL Bourg
After drafting another high-upside foreign forward a year ago, why not double down? With a new head coach coming to the nation’s capital, there are needs all over the roster, but Washington decides to grab the best available player to hopefully expedite their rebuild.
3: Houston Rockets: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
The 7’2 Clingan was the best rim protector in college hoops a year ago. Pairing Clingan with Alperen Sengun in Space City could turn out to be one of the scariest big men duos in the NBA in a few seasons, as their styles of play perfectly complement one another.
4: San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Topic, PG, KK Crvena Zvezda
The Spurs have an exciting young nucleus in place centered around Victor Wembanyama but are planning to add to the roster with the addition of another foreigner in Topic. Gregg Popovich adds his playmaker for Wemby and one of the highest-ceiling players in this draft, but a raw one nonetheless.
5: Detroit Pistons: Stephon Castle, SG, UConn
There is a legitimate possibility that Jaden Ivey gets traded this offseason, as his fit alongside Cade Cunningham has not been what Pistons fans anticipated. There are concerns about Castle’s consistency as a shooter, but his size and defensive prowess will fit perfectly with a Pistons team looking to regain their identity.
6: Charlotte Hornets: Reed Sheppard, PG, Kentucky
In his lone season in Lexington, Sheppard showed potential as both a shooter and defender, and will quickly contribute alongside LaMelo Ball in Charlotte’s backcourt.
7: Portland Trail Blazers: Matas Buzelis, SF, G-League Ignite
With Portland having a surplus of young guards, the high ceiling of Buzelis is a strong match. Buzelis is athletic but he needs to grow as a shooter, and playing for a rebuilding Blazers team will help his development.
8: San Antonio Spurs: Ron Holland, F, G-League Ignite
Picking twice in the top ten, the Spurs have an opportunity to really add to a roster with an already bright future. Holland is an uber-athletic player who will create shockwaves in the Spurs frontcourt next to Wembanyama.
9: Memphis Grizzlies: Dalton Knecht, SG, Tennessee
The former Tennessee standout doesn’t have to move far to play his pro ball, as the Grizzlies add the most pro-ready prospect in the 2024 Draft to an already competitive roster. Knecht, the reigning SEC Player of the Year, is a lights-out scorer who can step in immediately and contribute to Memphis.
10: Utah Jazz: Tidjane Salaun, F, France
There was an extensive buzz about Salaun at the NBA Combine as a legitimate top-ten prospect, so Utah takes a chance on his potential as a three-point shooter after having shot 41.5% from deep a year ago.
11: Chicago Bulls: Ja’Kobe Walter, PG, Baylor
Walter shined in his only season at Baylor, proving why he deserved his five-star rating. Walter has the potential to be the Bulls’ point guard of the future with Lonzo Ball’s health still a massive red flag.
12: Oklahoma City Thunder: Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke
The Thunder were one of the worst teams in the NBA on the boards, so bringing the size and skillset of Filipowski next to Chet Holmgren should surely up the Oklahoma City frontcourt for years to come.
13: Sacramento Kings: Cody Williams, SF, Colorado
Williams has a lot of qualities that NBA teams will fall in love with, including shooting touch and positional versatility. The Kings add a player who has All-Star potential, though Williams’ stock has slipped a bit recently.
14: Portland Trail Blazers: Kyshawn George, SG, Miami (FL)
George is among the best players from beyond the arc in this draft, which is the catalyst behind his late rise. The former Hurricane joins Portland who is in desperate need of more shooting.
15: Miami Heat: Robert Dillingham, PG, Kentucky
Dillingham is undersized, but one of the best pure scorers in this draft. His ability to effortlessly generate offense sends him to Miami to play with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
16: Philadelphia 76ers: Jared McCain, PG, Duke
McCain absolutely lit up the NCAA Tournament and is one of the most gifted shotmakers in this draft at only 20 years old. The former Blue Devil goes to Philly to create a lethal backcourt next to Tyrese Maxey.
17: Los Angeles Lakers: Terrence Shannon Jr, PG, Illinois
Despite what you may think, the Lakers don’t draft Bronny James here. Shannon is a complete prospect and will make his presence felt quickly on both sides of the floor playing in the City of Angels.
18: Orlando Magic: Johnny Furphy, SG/SF, Kansas
Furphy has a lot of potential on the offensive end and will have ample time to develop on a Magic team with an abundance of both youth and talent.
19: Toronto Raptors: Isaiah Collier, PG, USC
A former five-star talent and once a lock to be selected in the top five, Isaiah Collier adds to the high-potential young nucleus Masai Ujiri is building in Toronto.
20: Cleveland Cavaliers: Tristan Da Silva, SF, Colorado
Another March Madness riser, Da Silva is a great shooter from deep who the Cavs call upon to quickly contribute on both ends of the floor.
21: New Orleans Pelicans: Yves Missi, C, Baylor
The Pelicans add Missi, an elite rim protector with sky-high upside, to play off of Zion Williamson in the frontcourt for Willie Green.
22: Phoenix Suns: Devin Carter, PG, Providence
Fresh off a first-round exit, the Suns have needs all over their roster. Devin Carter is an older guard prospect who dominated the Big East after leaving Kentucky, so his scoring prowess will make an instant impact in Phoenix.
23: Milwaukee Bucks: Kel’El Ware, C, Indiana
Brook Lopez is getting older, so the Bucks need their big man of the future. Kel’El Ware is great on the boards and has a blossoming jumper, so the former Hoosier fits seamlessly into this star-studded Bucks roster.
24: New York Knicks: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
Edey, one of the most polarizing prospects in this draft class, lands in the Big Apple where the Knicks desperately need some stability in their frontcourt.
25: New York Knicks: KJ Simpson, PG, Colorado
The Knicks could use a scoring punch off the bench, and Simpson fits that bill to perfection. Simpson is an older prospect but is a solid defender who will provide a spark off the bench for Tom Thibodeau’s unit.
26: Washington Wizards: DaRon Holmes II, PF, Dayton
The Wizards desperately need a multi-dimensional big man, and Holmes is that guy. He can space the floor and protect the paint for a Wizards team that the former Dayton star can see meaningful minutes off the bat.
27: Minnesota Timberwolves: Carlton Carrington, PG, Pittsburgh
As Minnesota’s point guard, Mike Conley trails towards the end of his career, they look to the future with the selection of the former Pitt standout. Only 18, Carrington will have time to develop as both a playmaker and scorer before playing in tandem with Anthony Edwards.
28: Denver Nuggets: Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette
Kolek led the NCAA in assists a year ago, and now plays his NBA basketball alongside another big-time playmaker Nikola Jokic. Kolek is already 23, so his pro-readiness is imperative for the defending champs.
29: Utah Jazz: Dillon Jones, SF, Weber State
Yet another swing for the fences for the Jazz, as Jones is the type of versatile player that has NBA front offices salivating. Jones can contribute in a multitude of ways off the bench for Will Hardy’s squad, especially after four years at Weber State.
30: Boston Celtics: Justin Edwards, SF, Kentucky
Overshadowed by the likes of Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham at Kentucky, Edwards did not have the best year there, but he has the potential to be a crucial cog in the machine in Boston where he can develop into the player he has the potential to become.
