The first round of the NBA draft is officially complete, and it’s time for reactions. Let’s take a look at how each team did, and what their prospects can bring to the table. While the 2024 NBA draft is considered a weaker class, these picks will hope to prove that wrong.
Here’s our 2024 NBA draft first-round reactions!
2024 NBA Draft First Round Reactions
1) Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher
The Hawks avoid any major surprises here and take Zaccharie Risacher at number one overall. Risacher has the tools and feel to be a successful NBA wing for years to come. He’s a six-foot-nine French wing who fits what the NBA is looking for. Risacher’s stock has been consistently near the top due to high-percentage three-point shooting and solid defensive efforts. This ‘3-and-D’ wing archetype is always valuable, and Risacher looks to be the best of this mold for this class. This makes his floor somewhat safe, and there’s still a lot of untapped potential in his playmaking and physical growth.
With another potential number-one pick seemingly unwilling to work out for the Hawks, Risacher was the right choice. His limited self-creation ability isn’t what you’d like to see at number one overall, but he’s a great prospect. With the Hawks’ roster surrounded by uncertainty, they’re content to grab a promising young wing with tons of talent.
2) Washington Wizards: Alexandre Sarr
The Wizards are very happy to take Alexandre Sarr at number two overall, as he could be the best prospect in this draft.
Sarr’s floor is considered to be relatively safe. This perceived safety comes from his easy defensive projection while still possessing high upside. Sarr is extremely mobile for his size, standing at a lanky seven-foot-one with a seven-foot-five wingspan. He’s already NBA-ready on the defensive end, blocking shots and using his length and mobility on the perimeter. He averaged 1.3 blocks and 0.5 steals in only 17 minutes per game having played in a professional league overseas. Similar to Dereck Lively’s impact in Dallas, this may be just the bottom of Sarr’s potential at the next level. He’s flashed ball-handling ability to go along with a solid shooting stroke.
With Sarr not working out for the Atlanta Hawks at number one, this was a no-brainer selection. The Wizards are certainly in the process of a long rebuild. Sarr is the best player on the board and possibly in class. He has star upside with untapped potential on offense, but should also be an impact player immediately on defense. In a draft class with many uncertainties, Sarr may be a value pick even at number two overall in this NBA mock draft.
3) Houston Rockets (Via Nets): Reed Sheppard
This was Houston’s fourth top-four pick in as many years. Their roster is filled with young talent but also has some veteran players. They are on the borderline of competing in the West, so taking Reed Sheppard was a great move. Sheppard is ready to be an elite role player from day one.
He is far and away the best pure shooter in this draft and does a lot outside of just shooting. He also averaged 2.5 steals and 4.5 assists per game this season as he was one of Kentucky’s primary playmakers. Due to average length and perceived athleticism, Sheppard is another prospect who doesn’t possess the usual upside of a top-three pick. He’s a rock-solid player, however, and will provide a boost to the Rockets rotation immediately. He also jumped a combine-high 42-inch vertical that helped address his explosiveness and athletic concerns. Sheppard will provide great spacing and secondary playmaking for Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson.
4) San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle
Our NBA mock draft is doing well at this point, and Stephon Castle is another great fit. Castle made headlines for only wanting to work out for teams without a franchise point guard. San Antonio fits that requirement well as point guard is their biggest need.
Castle is a tall lead guard at six-foot-six. His physical tools allow him to be either a point guard with good size or a wing with good ball-handling ability. Castle’s defensive excellence in the postseason was also well noted. He was consistently tasked with shutting down the opposition’s best guard or wing. The Spurs’ defense should be very tough and versatile with this addition. If Castle can figure the jump shot and self-creation out, he could become a star next to Victor Wembanyama.
5) Detroit Pistons: Ron Holland
The Pistons made this selection without a head coach, so it’s obviously not ideal. Ron Holland is the selection here at five, and he draws our reaction as the first true surprise of this NBA draft. The Pistons needed wing help, but preferably someone with plus shooting ability. Holland doesn’t project as a plus shooter at this moment, but he is a great prospect.
He’s a six-foot-eight wing who played with the G-league ignite. Due to the Ignite’s awful season and inconsistent scoring numbers, many cooled on Holland as a top prospect. While he didn’t have the most consistent performance, Holland still can impact the game on both ends. His NBA-ready size and athleticism at six-foot-eight should translate well to filling different roles for any NBA team.
He’s an explosive athlete who may be able to guard positions one through four at the NBA level. Holland’s fit next to other non-shooting threats like Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren is admittedly not ideal. If the ball handling and shooting can start to better trend upward though, he’s one of the few in this class with the possibility of star potential.
6) Charlotte Hornets: Tidjane Salaun
The Hornets take a big upside swing in Tidjane Salaun. His fit as a jumbo-wing should go well alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He’s the youngest player in this class as well which should make fans excited regarding his development.
Salaun is a lanky six-foot-ten wing who has shown a clean shooting strike combined with solid athleticism. At first glance, teams will be reminded a lot of Michael Porter’s athletic profile as a pro comparison. Shooting the three-ball at high percentages made Salaun’s draft range very wide. He’s still a project pick in most eyes but he’s flashed enough to suggest he may be further along in his development than previously believed.
7) Portland Trailblazers: Donovan Clingan
There’s no surprise reaction from us here for the Blazers NBA draft pick at number seven. They are delighted to stop the slight fall of Donovan Clingan at pick seven. Clingan is a seven-foot-two big man in his sophomore season with the Huskies. He won his second national championship this season and was dominant throughout the tournament. Clingan has a clear projected role as a frontcourt anchor on the defensive and offensive side of the ball. He has great shot-blocking ability and is a good play-finisher on the interior.
While there may be some mobility concerns, his measurements are eerily similar to those of Rudy Gobert. The Trailblazers already have Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams, but a massive frontcourt may be appealing in the West. With the new addition of Deni Avdija, Clingan gives the Blazers an anchor to build a solid team around.
8) Minnesota Timberwolves (Via Spurs): Rob Dillingham
A surprise trade saw Minnesota move up to number eight to select Rob Dillingham. His size and defense can cause concern, but Minnesota has the infrastructure to cover his weaknesses. There would be great defenders all around him with the Timberwolves.
Dillingham is a twitchy scorer who plays with a lot of flash. The major concern for Dillingham coming into the season was exactly what role he could fill at the next level. Was he a ‘spark-off-the-bench’ microwave scorer? Can he play true point guard? Dillingham answered these questions by mostly proving he can succeed at whatever role is needed. Once firmly in the rotation at Kentucky, he thrived with just about any lineup on the floor. This consistency and versatility combined with big scoring outings give him great upside despite his size. He’s been able to dish out assists, handle point guard responsibility, or even become an explosive scorer when needed. For the contending Timberwolves, Dillingham will likely be a great spark off the bench and provide a big scoring boost.
9) Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Edey
Another surprise pick here, the Grizzlies take Zach Edey. His value at pick nine is certainly up for debate, but only time will tell. Edey’s archetype as a big with no perimeter game and limited mobility usually doesn’t bode well for an illustrious NBA career. He’s a seven-foot-four giant though whose sheer production has placed him all over NBA draft boards.
He averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior. This included a 37-point performance in the national championship game against UConn. If he can prove his shot blocking and length are enough to make up for a lack of mobility, the Grizzlies will get a great defensive anchor. Desmond Bane and Ja Morant should have a great screensetter and interior presence on the offensive end.
10) Utah Jazz: Cody Williams
The Utah Jazz get great wing depth by selecting Cody Williams. Williams is the younger brother of rising star Jalen Williams who’s with the Thunder. Williams rose to number one pick conversations before a rough backend of the season leveled out his stock. He’s a six-foot-eight slender wing who played one season at Colorado. He’s a smooth and fluid athlete who looks to have a very polished all-around game for his age.
However, scouts were disappointed by his affinity for mediocre performances as he never exploded or took over a game. Young wings with production and upside like Williams are always valuable though. The Jazz are rebuilding and stacking talent should be the first priority. Williams will hope to round out their young roster with an injection of talent on the wing.
11) Chicago Bulls: Matas Buzelis
The Bulls stop the fall of Matas Buzelis and get a really high-upside wing at pick 11. Buzelis is the best prospect outside of Risacher who has the ability to fit the ‘3-and-D’ plus mold. It’s possible he has even more upside than Risacher as well.
Scouts and fans alike were frustrated throughout the season though with Buzelis’ lack of consistent aggression or big-game performances. His flashes are very bright though, and it can be argued that he has the highest upside in class. Buzelis is a six-foot-ten wing with polished offensive skills. He can shoot it at all three levels and is a fluid athlete in space. He’s also shown some promise as a weakside shot blocker. If he puts it all together, he can become a special player.
12) Oklahoma City Thunder (Via Rockets): Nikola Topic
The Thunder might have just traded Josh Giddey, but did they just draft Giddey 2.0? Nikola Topic is a Serbian six-foot-six point guard who can run the show and is currently playing internationally. Topic can be an advanced point guard with plus size who can get everyone involved. Does that profile sound familiar?
Topic has sustained multiple knee injuries this season, and this caused a slight fall for someone who was in contention at number one earlier in this season. The Thunder are in contention as a championship team though, so Topic will have time to develop. He’s not an explosive athlete, but his craft and playmaking ability more than make up for it. Topic can be the jumbo-sized point guard that is becoming a trend in the NBA.
13) Sacramento Kings: Devin Carter
The Kings get great value at the guard position in Devin Carter. Carter will hope to be a taller version of Pelican’s fiery defensive point guard Jose Alvarado. His play is based on physicality and high energy. This projected defensive impact was also helped further after the NBA combine. Carter tied for the highest max vertical at 42 inches, posted the fastest sprint at 2.87, and had the second-fastest lane agility time at 10.63. It was an impressive showing, and the Kings will value his NBA-ready ability.
Carter stands at six-foot-three and tries to keep constant pressure as an on-ball defender. He’s also adept as a team defender and chasing through screens for steals. Carter has been seen as streaky on offense up to this point, but he’s had big scoring outings that may give teams confidence. He should be a solid piece for the Kings all around.
14) Washington Wizards (Via Trailblazers): Carlton Carrington
Carlton Carrington fits the Wizards timeline well although it may not draw the most positive reaction from fans for this NBA draft. He’s a six-foot-five guard with good creation, playmaking, and shot-making ability. He needs to provide much more effective rim pressure though to be considered a great NBA prospect. It will be interesting to see what position suits Carrington best as well. He’ll have time to develop though and he may turn into a Coby White-style lead guard.
15) Miami Heat: Kel’el Ware
As far as NBA draft reactions go, this is an interesting fit alongside the newly extended Bam Adebayo. Kel’el Ware certainly has NBA traits at the center position, however. Ware was a sophomore transfer playing at Indiana this season. Standing at seven-foot-one and containing elite athleticism for his size, Ware shines on the defensive end blocking shots as well as a lob-dunk finisher.
He will hope to fill the Dereck Lively role in this NBA draft class. While there were questions about his motor, he clearly possesses NBA traits and Heat culture will groom him.
16) Philadelphia 76ers: Jared McCain
Jared McCain has had an excellent freshman season for Duke. As far as reactions go, 76ers fans shouldn’t be too surprised as this was a popular projected pick for NBA mock drafts.
He’s had several big performances and has been a consistent performer throughout the year. What’s really contributed to McCain’s rise however is his three-point shooting combined with solid perimeter defense. He shot 41.4 percent from deep on just under six attempts per game. McCain’s ability as a ‘3-and-D’ connector guard draws comparisons to Donte DiVincenzo and Sixers own, De’Anthony Melton. Both are either a little taller or have more length than McCain, but the roles and playstyles are very similar.
17) Los Angeles Lakers: Dalton Knecht
The Reddick era begins! Lakers fans’ reactions should be nothing but thrilled seeing Dalton Knecht fall in this NBA draft. Knecht put up big-game performances seemingly every night as he took the college world by storm. He’s a six-foot-six wing who’s a great perimeter shooter and also goes for big dunks when given a runway. His movement shooting ability sprinkled in with highlight dunks is very similar to a later-career Terrence Ross.
Knecht has also shown value as a cutter making him a good off-ball role player. Role players will be valued in this draft, and his overall ability is very similar to Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Hawks. Currently, Knecht isn’t the best lateral mover on defense, but there’s reason to believe he will be serviceable. He should provide quality scoring and shooting on the wing for the Lakers.
18) Orlando Magic: Tristan Da Silva
This is a very solid pickup for the Magic. Tristan Da Silva is a combo forward who plays the game the right way and does a lot of things well. At six-foot-nine, he shot 39.5 percent from the perimeter and is a solid team defender. It was no secret the Magic would value shooting in this draft, and Da Silva can do just that.
Scouts’ main concern with Da Silva will be his athletic limitations. He might be a tweener with no true position, but he’s proved he can affect the game in a variety of ways. His versatility, team defense, and shooting fit perfectly with a plus-sized Magic roster.
19) Toronto Raptors (Via Pacers): Ja’Kobe Walter
The Raptors get the three-point shooting they desperately needed while also getting what could be the best available. Ja’Kobe Walter was in lottery and top five conversations for a large part of the year. Walter shot at lower percentages in the back half of the season and had some underwhelming performances on defense. This caused his stock to fall slightly, but he’s a great competitor.
Walter’s long, athletic, and can shoot the three-ball at a high clip. He can also use this length and athleticism to be effective on the defensive end. This 3-and-D archetype makes Walter one of the better-projected role players in this draft. Getting Walter at pick 19 in this NBA draft should draw a positive reaction from rebuilding Raptors fans.
20) Cleveland Cavaliers: Jaylon Tyson
The Cavaliers officially signed Kenny Atkinson to be their new head coach. He was present on draft night, and he takes a swing on Jaylon Tyson. At pick 20, this isn’t a bad selection given Tyson’s possible upside.
He had a breakout year after transferring to California this year. He nearly averaged 20 points per game and shot the three-ball at 36.0 percent on 4.5 attempts. This explosion placed Tyson on NBA draft boards after struggling to find success in college.
At six-foot-seven, he has NBA traits on the wing. While he may play in a ‘3-and-D’ type of role early in his career, he has the creation ability to provide playmaking. If the playmaking and defense continue to trend upward, he will be a great piece on the wing for the Cavaliers.
21) New Orleans Pelicans (Via Bucks): Yves Missi
Yves Missi was mocked here for us and is still a great value selection here. This is especially true given that Jonas Valančiūnas is becoming a free agent. Missi’s a seven-foot big man who’s a fluid mover and provides an instant defensive impact. He will hope to fill the coveted big man role in today’s game that’s a shot blocker and pick-and-roll play finisher. His game is eerily similar to Clint Capela who’s made a living getting rebounds, catching lobs, and blocking shots.
22) Denver Nuggets (Via Suns): DaRon Holmes II
The Nuggets trade up six spots to grab their guy. It was heavily rumored that DaRon Holmes II received a promise from the Nuggets organization in the first round. As far as NBA reactions go, it’s a very solid pick from a basketball perspective as well.
Holmes’ build and physique will remind many of Nic Claxton’s profile as a player. He’s a very long and slender center who moves well at his size. His length and mobility have allowed him to be successful in a variety of pick-and-roll coverages. While still just a budding perimeter player, Holmes was the leading scorer for the Flyers. He averaged 20.4 points per game while also leading his team in rebounds at 8.5.
23) Milwaukee Bucks (Via Pelicans): AJ Johnson
Most may think this is a bit high for AJ Johnson, but the Bucks take an upside swing here. Johnson is a six-foot-six guard who played with the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL this season. He only averaged 2.9 points per game and played very sporadically in the pro league.
He had an incredible NBA combine and flashed dynamic playmaking and scoring ability in the scrimmages. The Bucks have an older roster overall, and Johnson will have a few years to develop into the player fans hope for him to be.
24) Washington Wizards (Via Knicks): Kyshawn George
After the Carrington pick, the Wizards double down on adding high-upside prospects. Kyshawn George is a solid selection and will help to surround Sarr with high-level shooting, and maybe more. George was a late riser to NBA draft boards mostly due to upside and a coveted archetype. George is a six-foot-eight jumbo guard who’s shown playmaking upside combined with great shooting ability. He shot the ball at 40.8 percent from three on just over four attempts per game.
Someone with playmaking and shooting ability at six-foot-eight always makes scouts excited. The Wizards have the time and patience to allow George to develop properly.
25) New York Knicks (Via Dallas): Pacome Dadiet
Pacome Dadiet is a slight surprise here for the Knicks at pick 25. He’s a six-foot-nine wing who moves very well at his size and has big upside. He’s shown good perimeter shooting ability while also creating his own shots at all three levels. He will need to improve on defense however playing for Tom Thibodeaux, but he has the tools to do so. With the Mikal Bridges trade and the signing of OG Anunoby, the Knicks can afford to take a swing with this pick. Dadiet is honestly a good option for a home run swing as he can be molded into a variety of successful archetypes.
He will have time to develop with a contending Knicks roster.
26) Oklahoma City Thunder (Via Knicks): Dillon Jones
The Thunder traded for this pick to select Dillon Jones. Jones is an extremely talented player, but he did most of his damage with the ball in his hands in college. This may cause a mixed reaction from Thunder fans, but they’ve done so well in the NBA draft that it doesn’t matter.
The Thunder stack talent above fit sometimes, and Jones is a great talent. Jones is a six-foot-six forward who plays physically with a strong frame. He does a little bit of everything well in terms of shooting, playmaking, and guarding multiple positions. He may have no true position though, so it will be interesting to see how OKC handles his development.
27) Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrance Shannon Jr.
Terrence Shannon Jr. had the season and numbers to be drafted much higher. He gets drafted late however due to sexual assault allegations from December. He has officially been ruled not guilty of all charges.
From a basketball perspective, Shannon is a six-foot-five combo guard with great scoring ability. He averaged 23.0 points for the Fighting Illini this year and flashed a variety of offensive skills. There are questions defensively though and about how effective he can be if not allowed to take volume shots.
28) Phoenix Suns (Via Nuggets): Ryan Dunn
Suns fans should have a joyous reaction seeing Ryan Dunn at pick 28 in this NBA draft. The Suns have plenty of stars who can put the ball in the basket. They now need to surround those stars with elite role players, especially ones who can defend.
There’s no better defender in this class than Dunn. Hei s one of the more special defensive prospects we’ve seen in a long time. He clearly projects to have a specific role at the next level as a defensive ace for any team. Dunn’s a six-foot-eight forward with elite mobility and athleticism. The problem is his offensive game is virtually nonexistent in every area, which keeps him outside the lottery on NBA draft boards. If he proves he can become competent offensively, he will be a steal.
29) Utah Jazz (Via Thunder): Isaiah Collier
The Utah Jazz grabbed a high-level point guard prospect in the backend of the first round. Getting Isaiah Collier at pick 29 is great value. Collier is a prospect some have soured on, but it’s not quite the time to bail on him as a top prospect. Due to an up-and-down season at USC, his draft range is all over the place. However, he was once considered a possible number-one pick early in this process.
Collier is a big and physical point guard listed at six-foot-five and 210 pounds. This physicality should fit with the Jazz well. He uses size as well as solid athleticism when finishing at the rim, and he can be a floor general on offense. Collier will need to show better perimeter shooting and an in-between game to capitalize on his upside.
30) Boston Celtics: Baylor Scheierman
Baylor Scheierman was a consistent leader for a talented Creighton basketball team. He’s a lefty who took 289 three-pointers this season which is good for most on this list. He shot those threes at 38.1 percent and averaged 8.3 attempts per game. These are impressive numbers although he won’t be asked to carry as heavy an offensive burden at the NBA level.
Scheierman isn’t just a three-point shooter either, as he racked up 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as well. He plays the game with great finesse and could prove to be a plus playmaker even at the NBA level. He won’t need to produce right away for the NBA champions, but if injuries occur, he will be ready to go.
