The 2024 NBA season is not quite a week old, yet five rookies have started an NBA game this season. Will any of the five players remain in the starting lineup?
2024 NBA top overall pick Zacharie Risacher became the latest rookie to earn a spot in his team’s starting lineup last night. Risacher, who came off the bench in his first two contests, made his first career start for Atlanta (2-1) in the Hawks 128-104 loss to Oklahoma City. The 19-year-old started at power forward for the injured De’Andre Hunter.
No. 1 2024 NBA Pick Becomes Fifth Rookie To Join Starting Lineup, Will Any Remain As Starters For Entire Season?
Risacher turned in his best performance early on, going against OKC. The 6-9 forward got off to a quick start and finished the game with career-highs 13 points and six rebounds while shooting 6 of 12 from the field, including 0 of 2 from deep, in 27 minutes. He also recorded two assists, came up with one steal and one block, and posted the third-highest game score of the nine Hawks, who saw at least 10 minutes of action.
Risacher is very raw offensively, which can be expected with any youngster, as he is at his best around the rim or in transition. However, the Hawks selected him as the top overall pick because of his athleticism and ability to be a “lockdown defender.” While Risacher has been solid individually defensively, he has struggled with awareness and off the ball like he did against the Thunder.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder has an interesting decision tonight as Atlanta hosts Washington. The Hawks are not considered a playoff team this year, though they are off to a 2-1 start, with close victories over Brooklyn and Charlotte.
Expect Hunter to return to the starting lineup, as he has been playing well. Hunter missed the game against the Thunder due to a minor knee issue. He is a game-time decision versus Washington.
Risacher will remain in the Hawks rotation all season long. He is currently the third player off the Hawks bench. However, he will likely be a part-time starter when injuries occur in the Hawks frontcourt. He will likely ultimately be a full-time starter later on in the season.
Alex Sarr
Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick, has started both of Washington’s games. Known for his defensive ability, which he has recently received praise for, Sarr has struggled mightily on the offensive end in the early going.
Sarr was much better in the second game of the season against Cleveland. The 19-year-old Frenchman tallied 12 points on 4 of 10 shooting, including 2 of 6 from the 3-point line. He also grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots in 24 minutes against the Cavaliers on Saturday.
Part of Sarr’s offensive trouble is that most of his shot attempts have been jumpers. Seventy percent of Sarr’s shots have been jumpers, but he has only made 16% of those attempts.
Not only has Sarr been an effective shot-blocker, but the 7-footer has also done well on the defensive glass, grabbing 20% of all rebounds on that end. He is long and athletic, though he is a little slow on the perimeter and slight in size.
Sarr’s Defense
“His shot-blocking ability is one of the best in the league, Washington center Jonas Valanciunas said about Sarr. “He’s still a young player, still growing, still learning, you know, in the gym all the time,” the 32-year-old said. “You know, shot-blocking is about reading the game, you know, about the sense. He’s got that, and he’s going up from there.”
Sarr has been tasked with difficult matchups in the early going. Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen took Sarr to school, and the Celtics Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White took advantage of him on switches. However, he did an outstanding job against the Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley when matched against a fellow 7-footer.
Sarr averages 7.0 points, 5.5 boards (1.5 offensive), 1.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks. He has compiled shooting splits of 29.4/18.2/1.000.
Washington (0-2), the seventh-youngest team in the league, has one of the youngest starting lineups in the Association, with three players aged 20 or younger starting. The Wizards are not expected to complete, so expect Sarr to remain the Wizards starting center despite Valanciunas playing well and being the better option. The Wiz could trade Valanciunas before the trade deadline.
Bub Carrington
Bub Carrington was a surprise lottery selection. After one season at Pitt, the Portland Trail Blazers selected the teenager with the 14th overall pick. Carrington was traded with Malcolm Brogdon to Washington for Deni Avdija.
Carrington had a strong Summer League campaign with the Wizards, though the 19-year-old struggled slightly in the preseason. Still, the athletic 6-4 point guard has started the first two games.
Carrington, who is not a shooter, has struggled on both ends of the court in the first two games. He is shooting just 21.4% (2-14) from the field, and 83% of his shots have been jumpers. The average distance per shot attempt is nearly 19 feet.
Carrington has made 2 of 6 3-pointers and gotten to the free-throw line at a decent rate. While Carrington averages three dimes a contest, his assist rate is 15%, which is below average. He is also committing 2.0 turnovers a contest at 19%.
Carrington has also struggled with his individual and team defense. Teams shoot over 52% from the field (5-11 a game) and 64% from the 3-point line against Carrington. Carrington has also been whistled for eight fouls in 51 minutes.
Unlike Sarr, Carrington may not remain in the starting lineup the entire season. Brogdon may return at some point, and Jordan Poole can also run the point. While Poole is more suitable to play the 2, he may move over to the point if Carrington continues to struggle or coach Brian Keefe decides to insert first-round selection Kyshawn George, the No. 24 pick this past summer. George has struggled in the early going as well.
Besides Poole Carrington and Brogdon, Jared Butler is also an option at this point. Butler, on a two-way deal, is someone that Wizards like.
Whether Carrington is the starter the entire season or not, he will see significant minutes as this is a development year for the Wizards.
Zach Edey
Zach Edey, the No. 9 overall pick, has started all three games for Memphis this year. The 7-4, 300-pound center has been excellent around the rim, finishing over 90% of his attempts within three feet. He has also done yeoman’s work on the offensive glass.
But Edey has struggled on the defensive end. He is not a shot-blocker and slow-a-foot. While he hasn’t been a disaster on that end of the floor, fouls have been a huge issue. He has already fouled out once and been whistled four in each of the other two games.
Like Snyder, coach Taylor Jenkins will have some decisions to make at some point. Jaren Jackson Jr., who is more comfortable at power forward, has only played one game, while Vince Williams Jr. (leg) and GG Jackson (foot) are out for a while.
Edey has been effective offensively, and it is early. So, he may be able to learn not to foul. But as of right now, expect Edey to remain in the starting lineup for the 2-1 Grizzlies.
Ryan Dunn
Ryan Dunn, the No. 28 overall pick, picked up his first start Saturday as Bradley Beal sat out due to an elbow issue. The 21-year-old wing turned in his best effort at that start, as he totaled career highs with 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting, including 3 of 5 from deep in 21 minutes against Dallas. It was the second straight game Dunn has made three triples.
Beal is questionable for tonight’s game against the Lakers. If Beal is unable to go, expect Dunn to get another start. Otherwise, he will move back to the second unit.
