Who will go first overall to the Atlanta Hawks in the 2024 NBA Draft? This has been the question NBA fans have been asking for weeks leading up to this year's draft. We finally have an answer to this with Zaccharie Risacher heading to Atlanta. As the NBA Draft continues, ClutchPoints will be updating these live trade grades to recap and reflect the results of all the picks made.
Did Donovan Clingan and Alex Sarr end up in the best possible spots? Are the San Antonio Spurs primed for immediate growth with their draft selections?
Maybe we do not have all the answers to these questions yet, but here are initial grades and instant analysis on each of the 30 first-round picks made in the 2024 NBA Draft, starting with the Hawks selection at the top of the draft after selecting Risacher.
1. Atlanta Hawks – SF Zaccharie Risacher – France
The Hawks finally settled on a name for the first overall pick: Zaccharie Risacher from France. Risacher proved to be a knockdown shooter over the last few months overseas, and his two-way potential was too much for Atlanta to pass up on in this spot. However, the Hawks also had rumored interest in both Donovan Clingan and Reed Sheppard. The question for the Hawks revolves around where Risacher fits into the picture, as De'Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson remain in the forward positions. Until the Hawks make a trade this offseason, which appears to be on the horizon, it's hard to envision Risacher being a player that impacts this team's chances of finding immediate success.
GRADE: B-
2. Washington Wizards – PF/C Alex Sarr – France
Alex Sarr got his wish of wanting to go second overall to the Washington Wizards instead of being in consideration for the Hawks' No. 1 pick. It is clear to see that the Wizards are rebuilding, and they now get their hands on Sarr, who could end up being the best frontcourt player from this draft. His length and athleticism at the power forward and center positions make Sarr the perfect long-term prospect to pair with Bilal Coulibaly, whom Washington selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. This is a match made in heaven.
GRADE: A+
3. Houston Rockets – PG/SG Reed Sheppard – Kentucky
After dangling this pick to other teams with Donovan Clingan still on the board, the Houston Rockets ended up with Reed Sheppard, a sharpshooter they had been targeting for weeks. Sheppard possesses the intensity on both ends of the court to be someone Ime Udoka will utilize right away in his rotations. Not to mention, the Kentucky guard will be a spark of perimeter scoring for the Rockets off the bench. His ability to come off screens with or without the ball in his hands will make Sheppard a unique player to watch in Houston for years to come.
GRADE: B+
4. San Antonio Spurs – PG/SG Stephon Castle – UConn
The San Antonio Spurs had long been linked to Stephon Castle with this fourth overall selection. With a clear need in their backcourt, Castle now becomes the lead guard for the Spurs. His two-way play and ability to create shooting opportunities for others on the wing will open up the floor tremendously for Victor Wembanyama. However, Castle's questionable shooting numbers make him an iffy offensive threat entering the league. Still, Castle has a lot of potential to thrive in San Antonio.
GRADE: A-
5. Detroit Pistons – SF Ron Holland – G League Ignite
There is a lot to like about Ron Holland, despite an underwhelming season with the G League Ignite. Holland was seen as a potential first overall pick when he first joined the G League, and he is an outstanding athlete. Next to Cade Cunningham, Holland will thrive running in transition and being a great defender early on in his career. If he can turn things around as a shooter and find success attacking as a primary ball handler, teams will look back on the 2024 NBA Draft and wish they had selected Holland.
GRADE: A-
6. Charlotte Hornets – SF/PF Tidjane Salaun – France
Tidjane Salaun is a very dynamic forward who can play out on the wing or in the low post. The main reason why some teams were skeptical about his skillset entering the 2024 NBA Draft is due to how raw of a prospect he is. Salaun is still only 18 years old and will need time before he is ready to fully contribute to a team in the NBA. In Charlotte, the French forward will join LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller as key building blocks of the franchise. The Hornets did have some other needs at this pick, and with some talented guards on the board, Charlotte may have reached in this spot for a player they fell in love with late in the draft process.
GRADE: B
7. Portland Trail Blazers – C Donovan Clingan – UConn
Donovan Clingan had been at the top of the Portland Trail Blazers draft board all throughout the pre-draft process. The two-time national champion brings interior toughness and an immediate defensive anchor to a Blazers team in dire need of frontcourt help despite having former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton. There is a lot to like about Clingan's game and the upside he has to evolve into a multidimensional, two-way talent that can even knock down perimeter shots. This is the best pick of the first round so far, as Clingan was a player involved in chatter for the Hawks at the No. 1 overall pick.
GRADE: A+
8. Minnesota Timberwolves – PG Rob Dillingham – Kentucky
[Pick traded from San Antonio Spurs to Minnesota Timberwolves]
Although he wasn't able to get in the gym for teams due to an ankle injury, Rob Dillingham entered the draft as one of the most electric scorers in all of college basketball. This pick by the Spurs is reportedly being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 first-round swap, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Dillingham will provide an immediate spark on the Timberwolves' bench, a team that recently made a run to the Western Conference Finals.
GRADE: B+
9. Memphis Grizzlies – C Zach Edey – Purdue
The Memphis Grizzlies were eyeing Donovan Clingan throughout the pre-draft process. After being unable to trade up early on Wednesday, they quickly turned their attention to Purdue big man Zach Edey, league sources told ClutchPoints. Edey is one of the most decorated college basketball players in recent memory, but there are concerns about his motor and ability to truly impact winning at the NBA level due to his mobility. Edey now goes to Memphis, where he will have an opportunity to potentially start next to Jaren Jackson Jr.
GRADE: C-
10. Utah Jazz – SF Cody Williams – Colorado
Cody Williams is a highly skilled wing who has great defensive instincts. However, some have questioned whether or not he has the ability to truly be a modern-day big man in terms of his strength and mentality as a rebounder. The Utah Jazz have had a need for a versatile wing, and Williams has a really high ceiling as a 19-year-old. If he is anything like Jalen Williams, his older brother with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Jazz will be happy.
GRADE: A-
11. Chicago Bulls – SF Matas Buzelis – G League Ignite
Rated as a potential top-five prospect, Matas Buzelis stays local and gets to be the hometown kid for the Chicago Bulls. This is tremendous value for the Bulls, who flirted with the idea of trading up for Buzelis after his impressive workout with the team. Buzelis can shoot from basically anywhere, and he will represent the future of the Bulls franchise if they move on from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine in the offseason. There wasn't a better player that could've fallen to the Bulls in this draft.
GRADE: A+
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – PG Nikola Topic – Serbia
Nikola Topic was one of the best players available in the 2024 NBA Draft and would have likely been the first guard selected if it weren't for a partially torn ACL that will likely sideline him for a vast majority or all of his rookie season in the NBA. The good news is that the Oklahoma City Thunder have time to wait for him, and Topic is the perfect fit next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After trading Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso, who is one of the best defensive players in the NBA, the Thunder now add Topic, who is a better offensive player than Giddey. Sam Presti and the Thunder front office strike again!
GRADE: A+
13. Sacramento Kings – PG/SG Devin Carter – Providence
The Sacramento Kings held extensive trade conversations throughout Wednesday involving this 13th overall pick. More specifically, they were targeting Cam Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets and Kyle Kuzma from the Washington Wizards, league sources told ClutchPoints. In any scenario where a trade couldn't be made, the Kings were hoping two-way combo guard Devin Carter would be available. That is exactly what happened here, as Mike Brown now has a very reliable and poised guard he can insert into any lineup next to or behind De'Aaron Fox. Another high-IQ player heads to Sacramento.
GRADE: A-
14. Washington Wizards – PG Carlton Carrington – Pittsburgh
[Pick traded from Portland Trail Blazers to Washington Wizards]
One of the biggest first-round risers in this year's draft was Carlton Carrington, who went from a fringe first-round pick to a lottery pick. The Wizards traded up to grab this pick from the Trail Blazers in a deal that involved Deni Avdija, but they finally addressed a key need they had at the point guard position. Carrington can do just about anything on offense, and he has a chance to turn into a strong scoring weapon in Washington. Next to Jordan Poole, who is primed for a bounce-back season, this will be a dynamic one-two punch for newly instated head coach Brian Keefe to experiment with.
GRADE: B
15. Miami Heat – C Kel'el Ware – Indiana
The Miami Heat just extended Bam Adebayo on a three-year, $166 million extension. Why would they then go out and draft Kel'el Ware just hours later? Ware left an impression on Ware throughout the pre-draft process, but he is a true center and won't slide over to the power forward position. This is a pick for depth, as the Heat haven't had another reliable big man option behind Adebayo in recent years. Never doubt the Heat and their process, as they always find value in the draft. However, Ware doesn't present all that much immediate upside in Miami if he is to only play behind Adebayo.
GRADE: C
16. Philadelphia 76ers – PG Jared McCain – Duke
Even with Dalton Knech on the board, the Philadelphia 76ers went with Jared McCain with the 16th overall pick. McCain entered the draft as one of the best perimeter shooters behind Reed Sheppard, and his confidence is through the roof. When you play in Philadelphia, you must have a certain level of swag to your game. Tyrese Maxey has that confidence and swag, as does Joel Embiid. Now, the 76ers add another exuberant talent in McCain, who is just scratching the surface of his offensive potential. This is a great fit next to Maxey, although pairing a Kentucky Wildcat with a Duke Blue Devil is questionable for those collegiate fan bases!
GRADE: B+
17. Los Angeles Lakers – SG/SF Dalton Knecht – Tennessee
Dalton Knecht slid in the draft for no other reason than being an older prospect. While he is 23 years old, Knecht is a terrific shooter and a terrific all-around scorer. These are the types of players that the Los Angeles Lakers need next to LeBron James in their pursuit of a championship. After all, it's not like being 23 is old! Rob Pelinka and the Lakers find huge value with this 17th overall pick and give JJ Redick a sharpshooter he can mentor in his first season as the head coach of the team. What a break for the Lakers to get Knecht, a top-10 prospect, in this spot.
GRADE: A
18. Orlando Magic – SF/PF Tristan da Silva – Colorado
One of the best all-around forwards in the 2024 NBA Draft is Tristan da Silva. In a pre-draft interview with ClutchPoints, da Silva compared himself to Franz Wagner not only because of their German background but also because of their style of play as versatile playmakers. Well, da Silva got his wish and is reunited in Orlando with a Wagner. As far as fit goes, the Colorado product will provide immediate depth on the wing as a shooter and secondary ball handler who can hunt his own shots and scoring opportunities. He may not be a high-upside pick, but he can play right away. Overall, this is a solid pick for the Magic.
GRADE: B+
19. Toronto Raptors – SG Ja'Kobe Walter – Baylor
As far as upside goes, Ja'Kobe Walter is certainly a player worth watching from a developmental standpoint due to his 3-and-D tendencies. The Toronto Raptors are always known for developing their youthful talents, which is why Walter could thrive on the wing alongside Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes. His shooting abilities and length will be utilized right away in Toronto.
GRADE: B
20. Cleveland Cavaliers – SG/SF Jaylon Tyson
Jaylon Tyson is a really solid two-way swingman who performed well in his pre-draft workouts, which resulted in him rising to the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. He can play with or without the ball in his hands, and Tyson really came into his own this past year at California as a scorer. The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a need for more scoring weapons, especially those they can bring into the game behind Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Although he is not the best ball handler, Tyson brings immediate value to the Cavs' bench as they look to make a serious playoff push. The thing about Tyson and the Cavs is that they probably could have traded down to get him a little later.
GRADE: C+
21. New Orleans Pelicans – C Yves Missi – Baylor
The New Orleans Pelicans have wanted Yves Missi for weeks. This pick is finally official, as Missi replaces Jonas Valanciunas in the Pelicans' frontcourt alongside Zion Williamson. Missi has a huge frame and is a high-flying center that plays well above the rim. In pick-and-roll situations, he will be a menace to try and stop. However, he can get in foul trouble and is still pretty raw in terms of his overall impact on the game. It is going to take some growing pains until Missi can truly live up to his potential, but he is the best talent and the best big man on the board in this spot for the Pelicans.
GRADE: B
22. Denver Nuggets – PF/C DaRon Holmes II – Dayton
[Pick traded from Phoenix Suns to Denver Nuggets]
After zeroing in on DaRon Holmes II during the pre-draft process, the Denver Nuggets were forced to make a trade with the Phoenix Suns to grab him. Holmes, who had interest from some teams in the late-lottery area of the draft, is a stretch big man who will provide immediate depth behind Nikola Jokic in Denver. Finding a young big man to add to their frontcourt was one of the Nuggets' main goals entering the draft. Holmes may not be ready to contribute at a high level right away, but he has the potential to really be an impactful sixth-man-like frontcourt talent. This is good value for the Nuggets, who gave up their other two picks in this draft and some future second-round picks.
GRADE: B+
23. Milwaukee Bucks – SG AJ Johnson – USA
AJ Johnson had a great performance at the NBA Draft Combine and caught the attention of many teams. Although he was being targeted by a ton of teams in the second round of the draft, the Milwaukee Bucks saw an opportunity to select Johnson with this 23rd overall pick. After playing in the NBL this past season, Johnson really improved as a scorer and a player who can create scoring opportunities for himself without having to rely on a point guard to facilitate for him. This is a long-term upside pick for the Bucks, as it is hard to envision Johnson finding a role in Milwaukee right away. Much like MarJon Beauchamp, Johnson will have to earn his stripes.
GRADE: C+
24. Washington Wizards – SG Kyshawn George – Miami (FL)
[Pick traded from New York Knicks to Washington Wizards]
After already adding both Alex Sarr and Bub Carlton, the Wizards have made yet another move to grab a high-upside wing in Kyshawn George. Many teams had shown interest in George due to his length and shooting abilities on the perimeter. He is still young and raw in terms of being able to score off the dribble. The Wizards have needed three-point shooting for quite some time, and now they have addressed this need with a 20-year-old that is only going to get better.
GRADE: B
25. New York Knicks – SG Pacôme Dadiet – France
At 18 years old, Pacome Dadiet joins the New York Knicks as a very young player with high upside to become a great scoring weapon at the shooting guard position. Many teams looked to bring Dadiet in for a workout late in the draft process, and nothing but good things have been said about his attitude as it pertains to spending time to learn new systems and work on his development. Dadiet was a projected second-round pick, but was drawing late first-round interest. His 6'9″ wingspan makes Dadiet look like a prospect that could develop into a potential two-way rotational player in due time. Whatever the Knicks want to mold Dadiet into, they will be able to do so over the next few years.
GRADE: C+
26. Oklahoma City Thunder – SF Dillon Jones – Weber State
[Pick traded from Washington Wizards to New York Knicks; Knicks trade pick to Thunder]
The Thunder made a great move by grabbing Nikola Topic earlier in the draft. However, this is a very questionable move for the Thunder to trade up for Dillon Jones, who was going to be available during Thursday's second round. Jones is a talented player on the wing who can score and do a bunch of little things to help his team win, but he had one of the highest usage rates in all of college basketball at Weber State. It will be interesting to see how the Thunder look to utilize this first-round pick.
GRADE: D
27. Minnesota Timberwolves – SG Terrence Shannon Jr. – Illinois
After having his felony rape trial charges dropped and being ruled not guilty, Terrence Shannon Jr. became a first-round prospect many teams were considering. He ends up in the perfect situation with Minnesota due to their need of another dynamic scorer behind Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves have now added two very athletic players to their bench unit in Shannon and Dillingham. These are two very solid additions that make Minnesota better than they were on offense. Both Dillingham and Shannon will be able to play right away.
GRADE: A-
28. Phoenix Suns – SF Ryan Dunn – Virginia
[Pick traded from Denver Nuggets to Phoenix Suns]
The Suns had zeroed in on Ryan Dunn the day leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft, and they were able to trade down in order to get him. After making a deal with the Nuggets just a handful of picks earlier, the Suns were able to add some future draft assets in the form of second-round picks while still getting a really strong rebounder and defensive wing. Dunn is being drafted for his defense. Phoenix will likely utilize him right away as he develops his all-around offensive game, especially on the perimeter.
GRADE: A
29. Utah Jazz – PG Isaiah Collier – USC
Once thought to be a potential top-10 pick, Isaiah Collier fell all the way to the last couple of picks in the first round. Collier is a very athletic guard who may just be the most explosive player when he gets going towards the rim. However, Collier is turnover-prone, and there are questions about his defensive IQ. The Jazz went with the best player in this spot, and they end up with a 19-year-old with very high upside to become a great scoring weapon at the point guard position.
GRADE: B+
30. Boston Celtics – SG Baylor Scheierman – Creighton
Baylor Scheierman made it a point of emphasis to point out in a pre-draft interview with ClutchPoints that he could impact a winning organization right away. The Creighton sharpshooter is the only player in NCAA history with at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 three-pointers, which is why he feels like he can prove to be the difference for a playoff-contending team. Well, Scheierman is heading to a contending team — the defending NBA champions, to be exact. In terms of fit, this was the best pick of the first round. Scheierman can pass, he can shoot moving off of screens, and he is a terrific rebounder at the shooting guard position, much like Donte DiVincenzo with the Knicks. I absolutely love this pick for Boston.
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