The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and there was a healthy mix of exciting picks, head-scratching moves, and big surprises. While the second round has yet to begin, there's plenty to analyze after an action-packed first round.
Who were Wednesday night's biggest winners?
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti continues to have the Midas touch. With the selection of Serbian international Nikola Topic at 12th overall, the veteran executive added a high-upside guard just days after dealing Josh Giddey for one of the NBA's better perimeter defenders in Alex Caruso.
Topic has more offensive potential than Giddey, who made next to no impact in these past playoffs. The 18-year-old averaged 15.9 points and 5.9 assists over 18 games in the Serbian league before going down with a partially torn ACL last season, and would have easily been a top-five pick were it not for the injury.
While Topic could miss the entire year, the Thunder have more than enough time to wait for him to heal. If the ABA League Top Prospect and All-ABA League Team honoree develops to his full potential, he could become an exciting backcourt partner to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for years to come.
Although the decision to trade five future second-rounders for Dillon Jones 26th overall was questionable, it won't matter if and when Topic becomes a quality starter for an already-stacked squad.
Washington Wizards
Surprise! The lowly Wizards hadn't made any impressive moves for quite some time, but NBA Draft night signaled a new era for them. Before it began, they dealt 23-year-old guard Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th overall pick, a 2029 first-rounder, and two future second-rounders. This gave them three first-round choices Wednesday night.
Washington started with the obvious pick, selecting French big man Alex Sarr second overall. The seven-footer got his wish after previously expressing interest in playing in the nation's capital. There will be no pressure for the former Perth Wildcat to perform right away, as he'll get time to develop alongside 2023 first-rounder Bilal Coulibaly in the front court. If things break right for the Wizards, both could turn into high-quality starters over the long run.
Washington followed that up by selecting point guard Carlton Carrington out of Pitt with the 14th pick. This was the selection from the Avdija deal, and it was a good way to use it. Carrington was one of the better guards in the country after just one season in school, earning ACC All-Rookie team honors, averaging 13.8 points per game with 5.2 boards and 4.1 assists. He'll get playing time next to Jordan Poole right away, which should accelerate his development.
Finally, the Wizards traded up from the 26th to the 24th pick, giving the New York Knicks the 51st selection in the process. They grabbed the rights to Miami guard Kyshawn George, who'll be able to contribute right away as a three-point shooter. The 20-year-old shot 40.8% from deep in his lone season with the Hurricanes, and will have time to slowly develop his handles as he continues showing his off-ball prowess.
Washington will keep making moves as well, via Bullets Forever's Greg Finberg.
“Expect Malcolm Brogdon to be rerouted from Washington very soon,” Finberg predicted. “Brogdon is still just 31 years old and coming off a season in Portland in which he averaged 15.3 points and 5.5 assists. Contending teams will covet Brogdon, meaning the Wizards haul for Avdija isn’t complete yet.”
Dealing Brogdon would be wise, as he's too old to make sense on a rebuilding squad. Even still, after a rough last few years, Wizards fans can finally feel confident about their rebuild.
Los Angeles Lakers
It's embarrassing that the league allowed Dalton Knecht to fall to the 17th overall pick, but sometimes it's better to be lucky than good in the NBA Draft. Los Angeles snagged the consensus first-team All-American several picks after he should've been gone, adding one of this draft's best shooters and overall scorers.
Knecht averaged 21.7 points per game on 45.8% shooting, along with a 39.7% three-point clip for Tennessee last year. While the 23-year-old may take some time to adjust to the NBA game, he could be a catch-and-shoot option for LeBron James to kick the ball out to on the perimeter. The Purple and Gold aren't known for giving many minutes to rookies, but expect Knecht to develop nicely under former sharpshooter J.J. Redick.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota pulled off one of the weirdest draft day trades ever, acquiring eighth overall pick Rob Dillingham from the San Antonio Spurs for an unprotected 2031 first-rounder and a 2030 first-round swap. The Wolves essentially traded into the lottery with no short-term consequences other than salary cap stress.
Dillingham, a combo guard out of Kentucky, provides the squad with another much-needed scoring threat off the dribble to compliment Anthony Edwards. The 19-year-old will start on the bench but could grow into a starter over the next couple of years as he continues to develop.
Minnesota followed that up by selecting Illinois shooting guard Terrence Shannon Jr. 27th overall, another dynamic scoring threat who will contribute off the bench right away. The Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player's draft stock initially slid due to his felony rape case, but that situation is now behind him after he beat the charges. Shannon averaged an unconscious 23 points per game on 47.5% shooting for the Fighting Illini last season.
The Wolves' backcourt depth just got much scarier, and that's after they already made the Western Conference Finals.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls had a stars-aligning moment too, as Chicago native Matas Buzelis fell to them 11th overall. The 6-foot-9 wing immediately gives the team a floor-spacing option but also could be the franchise player once DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine leave. Hopefully, this story will work out better than the last time the Bulls handed the keys to a hometown kid.
Buzelis played for the G League Ignite last season and was a McDonald's All-American in 2023. The 19-year-old has the ball-handling chops to give NBA defenses fits, via Yahoo Sports' NBA Draft analyst Krysten Peek.
“Buzelis shot the ball under 30% from 3-point range during his one season with the Ignite but has great size at 6-foot-9 and the ability to space the floor,” Peek said. “He's comfortable taking players off the dribble and has good footwork and ball skills in dribble hand-offs on the wing.”
This feels like the type of pick that was destined to happen, and Buzelis will experience a good balance of not having to carry the team right away, while still getting the ball enough to make an impact.
Portland Trail Blazers
In addition to adding Avdija, the Blazers landed a number-one NBA Draft pick candidate at a value spot. Portland snagged UConn center Donovan Clingan seventh overall, giving it a potential long-term frontcourt mainstay to pair with Deandre Ayton. The seven-foot-two giant brings two-way versatility and winning experience to the playoff-starved club, as he won two NCAA titles with the Huskies.
Clingan earned AP Honorable Mention All-American honors this past season, as he averaged 13 points per game on 63.9% shooting, with 7.4 rebounds. Don't be surprised if he gets off to a hot start at the top level.
Boston Celtics
As if the Celtics needed any more help, they landed another quality shooting option with the last pick of the NBA Draft's first round. Creighton shooting guard Baylor Scheierman heads to Boston, providing the club with an embarrassment of riches at the guard position.
The third-team All-American is the only player in NCAA history with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 three-pointers, and now gets to learn under the likes of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holliday, and Derrick White. If Scheierman can be close to a Payton Pritchard-level player next season, the defending champions will have an even scarier roster this time around.
Follow Us
Subscribe