The primary spherical of the 2024 NBA Draft was accomplished Wednesday night time, a night filled with minor trades and a few stunning picks. Listed here are 10 takeaways from draft night time.
1. NBA has a French connection
Pardon our French, however three of the highest six picks in Wednesday’s NBA Draft have been youngsters from France, together with the highest two picks. The Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher at No. 1, the Wizards took Alexandre Sarr at No. 2 and the Hornets took Tidjane Salaun with the sixth decide. Later, the Knicks drafted Pacome Dadiet, organising an inevitable “WHO’S YOUR DADIET?” headline in a future version of the New York Publish.
No international nation rivals France in producing top-level basketball abilities. Rudy Gobert gained Defensive Participant of the Yr, 2023 No. 1 decide Victor Wembanyama was Rookie of the Yr and Les Bleus have dwelling courtroom benefit in Olympic basketball in Paris this summer season. In France, the game is skyrocketing in popularity. Plus, proficient French youngsters commonly play in opposition to professionals, making ready them for a excessive degree of competitors, which they will definitely face within the NBA.
2. Grizzlies proceed to make questionable picks
After selecting Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant and Desmond Bane from 2018-20, the Grizzlies have hit a nasty stoop in the case of their draft picks. Since 2020, they’ve used first-round picks so as to add Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia and David Roddy, none of whom have panned out. They hope Zach Edey will not be added to that listing.
Memphis used the No. 9 decide on the two-time Naismith Award winner, who will substitute Steven Adams because the Grizzlies go-to large physique/screen-setter inside. Edey is clearly big, standing 7-foot-4 and weighing in at 290 kilos, however his mobility is a giant query. Perhaps his offensive rebounds and inside scoring will work, nevertheless it looks as if an overdraft this excessive within the lottery.
3. The primary spherical skewed older
Whereas a teen went No. 1, there have been a stunning variety of older prospects taken within the first spherical. Since 2008, there have been 11 gamers 23 or older picked within the prime 20. Two of these gamers have been taken Wednesday night time when Dalton Knecht and Tristan da Silva went at No. 17 and No. 18. 23-year-old Baylor Scheierman went to the Celtics at No. 30, whereas 22-year-olds Devin Carter and Edey additionally went in Spherical 1.
A few of that is because of COVID-19’s disruption of faculty basketball seasons and longer eligibility for NCAA gamers. Nevertheless it does look like groups aren’t shying away from older prospects as a lot as typical, with 5 first-round draftees who’ve been in a position to legally drink for over a yr.
4. The Wizards loaded up
Not solely did Washington add their middle of the long run in Alex Sarr with the No. 2 decide, it picked up two extra prospects within the first spherical. The Wizards acquired Pittsburgh’s Bub Carrington at No. 14 after buying and selling Deni Avdija to the Blazers, then traded as much as No. 24 so as to add a high-upside venture in Kyshawn George. The Wizards additionally acquired a 2029 first-rounder from the Blazers on Wednesday.
It is arduous to say how these gamers will prove for Washington, although Sarr and Carrington ought to get loads of enjoying time on a sparse Wizards roster. However for a group that wants assist at each place on the courtroom, the Wizards did properly to get a spread pack of prospects.
5. T-Wolves acquired a steal
Going through the restrictions of going over the second apron of the luxurious tax whereas a lot of their reserves are free brokers, the Timberwolves managed to commerce into the lottery and get Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham at No. 8. After the most effective seasons in franchise historical past, Minnesota added a dynamic scorer for his or her bench and an inheritor to Mike Conley on the level guard place. For a group that is getting very costly, Dillingham’s rookie deal gives 4 very inexpensive years, and it solely value a decide seven years from now. The T-Wolves additionally added wing Terrence Shannon at No. 27.
6. Jazz rating with two picks
The Utah Jazz are slowly rebuilding after two mega-deals despatched Donovan Mitchell and Gobert away two summers in the past. They acquired two intriguing prospects when Colorado’s Cody Williams fell to them at No. 10 and Isaiah Collier from G League Ignite lasted till their decide at No. 29. Williams, the brother of the Thunder’s Jalen Williams, noticed his draft inventory fall whereas enjoying by means of a number of accidents final season. Level guard Collier was as soon as thought-about a possible No. 1 decide earlier than a tough yr with G League Ignite.
However with All-Star Lauri Markkanen in place and a bevy of picks in reserve, the Jazz need gamers with star potential, not protected bets. Each guys they acquired Wednesday are dangers, however additionally they have big ceilings.
7. We noticed why G League Ignite is shutting down
Whereas Ron Holland went to the Pistons at No. 5, the remainder of the gamers from G League Ignite had a nasty draft night time. Presumably a improvement car for among the finest younger prospects within the sport, membership on Ignite principally harm its gamers on draft night time. Matas Buzelis fell to No. 11, saved solely by his hometown Chicago Bulls selecting him up. Collier dropped to the top of the primary spherical, and Tyler Smith wasn’t chosen in any respect.
No surprise the NBA is not funding this system, if it might probably’t produce NBA-ready gamers.
8. Denver acquired aggressive once more
The Nuggets know that their high-salary core is hard to exchange, so for the second yr in a row they have been aggressive on draft night time. Final yr, they added three old-ish gamers between picks 29-37 to restock their bench. This yr, they gave the Suns three second-rounders to maneuver up from No. 28 to No. 22 and nab Dayton’s Da’Ron Holmes II, who will flip 22 earlier than the season, to offer them one other entrance courtroom possibility behind Nikola Jokic.
Their title protection resulted in a second-round heartbreak, however the Nuggets are sticking to their plan and including low cost reserves of their early 20’s. Holmes’ taking pictures and power must be a welcome addition as Denver hopes the brand new era of Nuggets can get them again to the promised land, and was properly well worth the trade-up value.
9. The Knicks handed on the draft to save cash
Look, the Knicks did their necessary enterprise earlier than the draft, buying and selling for Mikal Bridges and locking up OG Anunoby long-term. When their back-to-back picks got here alongside at Nos. 24 and 25, the Knicks basically informed Adam Silver, “We’re good.”
First they traded right down to No. 26, then traded out of No. 26 completely, turning No. 24 into 5 second-round picks. At No. 25, they picked Dadiet, who would possibly keep in Europe subsequent season. All in all, the Knicks saved about $5.5M in wage for subsequent yr, which may very well be used on considered one of their free-agent facilities, Isaiah Hartenstein or Treasured Achiuwa. Or maybe after dealing 5 first-rounders to get Bridges, they’re practising for not selecting within the first spherical for some time.
10. Ron Holland had probably the most stunning musical style
When an 18-year-old NBA prospect talks about his favourite music, he is normally not discussing an R&B star from the late 1970’s. However that was the case with the Detroit Pistons’ new wing, Ron Holland, who informed ESPN’s Monica McNutt that his favourite artist was Teddy Pendergrass.
