2024 NBA Draft grades: How each team fared in the first round
The Post’s Zach Braziller grades the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
1. Atlanta Hawks — Zaccharie Risacher, F, France
Grade B: This wasn’t the year to land the top pick, with this class panned by scouts and analysts as one of the worst in several years at the top. The 6-foot-9 Risascher was the 2024 EuroCup Rising Star award winner, an honor that has previously gone to Kristaps Porzongis and Jonas Valanciunas, but he isn’t viewed as a franchise-changer.
2. Washington Wizards — Alex Sarr, C, France
Grade B+: With his 7-foot frame, 7-foot-4 wingspan and ability to defend away from the basket, Sarr should contribute immediately on the defensive end. He’s a high-level athlete who can handle the ball – if his shot comes along, the Frenchman could be the jewel of this class.
3. Houston Rockets — Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
Grade C-: The Rockets go with fit over upside here. The sharpshooting Sheppard compliments Amen Thompson and Jalen Green well, but years down the road Houston will regret passing on the higher-ceiling guard in Castle.
4. San Antonio Spurs — Stephon Castle, G, Connecticut
Grade A: One scout compared him to Andre Iguodola, the four-time champion and 2015 NBA Finals MVP. There’s so much to like about the multi-talented 6-foot-6 guard. He defends, he rebounds and he can score in a variety of ways. If the jumper comes along – the one question mark with Castle – the Spurs will have an All-Star.
5. Detroit Pistons — Ron Holland II, F, G League Ignite
Grade B-: The first major surprise of the draft. The perennially rebuilding Pistons need a ton of help, and the 6-foot-8 Holland can be a building block alongside Cade Cunningham. He’s an explosive athlete who can defend and get downhill, and the Pistons chose to dismiss his mediocre year with G League Ignite.
6. Charlotte Hornets — Tidjane Salaun, F, France
Grade C: The Hornets take a swing here with the talented but raw 6-foot-9, 18-year-old Frenchman. Considering Charlotte was in need of shooting to pair with LaMelo Ball, it was somewhat of a surprise to see them pass on Tennessee star Dalton Knecht.
7. Portland Trail Blazers — Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
Grade B: Rebuilding Portland needs help inside, especially on the defensive end, so this move makes plenty of sense. Clingan’s offense will be a work in progress at the next level, but it’s easy to see the 7-foot-2 big man making a difference on the defensive end right away.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Spurs) — Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
Grade B: There are defensive questions about the uber-talented Dillingham, but those can be lessened on a team with so many high-level defenders like Minnesota. It’s easy to see the gifted Dillingham carving out a role for himself as a microwave scorer off the bench for the contending T-Wolves.
9. Memphis Grizzlies — Zach Edey, C, Purdue
Grade B+: Another major surprise. Few projections had the two-time National Player of the Year going this high. Clearly, Memphis isn’t concerned about the 7-foot-4 Edey’s lack of foot speed and is taking a risk that he can adjust to the fast-paced, more spread-out NBA.
10. Utah Jazz — Cody Williams, F, Colorado
Grade B-: The Williams brothers, Cody and Jalen, won’t be reunited in Oklahoma City. Instead, Cody is headed to Utah, after an up-and-down freshman year at Colorado marred by injuries. There is plenty to like about the rangy forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan who has guard skills and defensive upside.
11. Chicago Bulls — Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
Grade B+: Thought to be a top-five pick, Buzelis’ struggles shooting from distance in the G League didn’t help his cause. Still, he has the size, at 6-foot-9, and positional versatility teams covet. Plus, he did average 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game this past season. Strong value for the Bulls.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder — Nikola Topic, G, Serbia
Grade B: A partially torn ACL hurt his stock, and the Thunder can afford to be patient with their deep roster. In time, the 6-foot-6 Topic could be a steal. He was once projected in the top half of the lottery.
13. Sacremento Kings — Devin Carter, G, Providence
Grade B+: One of the most improved players in the country over the last year, Carter went from someone who wasn’t considered draftable to going in the lottery. He’s a development success story, a two-way guard best known as a tenacious defender.
14. Washington Wizards (from Trail Blazers) — Carlton “Bub” Carrington, G, Pittsburgh
Grade B: The highest draft pick out of Pittsburgh since Steven Adams went 12th in 2012, Carrington is a dynamic athlete, a three-level scorer who will have ample time to develop in the nation’s capital.
15. Miami Heat — Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
Grade A-: Interior help for Bam Adebayo and a big man who can stretch the floor, a major need for Miami. Ware had a big sophomore season with the Hoosiers, showcasing his rim-protecting and shooting potential.
16. Philadelphia 76ers — Jared McCain, G, Duke
Grade: B+: Firepower off the bench for the contending 76ers. The high-character McCain is undersized for a guard at 6-foot-3, but his quick release and high basketball IQ make up for his physical shortcomings.
17. Los Angeles Lakers — Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee
Grade A: There were positives to Knecht falling out of the lottery: The shotmaking forward gets to live in Los Angeles and likely play with LeBron James, as long as the self-proclaimed King re-signs with the Lakers as expected.
18. Orlando Magic — Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado
Grade C+: The 6-foot-8 forward can be an offensive connector as a quality 3-point shooter and secondary playmaker, an experienced 23-year-old who can contribute for the improving Magic immediately off the bench.
19. Houston Rockets — Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
Grade C: More was expected from Walter in his one year in college, particularly in terms of being an offensive creator. He was inefficient, shooting 37.6 from the field, and feels similar to new teammate RJ Barrett in that regard.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers — Jaylon Tyson, F, California
Grade D: A reach at this point in the draft for Tyson, projected by many to be around at the end of the first round or early in the second. For a wing, he’s undersized at 6-foot-6 and has work to do as a decision-maker, as his 3.1 turnovers per game illustrate.
21. New Orleans Pelicans — Yves Missi, C, Baylor
Grade B: Think of how the Mavericks used Dereck Lively II. The 7-foot has similar skills, as a mobile rim-protector with pick-and-pop potential to his game.
22. Denver Nuggets (from Suns) — DaRon Holmes, F, Dayton
Grade A-: Years down the road, we’ll wonder how Holmes wasn’t a top-five pick in this draft. The 6-foot-10 Holmes has similarities to Timberwolves forward Naz Reid with his two-way ability to play inside and out, and he’ll excel with more space to showcase his athleticism.
23. Milwaukee Bucks — AJ Johnson, G, NBL (Australia)
Grade D: The Bucks with a pick out of left field, choosing the projected second-rounder who had a strong showing at the Draft Combine. For a team that could use immediate defensive help on the perimeter, a head-scratching selection, even if Johnson is believed to have a bright future.
24. Washington Wizards (from Knicks) — Kyshawn George, F, Miami
Grade C-: There is ample potential here, but the 6-foot-8 wing is unproven. He didn’t distinguish himself at Miami, averaging just 7.6 points for the disappointing Hurricanes.
25. New York Knicks — Pacome Dadiet, F, France
Grade C: It won’t take much for Dadiet to be better than the last French player the Knicks drafted, Frank Ntilikina. He’s a 3-and-D wing with good size at 6-foot-8, and the 18-year-old will have plenty of time to develop behind Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder — Dillon Jones, G, Weber State
Grade C: The last first-round pick out of Weber State? You may know him. Some guy named Damian Lillard 12 years ago. Pretty good company for the 6-foot-6 wing, a well-rounded college player who averaged 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists as a senior.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves — Terrence Shannon, G, Illinois
Grade B+: Minnesota had a sneaky good draft, pairing No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham with Shannon – two of the best offensive players in this draft. The 6-foot-6 Shannon is a three-level scorer who led Illinois to its first Elite Eight in 19 years last March and is a guy who can provide offensive punch in a reserve role immediately.
28. Phoenix Suns (from Nuggets) – Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia
Grade A-: The Suns needed defensive help and they landed arguably the best perimeter defender in the draft. Dunn, a Long Island native, has offensive warts, but he’ll guard the moment he arrives in Phoenix.
29. Utah Jazz — No. 29: Isaiah Collier, G, USC
Grade B: Once considered the potential No. 1 pick, Collier had a forgettable year with the Trojans, nearly dropping out of the first round. There is obviously talent, and was worth a dart throw this late in the draft.
30. Boston Celtics — Baylor Scheierman, F, Creighton
Grade B-: High-level shotmaker who played his way into the end of the first round with a strong showing at the Draft Combine. If he can be a passable defender, the 6-foot-6 wing will carve out a role for himself in the league.
