The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft is over, and it’s time to look at how well some teams did with their picks.
Zaccharie Risacher went first overall to the Hawks. The 6-foot-10 French player averaged 10.1 points, shooting 43.9% from the field and 35.2% from three-point range last season for JL Bourg. He fits well with the Hawks’ needs on paper, even though he’s not great at creating his own shots or passing much. Luckily, Trae Young can help cover these weaknesses if he stays with the team.
If Risacher grows into a more versatile offensive player in the next few years, Atlanta could become a strong playoff contender again .
Reed Sheppard was picked third by the Rockets. Known as one of the best shooters in this draft, Sheppard had an impressive season at Kentucky, scoring 12.5 points per game while shooting an amazing 52.1% from three-point range and showing off a 42-inch vertical leap at the NBA Combine.
Fans might wonder how much playing time Sheppard will get initially since Fred VanVleet is still under contract for another season. However, he has time to develop alongside Amen Thompson.
Best Picks
Stephon Castle went fourth to the Spurs and could quickly become their starting point guard despite playing off-ball in college. Although he only averaged 11.1 points last year and shot poorly from downtown (26.7%), his defense will immediately improve San Antonio’s lineup.
Ron Holland II was picked fifth by the Pistons but might be a risky choice due to his raw skills and recent injury history—he ruptured a tendon in his right thumb after averaging 18.5 points for G League Ignite last season while shooting just 23.9% from three-point range.
Donovan Clingan fell to seventh overall with Portland picking him up despite having two starting-caliber centers already under contract for two more seasons: Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III—this choice raises questions about their strategy unless they plan on trading one of them soon.
Rob Dillingham got traded to Minnesota after being drafted eighth by San Antonio; he’ll add depth as another scorer off their bench after averaging over fifteen points per game during his freshman year at Kentucky.
Worst Picks
Zach Edey went ninth overall to Memphis—a questionable pick given that Edey’s slow pace may not fit well within Ja Morant’s fast-paced offense style despite being dominant in college basketball (25 ppg).
Jared McCain landed sixteenth overall with Philadelphia addressing depth issues through this pick—the young shooter/rebounder combo should help alleviate rebounding woes faced during playoffs against New York Knicks last season where they struggled heavily due lack thereof among other factors contributing towards early exit out competition rounds altogether!
What do you think about these picks? Do you agree or disagree?
