The 2023 NBA Draft certainly lacked intrigue, at least when it came to the first-overall selection. For months Victor Wembayama was locked into the top spot on every draft board, and when the San Antonio Spurs won the 2023 NBA Draft lottery it was clear: Wembymania was headed to the Lone Star State, and the draft began in earnest at No. 2.
That is not the case this year.
The 2024 NBA Draft begins later tonight, as the league shifts to a two-day event for this season. And who will go first overall is anyone’s guess. Will it be athletic big man Alex Sarr from France, whose massive wingspan and defensive skills have seen him fly up draft boards? Will it be one of the Kentucky guards? Reed Sheppard might not offer a ton of creativity and upside, but his shooting skills are elite and he showed a knack for creating turnovers on the defensive end for the Wildcats. Rob Dillingham is undersized by NBA standards — perhaps historically so — but pairs elite ball-handling skills with tremendous potential as a shooter.
Two more options for that first-overall selection? Nikola Topic from Serbia and Ron Holland out of the G League. Holland looked like a potential first-overall selection months ago, but a losing season with the Ignite has seen his draft stock fall a bit. Then there is Topic, who got off to a slow start with Mega in the Adriatic League and then suffered a pair of injuries, the second a partially-torn ACL.
But the upside, especially combined with his age (Topic will not turn 19 until August) is immense.
Oh and before we forget, Bronny James is waiting to hear where he lands, along with the rest of us … and his father.
Ahead of the draft check out SB Nation’s Top 60 Big Board, as well as deep dives into Holland, and Zach Edey. You can also check out our most recent NBA mock draft here, as well as this previous installment. In addition, our SB Nation NBA site managers got together for this mock draft which is also worth your time.
If you are looking for pick-by-pick grades, we have you covered here.
Then check back early and often as the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft gets underway Wednesday night. The draft will conclude with the second round starting on Thursday afternoon.
2024 NBA
| Pick | Team | Player | From | Position | Age/Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick | Team | Player | From | Position | Age/Class |
| 1 | Atlanta Hawks | Zaccharie Risacher | France | F | Born 2005 |
| 2 | Washington Wizards | Alex Sarr | France | C/F | Born 2005 |
| 3 | Houston Rockets (via BKN) | Reed Sheppard | Kentucky | G | Freshman |
| 4 | San Antonio Spurs | Stephon Castle | UConn | G | Freshman |
| 5 | Detroit Pistons | Ron Holland | G League Ignite | F | Born 2005 |
| 6 | Charlotte Hornets | Tidjane Salaun | France | F | Born 2005 |
| 7 | Portland Trail Blazers | Donovan Clingan | UConn | C | Sophomore |
| 8 | San Antonio Spurs (via TOR) | Rob Dillingham | Kentucky | G | Freshman |
| 9 | Memphis Grizzlies | Zach Edey | Purdue | C | Senior |
| 10 | Utah Jazz | Cody Williams | Colorado | F | Freshman |
| 11 | Chicago Bulls | Matas Buzelis | G League Ignite | F | Born 2004 |
| 12 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Nikola Topic | Serbia | G | Born 2005 |
| 13 | Sacramento Kings | ||||
| 14 | Washington Wizards (via POR and GS) | ||||
| 15 | Miami Heat | ||||
| 16 | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||
| 17 | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||
| 18 | Orlando Magic | ||||
| 19 | Toronto Raptors (via IND) | ||||
| 20 | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||
| 21 | New Orleans Pelicans (via MIL) | ||||
| 22 | Phoenix Suns | ||||
| 23 | Milwaukee Bucks (via NO) | ||||
| 24 | New York Knicks (via DAL) | ||||
| 25 | New York Knicks | ||||
| 26 | Washington Wizards (via LAC) | ||||
| 27 | Minnesota Timberwolves | ||||
| 28 | Denver Nuggets | ||||
| 29 | Utah Jazz (via OKC) | ||||
| 30 | Boston Celtics |