The 2024 NBA Draft is one of the more intriguing drafts in recent memory. Without a consensus projection for the first overall pick, there are countless possibilities for what could happen on draft night.
This year’s draft class is evoking memories of the 2013 NBA Draft, which then-ESPN NBA Draft analyst Chad Ford called “the most unpredictable draft I’ve ever seen” while then-New York Post analyst Tim Bontemps said “thanks to the absence of a clear choice for the No. 1 pick, this year’s proceedings could wind up going in all sorts of different directions.”
The 2013 NBA Draft did wind up going in all sorts of different directions, with Giannis Antetokounmpo going 15th overall while Rudy Gobert was selected with the 27th overall pick. 11 years later, Antetokounmpo and Gobert are the most accomplished players in the draft while just one of the 14 lottery picks have earned an NBA All-Star selection.
Here is why the 2013 draft class is an apt comparison for the 2024 class.
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2024 vs. 2013 NBA Draft
The biggest similarity between the 2024 and 2013 NBA Draft classes is that there is no clear choice to go No. 1.
In the lead-up to the 2013 NBA Draft, Kentucky center Nerlens Noel was viewed by many as the top prospect but he was four months removed from suffering a torn left ACL during his freshman season. Health concerns caused Noel to fall to sixth while UNLV freshman Anthony Bennett was the surprising choice at No. 1.
19-year-old French prospects Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher headline the 2024 NBA Draft class. In addition to that pair of potential top picks, Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, Connecticut’s Donovan Clingan and G League Ignite’s Matas Buzelis are among the top prospects who could fall in various spots throughout the lottery.
There is a chance that the most successful player in the 2024 NBA Draft is selected in the teens or late first round.
The best way to describe each 2024 prospect’s draft stock is volatile. Depending on specific team needs, many prospects outside the perceived top two could fall several spots, and there are potential trades that could further shake things up.
Revisiting the 2013 NBA Draft class gives an idea of what unpredictability can lead to.
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2013 NBA Draft lottery picks
While Michael Carter-Williams was named Rookie of the Year, Victor Oladipo is the only 2013 lottery pick to be selected to an NBA All-Star Game. CJ McCollum has experienced the most success among 2013 lottery picks as he has signed multiple lucrative deals in his 11-year career.
Otto Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have both made contributions to championship teams.
| Round | Pick | Team | Player |
| 1 | 1 | Cavaliers | Anthony Bennett |
| 1 | 2 | Magic | Victor Oladipo |
| 1 | 3 | Wizards | Otto Porter Jr. |
| 1 | 4 | Bobcats | Cody Zeller |
| 1 | 5 | Suns | Alex Len |
| 1 | 6 | Pelicans (to PHI) | Nerlens Noel |
| 1 | 7 | Kings | Ben McLemore |
| 1 | 8 | Pistons | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope |
| 1 | 9 | Timberwolves (to UTA) | Trey Burke |
| 1 | 10 | Trail Blazers | CJ McCollum |
| 1 | 11 | 76ers | Michael Carter-Williams |
| 1 | 12 | Thunder | Steven Adams |
| 1 | 13 | Mavericks (to BOS) | Kelly Olynyk |
| 1 | 14 | Jazz (to MIN) | Shabazz Muhammad |
Four of the 14 lottery picks from 2013 appeared in at least one game during the 2023-24 NBA season. Oladipo and Adams both missed the season due to injury while Porter announced his retirement late in the season.
Other notable selections
In 2021, Antetokounmpo was named one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players. His list of accolades includes two MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year, a championship and Finals MVP. Rudy Gobert recently tied an NBA record with his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award.
| Round | Pick | Team | Player |
| 1 | 15 | Bucks | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 1 | 17 | Hawks | Dennis Schröder |
| 1 | 22 | Nets | Mason Plumlee |
| 1 | 24 | Knicks | Tim Hardaway Jr. |
| 1 | 27 | Nuggets (to UTA) | Rudy Gobert |
Notable undrafted players in 2013
| Player | From |
| Robert Covington | Tennessee State |
| Seth Curry | Duke |
| Troy Daniels | VCU |
| Dewayne Dedmon | USC |
| Matthew Dellavedova | Saint Mary’s/Australia |
| Daniel Theis | Germany |