The 2024 NBA Draft is here and while there isn’t a jaw-dropping prospect like Victor Wembanyama in this year’s class, that doesn’t mean it won’t be intriguing.
In fact, there is an argument that the first round in particular could be must-watch television given the fact there is so much uncertainty surrounding how teams value certain players.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons said in his draft preview podcast that he feels like “teams are going to draft by need and all hell is going to break loose”.
“Nobody really knows what is going to happen, even one day out,” replied Kevin O’Connor, who produces The Ringer’s annual mock draft and big board.
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That is what you get when there is a lack of top-end talent in a draft class, although there seems to be some clarity around which players will be taken with the first two picks.
At this stage the Atlanta Hawks are expecting to draft Zaccharie Risacher, a 3-and-D wing out of r JL Bourg in the Betclic Elite League in France.
Fellow Frenchman and NBL Next Star Alex Sarr, who played for the Perth Wildcats, is tipped to be taken second by the Washington Wizards after declining a pre-draft workout with the Hawks.
The Houston Rockets hold the third overall pick and that is where things are expected to get really interesting.
The Rockets already have an established young core to build around and are instead set to approach this year’s draft as an opportunity to further consolidate their position in the Western Conference with win-now moves.
With that in mind, ESPN insider Jonathan Givony reported that “a lot of NBA teams think there will be a trade at number 3”.
“They’re pointing at teams like Memphis, OKC or Portland as possible options to trade up to 3 with Donovan Clingan in mind,” he added.
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The Grizzlies, who are picking at ninth overall, shape as the most likely trade-up candidate given they have a glaring need at centre after trading away Steven Adams to Houston last season.
Clingan is also not expected to be on the board when the Grizzlies pick, should they stay pat.
Outside of those three, G-League Ignite’s Matas Buzelis and Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard, who is the best shooter in this year’s class, are also projected as possible top-five picks.
Both players responded to the talk that the 2024 class is one of the weakest in recent memory in the lead-up to Thursday’s first round.
“How do they know? How do they know what we’re going to be? That’s the question,” Buzelis said.
“They can say what they want, but how do they know what we’re going to be at the end?”
“At the end of the day, people say what they say, I’m not going to let what they say bother me,” Sheppard added.
“I know how good all these guys are in this draft class, growing up with them and playing against them. I think this whole draft class is really good. Everyone’s kind of excited to prove [the detractors wrong].
“… This draft class is really good, and everyone in here is really good at basketball. There’s going to be a lot of people surprised.”
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For Australian NBA fans there will be added motivation to tune into the first round, with it likely that Victorian Johnny Furphy will have his name called at some point.
According to ESPN, Furphy has been generating interest as high as ninth overall but has been routinely mocked to Orlando at No.18, where he could team up with fellow Australian Joe Ingles.
Elsewhere, there is also plenty of intrigue surrounding where LeBron James’ son Bronny could land.
He worked out with Phoenix, who is picking at No.22, before the draft but is expected to go in the second round given he is a few years away from being ready to produce at the NBA level.
WHEN IS THE DRAFT?
The first round of the NBA Draft takes place on Thursday June 27 and the second round will occur on Friday June 28.
WHERE IS THE DRAFT?
This year’s NBA Draft takes place at two different locations.
The first round will occur at the Barclays Center, the home of the Brooklyn Nets.
ESPN’s Seaport Studios in New York City will play host to the second round.
WHAT TIME IS THE NBA DRAFT?
Coverage of the 2024 NBA Draft kicks off at 9:30am AEST, with the first round to commence at 10am on Thursday.
The second round takes place at 6am AEST on Friday.
NBA DRAFT FIRST ROUND ORDER
1. Atlanta
2. Washington
3. Houston (from Brooklyn)
4. San Antonio
5. Detroit
6. Charlotte
7. Portland
8. San Antonio (from Toronto)
9. Memphis
10. Utah
11. Chicago
12. Oklahoma City (from Houston)
13. Sacramento
14. Portland (from Golden State via Boston and Memphis)
15. Miami
16. Philadelphia
17. Los Angeles Lakers
18. Orlando
19. Toronto (from Indiana)
20. Cleveland
21. New Orleans (from Milwaukee)
22. Phoenix
23. Milwaukee (from New Orleans)
24. New York (from Dallas)
25. New York
26. Washington (from LA Clippers via Dallas and Oklahoma City)
27. Minnesota
28. Denver
29. Utah (from Oklahoma City via Toronto and Indiana)
30. Boston
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