Winners, surprises and big questions from Round 1 of the NBA draft: Wolves, Lakers make our list
On June 27, 2024, at 5:10 in the morning
The 2024 NBA draft started with Zaccharie Risacher being chosen as the first overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks. The draft also saw three other French players selected in the first round. The Boston Celtics, who were the reigning NBA champions, wrapped up the first round by picking Baylor Scheierman from Creighton with the 30th overall pick.
Which groups of fans have reason to celebrate the moves made by their beloved teams on the first day, like how the Minnesota Timberwolves traded up to select Rob Dillingham? And which teams' supporters may be questioning why certain players, like Dalton Knecht, ended up sliding down the draft rankings?
Let's dive into the events of Wednesday evening at the Barclays Center in New York. ESPN's Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo, and Kevin Pelton discuss their top picks, unexpected moments, and lingering uncertainties following the first round of the draft, where 30 selections were made.
We're returning for the second round on Thursday at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
NBA draft recap: Assessing the top trades of the night Draft analysis: Breakdown of Round 1 selections Further draft updates
Givony's Top Round 1 Winners
The chosen player is Rob Dillingham, who was selected at No. 8 through a trade deal.
The Timberwolves made a bold move in the first round by trading up to the 8th spot to select Dillingham. With Mike Conley, the current starter, getting older at 37, Tim Connelly, president of basketball operations, knew he had to act aggressively to find a replacement for the veteran point guard. Dillingham is seen as Connelly's answer to Kyrie Irving, who ended the Timberwolves' playoff run in the Western Conference finals.
Dillingham is a rare talent, standing out as one of the top scorers in his draft class even as a first-year college player. He also has a knack for passing that doesn't get enough recognition, showing impressive creativity when dishing the ball while on the move. This skill is something he can further improve as he transitions to the professional level. His ability to play without the ball is also worth noting, as he shot an impressive 44% from beyond the arc this season. This will make him a valuable teammate for Anthony Edwards, who is quickly establishing himself as a star player.
His main vulnerability, his defense, might be less of a problem with the support of NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
The choice: Dalton Knecht, Small Forward (Number 17)
Knecht was surprised to not be chosen in the lottery, but luckily the Lakers were happy to grab him. Several NBA officials said that his age, 23, was the main reason for his drop in the draft. It wasn't because of any medical concerns, but rather his defensive skills were mentioned as a factor in his fall. Despite this, his workouts and interviews were reportedly impressive.
Some unexpected selections during the draft caused Knecht to fall down the list of teams he was targeting, despite visiting and working out with them prior to the draft. This resulted in several teams passing on him, such as the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. These teams are known to be focused on winning now and could benefit from adding a player like Knecht who can shoot and score effectively.
Knecht is scoring a lot in this draft, almost as much as Zach Edey, with an average of 28 points per 40 minutes. Even though defenses try to stop him, he still manages to score a lot. He is a great shooter, making 40% of his 3-point shots, and he is also effective in other areas of the game like driving to the basket, running pick-and-rolls, playing in the post, and coming off screens. This makes him a well-rounded offensive player.
The Lakers' new coach JJ Redick is really excited about this pick, according to a source close to the team. Redick has been emphasizing the need for more shooting on the team, which is not surprising given that he made over 2,000 NBA 3-pointers in his career with a 41% accuracy rate.
No one expected him to show up. It's unbelievable. The most prepared player in the draft, ready to step onto the field immediately," a source from the team shared.
Choice: Nikola Topic, Point Guard (Number 12)
Just a few days after sending Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls, the Thunder found a new point guard in Topic who is considered one of the top picks in the draft.
With an impressive roster of up-and-coming players and a surplus of draft picks, the Thunder have the luxury of being patient with Topic. He is set to undergo surgery for a torn ACL and will be out for the entire next season, but Oklahoma City will be closely monitoring his recovery process.
Being recognized as one of the top pick-and-roll players in European basketball at such a young age is impressive. It's especially notable because point guards usually get even better at this skill as they gain more experience. This player's quick decision-making and precise understanding of the court make him a valuable asset in today's NBA.
Biggest Surprises From Round 1 According To Givony
The selection is Ron Holland, the fifth guard chosen.
Detroit made a surprising decision in the first round by choosing Holland, who is ranked as the 13th best prospect by ESPN, with the 5th overall pick.
The Pistons choosing Holland was unexpected. He was once predicted to be the top choice in the draft and was ESPN's second best player in high school. What was even more surprising was how well he would fit in with the Pistons' current team. Detroit had the least amount of 3-point shots in the NBA last season and their 3-point shooting percentage was one of the worst in the league.
It looks like the Pistons will have to make some changes to their lineup in order to give Holland more playing time and help him reach his full potential as a top draft pick. Last season, they had trouble creating enough space around Cade Cunningham on the court. However, they have plenty of salary cap space to make significant improvements. With a new president of basketball operations and coach leading the way, the Pistons are likely starting another rebuilding phase.
The selection: Zach Edey, a center player ranked at number 9.
It was clear from the beginning of the season that Edey had improved a lot in both offense and defense. This would make him a highly sought-after player in the draft and a possible pick for the lottery.
Memphis surprised many by selecting him earlier than expected, as he had a lot of interest from other teams in the draft. If they had traded down, they would have had to settle for a center ranked lower on their list.
Edey would be the perfect teammate for a dynamic point guard like Ja Morant to team up with in pick-and-roll plays. Standing at 7-foot-5 and weighing 298 pounds, Edey is known for his strong screens and ability to finish at the rim. With his impressive wingspan and hands, he is a reliable target for Morant to pass to.
He will need to work on his fitness to keep up with the fast-paced game, but he will be prepared to make a big impact on offense and defense right away. He might even have a chance to win the Rookie of the Year award with his impressive performance next season.
The choice: Ke'el Ware (Number 15)
Miami had great success with Jaime Jaquez Jr. in last year's draft from UCLA. It was unexpected when the Heat decided not to select Dalton Knecht with the 15th pick, even though he was available. Knecht was later picked up by the Lakers at No. 17.
Many teams were concerned about Ware not showing enough effort during his pre-draft workouts, leading to speculation that he might be drafted late in the first round or even in the second round. However, the Heat, who prioritize toughness, consistent energy, and conditioning, ultimately selected him.
The Heat may have believed that Knecht's defensive skills didn't align well with Tyler Herro's struggles on the perimeter. They may have prioritized adding a young rim-protector like Ware to improve the frontcourt. It will be intriguing to watch how Knecht and Ware's careers progress after this unexpected draft strategy shift. This move could indicate that more changes are on the horizon for the team.
Which Was The Top Choice Of The Evening?
Pelton predicts that Reed Sheppard will be selected by the Houston Rockets as the third overall pick.
The Rockets were confident they had a chance to pick Sheppard, but the key decision was Houston choosing not to trade this pick for an experienced player. I am excited about how Sheppard, who is my favorite prospect, complements the Rockets' young team with his much-needed shooting skills.
Exciting news: Donovan Clingan heading to the Portland Trail Blazers as the 7th pick.
Clingan was seen as a top talent in the draft by many teams and was considered a promising rim-protector for the future. The draft lottery results worked out in favor of the Trail Blazers, as none of the teams picking between No. 3 and No. 6 were looking for a center. This allowed Clingan to unexpectedly land with the Trail Blazers.
Considering both the worth and suitability aspects, this was a significant victory for Portland, a team that has been constructing its roster around shorter guards in recent years and will require a strong defensive player to support them. It will be interesting to see the implications for the upcoming season with the return of centers Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III.
Which Round 1 Trade Was Your Favorite?
Pelton: The Phoenix Suns traded their No. 22 pick to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for three second-round picks to move back to No. 28. With center Yves Missi being selected right before their original pick, the Suns likely had Ryan Dunn as their preferred choice and were able to select him while also gaining extra picks for potential trades down the road.
Hooray: Minnesota made a big move by giving up a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 top-one-protected pick swap to San Antonio for Rob Dillingham. It's still too soon to determine which team came out on top in this trade, but I admire the boldness of the Timberwolves in sacrificing future draft assets to acquire a player who has the potential to be a strong backcourt companion for Anthony Edwards.
This was a bold move by the Wolves, using a large amount of their remaining draft picks. However, they have a strong defensive system in place that should be able to make up for Dillingham's lack of impact on that end of the court. The Spurs also made a good choice in acquiring two valuable assets that they can use in future trades when they decide to pursue another star player to complement Victor Wembanyama.
I don't know who will benefit more from this agreement, but I am simply thrilled that it took place.
Which Top Contender Improved The Most?
Excite: Oklahoma City Thunder
Nikola Topic and Dillon Jones may not make a big impact right away for the Thunder, but Sam Presti brought in two players who are used to winning and have a good chance of fitting in as OKC grows their young, impressive roster faster than expected. The Thunder have been successful at gathering talent, and these two players were great fits for their team.
I can't wait to see how Topic performs when he's fully recovered, and I always thought Jones was a potential star before Wednesday night.
Let's wait and see if the Timberwolves made the right decision by giving up a swap in 2030 and an unprotected pick in 2031. Without a doubt, Rob Dillingham is the most skilled player that any team aiming for the championship drafted that night. I believe he can make a valuable contribution coming off the bench in his rookie season.
Which Players Are Still Available For Round 2?
Pelton: Johnny Furphy stood out as the top player from the top 100 list by Givony and Woo during the draft on Wednesday night. Despite my own projections ranking him fifth overall, there is a possibility of a team wanting to trade up with the Toronto Raptors for the No. 31 pick to secure Furphy.
Excitement around Kyle Filipowski has been high, but I personally don't see him as a top prospect. Still, it's rare to find a 7-foot player with his skills on the court. Many talented players were picked before him, causing him to drop in the draft. I believe he could be a good pick in the second round and won't be available for long.
Victor Wembanyama Reacts To Spurs' Draft Moves
Pelton: I understand that Wembanyama is eager for success and his talents may prevent San Antonio from having a top 10 pick next season. However, many teams have made the mistake of rushing their rebuilding process after getting high lottery picks, ultimately limiting their potential for growth. The Spurs should learn from those errors and take their time with the rebuilding process.
Excited: San Antonio is not worried. They are planning to build a strong team around Wembanyama in the future, and I think the trade with Minnesota was a big win, especially considering the draft pick they received for Dillingham, who was considered a controversial player. I believe the Spurs will make good use of those picks and improve their team further down the line.
The two new NBA players that Jay Bilas believes can have a significant influence right away
Jay Bilas and Scott Van Pelt talk about how Dalton Knecht will fit in with the Lakers and how he believes Devin Carter will have a quick impact with the Kings.
Predict Zach Edey's Rookie Stats For This Season
Pelton believes that Edey will have a good chance of getting around 20 MPG now that he has been drafted as the future center for the Memphis Grizzlies with the No. 9 pick. Pelton predicts that Edey could potentially average stats similar to Boban Marjanovic's prime, with around 21 points and 13.7 rebounds per 36 minutes. This would translate to approximately 12 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1 block per game.
Opinion: I believe Kevin is making good decisions for the production. I think the Grizzlies will bring in some experienced players to help out. However, I also believe Edey could handle more playing time based on his successful performance at Purdue. Memphis has Jaren Jackson Jr. who is skilled at defending the paint and covering the weak side. He should be able to support Edey defensively.
I believe Edey has the potential to be one of the most effective centers in the league. He will likely excel in the paint from the start. However, my main concern is how well he will mesh with Ja Morant, as Morant prefers to play at a fast pace which may not be the best fit for Edey.
Describe Washington's First Round In One Word
The Wizards acquired two highly rated young players in Alex Sarr (ranked 2nd) and Kyshawn George (ranked 9th), as well as a third player in the top 15 in Carlton Carrington (ranked 15th). While these players may not immediately contribute to a winning season for Washington, they are all under the age of 19, showing potential for the future.
Wow: Tank-filled, but in a lovable way.
The Wizards may not win many games next season, but their front office, led by Michael Winger and Will Dawkins, has been given the same opportunity for long-term success by owner Ted Leonsis as they had in Oklahoma City. It will take time, but Washington appears prepared to follow the Thunder's blueprint by acquiring promising young players and draft picks to build a talented and versatile team. The Wizards' drafting choices reflect this strategy, and having a clear plan and the ability to carry it out is crucial for front offices in the NBA.
Jonathan Givony is a knowledgeable person when it comes to the NBA draft. He is also the person who started and owns DraftExpress.com, a service that helps NBA, NCAA, and international teams with scouting and data analysis. Jeremy Woo is another expert in the NBA who focuses on evaluating prospects and the draft. He used to work as a writer and draft insider at Sports Illustrated before.
