The 2024 NBA Draft's first round has concluded, delivering a mix of expected selections and surprising moves that have kept fans and analysts buzzing. As the second round is set to unfold on Thursday, there's a lot to dissect from the first wave of picks and trades.
Hawks Soar with No. 1 Pick
The Atlanta Hawks made headlines by selecting Zaccharie Risacher as the first overall pick. Expected to be a franchise cornerstone, Risacher will earn approximately $57 million over his first four seasons. This significant investment underscores the expectation that Risacher will be a transformative player for the Hawks.
Top Ten Shuffles
The spotlight also shined on the Los Angeles Lakers, who managed to secure Dalton Knecht at the 17th pick, despite projections placing him inside the top 10. Knecht's rookie contract is set to earn him $18.5 million over four years. Intriguingly, had Knecht been selected at No. 6, he would have secured over $34 million. This discrepancy highlights both the financial stakes of draft positions and the Lakers' potential steal in Knecht.
The second overall pick saw Alex Sarr heading to his new team, though details about his impact and potential earnings were overshadowed by the charismatic narrative surrounding Knecht. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets went with Tidjane Salaun at No. 6, a strategic move aiming to bolster their lineup for the upcoming season.
The Memphis Grizzlies made a statement by choosing Zach Edey at No. 9, hoping his skills will seamlessly integrate into their system. The Portland Trail Blazers, on the other hand, selected Donovan Clingan at No. 7, adding a promising talent to their roster.
Strategic Moves by the Spurs
One of the more cerebral moves came from the San Antonio Spurs. After picking Stephon Castle at No. 4, they traded the rights to their No. 8 pick, Rob Dillingham, to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In exchange, the Spurs received an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a protected 2030 first-round swap. This move was astutely analyzed by Sam Quinn, who remarked, "You might be thinking: How valuable could the Wolves' 2030 and/or 2031 pick(s) be considering how good of a team they have? Well, that's over a half-decade from now." Quinn also noted the potential upside, stating, "It might actually be smarter to bet on good teams right now falling off five or six years from now than bad teams still being bad that far down the road." These reflections underscore the long-term strategic thinking in play for the Spurs.
Knicks Make Bold Moves
The New York Knicks were also active during the draft, acquiring Mikal Bridges on Tuesday. Bridges, known for his defensive prowess and three-point shooting, adds significant value to the Knicks' roster. They followed this by re-signing OG Anunoby on Wednesday, solidifying their defensive strength.
In a notable trade, the Knicks sent one of their first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder, receiving five second-round picks in return. This move underscores the Knicks' strategy to build depth and flexibility in their lineup.
Additionally, the Knicks selected Pacome Dadiet as the No. 25 pick, adding another young talent with promise to their collection of draft assets.
Looking Ahead to the Second Round
As the excitement from the first round settles, the focus now shifts to the second round, set to unfold on Thursday. Teams will look to unearth hidden gems and make value picks that could impact their future success. As Sam Quinn aptly put it, "The more you bet on other teams' picks, the better your chances of a few of them turning up golden." With this mindset, teams will be eager to leverage every opportunity the draft presents.