By Greg Rosenstein
The 2024 NBA Draft is finally here, and while it might not boast the superstar potential of past years, the talent to improve a franchise is available. Multiple international prospects — particularly two Frenchmen in Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr — are expected to be taken at the top, as are college standouts in UConn big man Donovan Clingan and Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.
Then there’s the Bronny James question. Will LeBron’s son go in the first round? Will he be taken at all? The USC product disappointed in his freshman year, averaging only 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 19.4 minutes per game. But he has clear potential and teams could position themselves as a (unlikely) landing spot for his famous father.
Stay with NBC News all night as the first round of the NBA Draft gets underway.
Betting nuggets for the top of the draft
Brian Hamilton, NBC Sports
Alexandre Sarr opened as the favorite (-200) to be drafted firstoverall, but his decision to not work out for the Atlanta Hawks have seen his odds (+600) take a substantial hit. Currently, Zaccharie Risacher (-250) is the favorite to hear his name called first on Wednesday night.
The 6-foot-9 small forward from France is no lock atop the draft as UConn's big man, Donovan Clingan (+240), is gaining steam in the marketplace. Sarr’s odds to go No. 2 to Washington sit currently at -600. Bettors should take note of those odds and recognize the intel the books more than likely have that the Wizards are high on Sarr.
Because there is no clear favorite to go No. 1, bettors also need to speculate if Atlanta will even be making this pick. There are rumblings San Antonio wants to move up. They can offer Picks No. 4 and No. 8 if need be. Do they see Risacher’s skills complementing Wemby’s? or do they want to pair up the Rookie of the Year and Clingan?
Full draft order
Greg Rosenstein
- Atlanta Hawks
- Washington Wizards
- Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn Nets)
- San Antonio Spurs
- Detroit Pistons
- Charlotte Hornets
- Portland Trail Blazers
- San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors)
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Utah Jazz
- Chicago Bulls
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston Rockets)
- Sacramento Kings
- Portland Trail Blazers (via Golden State Warriors)
- Miami Heat
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Orlando Magic
- Toronto Raptors (via Indiana Pacers)
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee Bucks)
- Phoenix Suns
- Milwaukee Bucks (via New Orleans Pelicans)
- New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks)
- New York Knicks
- Washington Wizards (via Los Angeles Clippers)
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Denver Nuggets
- Utah Jazz (via Oklahoma City)
- Boston Celtics
Hold up...the draft is now two days?
Greg Rosenstein
Yes. Typically the entire two-round draft is over one night but it has changed.
Joe Dumars, the NBA’s Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, told NBA.com why they made this move.
“Based on feedback about the NBA Draft format from basketball executives around the league and my own experience in draft rooms, we believe that teams will benefit from being able to regroup between rounds and having additional time to make decisions during the second round. Two nights of primetime coverage will also enhance the viewing experience for our fans and further showcase the draftees.”
Who could get traded at 2024 NBA Draft?
Kurt Helin
Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans is at the top of that list.
Expect a flurry of trades during this year’s draft, but if you were going to bet on one player being moved it should be Ingram. The Pelicans have been actively testing the trade market for the wing who averaged 20.8 points a game last season but never fully meshed with Zion Williamson.
The Pelicans are seeking players who better fit with their core plus they want picks. If Ingram isn’t moved at the draft he will be early in free agency.
Will Bronny James be drafted in the first round?
Kurt Helin
No.
One should never say never around the NBA, but it is highly, highly unlikely Bronny hears his name on the first day of the draft.
Bronny is not NBA ready as a player and likely needs a couple of years of development — if a team doesn’t think LeBron is coming, Bronny isn’t a first-rounder on his own.
His agent, Rich Paul, is doing everything he can to get Bronny a regular NBA contract — not a two-way deal — but being a first-round pick means multiple years of guaranteed money. Teams don’t want to be locked into Bronny for that long. The second round is where teams looking to roll the dice on a player pick up their guy.
