The Post’s Zach Braziller grades the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
San Antonio Spurs — Grade: A
No. 4: Stephon Castle, G, Connecticut
One scout compared him to Andre Iguodola, the four-time champion and 2015 NBA Finals MVP. There’s so much to like about the multi-talented 6-foot-6 guard. He defends, he rebounds and he can score in a variety of ways. If the jumper comes along – the one question mark with Castle – the Spurs will have an All-Star.
Los Angeles Lakers — Grade: A
No. 17: Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee
There were positives to Knecht falling out of the lottery: The shotmaking forward gets to live in Los Angeles and likely play with LeBron James, as long as the self-proclaimed King re-signs with the Lakers as expected.
Miami Heat — Grade: A-
No. 15 Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
Interior help for Bam Adebayo and a big man who can stretch the floor, a major need for Miami. Ware had a big sophomore season with the Hoosiers, showcasing his rim-protecting and shooting potential.
Denver Nuggets (from Suns) – Grade: A-
No. 22: DaRon Holmes, F, Dayton
Years down the road, we’ll wonder how Holmes wasn’t a top-five pick in this draft. The 6-foot-10 Holmes has similarities to Timberwolves forward Naz Reid with his two-way ability to play inside and out, and he’ll excel with more space to showcase his athleticism.
Phoenix Suns (from Nuggets) – Grade: A-
No. 28: Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia
The Suns needed defensive help and they landed arguably the best perimeter defender in the draft. Dunn, a Long Island native, has offensive warts, but he’ll guard the moment he arrives in Phoenix.
Washington Wizards — Grade: B+
No. 2: Alex Sarr, C, France
With his 7-foot frame, 7-foot-4 wingspan and ability to defend away from the basket, Sarr should contribute immediately on the defensive end. He’s a high-level athlete who can handle the ball – if his shot comes along, the Frenchman could be the jewel of this class.
Memphis Grizzlies — Grade: B+
No. 9: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
Another major surprise. Few projections had the two-time National Player of the Year going this high. Clearly, Memphis isn’t concerned about the 7-foot-4 Edey’s lack of foot speed and is taking a risk that he can adjust to the fast-paced, more spread-out NBA.
Chicago Bulls — Grade: B+
No. 11: Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite
Thought to be a top-five pick, Buzelis’ struggles shooting from distance in the G League didn’t help his cause. Still, he has the size, at 6-foot-9, and positional versatility teams covet. Plus, he did average 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game this past season. Strong value for the Bulls.
Sacramento Kings — Grade: B+
No. 13: Devin Carter, G, Providence
One of the most improved players in the country over the last year, Carter went from someone who wasn’t considered draftable to going in the lottery. He’s a development success story, a two-way guard best known as a tenacious defender.
Philadelphia 76ers — Grade: B+
No. 16: Jared McCain, G, Duke
Firepower off the bench for the contending 76ers. The high-character McCain is undersized for a guard at 6-foot-3, but his quick release and high basketball IQ make up for his physical shortcomings.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Grade: B+
No. 27: Terrence Shannon, G, Illinois
Minnesota had a sneaky good draft, pairing No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham with Shannon – two of the best offensive players in this draft. The 6-foot-6 Shannon is a three-level scorer who led Illinois to its first Elite Eight in 19 years last March and is a guy who can provide offensive punch in a reserve role immediately.
Atlanta Hawks — Grade: B
No. 1: Zaccharie Risacher, F, France
This wasn’t the year to land the top pick, with this class panned by scouts and analysts as one of the worst in several years at the top. The 6-foot-9 Risascher was the 2024 EuroCup Rising Star award winner, an honor that has previously gone to Kristaps Porzongis and Jonas Valanciunas, but he isn’t viewed as a franchise-changer.
Portland Trail Blazers — Grade: B
No. 7: Donovan Clingan, C, Connecticut
Rebuilding Portland needs help inside, especially on the defensive end, so this move makes plenty of sense. Clingan’s offense will be a work in progress at the next level, but it’s easy to see the 7-foot-2 big man making a difference on the defensive end right away.
Minnesota Timberwolves (via Spurs) — Grade: B
No. 8: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
There are defensive questions about the uber-talented Dillingham, but those can be lessened on a team with so many high-level defenders like Minnesota. It’s easy to see the gifted Dillingham carving out a role for himself as a microwave scorer off the bench for the contending T-Wolves.
Oklahoma City Thunder — Grade: B
No. 12: Nikola Topic, G, Serbia
A partially torn ACL hurt his stock, and the Thunder can afford to be patient with their deep roster. In time, the 6-foot-6 Topic could be a steal. He was once projected in the top half of the lottery.
Washington Wizards — Grade: B
No. 14: Carlton “Bub” Carrington, G, Pittsburgh
The highest draft pick out of Pittsburgh since Steven Adams went 12th in 2012, Carrington is a dynamic athlete, a three-level scorer who will have ample time to develop in the nation’s capital.
New Orleans Pelicans — Grade: B
No. 21: Yves Missi, C, Baylor
Think of how the Mavericks used Dereck Lively II. The 7-foot has similar skills, as a mobile rim-protector with pick-and-pop potential to his game.
Utah Jazz — Grade: B
No. 29: Isaiah Collier, G, USC
Once considered the potential No. 1 pick, Collier had a forgettable year with the Trojans, nearly dropping out of the first round. There is obviously talent, and was worth a dart throw this late in the draft.
Detroit Pistons — Grade: B-
No. 5: Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite
The first major surprise of the draft. The perennially rebuilding Pistons need a ton of help, and the 6-foot-8 Holland can be a building block alongside Cade Cunningham. He’s an explosive athlete who can defend and get downhill, and the Pistons chose to dismiss his mediocre year with G League Ignite.
Utah Jazz — Grade: B-
No. 10: Cody Williams, F, Colorado
The Williams brothers, Cody and Jalen, won’t be reunited in Oklahoma City. Instead, Cody is headed to Utah, after an up-and-down freshman year at Colorado marred by injuries. There is plenty to like about the rangy forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan who has guard skills and defensive upside.
Boston Celtics — Grade: B-
Baylor Scheierman, F, Creighton
High-level shotmaker who played his way into the end of the first round with a strong showing at the Draft Combine. If he can be a passable defender, the 6-foot-6 wing will carve out a role for himself in the league.
Orlando Magic — Grade: C+
No. 18: Tristan Da Silva, F, Colorado
The 6-foot-8 forward can be an offensive connector as a quality 3-point shooter and secondary playmaker, an experienced 23-year-old who can contribute for the improving Magic immediately off the bench.
Charlotte Hornets — Grade: C
No. 6: Tidjane Salaun, F, France
The Hornets take a swing here with the talented but raw 6-foot-9, 18-year-old Frenchman. Considering Charlotte was in need of shooting to pair with LaMelo Ball, it was somewhat of a surprise to see them pass on Tennessee star Dalton Knecht.
Toronto Raptors — Grade: C
No. 19: Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
More was expected from Walter in his one year in college, particularly in terms of being an offensive creator. He was inefficient, shooting 37.6 from the field, and feels similar to new teammate RJ Barrett in that regard.
New York Knicks — Grade: C
No. 25: Pacome Dadiet, F, France
It won’t take much for Dadiet to be better than the last French player the Knicks drafted, Frank Ntilikina. He’s a 3-and-D wing with good size at 6-foot-8, and the 18-year-old will have plenty of time to develop behind Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
Oklahoma City Thunder (from Knicks) – Grade: C
No. 26: Dillon Jones, G, Weber State
The last first-round pick out of Weber State? You may know him. Some guy named Damian Lillard 12 years ago. Pretty good company for the 6-foot-6 wing, a well-rounded college player who averaged 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists as a senior.
Houston Rockets — Grade: C-
No. 3 Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
The Rockets go with fit over upside here. The sharpshooting Sheppard compliments Amen Thompson and Jalen Green well, but years down the road Houston will regret passing on the higher-ceiling guard in Castle.
Washington Wizards (from Knicks) – Grade: C-
No. 24: Kyshawn George, F, Miami
There is ample potential here, but the 6-foot-8 wing is unproven. He didn’t distinguish himself at Miami, averaging just 7.6 points for the disappointing Hurricanes.
Cleveland Cavaliers — Grade: D
No. 20: Jaylon Tyson, F, California
A reach at this point in the draft for Tyson, projected by many to be around at the end of the first round or early in the second. For a wing, he’s undersized at 6-foot-6 and has work to do as a decision-maker, as his 3.1 turnovers per game illustrate.
Milwaukee Bucks — Grade: D
No. 23: AJ Johnson, G, NBL (Australia)
The Bucks with a pick out of left field, choosing the projected second-rounder who had a strong showing at the Draft Combine. For a team that could use immediate defensive help on the perimeter, a head-scratching selection, even if Johnson is believed to have a bright future.