2024 NBA Draft Round 1 – What We Learned

Round 1 of the 2024 NBA draft went off pretty much as planned, especially at the top of the board. Zaccharie Risacher went No. 1 as projected – most sportsbooks closed around -500 – followed by Alex Sarr at No. 2. Most experts believed that the 2024 draft class is one of the weaker ones in recent memory. Still, NBA teams are excited about their first round picks.

After Risacher and Starr went No. 1 and 2 to Atlanta and Washington as expected, it was a relatively uneventful night. Despite the lack of flair, the 2024 NBA draft did teach us a thing or two. Here’s what we learned from last night’s first round.

Bronny James Was Never a First Round Pick

LeBron James’ son, Bronny, was projected by many as a first round pick. Who exactly thought he was worthy of being selected among the top-30? Who knows, but there was never any doubt that James was a second-rounder at best. The Lakers hold the 55th pick in tonight’s second round and that could be where James lands.

James was listed as high as 6-foot-4-inches, but measured in at a shade over 6-1 at the NBA combine. He showed some solid skills, but teams were cognizant of his freshman season at USC. James averaged just 4.8 points per game for the Trojans and only started 6 games last year. It’s likely if James wasn’t the son of a future Hall of Famer he probably wouldn’t be drafted at all. 

Bettors can still find odds on James being drafted. The Over/Under on his draft position is set at 46.5. Bettors can also get -130 odds on James being drafted by the Lakers.

France Has a Pipeline to the NBA

Risacher, a 6-9 wing, hails from France, the same country that produced last year’s No. 1 NBA pick, Victor Wembenyana. Sarr played in Australia, but he is also from France. Tidjane Salaun was a surprise pick at No. 6 by Charlotte. He’s another 6-9 prospect who calls France home. That means after six picks last night, France produced half.

The French national team has been pretty competitive in international play over the past decade. They have players like Tony Parker, Rudy Gobert, and Boris Diaw, but many of France’s great players did not end up in the NBA.

The league has become much more international over the past several years. Current and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is from Serbia. Luka Doncic is from Slovenia. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was the runner-up to Jokic for the MVP award, is from Canada. Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, two more former NBA MVPs, are from Cameroon and Greece, respectively.

The T’Wolves Made a Risky Trade

There were many trades made in Round 1, but Minnesota decided to mortgage even more of its future to slide into the Top 10 and pick Kentucky G Rob Dillingham. The T’Wolves had already given up plenty of draft capital in the Gobert trade. The earliest pick they could use in a trade was a first-round pick in 2031. That’s exactly what Minnesota did.

The T’Wolves sent that pick plus another 2030 pick swap for the rights to draft Dillingham. He is the best scoring guard in the draft and probably the most dynamic. Dillingham can shoot, score, and pass with the best of them. However, he is just 6-1 and weighs about 165 pounds. He also doesn’t play much defense. 

Still, he will make a strong addition to Minnesota’s backcourt, pairing with All-Star Anthony Edwards. He also provides a solution to the aging Mike Conley. It’s a huge risk, but it could provide the T’Wolves with what they need to get to next year’s NBA Finals.

Favorites Win

If you’re still betting on the NBA draft, you may want to hit up the chalk. Favorites delivered in Round 1. We already mentioned Risacher and Sarr going No. 1 and 2. Chalk bettors also won on pick No. 3, Reed Shephard, another Kentucky guard, who was selected by Houston as most everyone projected. 

UConn’s Stephon Castle was also a favorite at No. 4. Castle was given -180 odds to be the fourth pick. San Antonio selected the 6-6 guard who was a big piece of the Huskies national championship last year. 

There were a few surprises. Purdue C and Naismith Player of the Year Zach Edey was not projected to be a Top 10 pick. He was listed at +750 to go in the first ten selections. Memphis grabbed him at No. 9, to the surprise of many. Salaun was also a surprise at No. 6. Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht was the favorite to go sixth. Knecht was given anywhere from -110 to +155 odds.

The Other Round 1 Trade

The T’Wolves first round trade was a risk, but it may end up playing a role in next year’s NBA playoffs and Finals. Another Round 1 trade was made last night and this one will probably play an even bigger role in next year’s postseason.

Denver shipped three second-round picks to Phoenix to move from No. 28 up to No. 22 to get the guy they wanted – Dayton’s DaRon Holmes. The Nuggets really don’t have an option after Jokic and wanted a big man they can count on to score and backup Jokic. Holmes is that guy. He’s a gifted scorer and passer and has really improved his three-point shooting. 

The Suns made out well too, drafting Virginia wing Ryan Dunn at No. 28. Dunn is the best wing defender in the entire draft. There’s no question the Suns can score with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. Now, they’ve added another defender to the puzzle. It will be interesting to see how Holmes and Dunn impact their respective teams in the 2024-25 season.