2024 NBA Draft: Live Grades for Every Round 1 Pick

The first 30 picks of the 2024 NBA draft are done.

While there was plenty of activity throughout Wednesday night, it wasn't as wild and unpredictable as it could have been.

Fellow Frenchmen Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr kicked things off at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, as most mock-drafters expected. There were some genuine surprises, though. Ron Holland cracked the top five. Zach Edey went inside the top 10. And Dalton Knecht somehow slipped out of the lottery entirely.

It was an eventful night, but how productive was it for the teams who made those picks? Well, we weighed that very question throughout the night while forming real-time reactions and assigning letter grades to all 30 picks.

While consensus opinion held that there was no consensus top prospect in this class, the majority of mock-drafters had the Hawks adding Zaccharie Risacher in this spot. That doesn't necessarily make it a good pick, but on a night that could be full of surprises, Atlanta kept things uneventful.

Risacher possesses one of the draft's better blends of polish and potential. It's easy to picture him thriving in a three-and-D role early in his NBA career, but his flashes of handling and vision let the imagination run wild with thoughts of him one day functioning as a high-end creator.

If he doesn't max out his potential, he'll be a helpful support player and probably a rock-solid starter who defends multiple positions, splashes open shots and makes smart, simple reads on offense.

If he does approach his ultimate ceiling, he could emerge as a do-it-all big wing, which is tricky for teams to find outside of the draft.

The star potential isn't what you'd normally want from a No. 1 overall pick, but that would have been true regardless of whoever Atlanta selected here.

Grade: B

Because the Wizards waited so long to abandon the Bradley Beal era, they are woefully short on building blocks. They needed to take a big swing, and they did exactly that with Alex Sarr, who might have the most potential in this class.

Sarr could be the latest agile, athletic 7-footer who succeeds in the modern NBA with do-everything defense and an offensive arsenal that's only just starting to take shape.

Comparisons to the likes of Evan Mobley and Jaren Jackson Jr. point to his defensive impact as both a paint protector and a capable switcher on the perimeter while also leaving the door ajar for significant offensive growth.

He'll mostly operate as a finisher early in his career, though he should also orchestrate some grab-and-go attacks off the defensive glass that showcase his comfort handling the ball.

Sarr's jumper needs plenty of work, but if he ever finds perimeter touch, that could open everything up. He could prove impossible for opponents to handle if they have to respect his jumper.

His offensive development will determine the return on this investment, but this was the right move for Washington to make.

Grade: A

Guards who played under former head coach John Calipari at Kentucky have often unveiled new layers to their game upon their arrival in the NBA. Reed Sheppard could be the next to pull that off.

He didn't get a ton of chances to create with the Wildcats, but when he did, he showed hints of off-the-dribble burst and plenty of creativity.

He is an all-caps SHOOTER first and foremost, having gone an absurd 75-of-144 (52.1 percent) from range in college. But he's too good to be labeled as a specialist. Beyond those three-point lasers, he'll provide secondary (or, if everything breaks right, primary) playmaking, high IQ and soft touch around the basket.

His lack of size (6'2", 182 lbs) is a worry defensively, but he at least won't lose defensive battles due to a lack of effort or bad instincts.

The Rockets were prime trade candidates in this spot, but there is plenty to like about Sheppard's fit in Space City.

His shooting should be an ideal long-term fit with Amen Thompson, whose defensive versatility and creation can help cover some of Sheppard's limitations.

Grade: B+

The Spurs needed to come out of this draft with a playmaker, and in Stephon Castle, they just snagged someone who makes high-level plays on both ends of the court.

If Castle had a reliable jumper, he could've gone first overall in this draft. That's how strong the rest of his arsenal is.

He can handle and create at 6'6" and 210 pounds, and he is an absolute menace on defense. If his shot comes around, he has legitimate All-Star upside. You can't say that about many prospects in this draft.

The jumper is a worry, though. In fact, it's one of the biggest swing skills in this entire draft. If he can't shoot any better than he did at UConn (26.7 percent on low volume), he could be tough to play in major postseason moments.

Those could be coming to the Alamo City soon with the Victor Wembanyama era in full swing.

Grade: A-

Someone cue up that old Bill Simmons' "Whoa!" soundbite. This might be the closest this round has to a true stunner.

Granted, Ron Holland once sat atop this draft class, so he could prove to be a relative bargain in this spot. The Ignite didn't give him a ton of support and perhaps put him in an unfavorable spot due to his supersized responsibilities, but he also didn't help himself with turnover troubles and streaky shooting.

With all of that said, the upside that had him so prominently placed on early prospect rankings hasn't disappeared. He is an athletic, attacking wing who plays hard, offers defensive versatility and flashes some interesting off-the-dribble attributes.

Holland needs polish, but he's also 18 years old and toolsy as heck, so high-end outcomes remain on the table.

The Pistons need to expand their talent base, and this new front office just took one of the more intriguing fliers in this class. Having said that, you wonder if Detroit could've moved down and still landed Holland. You also wonder whether he'll do anything to fix the Pistons' crushing issues with spacing on offense.

It's an interesting pick, but there are a lot of ways this could go wrong.

Grade: C

The upside train is off and running, folks. This feels higher than Tidjane Salaun showed up on virtually any mock draft, but the new brass in Charlotte clearly sees something in the French swingman.

Salaun might be the biggest wild card in this draft. On a related note, he still has a month-plus to enjoy being 18 years old.

Time is on his side. While that doesn't guarantee anything, it does give him a lengthy runway from which he could eventually take off as a shooter, finisher and open-court creator. And the Hornets have no obvious reason to feel rushed.

Salaun's game could use a good buffing and several coats of polish, too. But you get what the Hornets are thinking here. The draft is largely about taking fliers, and Salaun's best-case scenarios are among the best in the class.

This feels early, but it has a chance to look better with time.

Grade: C

The Blazers must be thrilled to get Donovan Clingan here. For much of mock-draft season, it felt like the only way they were getting him would be by trading up, yet the defensive anchor fell right in their lap.

If Clingan impacts the NBA game like he did at UConn, he might be a top-10 defense on his own. And Portland could use some paint protection behind young guards Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe.

Clingan is massive (7'2", 282 lbs) and has an impossibly long (7'7" wingspan), and he uses his physical tools to control the interior and the glass. Perimeter switching figures to be a challenge for him, but he might be mobile enough to not get played off the floor.

His offensive range doesn't reach beyond the restricted area—he was a 55.8 percent free-throw shooter across two seasons with the Huskies—but it doesn't need to when he controls the paint and cleans the glass on both ends.

Portland will have some ensuing moves to make with a pair of starting-caliber centers already on its roster (Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III). But if the Blazers are sold on Clingan's talent, they were smart to add him at No. 7 and worry about the rest later.

Grade: B

The Timberwolves crashed into the top 10 to add Rob Dillingham. This could be a stroke of genius.

They have a short-term need for shooting and shot-creation off the bench and a long-term need for a post-Mike Conley plan at point guard. Dillingham can check both boxes.

If he had a bit more heft to his rail-thin 164-pound frame, he might not have made it out of the top five. Few prospects in this class (if any) are slippier off the dribble, and when he creates an advantage, he'll exploit it with pull-ups, runners, floaters or timely drive-and-kick deliveries.

He competes hard on defense as well, although NBA teams will still target him on that end of the floor due to his lack of size. If any club is capable of covering for him, though, it's one anchored by Rudy Gobert and featuring both Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels on the wing.

Minnesota paid a steep price—an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a protected 2030 pick swap, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski—but the fit looks phenomenal.

Grade: B

Many have wondered whether Zach Edey's throwback interior game would fit in the modern NBA. The Grizzlies, who had a Steven Adams-sized hole to cover at the 5, apparently didn't share that concern.

A two-time men's college basketball National Player of the Year, Edey brings both incredible size (7'4", 299 lbs) and incredible stats (23.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks over the past two seasons) to the NBA.

Does he have enough modern enhancements to survive at this level, though?

He is a good mover for his size, but his movements are heavy by NBA standards. Can he defend in space? Can he make enough jumpers to not be left alone away from the basket? If he adds enough value on the perimeter to not be schemed off the floor, he could be an asset given his interior activity, post skill and sheer size.

Memphis might have just come out of a draft that no one seemed to love with a new starting center, but it also may have spent a top-10 pick on someone who gets schemed off the floor in the playoffs. Stay tuned.

Grade: C-

Cody Williams, the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Jalen Williams, almost aces the eye test.

His 178-pound frame needs filling out, but if you're looking for an all-purpose combo forward, you want them in this mold: 6'7" with a 7'1" wingspan and the fluidity and athleticism needed to maximize his physical tools.

Once he bulks up, he could offer five-position versatility on defense, or something close to it. His three-point stroke is easy to buy, even if there are some worrying numbers on his stat sheet (like his 71.4 free-throw percentage or the fact that he only attempted 1.7 triples per outing during his lone season in college).

If he's a shooter, though, he offers the dribble-shoot-pass skill set normally seen in only high-end wings.

This is great value at No. 10, and it hopefully indicates that the Jazz will be patient with their growing, intriguing young core.

Grade: A

Many mock drafts had Matas Buzelis' wait ending a lot earlier than this. That doesn't solely determine the value of this pick, but it does show how highly a lot of smart people think of the young swingman.

Buzelis has one of the higher ceilings in this draft. He'll need to bulk up his 197-pound frame (a tiny number for a 6'9" wing) and fine-tune his outside jumper to realize that potential, but you can see star-level potential.

He is athletic, competitive and versatile at both ends. So long as that jumper levels up, he should be an easy fit with virtually anyone. Buzelis moves well without the ball and makes quick reads when he's on it, and he plays smart, high-energy team defense with plenty of disruption.

Between the recent Josh Giddey trade and the Buzelis pick, Chicago is quickly stockpiling sizable playmakers. Let's just hope either one finds a consistent outside shot or the Bulls' spacing could get cramped in a hurry.

Grade: B+

A partially torn ACL caused Nikola Topić to slide, as he sometimes landed in the top five during earlier portions of mock-draft season. It's unclear how much time the injury will force him to miss, but while his absence is less than ideal, this is a long-term investment.

The Thunder, who just won 57 games and cracked the Western Conference Semifinals, are not in dire need of an immediate contributor. Assuming Topić fully recovers from his injury, hoops historians could one day view this selection as the night's biggest steal.

He is a 6'6" playmaker who has the kind of herky-jerky flow that always puts opposing defenders on their heels. He gets into the paint with ease and can either finish there or find cracks in the defense to feed shooters or cutters around him. Trying to contain both him and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander off the dribble already sounds like a nightmare.

Oklahoma City just turned Josh Giddey into Alex Caruso, then found a replacement (if not an upgrade) over Giddey in Topić.

Grade: A-

The Kings were logical candidates to trade the No. 13 pick, but having Devin Carter fall into their lap had to land high up on their list of best-case scenarios. They still walk away with a potential opening-night contributor without having to unload any long-term assets.

Other prospects in this draft might have higher ceilings than Carter, but if stardom isn't in his future, starring within a support role clearly could be. He is your classic do-everything-that-helps-you-win kind of player, which seems like it should be out of reach for a 6'2" combo guard. But his energy, athleticism, instincts and a 6'8" wingspan all allow him to play bigger than his height.

Based on what he showed across three collegiate campaigns, Carter's ceiling might sit higher than his jack-of-all-trades style would normally indicate. His stat sheet effectively reflected a line of perpetual growth, as every one of those seasons spawned improvements in all of his shooting rates, plus his averages in points, rebounds and assists.

Don't be shocked if Carter is already pushing for a starting spot next season.

Grade: A

Washington's blank-slate rebuild is starting to take shape. Alex Sarr could be a dynamic defender, and Bub Carrington is the kind of ignitable scorer who can burn too hot to touch.

Carrington has a good feel for the game, and he's a smooth (and strong) operator out of ball screens. He can get to his pull-up jumpers with ease, and he can get in the kind of scoring groove where it doesn't seem to matter if he's contested or not. He is a good enough passer to run point guard, and he doesn't lose defensive assignments for a lack of effort.

He is a bit athletically challenged, though, both with his quickness and his verticality. His mid-range jumper is a real weapon, but it might also be a crutch if he's unable to consistently probe into the paint.

Carrington also hasn't turned 19 yet. The Wizards should give him all the time he needs to grow his game in every way possible.

Grade: B

The Miami Heat seemed determined to add another center to play both alongside and in relief of Bam Adebayo. Kel'el Ware was arguably the best center left on the board (though Yves Missi might have something to say about that). It's hard to knock the pick if that was the aim.

Ware is big and mobile, which has always been an intriguing combination, but it's especially helpful in today's pace-and-space environment. He looks physically ready for the NBA right now, as he could walk into a rim-running, lob-crushing role and perhaps add a pinch of perimeter shooting as well.

That shooting potential is a bit mysterious, though. The gains he made this past season (42.5 percent from three) came on low volume (40 attempts in 30 games). He also shot a paltry 63.4 percent from the foul line. So, who knows how real his improvement will prove? Tack on some concerns regarding his physicality and feel for the game, and he's far from a sure thing despite looking the part.

You never want to doubt Miami's coaching and developmental staff, but is there enough shooting between him and Adebayo (let alone Jimmy Butler) to log major minutes together? Or did the Heat just use the first pick after the lottery on a backup big man?

Grade: C

In a vacuum, this is a fun pick for the 76ers. They could use shooting and creation around Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, and McCain definitely provides the former and could supply some of the latter.

But if Philly wanted a net-shredder, why not go with the plug-and-play Dalton Knecht here instead? This feels like an upside play from a team that should be operating in championship-or-bust mode.

As for the prospect the Sixers actually drafted, McCain is a master shotmaker—all manners of looks, all areas on the court. During his lone season with the Blue Devils, the 6'2" scoring guard converted 52.1 percent of his twos, 41.4 percent of his threes and 88.5 percent of his foul shots.

He doesn't have much size (6'2", 203 lbs) or elite athleticism, though, so creating separation could be a challenge for him. Ditto for finishing at the basket. Teams will go at him defensively as well, and while he competes on that end, he'll be physically outmatched more often than not, especially if he's playing at off-guard.

This isn't a bad pick, but it's hard to love it when Knecht was staring the Sixers right in the face.

Grade: B-

Dalton Knecht's unnecessarily long wait is over. And Lakers exceptionalism is undoubtedly real.

L.A. had to improve its spacing, and Knecht (fittingly pronounced "connect") cracks the discussion of this draft's top shooters. He was the clear focus of Tennessee's opponents this past season, yet he still found a way to convert 39.7 percent of his 6.5 long-range looks per contest.

His three-ball should play in the NBA right away, but he could function as more than a net-shredding specialist. He can create shots off the bounce, finish around (and above) the basket, find clean looks for his teammates and move into open space off the ball.

Teams were seemingly scared away by the fact that Knecht is 23 years old and therefore presumably closer to his ceiling than younger prospects. The Lakers, who are in win-now mode as long as LeBron James and Anthony Davis stay together, were wise to snap up Knecht's NBA-ready outside shot and scoring punch.

Grade: A+

The Magic have made a habit of seeking out size-skill combinations, and Tristan da Silva fits the mold. He'll also hit Disney's backyard with the kind of fiery three-ball that can help unlock this group's offensive end.

There were certainly better athletes in this draft than Da Silva, and there were players with higher ceilings, too. However, few are better equipped to serve in the two-way connector role that just might help Orlando take another sizable step forward.

He has the dribble-pass-shoot package that modern teams love in a 6'8" combo forward. He can play within himself as well, meaning finding his NBA fit should be simple, even if the demands placed on him change from one night to the next.

His skill set runs deep enough to account for those adjustments.

Grade: B+

The Raptors will need all of the shooting they can get around Scottie Barnes, and Ja'Kobe Walter was one of the best spacing suppliers left on the board.

He also offers a good amount of untapped upside, which is what Toronto should be chasing with a relatively lengthy runway still ahead of this young core.

Walter should shine as a movement shooter in the NBA. His numbers weren't great at Baylor (37.6/34.1/79.2 shooting slash), but his consistent mechanics and pre-shot motions are convincing enough to buy into the notion of him being at least a plus shooter at this level.

The questions revolve around what else he'll be. His defensive tools are solid, but he lacks discipline on the ball. His handle is functional but maybe not flashy enough to fool NBA defenders. He can make simple reads as a passer but not advanced ones.

Toronto will have time to let him explore the full range of his skills, though. That could wind up spawning a helpful wing in the process.

Grade: B+

As long as the Cavaliers are building around their core four of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, they need as many wings as they can find.

Jaylon Tyson was one of the more interesting prospects at the position left on the board, for better and worse.

Tyson is coming off a statistically strong season with the Golden Bears, having averaged 19.6 points and 3.5 assists per game. He won't see nearly the same usage in the NBA, though, so can he scale his game down to fill a support role?

The eye test sees a 6'6" scorer who can handle, create and make tough shots. It also isn't sure about his shooting form, decision-making and defense. Those are worrisome question marks since Cleveland's guards need defensive protection while the bigs already sabotage the offensive spacing.

Grade: C-

Center was an obvious position of need for the Pelicans, and there is a non-zero chance that Yves Missi becomes this draft's top player at the position. He doesn't have a towering upside, but his skills should easily translate, and they are important to have in the modern NBA.

Missi feels easily projectable. There is a slight backhanded compliment in there, but it's more positive than negative.

The bouncy big man has all of the length (6'11" with a 7'2" wingspan) and athleticism to thrive in a rim-running role. He stays active on the glass, sends shots back at the basket and moves well enough on the perimeter to hedge and recover in pick-and-roll coverage.

A Missi-Zion Williamson frontcourt should already rank among the league's most explosive.

The Pelicans just shouldn't expect much else out of Missi. Maybe ever. He isn't a shooter, doesn't have a deep array of post moves and offers next to nothing with creation or passing.

Grade: B+

The Nuggets arguably have the planet's best player in three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Now, the big fella might finally have a legitimate backup behind him.

That's a lot to ask of an incoming rookie, but DaRon Holmes II looks enticing on paper. So much so that the Nuggets parted with two picks in this draft (Nos. 28 and 56) and two future second-round picks to get this selection from the Phoenix Suns, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

If Holmes' uptick in shooting is real—he shot 38.6 percent from three this season but only 26.9 percent over the prior two—then he could be a fantastic screening partner for Denver's guards. He can put the ball on the floor, finish at the basket, feed open teammates and pop out to the perimeter.

The Nuggets needed to leave this round with a capable backup big, and they were wise to wonder if that was realistic had they stood pat at No. 28.

Grade: B

AJ Johnson loomed as a really interesting prospect for some team. However, that team ideally wasn't facing as much immediate win-now pressure as Milwaukee.

Oh, and that team probably wasn't picking in the first round, either.

Coming off a quiet season in Australia and carrying just 167 pounds on his 6'4" frame, Johnson will need some time to handle the NBA transition. Are the Bucks prepared to wait on that development? Is Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Johnson has some interesting attributes. He is long, athletic and fluid enough with his movement and his handles to elicit a Jamal Crawford comparison from B/R's Jonathan Wasserman.

Still, Johnson needs to bulk up, clean up his decision-making, tighten his handle and improve his shooting range. That's an extensive to-do list, and Milwaukee might be watching the clock while he works. This was a head-scratcher.

Grade: D

An interesting, perhaps super-productive night continued for the Wizards, who reportedly traded the Nos. 26 and 51 picks to move into this spot for Kyshawn George, per Charania.

George was one of the more intriguing prospects left on the board. There are several things to really like about his profile, namely his blend of handling, vision and shooting for his size (6'7", 209 lbs).

He played point guard before a relatively recent growth spurt, and his live-dribble passing shows it. He could really shine as a secondary playmaker with Bub Carrington, as both will pressure opponents off the dribble.

Beyond George's height, though, his natural tools are a worry. He isn't lightning quick, vertically explosive or particularly strong, so there are concerns with everything from gaining separation to holding his own defensively. There's some interesting upside here, but it could take a while to tap into it.

That should be just fine with the rebuilding Wizards, though.

Grade: B+

With the 'Nova Knicks fully realized and OG Anunoby sticking around, New York has assembled one of the league's deepest rosters. So, it made sense to chase upside at this spot.

The Knicks did that with Pacome Dadiet, an 18-year-old scorer who can light the lamp from all three levels. He is a smart off-ball mover and perpetually ready to fire.

At this stage, he is only a one-skill supplier, though. His burst is limited, his defense can be sloppy and he is prone to bouts of tunnel vision.

A lot of his warts could theoretically be coached out of him. So long as the Knicks stay healthy, they should be content letting him grow at his own pace.

Grade: C+

The Thunder traded up into this spot, which adds some difficulty to this evaluation. This feels early, but when Oklahoma City's front office likes someone, there's usually a reason.

Dillon Jones sees the game at a high level and plays it in a funky way. There aren't a lot of 237-pound playmakers or 6'5" wings who count rebounding as their go-to strength, but he checks both boxes.

He was super-productive at Weber State, but he also played a ball-dominant role that he won't handle in the NBA. There are also concerns with both his shooting and athleticism, and the list of modern wings who survive without at least one of those is tiny.

The Thunder are smart enough to find a fit for Jones, though, and they're deep enough that they won't need to rush him if he needs time to find his niche in the NBA.

Grade: C+

After acquiring Rob Dillingham earlier in this draft, the Timberwolves made another move to increase their off-the-dribble offensive potency with Terrence Shannon Jr.

Shannon pairs speed changes and functional handles with assertiveness and downhill attacking to be a constant threat to probe the paint and finish around the rim. He is a natural, skilled scorer who keeps the pedal floored.

Settling into more of a complementary role could be a bit tricky, though. He is improving as a shooter, but he still isn't a knockdown threat off the catch, which makes one wonder how much off-ball utility he'll offer.

Shannon needs to add more counters to his arsenal, because he won't physically overwhelm opponents as he has at lower levels.

Grade: B-

The Suns have an overloaded roster led by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. They now have a certified stopper to play alongside them in Ryan Dunn.

Dunn's defense is the best in this draft class. He has all of the physical tools you want in an all-purpose wing stopper, and his level of engagement is elite. He blankets opponents on the ball and disrupts their actions away from it. All-Defensive honors could be a part of his future.

But does he bring enough on offense to stay on the court? He can cut, finish and keep the ball moving, but he could be the kind of shooting liability who shrinks the offensive end.

It's not just that he struggles with accuracy (23.5 percent from three, 52.5 percent at the line in college), it's that he often doesn't even look at the basket. Teams will leave him unattended on the perimeter, and he sometimes just accepts that and moves off the ball as quickly as possible.

The Suns clearly think they either have enough scoring or a great enough need for defense (or both?) to make Dunn worth the pick. That's a reasonable gamble to make at this stage of the draft.

Grade: C+

While the Jazz have remained committed to Lauri Markkanen, they haven't bound themselves to the 27-year-old's timeline. They keep taking big swings at the draft, whether that's Taylor Hendricks and Keyonte George last year, Cody Williams at No. 10 earlier or Isaiah Collier here.

Collier is, admittedly, probably the longest shot of the lot.

He is a power point guard. He has the first gear needed to race around point guards and the force to finish through contact at the basket. And he keeps his head on a proverbial swivel, so he'll spot open teammates on the move when defenses crowd him.

However, his combine measurements did him no favors. The league isn't exactly littered with power point guards as it is, but you definitely don't find ones standing under 6'3" with a 6'5" wingspan.

The physical advantages Collier had at lower levels could be lost with his transition to the NBA, putting tons of pressure on him to prove himself as a shooter and decision-maker.

Grade: C

It wasn't going to be easy for the reigning champion Celtics to find a rotation player with the final pick of the first round, but team president Brad Stevens might have done it with Baylor Scheierman.

The skilled swingman punched his NBA ticket with an enticing blend of size (6'6", 202 lbs) and prolific perimeter shooting (356 career triples with a 39 percent splash rate).

Scheierman does more than shoot, though. He makes good decisions with the ball, has some inside-the-arc oomph if he gets run off the line and is a tremendous (and tireless) off-ball mover. He has good enough instincts to find his fit with this loaded, banner-raising roster.

Grade: B-