The 2024 NBA Draft's first round has come to a close, leaving a trail of strategic moves and surprising selections. The excitement isn't over yet, as the second round is set to unfold on Thursday, promising more twists and potential future stars. Let's take a closer look at the key moments from the first round and what they could mean for the teams involved.
Headline Moves
In a notable acquisition, the New York Knicks snapped up Mikal Bridges on Tuesday. Bridges, renowned for his defensive prowess and three-point shooting, is expected to make an immediate impact on both ends of the court. The Knicks didn't stop there; they re-signed OG Anunoby the following day, further solidifying their defensive front.
Moreover, the Knicks engaged in some draft-night maneuvering, trading one of their first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for five second-round picks. With the No. 25 pick that they retained, the Knicks selected Pacome Dadiet, aiming to add depth to their roster.
Unexpected Slides and Surprises
The Los Angeles Lakers made headlines by picking Dalton Knecht with the 17th pick. Knecht, who was projected to go inside the top 10, found himself slipping down the order, much to the Lakers' delight. Knecht is slated to earn $18.5 million over his first four years, but his earnings would have been significantly higher—over $34 million—had he been picked at No. 6.
Top Picks and Promising Futures
The Atlanta Hawks kicked off the draft by selecting Zaccharie Risacher as the No. 1 overall pick. Risacher, who will earn approximately $57 million over his first four seasons, is expected to be a cornerstone of the Hawks' future. Following closely, the No. 2 pick went to Alex Sarr, adding another promising talent to the league.
Other notable picks include the Charlotte Hornets selecting Tidjane Salaun at No. 6, and the Memphis Grizzlies settling for Zach Edey at No. 9. The Portland Trail Blazers chose Donovan Clingan at No. 7, while the San Antonio Spurs picked Stephon Castle at No. 4.
Strategic Trades and Future Bets
In a strategic move, the Spurs traded the rights to their No. 8 pick, Rob Dillingham, to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In return, the Spurs received an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a protected 2030 first-round swap. This move demonstrates the Spurs' long-term thinking and willingness to bet on future assets.
As Sam Quinn noted, "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." He added, "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."
Quinn's perspective underscores a growing trend in the NBA—teams banking on the potential downturns of current powerhouses. "The more you bet on other teams' picks, the better your chances of a few of them turning up golden," Quinn concluded. This approach could prove to be a masterstroke for the Spurs, who are positioning themselves for a prosperous future.
As we prepare for the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, the moves made in the first round will continue to spark discussions among fans and analysts alike. The chess game of building a championship contender is far from over, and only time will tell which teams' gambits will pay off.