The Subjective Beauty of the 2024 NBA Draft Class

It's the year of the French, again. Yet something is woefully off, a 7ft Frenchman does sit atop most mock drafts and another, 6ft 8 is positioned just behind, but before Adam Silver steps out with the laminated card and a jingle that symbols generational wealth, the Atlanta Hawks who own the rights for 1st pick are not jumping for joy with the same enthusiasm managing partner of the San Antonio Spurs Peter J Holt did when they secured rights to draft Victor Wembanyama.

This draft is worse than last, and possibly the one before that, and the one before that. You've probably heard it and the commonplace moniker this class has gotten as being "the worst since 2013" aka the Anthony Bennett class. However, All-Stars and All-NBA players will come from this draft, that's almost a certainty. Though it may not be the five or six that typically arrive from every draft cycle, I can confidently attest to at least 3 players with such star upside, and besides the Anthony Bennett class (lucky for him) is no longer references as the UNLV forward's, with a certain two time MVP and NBA champion Freak from Greece and everyone's most hated first ballot HOF and four-time DPOY saving Bennett's grace.

So with the first pick of my NBA mock draft (yes this is a mock draft), let's set some rules. Firstly, I will be only doing the first round so for the Bronny aficionados let's just say he lands at the LA Lakers with the 55th pick. Secondly, I'm torn between what I would do if I was in the seat of many GMs or what I expect many of them to do from Laundry Fields to Brad Stevens so I added what I'd think will happen alongside my own selection.

And so with the first pick of the NBA draft the Atlanta Hawks select:

1. Atlanta Hawks Alex Sarr C I My pick: Reed Sheppard
   

Ht./Wt.: 7-1, 205 pounds | Perth Wildcats (Australia)

Sarr is Wemby Lite, but worse in every category. It's a bit harsh but please don't expect another Wemby you'd be comically disappointed. Sarr is regarded highly for his defence, his ability to stay in front of his man and be serviceable in drop coverage although he isn't the greatest jumper in the gym with mediocre testing in his verticality at the NBA combine and poor defensive rebound rating in the Australian League.

Offensively there are tools, but he is exceedingly raw in this department with rangy shooting and poor screen setting. There is also the Pandora's Box that Sarr refused to work out for the Hawks, potentially not to play second or third fiddle to Trae Young or Jalen Johnson or maybe to move away from the city of Atlanta which was his permanent residence whilst at Overtime Elite.

2. Washington Wizards Zaccharie Risacher F | My pick: Ron Holland

Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 204 pounds | JL Bourg (France)

Risacher is very similar to Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith in terms of the tools that have gotten them this projection and the situations they found themselves in, projected to go 1st overall till the day of the draft but I expect to slip when a franchise realises drafting a zero self-creation three-point specialist with the 1st pick isn't the greatest decision.

Risacher is a good shooter and projects to be a good defender but the top picks are usually reserved for those you can leave with the ball in their hands in crunch time, not those who sit in the corner to space the floor. Jabari was a much better prospect than the Frenchman and has shown promising signs of creation especially in the mid-range so it isn't the most black-and-white comparison.

3. Houston Rockets (Brooklyn Nets) Reed Sheppard G | My pick: Alex Sarr

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 187 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky

As seen by my pick, Reed Sheppard is the best player in this class and surprisingly also has the highest vertical at 42". Coming off a year with the wildcats shooting 52% from three from every variation and showcasing on-ball creation for himself and his teammates there is no safer bet.

Not only being BPA (Best Player Available) but a great fit with the current setup at the Rockets, a dazzling two-man game with star man Alperen Sengun and also alleviates the shooting concerns surrounding Amen Thompson in the second unit.

4. San Antonio Spurs Stephon Castle G | My Pick: Rob Dillingham

Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 215 pounds | Class: Freshman | UConn

The Spurs need a point guard beside Wembanyama and Stephon Castle has demanded to play point guard? Despite playing a connective wing role in the Huskies NCAA Championship campaign Castle knows what he wants to be but he needs to acquire a consistent three before he can do so, shooting 20-75 (26.7%) for his lone season in Storrs.

5. Detriot Pistons Matas Buzelis F | My Pick: Matas Buzelis

Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 212 pounds | G League Ignite

Oh Detroit, being the worst team in the league for three years has conveyed three 5th place selections. You've missed out a Paolo, you've missed out on Wemby, don't miss out on Buzelis he's good, trust me.

Projected to be the number 1 overall pick coming into the season, an underwhelming campaign with the G League Ignite forced his drop, but as I'll explain with my next selection how that Ignite team wasn't the best environment for success. Langdon pick him, Cade Cunningham needs help, URGENTLY.

6. Charlotte Hornets Ron Holland F | My Pick: Zaccherie Risacher

Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 206 pounds | G League Ignite

Ron Holland should be straightforward but isn't. Exceedingly great physical tools and is probably the best athlete in the class coming off averaging 20 points in the G League. Why isn't he higher?

The IQ supposedly isn't there with a high usage rate delivering a below-average true shooting percentage and 24% clip from behind the arc, it makes sense but there are clear reasons for this one being the lack of point guard play and creation in the Ignite team that forced the ball into his hands and also his birthday (yes birthday). Holland will be 18 years old on draft night, almost two years younger than Reed Sheppard and 5 years younger than Tennessee's Dalton Knecht.

7. Portland Trail Blazers Cody Williams F | My Pick: Cody Williams

Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Colorado

Younger brother to OKC Thunder Jalen Williams (JDub), there's a sense of FOMO. JDub slipped to 12th in the 2022 draft from Santa Clara and two years out looks like a bonafide star and core building block of the eventual dynasty in Oklahoma. Cody, who is 2 years younger than Jdub when he'll be drafted, he also bests his brother in physical profile except for weight, something I expect his brother to assist him with, a few gym plans and whey protein shakes.

8. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors) Nikola Topic G | My Pick: Nikola Topic

Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 201 pounds | KK Mega Basket (Serbia)

Red Star Belgrade is no joke and the Euroleague is the second-best basketball competition in the world. Big point guards are all the rage with Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham and Lamelo Ball and Serbians even more so. Topic is coming off a partial ACL tear but displays the poise and skill that could work well with Wemby in a pick-and-roll game.

9. Memphis Grizzles Donovan Clingan C | My Pick: Donovan Clingan

Ht./Wt.: 7-2, 280 pounds | Class: Sophomore | UConn

Kling Kong was the nickname bestowed upon in college and rightfully so, Clingan is a monster defender and was a nightmare to meet at the rim as he averaged 2.5 blocks across his sophomore season. Pairing him with Jaren Jackson Jr in a defensive duo could position the Grizzles as the best team in the West.

Imagine having to face Clingan in drop coverage and by chance you make it past just to have JJJ send your shot to the other end of FedEx Forum, Scary. I have seen Clingan mocked a lot higher than this with some outlets projecting him at number 1, but placing a non-shooting defensive big man with questionable lateral capabilities seems very 1982. I'm of the personal belief the top 3 picks should be able to create their own shot or have the propensity to do so.

10. Utah Jazz Rob Dillingham G| My Pick: Dalton Knecht

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 164 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky

Shifty Rob, he can create his own shot and some. Dillingham made a name for himself generating ankle breaker after ankle breaker clips whilst playing for Overtime Elite, and that didn't stop at college.

He shot 44.4 per cent from three and did so in all manners. His measurables aren't great with a negative wingspan and not much meat on the bone, and defensively he's as predictably frozen as Kanye West whenever he introduces Runaway at a concert (Rob was a part of the artists Donda basketball team but that was short-lived). All in all, I really prioritise players who can create their own shot.

11. Chicago Bulls Bub Carrington G | My pick: Isiah Collier

Chicago Bulls recently traded for Australian guard Josh Giddey and are switching into more of a rebuild direction. Bub is the youngest player from this class who played at the collegiate level and has risen up draft boards after a good Combine performance. Carrington is a monster pull-up shooter and sharp passer and became an improved defender throughout the season.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston Rockets) Dalton Knecht F | My pick: Jared McCain

Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 215 pounds | Class: Senior | Tennessee

I had the pleasure of watching Dalton Knecht in person when the Volunteers came to Chapel Hill. Sitting in the Dean Dome it became apparent very early that Knecht was easily the best player on the court and by a considerable margin. Whilst the Tar Heels won that day 100-92, Knecht finished with 37 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks. His 37 points are the most ever scored by an opposing player at Dean E. Smith Center.

Despite being on the older side at 23 years old after spending a few seasons at JUCO school University of Northern Colorado, there still is room to grow and I can comfortably say he was one of the best players in college this past season. His fit with OKC is a natural one, with his rangy length and his ability to spread the floor effectively being an important piece of Mark Daigneault and Sam Presti's scheme.

13. Sacramento Kings Devin Carter G | My Pick: Kel'el Ware

Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 195 pounds | Class: Junior | Providence

Carter is just solid, not great and not blessed with overwhelming potential. Yet solid is just what the Sacramento Kings need, Carter flew up draft boards due to his improvement as a shotmaker and pick-and-roll ball-handler and a tertiary role under Mike Brown could alleviate some of the on-ball duties of De' Aaron Fox.

14. Portland Trail Blazers (via Golden State ) Zach Edey C | My Pick: Johnny Furphy

Ht./Wt.: 7-4, 300 pounds | Class: Senior | Purdue

Zach Edey would be the 1st overall pick 25 years ago, but it's not 25 years ago. Edey was the best player in college averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and more than two blocks per game on his way to back-to-back National Player of the Year awards.

His physical stature alongside a surprisingly good hook game has him with a first-round grade, and if Portland doesn't want to continue to pay De'Andre Ayton his max deal and explore trades Edey can slot right in. Defensively, he challenges Kyle Anderson for his nickname, it isn't pretty and most of the time he leverages his size to protect the rim rather than attempt to block the shot. The question will be can he stay on the floor come playoff time?

END of the lottery let's get moving through the rest:

15. Miami Heat Ja'Kobe Walter G | My Pick: Kyle Fliopowski

Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 195 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor

16. Philadephia 76ers Isiah Collier G | My Pick: Tidjane Salaun

Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 210 pounds | Class: Freshman | USC

17. Los Angeles Lakers Tidjane Salaun F | My Pick: Jared McCain

Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 203 pounds | Cholet (France)

18. Orlando Magic Jared McCain G | My Pick: Tristan Da Silva

Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 195 pounds | Class: Freshman | Duke

19. Toronto Raptors Kyle Flipowski C | My Pick: Devin Carter

Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 220 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Duke

20. Cleveland Cavaliers Tristan Da Silva F | My Pick: Bub Carrington

Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 220 pounds | Class: Senior | Colorado

21. New Orleans Pelicans Yves Missi C | My Pick: Yves Missi

Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 235 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor

22. Phoenix Suns Tyler Kolek G | My Pick: Zach Edey

Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 195 pounds | Class: Senior | Marquette

23. Milwaukee Bucks Johnny Furphy G | My Pick: Cam Christie

Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 202 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kansas

24. New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks) Baylor Scheierman F | My Pick: Baylor Scheierman

Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 205 pounds | Class: Senior | Creighton

25. New York Knicks Ryan Dunn F | My Pick: Ryan Dunn

Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 216 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Virginia

26. Washington Wizards (via LA Clippers) Pacome Dadiet F | My Pick: Pacome Dadiet

Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 210 pounds | Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)

27. Minnesota Timberwolves Cam Christie G | My Pick: AJ Johnson

Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 190 pounds | Class: Freshman | Minnesota

28. Denver Nuggets DaRon Holmes F | My Pick: DaRon Holmes

Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 235 pounds | Class: Junior | Dayton

29. Utah Jazz (via Oklahoma City Thunder) Kyshawn George F | My Pick: Kyshawn George

Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 205 lbs | Class: Freshman | Miami

30. Boston Celtics My Pick: Harrison Ingram (TAR HEEL)

Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 233 pounds | Class: Junior | North Carolina

Call me biased but I saw first-hand the skills Ingram possesses, if the shot translates 3 and D wings can make a pretty penny in this market, OG Anunoby is about to command roughly $40 million a year for 5 years.

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