The 2024 NBA draft, which has tested a new two-day format, has left as main headlines the selection of Zaccharie Risacher as number one by the Atlanta Hawks and the family reunion that LeBron James and Bronny James will star in the Los Angeles Lakers, who used their pick number 55 to incorporate the son of its biggest star.
58 selections allow for 58 different readings, plus all the ramifications that will accompany the decisions that the 30 franchises will make in the transfer market and in free agency. That’s why I’ve tried to reduce the equation and name the four teams that, in my opinion, have come out the best from the event held in Brooklyn.
I have not wanted to include the so-called ‘losers’ because I find it particularly pretentious to define as a mistake the selection of some kids who have not even had the opportunity to debut. The same could be justified with the ‘winners’, but I think it is easier to evaluate the potential, the virtues and what this new batch can contribute to alleviate the needs of their new teams.
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I invite you, of course, to share who, for you, have been the great winners of this draft.
Los Angeles Lakers
If the Los Angeles franchise had already established itself as one of the teams that had best capitalized on its pick in the first round compared to the initial forecasts, what happened on the second day ended up confirming them as one of the great winners of the 2024 draft.
On Wednesday, the Lakers selected with their pick 17 to Dalton Knecht, chosen SEC Player of the Year, whom most mock drafts placed him in the Top 10. Some, even, as a potential pick for the Detroit Pistons with his pick 5. Ultimately, no one in Los Angeles was betting that they would close the first day of the draft by signing possibly the best shooter in the group. Rob Pelinka himself admitted it: “We would never have imagined that such a skilled player, perfect for what we need, would be available.”
The truth is that the Lakers sign a win Knecht is a textbook example of this. After completing his college career at 23, the University of Tennessee alumnus is ready to step onto the court and make an immediate impact. On the other hand, his 39.7% success rate on three-pointers this past season is a breath of fresh air for a Lakers team that ranked 28th in three-point attempts last season, a problem that has dragged on for the past few years. They need shooters and Knecht is one of them. killer For nature. In addition, he is also capable of generating play with the ball and attacking in transition, which will free LeBron, Davis and Reaves from a certain offensive burden.
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The second big coup of the draft came on Thursday night with the selection of Bronny James. LeBron will fulfill his dream of playing with his son, something that has never happened before in NBA history. New coach JJ Redick will have to manage the situation very well and avoid minutes ‘by decree’ so as not to put extra pressure on the kid and not affect the chemistry of the locker room. The most important thing is that the arrival of Bronny guarantees that LeBron is not going anywhere this summer.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Tim Connelly is doing tremendously well in Minnesota. The Conference Finals reached this year have silenced all the criticism that had accompanied him for the big haul sent to Utah in exchange for Rudy Gobert and the head of the office has once again operated in a very intelligent and pragmatic way in this draft.
The Timberwolves did not hesitate to send their first round of 2031 and a swap 2030 to San Antonio in exchange for his pick 8, with which they selected Rob Dillingham. During the Western Finals, the Wolves had a lot of trouble creating their own shot after bounce, with Anthony Edwards being the only truly effective player and therefore the most watched. And now they will have a potential ‘plan B’ in Dillingham, who is the best player in this draft as a scorer with the ball in his hands.
In addition, Mike Conley will turn 37 in October, so Minnesota also has to think about the future and it is possible that the Kentucky student will enjoy an interesting volume of minutes as a rookie. His defensive problems can be covered thanks to the team’s outstanding collective performance in defense and it will also be interesting to see all the alley-oop to make it easier for Rudy Gobert.
The Timberwolves used their pick 27 in Terrence Shannon Jr., who averaged 23 points at Illinois last season. He’s dangerous in transition and in space, and a versatile defender. Ultimately, Minnesota has been looking to add more offensive resources around a defense that has proven to be elite in the NBA.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards’ NBA draft comes down to a series of strategic decisions that promise to benefit the team in the short and long term. Firstly, the acquisition of Alex Sarr as pick 2 demonstrates a focus on the team’s defensive and athletic potential. Sarr, known for his great mobility and defensive ability, has one of the highest ceilings in the draft and with the time needed to develop, he can become a key player in both defense and attack. His offensive development is crucial, but the Wizards’ patience will make it easier for him to reach his full potential. And everything indicates that he is starting the race for the Rookie of the Year award with an advantage.
Also, the addition of Bub Carrington with the pick 14 is another very interesting move. He has tremendous potential to become a key scorer for the Wizards. Despite his youth, he has already shown exceptional dribbling, passing and shooting skills. If he deepens his physicality and defense, he can even explode into a leader on the court, something that will be needed in Washington’s new project, which will be simmering due to the lack of pressure.
In Kyshawn George, selected with the pick 24, the capital city residents come across the mold of a 3-and-D more than useful if he improves his physique and maintains the 40.8% success rate in triples, in 4.2 attempts, that he registered in his only university year in Miami. The positive thing is that all these kids will enjoy the opportunity to make mistakes, learn and shape their game, with a volume of minutes that, a priori, will be substantial.
Finally, the trade of Deni Avdija to Portland for multiple assets, including draft picks and Malcolm Brogdon, strengthens the team’s future prospects. Not only does this move provide the Wizards with a valuable first-round pick in 2029 and two second-round picks, but it also improves their roster flexibility and depth. By releasing Avdija, the Wizards can focus on rebuilding around a promising player. young corealigning with their long-term vision and preparing for the impressive 2025 draft, where names such as Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey stand out.
Utah Jazz
There is perhaps no other team that has made better value for its draft picks. Taking into account the team’s disastrous history recruiting young talent, it is already a success in itself. Cody Williams was selected in tenth position despite the fact that many analysts believed that his name would come up first. For their part, Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski aim to be two of the robberies of the draft, after falling to the picks 29 and 32, when until not long ago they were considered lottery picks and even potential Top 3. general manager Justin Zanik acknowledged that they received many commercial calls and that the option of trade up It was on the table, but they relied on the models that projected that they would get the players they wanted without having to move. They were right.
Cody Williams, brother of the current Oklahoma City Thunder player, Jalen Williams, has all the tools to evolve towards a profile of 3-and-D elite in the NBA. Comparisons today point to Jaden McDaniels, who would sign in Utah right now. In addition to his defensive versatility, he has shown flashes with the ball in his hands as a playmaker and generator of his own shots. He’s still green and his jump shot raises a lot of questions, but Williams was the best possible option for the Jazz with his pick 10. Especially if we take into account that they finished the season as the worst defense in the NBA.
The Jazz then selected Isaiah Collier at No. 29. guard has polarized the scouts this year, but most agree that it is a gift to receive it in that position. Its best version invites us to think about potential All-Starwhile the most skeptical see in him little more than a substitute base. In any case, the risk is almost nonexistent for a pick 29 and the Jazz extend their search for a perennial point guard. Will he be? We’ll soon find out. What does seem clear is that Utah is deepening its surplus of point guards. guards. There is not room for everyone and trade rumors regarding Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and Kris Dunn will increase in the coming days.
For his part, Filipowski comprises a profile that resembles, apart from the distance, a mixture of the strengths of Lauri Markkanen and Kelly Olynyk, who is greatly missed after his departure to Toronto. The only thing left to wonder is if they have simply prioritized talent over the team’s needs or if the Finn is truly on the market despite numerous reports reporting that the Jazz are not considering leaving him.
(Cover photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
2024-06-28 12:32:44
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