2024 NBA Draft: 58 things you need to know before picks start, including lottery buzz, Bronny rumors

The first round of the NBA Draft tips off Wednesday night, with the second round to follow on Thursday. With 58 picks between the two nights (30 in the first round and 28 in the second), here are 58 things you need to know to be totally caught up before the picks start coming off the board. 

The first two things to know

This is not a good draft (1). That isn’t to say there won’t be an all-star to eventually come out of it, but right now, there is less perceived star power atop the draft then there has been since 2013. 

But … you can find value (2). Scouts widely consider there to be quality brewing in the middle of the first round. The overall depth is no less than most years. 

The ‘French Invasion’

It is very possible that the first two players selected in this year’s draft are both from France (3). That would be unprecedented in NBA Draft history. Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr are those players. Sarr, a mobile 7-footer and potentially elite defender, was trending as the likely first pick for a long time, but never ended up working out for Atlanta and now looks likely to go to Washington. Risacher is a big, 6-9 wing who both shoots it well from behind the three-point line and is considered a plus defender. 

Who else will go in the top half of the lottery?

Two-time national champion Donovan Clingan (4) still has a chance to be the top overall pick, but could also fall as low as seven. He’s a defensive anchor with massive size and emerging offensive skill that has drawn comparisons to the likes of Rudy Gobert and Marc Gasol. 

Former four-star prospect Reed Sheppard (5) exceeded all expectations this year at Kentucky, shooting over 52% from the three-point line, while simultaneously being a statistical darling with his +/- numbers and defensive playmaking. Then, he surprised everyone again by registering the best vertical leap (tied with two others) at the NBA combine. 

One of several former five-star prospects in the high school class of 2023 expected to hear their name called early, Matas Buzelis (6) is…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2024-nba-draft-58-things-you-need-to-know-before-picks-start-including-lottery-buzz-bronny-rumors/

Author : Adam Finkelstein

Publish date : 2024-06-26 17:35:40

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