2024 NBA Draft Live Tracker: Grading every pick with analysis

We have finally arrived at the 2024 NBA Draft. After months of intense scrutiny and ceaseless speculation, Adam Silver will read the names aloud and start a new chapter in the history of the league.

While the 2024 class has been labeled as "weak," especially at the top, there are plenty of intriguing prospects with All-Star upside. At the very least, we should have no shortage of hidden gems and unexpected success stories. The draft never goes exactly how we expect it to. Many have compared this year's draft to 2013, when Anthony Bennett went No. 1 overall. That draft produced Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, and Victor Oladipo.

The Atlanta Hawks are on the clock to start with the No. 1 overall pick. We already have plenty of trade movement, with the Washington Wizards acquiring the No. 14 pick from Portland and angling for more. Several teams are involved in the rumor mill as front offices navigate a tricky new CBA and the unique uncertainty of the upcoming rookie class.

Let's go pick by pick, analyzing each team's selection and handing out grades in real time.

2024 NBA Draft Live Tracker: Grades for every pick

The Hawks did what everyone expected, selecting French 19-year-old Zaccharie Risacher in the top spot. It's hard not to see the appeal, especially in a weak draft. Risacher is viewed as a sure thing — 6-foot-10 with great movement skills, a fluid 3-point stroke, and solid basketball instincts.

Risacher should offer a high floor with his defensive switchability and spot-up shooting. That said, he was not the best prospect available here. There are real concerns about his thin frame, limited ball skills, and lack of scoring inside the arc. As the Hawks mull over the possibility of a rebuild, a higher-upside player would have been preferable in this spot.

Grade: C

Washington, after an eventful afternoon on the trade front, invests in one of the highest ceilings in the draft. Alex Sarr is a truly singular athlete, a 7-footer with 1-through-5 switchability and elite defensive ground coverage. He shows great shot-blocking instincts and he should be comfortable in any scheme Washington decides to run.

His offensive skill set is a bit less polished, but Sarr is a fluid driver and promising shooter. If he can add muscle and operate more physically around the basket, Sarr has real unicorn upside — on both sides of the court.

The Wizards need a defensive backbone. Sarr supplies it.

Grade: A-

Reed Sheppard was the best freshman in college basketball last season. He's an analytics darling, having shot 52.1 percent from 3-point range for an entire season and putting up absurd steal-block numbers, despite his small 6-foot-3 frame.

There are concerns about Sheppard's ability to defend on an island, but he's going to create plays off-ball with his instincts and effort level. As for the offense, Sheppard is a high-feel connector with enough ball-handling upside to grow into the point guard role behind Fred VanVleet.

The Rockets are trying to win now. Few prospects should impact winning more as a rookie than Sheppard.

Grade: A

As expected, the Spurs roll with UConn champion Stephon Castle. The 6-foot-6 combo guard has marketed himself as a point guard during the pre-draft process. He displays impressive tempo as a ball-handler, quickly processing the floor in pick-and-roll actions. He should quickly develop two-man chemistry with Victor Wembanyama.

Castle probably isn't the lead creator San Antonio craves, but he's an elite perimeter defender, addressing another key need for Gregg Popovich's squad. Castle can handle the difficult assignments and guard several positions due to his impressive positional strength and 6-foot-9 wingspan.

The lack of 3-point shooting is a concern, but Castle typically finds ways to make an impact. He screens, cuts, and fires connective passes unselfishly. He is a winner, through and through, and he's going to a great situation as Wemby's teammate.

Grade: B

Trajan Langdon has the goods. Ron Holland is the No. 1 prospect here at FanSided and he's arguably the best upside bet on the board. He needs to hammer out the 3-point mechanics, but defensive intensity and slashing should lead to immediate value.

Holland creates advantages with his first step and tight handles. As last season progressed, he improved at changing speeds and shifting gears on the move, creating angles to the rim and finishing with impressive finesse in the paint.

He was thrust into a bad situation with G League Ignite, but NBA spacing and playmaking should boost Holland's efficiency and help mask his deficiencies. A great look for the Pistons' new front office.

Grade: A

Oof. It's a weak draft, so the logic here is sound. Tidjane Salaun has tremendous physical tools, listed 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and explosive athleticism. He competes hard and he's one of the youngest players on the board. Charlotte should, in theory, have a long runway for Salaun to develop alongside Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball.

At the end of the day, though, there's a little too much uncertainty for my liking. Salaun flashes impressive shot-making from long range, but he also misses the backboard on pull-up jumpers and displays very little touch around the basket. His feel is subpar. There is time for growth, but he is not a strong bet to impact winning in the next couple years.

This is a huge swing. Maybe that's the right approach to a weak draft, but Salaun was my No. 36 prospect. I am skeptical of all the pieces coming together.

Grade: D

Portland gets their dream outcome with Donovan Clingan falling to No. 7. He's a tremendous fit for a guard-heavy roster, offering immediate value as a defensive anchor and offensive play-finisher. At 7-foot-3 with a 9-foot-7 standing reach, he has measurements that are comparable to Rudy Gobert.

Clingan isn't the sexist pick, but he can elevate the Blazers' defense in a way Deandre Ayton never did. He's not a shooter and he doesn't have advanced post moves, but Clingan processes the floor quickly and has uncommon dexterity for his size. He can catch the rock in traffic and fluidly deliver it to the rim.

His bone-shattering screens should free up Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons for clean looks at the rim. He also offers an easy lob target on the roll. Simple but effective is Clingan's M.O. The floor is high and Portland is starting to move in the right direction.

Grade: A

The Timberwolves move up to No. 8 to select Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham. It's a great move for the Wolves, who land an understudy to Mike Conley and a much-needed source of shot creation to ease the burden on Anthony Edwards.

There are concerns about Dillingham's defense — he's 6-foot-1 and only 164 pounds — but the Wolves can insulate him with Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and a ton of length. The offensive synergy is great. Dillingham can create from scratch and run the offense out of pick-and-rolls, but he's also an elite off-ball shooter. That flexibility allows him to run the second unit or run alongside the starters.

This is a home run outcome for the Wolves. It's rare for rookies to earn significant burn for title contenders, but Dillingham has immense talent and a clear pathway to backup point guard minutes out of the gate.

Grade: A

Go big or go home. The Grizzlies are replacing Steven Adams with the most physically dominant center since... a while. Edey does not fit the archetype of modern NBA centers, but at 7-foot-5 with a 7-foot-11 wingspan, it might not matter. Edey's finishing numbers are off the charts. He is a walking mismatch. Even NBA starters will struggle to keep him out of position in the paint.

Memphis won't feed Edey post-ups like Purdue, but he's going to feast on pick-and-roll finishes next to Ja Morant. He empowers Jaren Jackson Jr. on the defensive end, allowing the All-Defense candidate to roam the perimeter and wreak havoc on the weak side. Maybe he struggles in certain matchups, but Edey has worked hard to improve his conditioning and mobility in space.

Edey is a day-one contributor at a position of need for the Griz. Edey has soft touch, he's going to dominate on the glass, and he's going to create driving lanes for Memphis' guards with his screen-setting.

Grade: A

The Jazz opt for versatility on the wing, selecting the younger brother of OKC's Jalen Williams. Listed 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Williams has prototypical physical tools on the wing. He needs to bulk up (178 pounds), but the frame should fill out with NBA strength training. His downhill quickness and finishing touch around the basket set a high floor on the offensive end, not to mention a strong foundation to build on.

There are bumps in the road during his freshman season, but Williams can defend multiple positions and occupy different roles on offense. He's best with streamlined responsibilities for the time being, but Williams has some point guard chops. He loves to push the tempo in transition and he can effectively read the floor out of pick-and-rolls.

If he can increase his 3-point volume, improve his core strength, and add more physicality to his game, Williams has one of the highest ceilings in the draft. Utah could have used a more ready-made initiator, but Williams is an appropriate upside swing.

Grade: B+

The Bulls opt for the local product, selecting Chicago native Matas Buzelis with the No. 11 pick. It's hard to pinpoint Chicago's precise direction, but it sure sounds like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan could start next season on new teams.

Chicago needs to be focusing on upside as a result. It's about finding star power, and Buzelis has an appealing set of tools. At 6-foot-10, he's a fluid slasher with connective passing chops and some mid-range speciality shot-making to lean on. He struggled from 3-point range with Ignite, but Buzelis' touch indicators are solid.

He's going to help Chicago with his defensive versatility, primarily his weak-side rim protection. The offensive fit with newcomer Josh Giddey will depend almost entirely on Buzelis' long-range output. If he develops into a reliable shooter, watch out.

Grade: B

Another great move from Sam Presti. Like clockwork. Nikola Topic is on track for a redshirt season after partially tearing his ACL late in the Euroleague season, but OKC has enough depth to operate patiently. In a vacuum, well, Topic is simply one of the best players on the board.

He generally fits the OKC M.O., too. Topic is a 6-foot-6 guard who loves to pressure the rim and create out of pick-and-rolls. The Thunder prioritize size and skill at every position. The ability to create advantages and set the defense in rotation is central to OKC's philosophy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA's most prolific rim pressure guard. Now, Topic is on his heels.

Some will read this as a simple Josh Giddey replacement, but Topic's ceiling is much higher. There are defensive concerns, but Topic's ball-handling craft, downhill burst, and creativity as a finisher make this a home-run pick.

Grade: A

Sacramento goes for the win-now piece, adding an elite defensive guard who can deliver on the hype in ways Davion Mitchell never could. Devin Carter led Providence in points, rebounds, assists, and steals this season. He made improvements across the board offensively, all without missing a beat on defense.

Carter is listed around 6-foot-3 in shoes, but he weaponizes a 6-foot-9 wingspan to suffocate ball-handlers and generate deflections. It's hard to translate defense to the next level, especially as a rookie, but Carter can buck the trend. He's ready to rack up stops tomorrow.

The offensive fit is great, too. He's not a true point guard, but he won't have to be next to De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis in Sacramento. He has deep range on his spot-up 3s and he's an active cutter, always looking to apply pressure on the rim, where he finishes at a high level for his size.

Grade: A

Washington gets its point guard of the future in 18-year-old Carlton 'Bub' Carrington. With Tyus Jones set to enter free agency, the Wizards need a floor general to orchestrate their rebuild. Alex Sarr has tremendous upside as a play-finisher, but Carrington can set the table and elevate those around him.

The Wizards have a nice collection of wing defenders and offensive play-finishers. Carrington could be the glue that ties it all together. There are concerns about his lack of strength and poor finishing numbers around the rim, but Carrington is a prolific pull-up shooter with advanced passing instincts for his age. A 6-foot-4 point guard with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, Carrington should grow into his frame in time.

The Wizards are betting on upside, as they should. Carrington has a solid baseline for such a young prospect and the fit is clean.

Grade: B+

Not sure this was Miami's best path, but I said the same thing about Jaime Jaquez last season. The Heat tend to operate with intelligence and pragmatism, so take any criticism with a grain of salt.

The vision here is clear — to pair Bam Adebayo with a floor-spacing 7-footer who allows Miami to run tall-ball lineups and operate with more physicality. Ware is a tremendous athlete, equipped with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and unbelievable bounce. There are motor concerns, but Ware is going to Miami. The culture there is unmatched. It's a great environment in which he can grow.

Ware thrives in pick-and-pop actions and finishes lobs emphatically. The Heat need a backup center, so even if the Ware-Adebayo partnership doesn't pan out, he should still have rotational value for a contender.

Grade: B-

A great outcome for the Sixers. Jared McCain can run the second unit behind Tyrese Maxey, or should the floor in a small-but-fiesty backcourt. There are defensive concerns, but McCain is strong for his position and tends to compete well at the point of attack.

As far as offense is concerned, McCain is the best possible fit for the Sixers. He's arguably the best shooter on the board, elite as a pull-up shooter or running off screens and spotting up. He should develop quick two-man synergy with Joel Embiid, who loves to operate with multiple elite shooters in his orbit.

The primary criticism of McCain revolves around his 6-foot-3 height and limited burst. That is valid, but McCain was an excellent finisher around the rim at Duke. He's crafty with his handle, smart with deploying his strength, and the touch is off the charts. Factor in great passing instincts, and well, this is a dream outcome for the Sixers.

Grade: A

Dalton Knecht wasn't expected to slide this far. Clearly Los Angeles is thrilled with this outcome. The 23-year-old late bloomer was one of the best players in college basketball last season and he addresses an immediate need with his perimeter shot-making.

There are obvious doubts about Knecht's upside due to his age, but this is a player who improved consistently throughout college. He didn't arrive in the spotlight until last season as a fifth-year transfer to a prime-time SEC school. After a couple years in JuCo and a couple years at Northern Colorado, Knecht dominated elite competition.

He's not a great defender or much of a passer, but Knecht scores proficiently at all three levels. His movement shooting should pair nicely with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers struggled from 3-point range last season and J.J. Redick, if nothing else, should know how to maximize a player in Knecht's mold.

Grade: A

A classic Orlando pick. Tristan da Silva is a skilled 6-foot-9 wing who should plug into Orlando's deep roster of versatile, well-connected pieces. He doesn't address the Magic's point guard void, but he will up Orlando's 3-point volume. That is the No. 1 priority for the Magic, and it's generally smart to stick to your guns as a front office.

Da Silva doesn't have a ton of holes in his game. He's not a great rebounder, but Orlando rebounds well as a team. He will be insulated. Da Silva isn't an elite on-ball stopper on defense, but his instincts are razor-sharp and he's quite effective within a scheme.

On offense, da Silva supplies immediate value to a posteason contender with spot-up 3s, coordinated straight-line drives, and under-appreciated passing chops. He won't create his own offense much, but da Silva processes the floor quickly and delivers pinpoint passes out of inverted pick-and-roll actions. A really solid value all around.

Grade: A-

The Raptors add a clean fit in Ja'Kobe Walter, who shares a few similarities to their 2023 first-round pick, Gradey Dick. Walter supplies impressive shot versatility on the wing. He can run off screens, create space with side-steps or step-backs, and he draws a lot of fouls for a player who doesn't really pressure the rim. There are positive indicators here.

Toronto needs to surround Scottie Barnes with dynamic floor-spacers. Walter probably won't develop into a traditional go-to option, but he can scorch the net out of two-man actions and stress defenses with his relentless movement.

Walter's passing numbers weren't great at Baylor and his efficiency leaves something to be desired, but the shot-making is undeniable. With more streamlined responsibilities in Toronto, the splits should look better. Walter can also defend multiple positions, mixing relentless activity and a rangy 6-foot-10 wingspan to great effect.

Grade: B

The first mild surprise of the 2024 draft, but Jaylon Tyson's appeal is pretty straightforward. It's 2024, so every team is looking for multifaceted skill sets on the wing. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 218 pounds, Tyson operated as Cal's point guard.

He loves to run pick-and-rolls, bully mismatches with his strength, and apply pressure on the rim. He looks comfortable hitting spot-up 3s, although Tyson will need to adjust to a less ball-dominant role in the NBA. He has room to improve defensively as well.

The Cavs need wing depth, bad. Tyson should have a clear path to minutes with a strong preseason. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are both expected to stick around, but Tyson's playmaking juice could come in handy with the second unit.

Grade: C+

The Pelicans address their glaring need at center with Baylor freshman Yves Missi. It's hard to envision Zion Williamson starting full-time next to a non-shooting big, but Missi ought to begin his career in a smaller role. He's not the most advanced offensive talent, but the defensive ceiling is off the charts.

Missi is exceedingly mobile at 6-foot-11, comfortable navigating screens, switching onto the perimeter, or battling 7-footers on the block. He's strong, explosive, and he operates with a relentless motor.

He won't shoot, but Missi can set solid screens, soar for lobs, and carve out space with sharp footwork. His nimble feet and elite dexterity suggest upside, even if the jumper never develops.

Grade: B+

As we all expected, DaRon Holmes II had a promise from the Nuggets. Denver even moves up to select him, shipping a few extra assets to Phoenix in the process. It's a tremendous fit for the Nuggets, who finally nail the backup center role behind Nikola Jokic.

Aaron Gordon was forced to carry the backup five minutes (again) in the playoffs for Denver. Holmes is a bit undersized at 6-foot-9, but he was one of the sharpest rim protectors in the college ranks. Holmes can also guard in space, which is critical when projecting toward the playoffs.

There is also some useful offensive snyergy with Jokic. Holmes won't reach that level, obviously, but he's a real shooter and passer at the five spot. He loves to run DHOs on the perimeter and create as an elbow passing hub. Perhaps Holmes can learn a trick or two from his new teammate.

Grade: A

Wowza. This is a huge reach from Milwaukee, a pure upside swing that doesn't align with the Bucks' expedited timeline as a veteran contender. Johnson has obvious appeal at 6-foot-5, with twitchy handles and some tantalizing shot-making flashes.

That said, Johnson barely played in the NBL last season. He's just not ready. The efficiency was in the gutter with Illawarra and he has a long way to develop, both athletically and as a decision-maker.

The Bucks aren't getting a day-one contributor here. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but with limited free agency and trade options, Milwaukee is passing on some appealing options here.

Grade: D

Washington moves up a couple spots to land Miami freshman Kyshawn George at No. 24. This is appropriate upside swing with the Wizards' third first-round pick. George has limited experience compared to many of his peers, but the dribble, pass, shoot equity at 6-foot-8 is naturally very appealing.

The Wizards, ideally, get another ball-handling option to complement Bub Carrington. Neither George nor Carrington put pressure on the rim, but George is also an efficient spot-up shooter who can push the tempo in transition and process the floor as a connective passer.

He's a versatile defender too, but it is again worth noting his limited role at Miami (23.0 minutes per game). George needs time to incubate, fill out his frame, and work on his burst. Washington can afford the patient approach.

Grade: B

Yet another French prospect selected in the first round. This is a bit surprising from New York, opting for a less established prospect who needs time to grow into an NBA role. Still, at 18, Dadiet offers a high ceiling for a late first-round pick. This is solid value.

At 6-foot-8, Dadiet has a solid frame that should fill out nicely with NBA strength development. He's an active cutter and a talented finisher around the basket. He can also splash spot-up 3s, with legitimate flashes of on-ball creation. His ball-handling tempo and pull-up shooting is worth banking on at his size.

It will take time for Dadiet to defend at an NBA level and he needs to evolve as a decision-maker, but the tools are all there. I'm not sure he gets any run under Thibs, but the Knicks are deep with multiple first-round picks, so an upside swing is warranted.

Grade: B

OKC trades back into the first round for another classic OKC prospect. Dillon Jones is 6-foot-5, 237 pounds with a 6-foot-11 wingspan. He essentially operated as point guard at Weber State, bullying mismatches in the post and carving out playmaking opportunities with his shifty handles.

The Thunder love, love, love playmaking at every position. Jones will need to prove his 3-point shooting and defense at the next level — OKC won't run the offense through him — but Jones is another unique advantage creator to shuffle into the Thunder's second unit.

There's a lot to like here. Jones rebounds well for his size, too, although OKC still needs to add height and muscle in a more serious way. Maybe he doesn't address a need, but there's merit to doubling down on strengths as the reigning No. 1 seed.

Grade: B

Minnesota's postseason shortcomings revolved around the opposing defense's ability to zero in on Anthony Edwards. The Wolves need more shot creators to ease the burden on Edwards and spread the defense thinner. Between No. 8 pick Dillingham and Terrence Shannon in this spot, the Wolves have certainly addressed that need.

Shannon was among the most electric scorers in college basketball last season. He's almost 24, so the ceiling is thusly limited, but Shannon has incredible burst attacking the lane. He has the strength to absorb contact and draw fouls, and his touch on awkward-angle finishes is consistently impressive.

He needs to improve defensively and develop as a decision-maker, but Shannon should provide an immediate spark plug with his scoring.

Grade: B+

The Suns need to improve the defense around Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Phoenix struggled to generate stops and combat the physicality of Minnesota in the playoffs. Dunn addresses that very need, offering length and versatility on the wing. He is flat-out the best defender on the board.

There are severe concerns about Dunn's offense at the next level. He's a non-shooter at 6-foot-6 and he doesn't possess much feel for ball-handling or passing, but Phoenix will hope that Dunn coasts by adequately as an athletic rim finisher. Ideally, he can occupy the dunker's spot and catch lobs as defenses sell out to stop the Suns' core trio.

Dunn racks up steals and blocks, his activity level never ceases, and he's going to generate positive value on that end of the floor. For a back-end first round pick, there's a lot to like.

Grade: A

Isaiah Collier was my No. 2 prospect. This was always a wonky draft class to evaluate, but teams are going to regret letting the USC freshman slide this far. There are valid concerns about his efficiency and defense, especially after he measured smaller than expected at the Combine, but Collier's athleticism, advantage creation, and playmaking vision all stand out. He should have been a lottery pick.

What incredible value for the Jazz. Utah would have earned rave reviews from this writer if Collier was the pick at No. 10. At No. 29, this pick earns the Jazz the highest grade of the evening. For a team that needs a star initiator to take that next step, Collier's rim pressure, scoring craft, and passing boldness ought to stand out.

The Utah backcourt is fairly deep right now, but Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson are popular trade candidates. Collier fits well with last season's first-round pick Keyonte George, who would benefit from fewer on-ball responsibilities.

Grade: A+

A natural capstone to end the night. Baylor Scheierman is among the most NBA-ready prospects on the board. He fits the Celtics' general style for second-unit players — elite shooting, rapid-fire processing, and a spunky defensive presence.

Scheierman is not a great athlete by NBA standards, so it's fair to wonder how well he holds defensively. All the same, he's going to a great situation in Boston, where he will be surrounded by versatility and solid on-ball defense. Scheierman can bury deep 3s, beat closeouts with his handle, and supply immediate connective tissue on offense.

Despite all their strengths as a team, the Celtics' second unit isn't terribly deep. Scheierman has a chance to stand out sooner than later.

Grade: A

Stay tuned for live updates as the draft unfolds.