CHICAGO — The Atlanta Hawks received the No. 1 pick for the first time in franchise history after entering the lottery with a 3% chance. Unlike last year when it was the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes and everyone tuned in to see who would be landing the 7-foot-4 French star, this year is significantly different with no consensus top pick.
There was a bit of drama this year with the lottery when the Hawks and San Antonio Spurs snuck inside the top 4 and the Detroit Pistons fell to No. 5 after having one of the best chances to land the top pick. The Pistons have now had the NBA’s worst record in back-to-back years and have ended up with the fifth pick in the lottery each time.
With the lottery order set, here’s a look at Yahoo Sports’ projections for both rounds of the 2024 NBA Draft.
1. Atlanta Hawks: C Alex Sarr
Ht./Wt.: 7-1, 205 pounds | Perth Wildcats (Australia)
The Hawks have a lot of options with this pick and Sarr could be the versatile center to play alongside Trae Young if he stays in Atlanta.
Sarr, who elected to play for the Perth Wildcats in Australia’s NBL for one season, commanded the attention of NBA scouts and executives in the fall during a pair of exhibition games in Las Vegas against the G League Ignite. He showcased a much improved motor and elite rim protection, and solidified himself as a potential top pick after dominating the paint against other projected lottery talent in Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland. During his one season for the Wildcats, Sarr averaged 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 18 minutes per game.
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 204 pounds | JL Bourg (France)
The 6-9 wing has played over 60 games this season, more than any other prospect, and shown significant improvement since he played for Team World at the Nike Hoop Summit last spring. One of the best catch-and-shoot wings in the draft, Risacher is shooting 39% from 3-point range on 3.5 attempts per game and has added better decision-making in the lane and is an improving facilitator.
The Wizards drafted French guard Bilal Coulibaly last year and bringing in Risacher to play alongside him could form one of the best up-and-coming perimeter defenses in the Eastern Conference.
Ht./Wt.: 7-2, 280 pounds | Class: Sophomore | UConn
The Rockets have invested heavily in guard play the last few drafts with Jalen Green and Amen Thompson last year. Adding Clingan to anchor the defense could bring some added size to bang with the talented centers in the Western Conference.
Clingan dealt with injuries all season long, but he was at full strength during the postseason and helped lead UConn to back-to-back titles. The 7-2 center held his own against 7-4 Zach Edey, the most dominant player in college basketball, and solidified himself as the next big off the board after Sarr. In a tournament win over Northwestern, Clingan flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks in 27 minutes. He moves well laterally for his size and has the footwork to defend the pick-and-roll and recover to the block.
4. San Antonio Spurs: G Nikola Topić
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 201 pounds | KK Mega Basket (Serbia)
The Spurs need a playmaker to get Wembanyama the ball and Topić is one of the best passers in this draft class. Topić was sidelined for over three months with a knee injury, but he’s back playing for KK Crvena Zvezda in Serbia. The 6-6 point guard is averaging 5.9 assists per game. In a recent win on May 3, his second game back from injury, Topić put up eight points, six assists and two steals in 18 minutes off the bench. He has recorded 10 assists twice this season and is only averaging two turnovers per game as the team’s primary ball-handler.
5. Detroit Pistons: F Matas Buzelis
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 212 pounds | G League Ignite
It’s hard to not bet on a player like Buzelis at the NBA level with his length and how well he finishes above the rim. He struggled from the outside this year for the Ignite, but showed a lot of improvement defensively, guarding multiple positions and using better timing as a rim protector. The Pistons falling to No. 5 still gives them options to add length and defensive versatility with Buzelis, who can play multiple positions on the court.
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 215 pounds | Class: Freshman | UConn
Castle was incredible during the NCAA tournament. The 6-6 guard delivered under pressure on the biggest stage in college basketball, particularly in the Final Four. In his last two games against Alabama and Purdue, Castle averaged 18 points and five rebounds. He is one of the best defending guards in this draft class and consistently smothered some of the best guards as a freshman this past season. He was one of the biggest risers during the tournament and is now a projected top-5 pick.
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 206 pounds | G League Ignite
Holland was a high-volume scorer on a struggling Ignite team, but teams might look past his score-first instincts with the lack of playmakers on the team this year. He’s one of the best defensive forwards in this class, averaging 2.3 steals per game.
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 178 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky
The Kentucky point guard was arguably one of the best players in the country coming off the bench this year. Dillingham is incredibly shifty and doesn’t shy away from big shots or big moments when the game is on the line. Teams might be wary of how productive he can be as an undersized point guard in the league, but he didn’t have a problem creating separation off the dribble playing in the SEC. Dillingham averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists in his one season at Kentucky.
The Spurs have the opportunity to draft two great facilitators inside the lottery and create more options for chemistry and growth around Wembanyama.
Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 187 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky
Sheppard has a maturity and ease to his game that made him look more like an upperclassman and not a freshman during his one season at Kentucky. He is reliable in the backcourt, is a great defender and can knock it down from deep.
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Colorado
Williams, the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, dealt with injuries during his one year at Colorado, but showed promising upside during the NCAA tournament with how well he defended in both transition and half-court sets. He has a solid two-dribble pull-up and promising potential as an outside shooter in the NBA.
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 215 pounds | Class: Senior | Tennessee
Knecht was one of the best scorers in college basketball this season and, at times, carried Tennessee through tough games by himself. His defense has improved, and he’s tough on both sides of the ball with his physicality and ability to finish through contact.
12: Oklahoma City Thunder: G Ja’Kobe Walter
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 195 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor
Walter is one of the best outside shooting guards in the draft with how well he sets his feet and with his quick-twitch high release. He went cold during the back half of the season at Baylor with opposing teams having ample time to scout him. The NBA spacing and pace should translate better with his style of play.
13. Sacremento Kings: G/F Tidjane Salaun
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 203 pounds | Cholet (France)
Salaun is still playing for his team in the French league, giving extended time for scouts to watch him leading up to the draft. Salaun is far from a finished product, but has improved tremendously over the season in many areas, including his shot selection and quick decision-making when the ball is in his hands.
14. Portland Trail Blazers: C Yves Missi
Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 235 pounds | Class: Freshman | Baylor
Missi’s combination of size, rim protection and great hands could see him sneak into the lottery during the pre-draft process while working out individually for teams. He averaged 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 23 minutes for Baylor during his freshman year.
Post Lottery
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 210 pounds | Class: Freshman | USC
Collier didn’t get a chance to find his rhythm at USC after dealing with an injury and chemistry issues with teammates, but he would be a steal for anyone outside the lottery. Although there are still questions surrounding his outside shot, he is one of the best downhill guards in this draft.
Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 195 pounds | Class: Junior | Providence
Carter is one of the best two-way guards in this draft class. He can come into an established 76ers backcourt and give good minutes with the second unit. During his junior season, he averaged 19.7 points and 3.6 assists per game and capped off his college career with 27 points and eight rebounds against a very talented Marquette team.
Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 220 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Duke
Filipowski elected to return for his sophomore season after undergoing double hip surgery a year ago and his lateral movement improved this season. Duke ran a lot of offense through the 7-foot center and Jon Scheyer tried to target mismatches anytime he could. Although he didn’t shoot the 3-ball great this season, the promise for a pick-and-pop game is there, and he’s an elite defender with how well he guards the paint.
Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 223 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Indiana
Ware was significantly better during his sophomore season at Indiana. He was stronger with the ball and a great defensive anchor for the Hoosiers. The Magic invested heavily in guards last year and could be looking to add some size and length in the frontcourt.
Ht./Wt.: 6-11, 224 pounds | G League Ignite
Smith is an intriguing prospect with his size and versatility, and his draft range is anywhere from late lottery to mid-first round. His one season with the G League Ignite was up and down from a scouting perspective with how lopsided the games were for the Ignite, but Smith posed a pick-and-pop threat from behind the arc and improved his decision-making and shot selection coming off the bench.
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 220 pounds | Class: Senior | Colorado
Da Silva really showed how effective and versatile he can be as an offensive option late in the season and during the NCAA tournament, finishing his college career averaging 16 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He has the size and experience to be an instant impact addition on a second unit at the next level.
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 225 pounds | Class: Senior | Illinois
Teams will be monitoring Shannon’s off-the-court issues as the draft approaches, but what he showed on the court during the NCAA tournament was enough for teams to take a look at him as a first-round pick. The lefty guard did a bit of everything and was a scoring machine for Illinois, averaging 23.3 points and 3.3 assists during the tournament.
22. Phoenix Suns: G Carlton “Bub” Carrington
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 190 pounds | Class: Freshman | Pittsburgh
The Suns will most likely invest in a lead guard with this pick, and Carrington has a ton of potential as a young primary ball-handler in the NBA. He is a score-first guard, but showed he can also facilitate, averaging 4.1 assists during his freshman year. His decision-making off the pick-and-roll needs to improve, but his burst off the bounce is unmatched and he’s one of the best guards in transition.
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 210 pounds | Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
The Bucks have the luxury of drafting a player based on high upside, and Dadiet, turning 19 in July, screams NBA potential with the jump he’s made playing for Ratiopharm Ulm this season. He has scored in double digits in his last two games and shows promising signs as a 3-and-D player at the next level.
Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 195 pounds | Class: Freshman | Duke
Jalen Brunson is clearly the franchise point guard, but McCain could come in and lead the second unit with his high IQ and how well he shoots it from beyond 3-point range. He is one of the most coachable players in this draft and has won at every level of his career, so bringing McCain in and playing behind Brunson could possibly turn into a one-two punch at the guard position for the Knicks.
25. New York Knicks: G/F Kyshawn George
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 200 pounds | Class: Freshman | Miami
George is a player who could really help himself during the pre-draft process and it will be interesting to see if he elects to play in the 5-on-5 scrimmages during the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. Teams love his size at 6-8 and his 3-point shooting potential, as he connected on 40.8% of his attempts from deep during his freshman year.
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 215 pounds | Class: Junior | Iowa
Sandfort has a fluid shot that translates well and is consistent in his two-dribble, pull-up shot off screens. As scouts go back and watch film from the season and hone in on players that can move well off the ball and be productive on offense and defense, Sandfort stands out. He’s an intriguing player that could play himself into the first round if he elects to participate in the scrimmages during the draft combine.
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 202 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kansas
Furphy’s size and 3-point threat make him an interesting prospect toward the back half of the first round. He was a late bloomer at Kansas, signaling upside and growth at the next level, and improved on the glass as a weak-side rebounder on both offense and defense.
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 235 pounds | Class: Senior | Weber State
Jones could step in right away and lead the second unit for the Nuggets with how well he passes and his high IQ. The senior guard just about broke every record at Weber State that was previously held by Bucks guard Damian Lillard and was a walking triple-double this season in the Horizon League.
29. Utah Jazz: G Tyler Kolek
Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 195 pounds | Class: Senior | Marquette
The Jazz hit on Keyonte George last year and could use an older, established playmaker to place in the backcourt with George as they continue their rebuild. The lefty point guard finds creative ways to finish when needed and was one of the best passing guards in college basketball this season.
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 215 pounds | Class: Junior | Cal
Tyson was one of the best and most efficient scorers in the Pac-12 this year and can score at all three levels. He has good size and uses his body well while finishing at the rim and with mismatches off the pick-and-roll.
Second round
31. Toronto Raptors: C Zach Edey
Ht./Wt.: 7-4, 300 pounds | Class: Senior | Purdue
32. Utah Jazz: F Bobi Klintman
Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 225 pounds | Cairns Taipans (Australia)
33. San Antonio Spurs: G Cam Christie
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 190 pounds | Class: Freshman | Minnesota
34. Portland Trail Blazers: G Kevin McCullar Jr.
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 212 pounds | Class: Senior | Kansas
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 185 pounds | Class: Junior | Creighton
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 180 pounds | Illawarra (Australia)
37. Minnesota Timberwolves: F DaRon Holmes II
Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 235 pounds | Class: Junior | Dayton
38. New York Knicks: G KJ Simpson
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 190 pounds | Class: Junior | Colorado
39. Memphis Grizzlies: F Izan Almansa
Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 216 pounds | G League Ignite
40. Portland Trail Blazers: G Hunter Sallis
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 185 pounds | Class: Junior | Wake Forest
41. Philadelphia 76ers: C N’Faly Dante
Ht./Wt.: 6-11, 210 pounds | Class: Senior | Oregon
42. Charlotte Hornets: G Trentyn Flowers
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 190 pounds | Adelaide 36ers (Australia)
43. Houston Rockets: G/F Melvin Ajinca
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 220 pounds | Saint-Quentin (France)
Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 225 pounds | Class: Senior | Baylor
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 205 pounds | Class: Senior | Creighton
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 233 pounds | Class: Junior | North Carolina
47. San Antonio Spurs: G Alex Karaban
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 220 pounds | Class: Sophomore | UConn
48. Orlando Magic: G/F Justin Edwards
Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Kentucky
49. Detroit Pistons: G/F Ryan Dunn
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 216 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Virginia
50. Indiana Pacers: G Nikola Djurisic
Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 214 pounds | KK Mega Bemax (Serbia)
51. Indiana Pacers: C Ulrich Chomche
Ht./Wt.: 6-11, 235 pounds | Cameroon
52. Washington Wizards: F Oso Ighodaro
Ht./Wt.: 6-11, 235 pounds | Class: Senior | Marquette
Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 215 pounds | Class: Senior | Arizona
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 190 pounds | Class: Junior | UC Santa Barbara
Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 210 pounds | Class: Freshman | USC
56. Memphis Grizzlies: G Juan Nunez
Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 190 pounds | Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 205 pounds | Class: Senior | UConn
58. Forfeited pick
Ht./Wt.: 6-1, 200 pounds | Class: Senior | Houston
