There’s no consensus No. 1 choose in 2024 like there was with Victor Wembanyama a yr in the past, so the Hawks could have loads of choices to contemplate within the coming weeks. French huge man Alexandre Sarr, French ahead Zaccharie Risacher, UConn heart Donovan Clingan, G League Ignite wing Ron Holland, Serbian level guard Nikola Subject and Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham are among the many prospects anticipated to be within the combine for the highest few picks.
A few of these gamers seem like higher matches than others on the present Atlanta roster, however there was an expectation that the Hawks will make some vital modifications this summer time, with Trae Younger and Dejounte Murray thought of potential commerce candidates. Atlanta’s entrance workplace should take these potential strikes into consideration because it weighs what to do with the No. 1 choose.
Washington, Houston and San Antonio are among the many different huge winners of draft lottery day. The Wizards entered the day ranked second within the pre-lottery order and no staff had higher odds on the high choose, however additionally they had only a 27.4 p.c probability to stay within the high two, to allow them to’t complain in regards to the end result.
It is going to be the second lottery choose for the present entrance workplace, which is able to get the chance so as to add one other constructing block to final yr’s No. 7 general choice, Bilal Coulibaly.
The Rockets‘ choose at No. 12 shall be despatched to the Thunder on account of 2019’s Russell Westbrook commerce, however Houston will choose third general because of one of many unprotected Nets first-rounders that was included within the 2021 James Harden blockbuster. Earlier than the lottery, that choose had simply the ninth-best odds to maneuver into the highest three (14.5 p.c).
A report this week acknowledged that the Rockets are eager about buying and selling their lottery choice for future draft property after having made 9 first-round picks prior to now three years. Assuming Houston’s stance hasn’t modified following the lottery outcomes, the truth that the choose is now No. 3 as an alternative of No. 9 ought to considerably enhance its worth on the commerce market.
The Spurs, in the meantime, had an eventful lottery day, touchdown a pair of picks within the high eight as they give the impression of being to construct out a contending staff round Wembanyama. Their very own choose moved up one spot, from No. 5 within the pre-lottery order to No. 4, they usually additionally secured a second choose on account of Toronto dropping from No. 6 to No. 8.
The Raptors traded their top-six protected 2024 first-round choose to San Antonio in a bundle for Jakob Poeltl final yr and would have retained it if no groups had leapfrogged them into the highest 4.
As a result of Atlanta and Houston each moved up, that No. 8 choose shall be managed by the Spurs — the Raptors’ obligation to San Antonio is full they usually’ll management all their very own first-rounders starting in 2025.
It’s one other disappointing lottery day for the Pistons, who — for a second consecutive yr — completed with the NBA’s worst file and ended up with the No. 5 general choose.
For what it’s value, Detroit solely had a few 50-50 probability in every case to land within the high 4 as a result of flatter nature of the percentages beneath the NBA’s present format.
Nonetheless, dropping that coin flip in back-to-back years is an unlucky end result for a Pistons staff whose rebuilding course of hasn’t progressed because the group has hoped.
Whereas no staff dropped so far as the Pistons (4 spots), the Hornets (No. 3 to No. 6), Path Blazers (No. 4 to No. 7), Grizzlies (No. 7 to No. 9) and Jazz (No. 8 to No. 10) additionally moved again a number of spots.
If Utah had dropped yet another spot, the Jazz would’ve owed their top-10 protected first-round choose to the Thunder, however that obligation will roll over to 2025 as an alternative — the choose will retain its top-10 safety subsequent yr.
The Wizards, Pistons, Hornets, Path Blazers and Kings additionally had traded picks fall into their protected vary and can owe their 2025 first-rounders to rival groups.
The Knicks will obtain Washington’s 2025 choose if it’s not within the high 10 and Detroit’s choose if it’s not within the high 13. The Spurs will management Charlotte’s lottery-protected 2025 choose; the Bulls will get Portland’s 2025 choose if it’s outdoors the lottery; and the Hawks will purchase the Kings’ 2025 first-rounder if it doesn’t find yourself within the high 12.
Lastly, it’s value noting that the Warriors would have retained their 2024 first-rounder within the unlikely occasion that it moved into the highest 4. As a result of it stayed at No. 14, it was despatched to Portland, and Golden State has no additional obligation to the Blazers.
