2024 NBA Draft Liveblog

At long last, the 2024 NBA Draft is all set to commence at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Who will be the first pick overall? How high will the UConn players be drafted after consecutive National Championships? Who trades down and who trades up? What team will select Bronny James?

The FTN Fantasy team is here to react to all of it. All evening Wednesday and Thursday, FTN’s Zac Graham, Alex “Noops” Christenson, Walt Waddell and Mike Randle will provide running commentary on the most newsworthy picks and transactions.

Bookmark this page and check back all evening as more thoughts and reactions get added as we all watch the next generation of fantasy players enter the league starting Wednesday night. 

2024 NBA Draft Day 1 And 2 Fantasy Liveblog

Keep an eye here all night long as we add our immediate responses and takeaways.

Looking Ahead

First, we asked some of our guys what they are most looking for from the night.

There will be a lot of surprises in this draft, with many college players getting selected earlier than expected. The public betting market has struggled with the NBA Draft given the multitude of unknowns, with the legendary Paolo Banchero over Jabari Smith selection from two years ago just one example. I expect great college players like Devin Carter and Dalton Knecht to go much earlier than expected. The best player in this entire draft could be Connecticut freshman Stephon Castle. — Mike Randle

Where do I even begin? I love the NBA Draft. From the pre-draft scouting process to the combine, to the endless mock drafts all the way up until we’ve got prospects shaking Adam Silver’s hand, I’m here for it. But if I must narrow it down to what I’m most looking forward to in the 2024 edition of the draft that begins on Wednesday night? It’s got to be finally seeing where my guy Nikola Topić lands. Topić was my top guard prospect in this class prior to the knee injury he sustained in the Serbian League playoffs. If his medical testing with U.S. based doctors shows no long-term red flags, he could end up being the steal of the draft for a team that’s willing to take a chance on the young Serbian point guard. — Zac Graham

Who is ready for chaos? I know I’m excited for the seemingly endless possibilities for tonight. The NBA Draft is often full of trades and surprise picks, but there is generally some sense of who is going at the top of the draft and the expected ranges for players are fairly tight. Not this year. Several picks, including the #1 pick, could possibly traded and very few players seem to be locked into a pick or even a range of a few selections. There may not be a player selected tonight who becomes a top 10 NBA player, but there is an endless amount of intrigue and potential for drama and that’s what really gets me excited. Get your popcorn ready, find a comfortable spot, and let’s enjoy a wild night! — Noops Christenson

The NBA Draft is always an exciting event to behold as it can make or break a franchise for years to come. Many are calling this a “weaker draft” but I’m still expecting a jaw-dropping surprise or two. To me, this draft has a handful of future rotational pieces but it’s the middle of the 1st round that holds the most intrigue with players such as Terry Shannon, Bub Carrington and DaRon Holmes having real value that can help a team now and later. I will be watching the Miami Heat pick closely as they’ve hit on productive college players such as Jaime Jaquez, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo in recent years. — Walt Waddell

1. Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher, F, France

No surprises to kick things off tonight as Atlanta takes Risacher with the first pick. His odds to be the first overall selection went from -250 to -1600 on DK Sportsbook in the last 24 hours. His ability to knock down the three consistently, both off the catch and off the bounce, was a big reason for his meteoric rise to 1st overall in the NBA Draft. Risacher shot 38.7% from three in 65 games (53 starts) across all competitions last season with JL Bourg. That consistency combined with a pro ready defensive skill set make him an extremely intriguing fit next to core pieces like Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and Jalen Johnson. The next question is, will both of those guards be on the roster come October? — Zac Graham

2. Washington Wizards: Alexandre Sarr, C, France

Alex Sarr to the Washington Wizards at #2 was arguably the only sure thing coming into tonight and it turns out everyone was correct. The surprise was Washington trading away Deni Avdija just before the draft. The Wizards are rebuilding which makes Sarr, who has a high ceiling, a perfect choice for a team trying to build a foundation for the future. He’s 6’11” with a 7’4” wingspan, a great athlete, and a player who has shown the ability to do anything on a basketball court. Sarr has as much potential for greatness as any player in this draft, but he lacks polish. His handle, decision making, and shooting consistency all need work. Of course, he’s just 19 years old so there is plenty of time to work on all of that. He’s exactly the kind of risk the Wizards need to take as a team that is clearly tanking again this upcoming season.– Noops Christenson

3. Houston Rockets: Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

It’s easy to see why the Rockets snagged Sheppard here after a productive season at Kentucky in which he shot a blistering 52.1% from long-range on 4.4 attempts per game while also making 55.5% of his 2-point field goals. The efficiency is tantalizing which is something the Rockets young core can really use. He is also a menace on the defensive side, averaging 2.5 SPG and finishing with a top 15 steals rate at the collegiate level. He is destined to come off the bench which will allow for him to adjust to the speed of the NBA game. — Walt Waddell

4. San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle, G, Connecticut

Stephon Castle may be the best player in this entire draft. He is still just 19 years old, standing 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan. Is he a point guard? Is he a wing? Either way he projects to be a future NBA star. 

Castle started as a freshman for the Connecticut Huskies this season and ended their national championship run scoring 21 points and 15 points in the final two matchups against elite NCAA Tournament opponents. 

He shot 47% from the field and 76% from the free throw line, leaving 3P shooting as his only weakness. However, Castle showed off an improved 3-point jumper during the NBA Combine, finishing third overall in the 3-point star shooting drill (18-for-25). 

He is a brilliant two-way player who guarded the best perimeter player facing UConn all season long. Castle has size, length, defensive ability, winning pedigree and an improved 3P shot for a player who doesn’t turn 20 years old until November.

— Mike Randle

5. Detroit Pistons: Ron Holland II, F, G League Ignite

Boom! We’ve got our first surprise of the night and now the fun begins. Ron Holland was a preseason first overall pick in many mocks last fall, but he had some struggles offensively in the G-League with Ignite last season, shooting just 24% from three. However, Holland’s body type is one that NBA teams typically salivate over. He still profiles as a guy with star potential considering his size and defensive upside on the wing. One thing I never questioned when watching his film was the effort level. He works his butt off on defense and he’s got the versatility to switch on the perimeter. The Pistons are loaded with young talent, like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson. For the long term, they’ve got some ingredients in the pot. But ask yourself, are they actually “set” at any position? They also don’t have a head coach. As things stand, this roster isn’t ready to compete for a playoff spot this season. — Zac Graham

6. Charlotte Hornets: Tidjane Salaun, PF, France

Did you thin Ron Holland going #5 was surprising? Well, I sure have another surprise for you. The Charlotte Hornets took Tidjane Salaun with the 6th pick. Salaun wasn’t top 10 on many big boards, but sometimes teams find their guy and go get him. The Hornets have new management and they clearly see a lot of upside in the Frenchman. He’s 6’9” with a 7’1” wingspan, a fantastic athlete, and just had the best shooting season of his life. Salaun is very raw, but that’s the kind of upside player a team like the Charlotte Hornets should be looking to add. — Noops Christenson

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan, C, Connecticut

Clingan is an excellent passing big man that can offer a ton of value at the NBA level. His ability as a ball screener is an ideal fit for the modern game of basketball and this is a big man that isn’t afraid to put his body on the line on every possession. He had a 13.8% offensive rebounding rate and a nearly 37% combined rebounding rate overall. Additionally, he had an 11.4% block rate which was the 7th best mark in all of college basketball. He doesn’t possess the shooting ability of some other bigs out there but he makes up for that in a multitude of other important aspects. — Walt Waddell

8. San Antonio Spurs: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky

Rob Dillingham joins Stephon Castle in San Antonio… but only momentarily. Word is he’ll be traded to Minnesota for a 2031 unprotected first round pick and a protected 2030 first round pick swap. For the Wolves, they get a sparkplug scoring option off the bench. At Kentucky last year he shot 44.4% from deep on 4.5 attempts per game. His shot creation was impressive on film. He’s small, just 6’1 and under 170lbs at the combine. But that hasn’t stopped elite scoring talent in the past. The popular comparison is Lou Williams. I think it’s a fair shout. A win now move for the Timberwolves, who will look to improve on their Western Conference Finals exit from a month ago. — Zac Graham

9. Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Edey, C, Purdue

Thought for a minute that I would be writing about the Hornets after that Woj whoopsie about Memphis trading up for the sixth pick. And we’ve got another surprising pick! Two-time player of the year Zach Edey goes to the Grizzlies who, after trying to trade up to draft Donovan Clingan, apparently were going to draft a center no matter what at nine. I’m very skeptical about the big fella’s game translating to the NBA level, at least to a point where he can really stay on the court from a defensive standpoint in a playoff series. But can he be a better version of a guy like Jonas Valanciunas? Absolutely. And that’s plenty worth it with the ninth pick in this draft. The Grizzlies are a sleeper to be in the mix in the top six of the Western Conference coming into next season, with the likes of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart already in tow. — Zac Graham

10. Utah Jazz: Cody Williams, SG, Colorado

Cody Williams, much like his brother Jalen Williams, is a great athlete with a body made for NBA basketball. He’s 6’6” with a 7’1” wingspan, a good athlete, an aggressive defender, and a capable ball handler. Williams has the potential to be a great starter like his brother, but like many players in this draft has his limitations. He’s athletic, but not a great jumper, and has a lot of work to do on his shot. That means he has a lot of potential and a team like the Utah Jazz are looking for just that. Cody Williams will get the time and coaching he needs to grow into a good player. This is a nice get for the Jazz at #10. — Noops Christenson

11. Chicago Bulls: Matas Buzelis, SF, Lithuania

He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well during his G-League Ignite stint but he has terrific form that should translate well to the NBA. He has a versatile skill set and superior ball handling ability for a 6’10” kid. This is an excellent pick for the Bulls and he has the type of swagger that could make him a fan favorite in Chicago. — Walt Waddell

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nikola Topic, G, Serbia

As a Spurs fan, who will be needing my favorite team to go through the budding OKC juggernaut in their quest for a sixth championship, I absolutely hate this. If you’ve been following my draft coverage here at FTN you know I love this kid. I think Topič is the top guard in this class. He’s got a partially torn ACL right now which, in my opinion, caused him to fall out of the top five. He’s expected to miss a significant portion of next season and given the fact that OKC doesn’t need him to play next year to be a contender, he may just sit out the whole season and come back ready to go at Summer League 2025. At 6’6″ and averaging 19 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds per game in the Serbian league this season, this kid could end up being a monster. Seeing the Thunder add him to the depth chart alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace? Fans of Western Conference contenders should be upset that OKC was able to beef up their backcourt depth chart in this fashion at 12. — Zac Graham

13. Sacramento Kings: Devin Carter, G, Providence

Carter was named the Big East Player of Year after refusing to let Providence fall after losing junior forward Bryce Hopkins to a season-ending knee injury. He led the Big East in scoring at 21.4 PPG in league matchups, while adding 8.7 RPG with 12 double-doubles at just 6-foot-2. Carter was a true two-way starter who posted 1.8 SPG and 1.1 BLG as a guard. He absolutely has the 3P shooting range, hitting 38% of his shots on a whopping 223 attempts from deep.

Carter is 22 years old, a proven winner and a big-shot maker. His 6-foot-9 wingspan as a prolific two-way guard makes him an NBA draft unicorn with massive upside. The comparison to Marcus Smart is not good enough, as Carter has much better offensive skills. I project Jrue Holiday, someone who scores, plays great defense and hits big shots. —Mike Randle

14. Portland Trail Blazers: Bub Carrington, PG, Pittsburgh

There might not be many great players in this draft but there sure are some great names and none better than Bub Carrington. Much like there pick at #2, Alex Sarr, Carrington is a player with a lot of work to do, but also a lot of upside. Bub is a gifted scorer and a good passer, but needs to work on his three point shooting, learn how to attack the rim, and add weight to his frame. There will be plenty of time for Carrington to work on all those things as the Wizards commit another year to rebuilding and developing talent. If everything goes right for Carrington, this could be a great pick. If things don’t come together for Bub, then there wasn’t much lost for Washington. — Noops Christenson

15. Miami Heat: Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana

The former 5-star prospect had a massive year for Indiana after being in a lesser reserve role at Oregon. He improved as a long-range shooter, making 42% of his threes on 40 attempts. His toughness was questioned early in his career but that was put to bed after averaging almost 2 BPG and just under 10 RPG. His vast improvement shows that he willing to put in the work to become the best version of himself and now he goes to an ideal situation with the Miami Heat, an organization that has done well developing productive college players. — Walt Waddell

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared McCain, G, Duke

NBA teams love players with a specific elite skill and that’s precisely what McCain brings with his 3P shooting. One-dimensional players such as Onyeka Okongwu (interior defense), Corey Kispert (shooting), Jeremy Sochan (defense) and Jordan Hawkins (shooting) were all taken earlier than expected because they had a clear advantage over their fellow rookies in a specific skill.

The Duke freshman shot 41.4% from 3P range on a robust 5.8 3PA this season, and left a lasting mark in the eyes of recruits with a blistering NCAA Tournament. McCain shot 16-of-32 from deep over the Blue Devils four tournament games, including an insane 8-of-11 performance against JMU in a 93-55 obliteration during the Round of 32. McCain has the Duke pedigree, age and elite shooting that teams covet as a critical chess piece toward a deep NBA playoff run to the 76ers. — Mike Randle

17. Los Angeles Lakers: Dalton Knecht, G, Tennessee

Dalton Knecht slides to 17 and lands in purple and gold. I was lower on Knecht compared to consensus mocks coming into the night, but even I had him going higher than this. I think I love the fit for Los Angeles from a basketball standpoint. He’s a killer catch and shoot player, knocking down 39.7% of his threes last year with Tennessee on 6.5 attempts per game. At 23 years old, Knecht brings a more mature presence than most prospects. I do worry about his defensive short comings, but he’s going to fill a role immediately on this Lakers roster that needs the spacing on offense. Assuming new head coach JJ Redick makes it through his four-year contract with the Lakers, this is a guy he’ll be going to battle with long term headed into the post-LeBron era. As for LA’s outlook headed into the summer (assuming they take Bronny tomorrow), it’s tough for me to see this team contending. Unless LeBron takes a significant discount after opting out of his player option earlier this month to help the Lakers add some other unexpected pieces in free agency, I don’t think this pick really moves the “championship odds” needle for a fanbase that expects to be in the mix. — Zac Graham

18. Orlando Magic: Tristan da Silva, SF, Colorado

Sometimes a team can’t find what it needs in the draft, but that doesn’t mean they can’t find a good player who fits what they want to do. With that in mind, may I present to you the Orlando Magic’s pick at #18, Tristan Da Silva. He’s got good size at 6’8” with a 6’10” wingspan, he’s a good three point shooter, and a capable defender. He is not a great athlete or the lead guard the Magic so desperately desire to achieve their peak potential. Honestly, that’s what a team should expect with the 18th pick and the Orlando should be happy to get a guy who can be a contributor on a cheap contract for the next few seasons. Every team wants to hit a home run, but some times a solid single is all that is needed. — Noops Christenson

19. Toronto Raptors: Ja’Kobe Walter, SG, Baylor

The former Missouri Player of the Year is a winner. He was a prolific scorer at the HS level and came out on top against the best competition in the country. However, it can be difficult when you move to the next level and Walter’s only season at Baylor was a bit of a mixed bag. He dropped 28 in his collegiate debut and put together a fairly nice showing in the NCAA tournament despite the fact that the Bears bowed out early. He averaged 14.5 PPG while shooting 34% from distance and 37% overall. Those numbers will have to come up and he will need to work hard on the defensive end but at 19 years old, we haven’t come close to seeing what he is truly capable of yet. — Walt Waddell

20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jaylon Tyson, SG, California

Tyson is the first University of California player to be selected in Round 1 since Jaylen Brown in 2016. Tyson is a 20-point scorer who is a good facilitator. A good ball-handler with athleticism, Tyson had stops in Texas and Texas Tech before starring with Golden Bears. Our own Walt Waddell praised Tyson as a DFS staple and has high optimism for an impressive upcoming Summer League. —Mike Randle

21. New Orleans Pelicans: Yves Missi, C, Baylor

Yves Missi to the Pelicans was what I had in yesterday’s final mock draft, so there’s no surprise here for me. They’re not expected to bring back Jonas Valanciunas in free agency, so this is a team with some work to do to build on the excitement surrounding this team prior to Zion Williamson’s hamstring injury in the play-in back in April. Missi is still a very raw prospect, but he was all over the boards for Baylor and is an aggressive rim runner. Pels fans will love his motor and New Orleans will have their fingers crossed that he turns into everything they hoped Jaxson Hayes could be. The Pelicans are one of the most intriguing teams headed into free agency. Trade rumors have been swirling for weeks about what they could do by making assets like Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum available along with their stash of first round draft picks. —Zac Graham

22. Denver Nuggets: DaRon Holmes, C, Dayton (Trade from Phoenix)

Denver trades up to take the versatile big man from Dayton, who averaged 20.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG and improved to 38.6% 3P over his three-year college career. Holmes was much more than a back-to-the-basket post player, who improved dramatically in 3P shooting, free-throw shooting and assists. He led the A10 in scoring, rebounding and double-doubles. Only the third player drafted in the first round since 1966. —Mike Randle

23. Milwaukee Bucks: A.J. Johnson, G, USA (NBL)

The biggest surprise of the first round so far! The Bucks take AJ Johnson, who spent last season with Illawarra of the NBL. The 6’5″ guard is speedy and was a projected lottery pick in some preseason mocks, but between now and then his stock has fallen to a point where most people had him as a mid-to-late second rounder. Milwaukee will bet on the talent profile rather than what Johnson put on film last year as a rotation player for a .500 Illawarra squad as a 19-year-old. He came off the bench for all 29 of his appearances and struggled with his efficiency, sporting some nasty 36/28/54 splits. This has G-League next year written all over it as the Bucks look for ways to get back in the championship hunt with Giannis and Dame. — Zac Graham

24. Washington Wizards: Kyshawn George, G, Miami (From New York Knicks)

The Washington Wizards have moved back into the 1st round to grab Kyshawn George with the 24th pick. George was a freshman for Miami University last season and although he didn’t play a lot of minutes, he should some flashes in that time. He’s a good shooter with NAB range and is a good playmaker who can handle and find his teammates for good looks. He had a late growth spurt getting him to 6’7” with a wingspan of 6’10” but he now needs to add some muscle to that frame or else he will likely be too frail to play against NBA athletes. He also has work to do on the defensive end. The effort is there, but his technique on the perimeter is poor and he still lacks the strength to guard bigger players. The offense is there which should help the Wizards immediately. If George can get stronger and learn how to play defense then this could be a sneaky good pick for Washington. — Noops Christenson

25. New York Knicks: Pacôme Dadiet, F, France

This has been a draft dominated by French prospects as Dadiet is headed to the Knicks. At just 18 years old, he is a versatile player that grew up playing point guard before growing to 6’9”. The ability to play multiple positions is obviously coveted in the modern game and Dadiet will get a chance to come along slowly with so much veteran talent on the Knicks. He has a strong ability to create on offense and is a good enough 3-point shooter to keep defenses on their toes. This could be one of those picks we look back on and wonder why he wasn’t taken in the lottery. — Walt Waddell

26. Washington Wizards: Dillon Jones, F, Weber State

Although tonight hasn’t been as exciting and chaotic as I expected there has been some surprise picks and one of the most surprising is the Oklahoma City Thunder trading for the 26th pick to take Dillon Jones, a senior from Weber state who has good size at 6’5”with a 6’10” wingspan who has shown throughout his collegiate career that he is a great ball handler who can attack the basket, bully smaller players, and create shots. The Thunder learned the hard with in the postseason that they need more guys who can attack off the dribble. Jones has weaknesses. He is not a great athlete which hurts his ability to defend and his shot looks uncomfortable at best. Those are real issues with how the NBA is evolving, but OKC has plenty of athletic defenders to protect Jones on defense and plenty of shooters to keep the floor spaced on offense. This is a good fit for Jones and the Thunder. —Noops Christenson

27. Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr., G, Illinois

“Scary Terry” is a lotto talent but some off the court issues gave some teams pause, but  has  been proven not guilty and will put all of that behind him now. Shannon is a bonafide scoring machine that averaged 23 PPG while shooting 37% from beyond the arc and 47% overall. He is a harassing defender as well and will provide excellent depth for a Wolves team looking to push towards the NBA Finals. —Walt Waddell

28. Denver Nuggets: Ryan Dunn, G, Virginia

Dunn was an elite defender at Virginia will athleticism to finish at the rim. He struggled to score consistently on offense and with his free-throw accuracy, but his length allows for switching on the perimeter and a chance to grow with an elite Denver Nuggets franchise. —Mike Randle

29. Utah Jazz: Isaiah Collier, G, USC

Utah fans should be pumped about this pick. Collier was a top five pick coming into the season and even though his one year at USC was a bit of a letdown relative to those expectations, the ceiling is immense this late in the first round. He’s physically ready to handle the pro game and if his streaky shooting can become more consistent, we might be looking back on this pick saying “Ainge did it again” in a few years. Looking ahead, the Jazz are a team that aren’t expecting to contend in the Western Conference next year. Adding Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier to their young core of Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks and Walker Kessler is a nice place to be as this team moves into the next phase of their rebuild. —Zac Graham

30. Boston Celtics: Baylor Scheierman, G, Creighton

The reigning NBA champs end the 1st round with the solid selection of Baylor Scheierman. He had an outstanding collegiate career that included 3 years with South Dakota State and the last 2 with Creighton. This is just one of those kids that fills up a box score. He averaged 18.5 PPG/9 RPG/3.9 APG and made 38% of his 3’s. . This is especially impressive when you consider the fact he played 92.1% of the available minutes for Crieghton, the second highest mark in the Big East. The Celtics shore up their bench with an experienced player that can contribute right away.–Walt Waddell

Round 2

It’s time for the 2nd round of the NBA draft and for the first time ever teams have had a break since the end of the 1st round to prepare. We’ve already seen two trades in that time and I think we can expect plenty more. Of course, there is the player who everyone will be watching closely to see where he lands. I can’t wait to see who drafts Ariel Hukporti either, but we also have to keep an eye on Bronny James and which team will draft the USC guard in the hopes of enticing his father to join him. Settle in and let’s enjoy the 2nd round! —Noops Christenson

31. Toronto Raptors: Jonathan Mogbo, F, San Francisco

Mogbo has the type of skill set that Toronto historically covets. He has worked hard on his game and he has worked his way from the JUCO level to D-1. His efficiency metrics were strong across the board and he truly gets after it on the glass. The knock on Mogbo is that he isn’t a threat as a shooter and attempted only 2 triples in the past two years. If he was even average in that aspect he would probably have been a 1st round pick. The rest of his game is on point as he had a combined rebounding rate of 45%, an assist rate of 24.3% and a steals rate well over 3%. This  type of pick is tailor made for the Raptors. —Walt Waddell

32. Utah Jazz: Kyle Filipowski, F, Duke

Filipowski was a surprise slide in Day 1, but lands in a perfect spot to blossom in Utah. He is a versatile 6-foot-11 big man who averaged 16.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 2.6 blocks/steals. Filipowski improved his 3P accuracy to 35% last season, which is critical for an NBA big in 2024. The reasons for his slide range from a poor workout to unimpressive interviews, with concerns after a wingspan smaller than his actual size. It’s hard to find good shooting big men with a high IQ, which was the exact profile for Filipowski entering this draft process. He was projected as a lottery pick after this freshman season, but is selected in the second round after a good, but not great, sophomore collegiate season. — Mike Randle

33. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Smith, F, G League

After making one of the more surprising moves of the first round by drafting AJ Johnson with the 23rd pick, the Bucks follow it up by selecting Tyler Smith near the top of the second. A member of a dismal G-League Ignite team last season, Smith could easily turn into a versatile weapon on both ends of the floor. Standing 6’9″ with a 7’1″ wingspan, Smith averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds and an assist in 22 minutes per game last season. Contrary to some of his teammates who were drafted in last night’s first round who couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn in the G-League, Smith shot 36.4% from three on four attempts per game. Smith has compared himself to Chris Bosh, which is a lofty bar to set. Even if he doesn’t come close to reaching that level, this is a solid selection in the second round. With rumors swirling about Milwaukee shopping veterans in the frontcourt like Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez, this pick makes sense positionally. I expect to see him with the first team more than Johnson next season. — Zac Graham

34. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette

The 2nd round of the NBA draft is about taking risks on players who are raw, but full of potential or finding players who are ready to contribute immediately although they won’t be stars. Via the Portland Trail Blazers, the New York Knicks grab a player that fits that second category in Tyler Kolek from Marquette. He’s only 6’1 and lacks explosive athleticism, but he is a winning player who has great point guard skills and is a smart defender that plays hard. The Knicks have already added Mikal Bridges to last year’s roster which gives them plenty of talent. What New York needs is players on good contracts who can contribute off the bench reliably. Tom Thibodeau generally doesn’t like rookies, but I think he’ll love Kolek’s commitment to play winning basketball. This is a great pick for Knicks and Kolek. — Noops Christenson

35. San Antonio Spurs: Johnny Furphy, G, Kansas

It looks like the Spurs and Pacers have swapped picks which means Furphy will be Indiana bound. Most mock drafts had Furphy as a projected 1st rounder and many of us were left wondering why he fell to day 2. This is still a 19 year old kid that had to grow up quickly at Kansas, a program that demands excellence at all times. His shooting ability is undeniable but he is at his best as a spot-up guy. The majority of his triples were in catch-and-shoot situations and less than 20 of his actual attempts were off the dribble. It will take time and patience for Furphy to reach his full potential. —Walt Waddell

36. Indiana Pacers: Juan Nunez, G, Spain

Juan Nunez played in Germany the past two seasons with Pacome Dadiet who was selected 25th overall by the New York Knicks. He is a superb passer at 6-foot-5 and played for the defending European champions at only 19 years old. He is skills are so advanced that he was regarded as the best pick-and-roll player in the draft. —Mike Randle

37. Minnesota Timberwolves: Bobi Klintman, F, Sweden

The Pistons trade into the 37th pick and select Bobi Klintman. Many mocks including my own had Klintman going in the first round and the fact that he falls to a situation like Detroit feels like a good fit for both sides from my perspective. The 21-year-old Swede spent last season with Cairns Taipans in the NBL and showed two-way abilities that look to me like they’ll translate to the NBA level. He’s a switchable defender and loves to push the pace when he cleans up the defensive glass. His shot was far from broken (but no better than average) shooting 33.7% from deep on 3.5 attempts per game. If he can be more consistent spacing the floor, it’s not out of the question that Klintman could have a lengthy career in the league. For Detroit, it’s another high-upside, low-cost option to put into the asset stable as they move into the next phase of their rebuild. —Zac Graham

38. New York Knicks: Ajay Mitchell, PG, UC Santa Barbara

The Oklahoma City Thunder have sent some cash to the New York Knicks to trade up to the 38th pick to take Ajay Mitchell from UC Santa Barbara. This is the second time in the draft that the Thunder have traded for a pick to take a player who can create offense. Mitchell is not a great athlete and has work to do as a shooter, but he is good at breaking down defenders and moving off the ball. That is exactly the kind of player the Thunder needed in the playoffs and it’s clear they are focused on finding players with these types of skills. This is a good fit for OKC and a great landing spot for Mitchell who will get a chance to play off the bench surrounded by players who he can help play well while they cover up his weaknesses. — Noops Christenson

39. Memphis Grizzlies: Jaylen Wells, G, Washington State

This is another one of those older, productive players that I believe will be in an NBA rotation for a long time. The former JUCO standout took a few months to get acclimated to the speed of the D-1 game but once he figured it out he became one of the Cougars most important players. He shot 44% from distance in the now defunct Pac-12 which was the third best mark and is just about automatic at the charity stripe, making 86%. Every NBA team can use shooters but this fills a glaring need for the Grizzlies. — Walt Waddell

40. Portland Trail Blazers: Osasere Ighodaro, PF, Marquette

Ighodaro is an elite athlete who starred on both ends of the floor for Marquette last season. He posted 13 PPG and 6.9 RPG while making a huge defensive impact with 2.5 steals/blocks per contest. He brings a similar athletic profile to former Marquette star Olivier Maxence-Prosper, who was the 24th overall pick in last year’s draft by the Dallas Mavericks. —Mike Randle

41. Philadelphia 76ers: Adem Bona, C, UCLA

The Philadelphia 76ers go as Joel Embiid goes. Tyrese Maxey showed us he is capable of being great, but for Philadelphia to hit their peak they need Joel Embiid to be healthy. The 76ers have never had a player who can backup the former MVP allowing Embiid to avoid playing too many high impact minutes. In attempt to solve that problem, the 76ers have selected Adem Bona who is a gifted athlete who will be a good defender immediately but has a long way to go offensively. Bona hasn’t played basketball his entire life, so there is reason to expect him to improve quickly if Philadelphia takes the time to develop his skills. Think of a slightly smaller Andre Drummond who is less of a rebounding savant but has more potential to be a good offensive player someday. —Noops Christenson

42. Charlotte Hornets: KJ Simpson, C, Colorado

The Hornets took a big swing last night on Tidjane Salaun at sixth overall and I was a big fan. Now with the 42nd pick they take KJ Simpson out of Colorado and (even though they made me look silly for doubting the Brandon Miller pick last season) for the first time in years I’m impressed with a Charlotte draft! Simpson is an above average shot creator in this class and even though he’ll be 22 years old by the time the regular season rolls around, I’m not too worried about that considering the entire Hornets roster is essentially young guys. He put up 20 points, 6 boards and 5 assists per game for the Buffs last season, the offensive side of the ball isn’t the concern. He’s one of the smallest players in this draft, standing just over 6’0, so he’ll likely be tested nightly on the defensive end, both in his probable G-League stints and with the first team. —Zac Graham

43. Miami Heat: Nikola Djurisic, SG, Serbia

Dang! I was hoping Nikola Djurisic would fall to my Spurs at 48, but the Hawks swoop in and trade up for the 43rd pick to select the Serbian wing. He’s got size, athleticism and can score the ball extremely well for his age, having just turned 20 at the end of the Serbian season. Djurisic can handle the rock and does well for his size in the pick-and-roll game. He’s streaky from three but the flashes he’s shown make me confident that he’ll improve as his career continues. Considering his length and athleticism, I can see him developing into a versatile defender in time, but I think he lacks the explosiveness laterally at this point of his journey to play a big role next season in Atlanta. Depending on how the Hawks approach the future, this could be a “stash” situation for the coming year. —Zac Graham

44. Houston Rockets: Pelle Larsson, G, Arizona

Larsson transferred from Utah to Arizona after his freshman season, and became a consistent scorer with good 3P range. He shot 43% from beyond the arc last season, and demonstrated good rebounding ability and lateral quickness. Larsson will be a valuable shooter in the NBA, both on ball reversal and off fast breaks. —Mike Randle

45. Sacramento Kings: Jamal Shead, G, Houston

Jamal Shead is a winner, plain and simple. He is one of my favorite players of the last decade and when you watch him play it’s easy to see why. His collegiate career ended with a costly injury in the tournament but he will be ready to contribute right away and goes to an organization with a keen eye for talent. Shead had the 5th highest assist rate in the country along with a top 20 steals rate. He is a bit small which is why he wasn’t considered as a 1st round pick but he is going to surprise a lot of people when he steps onto an NBA floor. There is no doubt in my mind about Shead being in the rotation of a winning team for the next 10+ years. —Walt Waddell

46. Los Angeles Clippers: Cam Christie, G, Minnesota

Teams are always looking for players with who can shoot well, play hard on defense, and have length. Cameron Christie, son of Doug Christie and brother of Max Christie, is a great shooter at 6’4” with a 6’8” wingspan. He’s a good defender that plays with intelligence and effort. So, how did he fall all the way into the second round? Unfortunately Christie is not a great athlete, needs to get stronger, and struggled to score at the rim and handle physicality. At just under 19 years old, there is plenty of time for Christie add muscle to his frame and learn how to play against bigger opponents. This is a nice pick for the Los Angeles Clippers who can give Cameron Christie the time the time he needs to reach his potential. —Noops Christenson

47. Orlando Magic: Antonio Reeves, G, Kentucky

Reeves is a mature, experienced player with a lot to offer to the Pelicans. He massively improved as a shooter throughout his 5 seasons at the collegiate level. As a frosh for Illinois State he made less than 30% but ended his career with Kentucky as a 45% shooter. Reeves has played in big games and in front of huge crowds at Rupp Arena which should ease his transition to the NBA. —Walt Waddell

48. San Antonio Spurs: Harrison Ingram, F, North Carolina

The Spurs round out their 2024 draft with Harrison Ingram at 48. The junior out of North Carolina, who transferred from Stanford after two seasons on the West coast, showed some big improvements with his shot this past year shooting 38.5% from deep on more than 4.5 attempts per game. Physically, he fits the mold that San Antonio gravitates to with their wings over the last decade-plus. Long and lanky, 6’5″ with a 7’0″ wingspan. If the improvements from deep are for real, this is a second-round pick that could play his way into a rotation role for this club down the road. The focus for San Antonio now shifts to the beginning of free agency on Sunday after opening up $26 million in cap space by trading Rob Dillingham to Minnesota last night. —Zac Graham

49. Indiana Pacers: Tristan Newton, G, Connecticut

If you can’t find a player with a great potential in the 2nd round of the NBA draft, you should then try to find a player who is ready to play winning basketball right now. Tristen Newton is already 23, several years older than most players in the draft, and not a great athlete, but Newton is a polished player who has contributed to winning two consecutive championships with the Connecticut Huskies. Newton is a good shooter, a good on-ball defender, and someone will not be out-hustled on the court. He will compete hard in practice and play well even if he doesn’t get many minutes to do so. This is a good pick for a team trying to establish a winning culture with a roster that needs young players who can contribute off the bench.If you can’t find a player with a great potential in the 2nd round of the NBA draft, you should then try to find a player who is ready to play winning basketball right now. Tristen Newton is already 23, several years older than most players in the draft, and not a great athlete, but Newton is a polished player who has contributed to winning two consecutive championships with the Connecticut Huskies. Newton is a good shooter, a good on-ball defender, and someone will not be out-hustled on the court. He will compete hard in practice and play well even if he doesn’t get many minutes to do so. This is a good pick for a team trying to establish a winning culture with a roster that needs young players who can contribute off the bench —Noops Christenson

50. Indiana Pacers: Enrique Freeman, F, Akron

The Pacers follow up their solid Tristen Newton pick with the selection of Akron star, Enrique Freeman. I love to see a highly productive college player like this get drafted and think he has a solid shot to stick in the NBA. He recorded 31 double-doubles this past season which tied the legendary David Robinson and Armando Bacot for the NCAA record. He had the highest defensive rebounding rate in the country at 33.1% and improved as a long-range shooter, making 36% of his 52 attempts. —Walt Waddell

51. New York Knicks: Melvin Ajinca, SG, France

The Knicks finally make a pick after multiple trades in the last hour… sike! It appears they’ll now pick at 58, although I haven’t seen full details as of this writing. They’ve traded the 51st pick to the Mavericks and Dallas selects Melvin Ajinca out of France. Ajinca played last season with Saint-Quentin in the French first division. He’s a knockdown shooter, but I’m not excited about much else at this point for a team that considers themselves contenders. To break into this Mavs rotation, he’ll need to be able to improve on the defensive end over the next few seasons. This has G-League or stash in France written all over it. —Zac Graham

52. Golden State Warriors: Quinten Post, F, Boston College

Post keeps the train rolling as another quality big man with a good shooting touch. He is a 7-footer that spent time at Mississippi State and Boston College over a five-year collegiate career, and shot 42% and 43% from beyond the arc the last two seasons. Post is an asset on both ends of the floor, notching over 2.5 blocks and steals per game. —Mike Randle

53. Detroit Pistons: Cam Spencer, G, Connecticut

Minnesota traded for this pick earlier this afternoon, shipping Wendell Moore Jr and the 37th pick to Detroit for the 53rd selection. On the surface, it was a head scratcher. But when you’re told that the trade saved Minnesota not only a half million dollars in salary, but a couple million on top of that in luxury tax payments, things make more sense… now they’ve traded out of THIS pick, swapping 53 for 57 with the Grizzlies and probably some cash to be determined shortly. Memphis takes Cam Spencer, who played a huge role in UConn’s national championship a few months back. He’s a knockdown shooter (44% on 5.6 attempts per game) and he can move really well off the ball. But he’s undersized and I think he’ll struggle on the defensive end early in his career. Already 24 years old, Spencer is one of the oldest players in this draft. His offensive IQ gives him the slim chance to break into this Memphis rotation sooner rather than later, but I’m not counting on it. — Zac Graham

54. Boston Celtics: Anton Watson, PF, Gonzaga

The NBA salary cap rules make it tough for teams to add players one they load up with a few stars on max contracts. The Boston Celtics just won the championship, but if they want to do it again they will have to be creative and nimble in acquiring player who can contribute cheaply because Jaylen Brown just got paid, Jrue Holiday just got paid, Jayson Tatum is about to get paid, and Derrick White needs to get paid. The 2nd round of the NBA draft is a great way for teams with big payrolls dealing with the various aprons to acquire players. Anton Watson is 24 years old and has spent the last few years polishing his game. He’s not a great athlete and not a great shooter, but he is a good defender who defend bigger players and faster players while providing rebounding, passing, and finishing at the rim. Watson is a good selection for a Celtics looking to fill out their bench. —Noops Christenson

55. Los Angeles Lakers: Bronny James, G, USC

In this least shocking news of the draft, the LA Lakers have selected Bronny James. The media circus surrounding Bronny and his NBA situation has been tiresome but it won’t be coming to an end anytime soon. Klutch Sports maestro Rich Paul has been adamant that Bronny wouldn’t sign a 2-way deal and he apparently warned several teams that he would go to Australia if they drafted him. This situation is unprecedented as it will be the first time in league history that a father-son duo has played at the same time. Bronny struggled during his time at USC but we have to consider the fact that he came back from cardiac arrest extremely quickly. The talent is there and he may very well develop into a viable 3-and-D type of player but it’s going to take significant time. He likely would have been better suited by returning to college but now he will get on-the-job training from his very own father. —Walt Waddell

56. Phoenix Suns: Kevin McCullar Jr., F, Kansas

McCullar is a versatile two-way player that starred at both Texas Tech and Kansas. He is an elite defender that averaged over a steal per game in five straight college seasons. Despite getting injured in the middle of the season, McCullar had an All-American type season posting a career-best 18.3 PPG and raising his 3P mark to a respectable 33.3%. —Mike Randle

57. Memphis Grizzlies: Ulrich Chomche., PF, Cameroon

The Wolves were determined to not spend any more money in this draft, as they trade out of a pick for the third and final time in today’s second round. The Raptors are on the other end of the contending spectrum and happily add Ulrich Chomche with the penultimate pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. He’s the first product of the NBA Academy Africa to be drafted directly to the league. With Masai Ujiri’s ties to the NBA’s work on the African continent, this pick makes a ton of sense. He’s an exciting prospect and the youngest player drafted in this class. Chomche stands at 6’10″ with a 7’4″ wingspan. While he’s still clearly learning the game, Toronto has the time to be patient with him and see just how high his ceiling is in the coming years. —Zac Graham

58. Dallas Mavericks: Ariel Hukporti., C, Germany

The Mavs close out the draft with the selection of Ariel Hukporti. The 22-year old from Germany has plenty of professional experience having played in Lithuania and the NBL (Australia). He averaged roughly 8 PPG and 7 RPG during his final season with Melbourne United. He has the type of frame needed to play center in the NBA and runs the floor for a player his size. He excelled in PnR situations and brings value as a high-level rebounder on the offensive glass. —Walt Waddell