It would be understandable if the 2024 NBA Draft is more volatile than usual in terms of trades and surprise picks. SB Nation has been covering this draft class since the day after the 2023 draft, and the only thing evaluators can agree on about this group of players is that no one can agree on anything.
Unlike previous years, there is no undisputed No. 1 in this class of draft. With the lottery results becoming more and more uncertain, the Atlanta Hawks jumped from 10th to 1st. The Hawks were not expected to select a top-class player, but that opened up the possibility of a higher draft pick.
With the 2024 NBA Finals underway, information about the draft is starting to trickle in. Here's what we're hearing about the draft so far:
Hawks considering trading No. 1 for lower pick
So far, the Hawks have three players they think might be vaguely in line to take first overall: French forward Alex Sarr, French winger Zachary Lisacher and University of Connecticut center Donovan Clingan. We know the Hawks got to watch Lisacher up close in recent playoff games and have invited Clingan in for workouts.
According to ESPN, the Hawks are “considering trade-down scenarios.” This doesn't mean the Hawks don't want to draft a player with the first pick, but rather that they are considering where they can get the most value. If they trade down, could Clingan be their ultimate target? According to ESPN, Clingan's likely pick range is from No. 1 to No. 7 to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was the No. 2 pick and has also worked out with the Wizards.
The Hawks have a lot of roster-building questions to answer before even considering a No. 1 overall pick. Do they trade either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray or keep both? Is the team finally ready to use Onyeka Okongwu as their starting center after he signed a $62 million extension last summer? Atlanta sees limitless possibilities with the No. 1 pick and intends to explore them all.
Bulls looking to trade up for two players
The Bulls have the 11th overall pick and are desperately looking for a player to add to their team's cap space. Chicago has a lot of big questions heading into the offseason, including Zach LaVine's trade desires, DeMar DeRozan's impending unrestricted free agency and Patrick Williams' restricted free agency. Chicago may be in a good position to wait and see who falls to them, but it seems the Bulls front office is considering trading up.
According to ESPN, the Bulls are exploring trading up for Clingan or Matas Buzelis. Buzelis is a Chicago native and the Bulls have reportedly observed him in early private workouts. It seems unlikely the former G League Ignite wing would drop to No. 11. He's currently garnering top-five attention and is projected to go to the Spurs fourth overall, according to Bleacher Report.
The Bulls also brought in Providence guard Devin Carter for workouts, according to Bleacher Report. Carter seems like the kind of role player who can fill in for a star player right away, which the Bulls don't have. DeRozan is past his prime and will be a free agent, and the Bulls need to make good use of that pick given the dire state of their roster and the fact that they owe the Spurs a protected first-round pick next year.
Ron Holland might be out of the lottery.
Holland was a favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in this draft early in the cycle, but a tough year with the G-League Ignite, in which he lost a number of games throughout the season and struggled with his shooting from the perimeter, reportedly dampened interest from the league.
Holland is currently working out with non-lottery teams in case he drops down on draft day. He worked out with the Miami Heat, who are No. 15 overall, and the Los Angeles Lakers, who are No. 17, according to ESPN. According to Bleacher Report, Holland is a “candidate to drop down.”
It would be a mistake to pass on Holland. He is one of the few players in this class with the defensive mobility, rim pressure, athleticism and youth to potentially become a star. We have positioned Holland as a top-three player in this class all season and do not intend to shake that position.
Nicolas Topic tears ACL, wingspan measurement disappoints
Topic rose to the No. 1 spot on draft boards in December following a strong start to the Adriatic League season. The 18-year-old Serbian native showed off an incredible combination of explosiveness, finishing and playmaking as a 6'7″ lead guard, putting up great all-around stats against the pros at a young age. Unfortunately, Topic suffered a knee injury in January and attempted a comeback, but tore his anterior cruciate ligament last month, according to a report from ESPN.
Topic was also measured at the NBA's European Draft Combine, where his arm length was only 6 feet 5.5 inches, according to ESPN. Unconfirmed Internet reports stated that his arm length was 7 feet early in the draft cycle, which is unrealistic. Still, his arm length measurement is disappointing, and combined with his injuries, it's possible that he could fall down draft boards.
Devin Carter is getting attention for being in the top 10
Carter was a blast to watch during his breakout junior season at Providence. A 6-foot-3 guard long regarded as a tenacious on-ball defender, he blossomed offensively, improving his 3-point shot and displaying a keen ability to play with both feet after deep penetrations in the paint. He also dominated the pre-draft process, displaying an incredible vertical leap, a good shot and the type of mentality that teams love.
According to Bleacher Report, the Spurs are highly rated on Carter, and San Antonio's No. 8 pick could be the start of their window to acquire him. The Grizzlies, at No. 9, could also be in the running, as Carter's father, former NBA guard Anthony Carter, is the team's development coach.
According to ESPN, Carter has already trained with the Bulls at No. 11 and the Kings at No. 13, and it's looking increasingly likely he'll be a lottery pick and could even move up.
