There’s no consensus No. 1 decide in 2024 like there was with Victor Wembanyama a yr in the past, so the Hawks could have loads of choices to think about within the coming weeks. French large man Alexandre Sarr, French ahead Zaccharie Risacher, UConn heart Donovan Clingan, G League Ignite wing Ron Holland, Serbian level guard Nikola Matter 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 suits than others on the present Atlanta roster, however there was an expectation that the Hawks will make some important adjustments this summer time, with Trae Younger and Dejounte Murray thought-about attainable commerce candidates. Atlanta’s entrance workplace must take these potential strikes under consideration because it weighs what to do with the No. 1 decide.
Washington, Houston and San Antonio are among the many different large 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 decide, however in addition they had only a 27.4 % probability to stay within the high two, to allow them to’t complain concerning the final result.
Will probably be the second lottery decide for the present entrance workplace, which can get the chance so as to add one other constructing block to final yr’s No. 7 total choice, Bilal Coulibaly.
The Rockets‘ decide at No. 12 might be despatched to the Thunder because of 2019’s Russell Westbrook commerce, however Houston will decide third total due to one of many unprotected Nets first-rounders that was included within the 2021 James Harden blockbuster. Earlier than the lottery, that decide had simply the ninth-best odds to maneuver into the highest three (14.5 %).
A report this week acknowledged that the Rockets are involved in buying and selling their lottery choice for future draft property after having made 9 first-round picks previously three years. Assuming Houston’s stance hasn’t modified following the lottery outcomes, the truth that the decide 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 decide moved up one spot, from No. 5 within the pre-lottery order to No. 4, they usually additionally secured a second decide because of Toronto dropping from No. 6 to No. 8.
The Raptors traded their top-six protected 2024 first-round decide 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 decide might 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 document and ended up with the No. 5 total decide.
For what it’s value, Detroit solely had a couple of 50-50 probability in every case to land within the high 4 as a result of flatter nature of the chances below the NBA’s present format.
Nonetheless, dropping that coin flip in back-to-back years is an unlucky final 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 decide to the Thunder, however that obligation will roll over to 2025 as an alternative — the decide 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 decide if it’s not within the high 10 and Detroit’s decide if it’s not within the high 13. The Spurs will management Charlotte’s lottery-protected 2025 decide; the Bulls will get Portland’s 2025 decide if it’s exterior 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.
