David Thorpe reviews the 2024 draft

Reactions to 10 first-round picks and a word on Bronny James

BY DAVID THORPE

Selected ninth overall by the Grizzlies, Zach Edey (left) was one surprise of the first round. That Dalton Knecht (right) fell to the Lakers at 17 was yet another. GREGORY SHAMUS/GETTY IMAGES

There’s no sense in forming emotional bonds to recent draft picks. Lottery teams rarely make the playoffs, and rookies almost never help teams win games. That said, though no 2024 draft pick leapt off the page as a future star, one may someday emerge. 

Of the 58 prospects selected in this year’s draft, 10 picks not named Bronny James piqued my interest, for better or worse: Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Ron Holland II, Tidjane Salaün, Zach Edey, Devin Carter, Jared McCain, Dalton Knecht, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Yves Missi. In some cases, the player’s exactly what his team needs. Other picks left me scratching my head at a team’s decision-making or questioning how so many teams could let a player slide so far.

Here are my thoughts on each of these picks, followed by a brief take on Bronny…